Pain Mgmt "female" troubles?

[Faroe]

Ok, I'm mostly venting, because I've been in pain for close to a week, and it is making me tired and crabby.

Very tender spot at the far right next to the hip bone. Was just under that hollow that forms to the inside of the pelvic bone when you lie on your back - except it has extended somewhat above and below that small area as of today. Last night, I could clearly feel that there was some sort of mass that the left side of the abdomen did not have.

I looked up fibroids today and decided (with perhaps some wishful thinking) that this was the problem. Two days ago I felt all day as if I had a fever, but that went away, so not sure if the two are related. Watched a video on how to apply a castor oil pack with a heat pad (stuff we have), and will try that tomorrow. Chewed some milk thistle seeds - they are supposed to help indirectly by clearing the liver.

I do not trust doctors, but I suppose if the pain becomes screaming horrible, there may be an ER trip.

 

[Lindy]

Hi Faroe...you sure it is not your appendix? What happens when you press on spot with fingers & then quickly release? and a fever! You really should check with dr on
this one

 

[summerthyme]

Yes, appendix is a possibility. Another is an ovarian cyst. It's unlikely (but certainly not impossible) for it to be fibroid tumors of the uterus... the non-pregnant uterus just isn't that large, although pain from a large fibroid could radiate outward. Not likely you'd feel a "mass" that far over from a fibroid which wasn't causing other symptoms, though.

If you don't have a thermometer, get one! it's a BASIC prep item... "feeling like" you have a fever isn't the same as having one, and many times a fever manifests more as feeling chilled and creepy, rather than hot.

I don't blame you on the "trusting doctors" thing, but at the same time, some of this stuff is much better dealt with BEFORE it becomes "screaming horrible". A week is pushing it for a new pain which is bad enough to not be able to be ignored for hours at a time, which doesn't (apparently) respond to OTC pain relievers, especially something like ibuprofen, and *especially* if it's also accompanied by a palpable mass or other change.

Don't let this go much longer; it may be something minor, or not. Without a few basic tests (probably some blood work and an ultrasound, at least to start) there just isn't any way to know.

Summerthyme

 

[Faroe]

Thanks, Lindy and Summerthyme.
I appreciate the help and listening.

I'll get a thermometer out. Not sure what it will read however! I seem to be hitting menopause (46 yo). Scanty periods, sometimes constant hot flashes. I sweat right through everything.

The appendix articles describe pain extending from the right side to the navel. This pain is more up and down, and remains on the side. I have read elsewhere that the appendix isn't always located where it is *supposed* to be however.

I thought maybe the right kidney, although it is not a pain at the back. I've never had a UTI. Urination and bowel are both normal.

 

[Parakeet]

This sounds like symptoms I get when I have an ovarian cyst (with the exception of the mass you mentioned). I've tried the castor oil packs but didn't really notice much improvement. Honestly, what worked the best for me was ibuprofen and a heating pad to manage the pain. Usually, a cyst will go away on its own, but I did have one rupture once and I did go to my doctor to have it checked out just to make sure everything was okay.

I'm not a big fan of rushing to the doctor unnecessarily , however, I do monitor symptoms and always go in if the situation worsens or doesn't improve in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Faroe]

Could be, Parakeet. A bit of an unknown still. Nevertheless, even though the lump is still there, the pain is almost entirely gone. That is nice!!
I already eat healthy, and exercise, so there is not much daily, where I can make a big change.
I'm just going to wait and see.

Thanks again, everyone.