What causes persistent pain in left lower abdomen?
Patient: I have persistent pain on my left lower abdomen from 2004. It is sort of on and off pain which radiates to my back as well. I had a laparoscopy surgery done in 2004 for endometriosis. I have shown many doctors and did many investigations in last so many years but nothing is coming out. Ultrasound is done at least twice in a year, CT scan done last year but doctor is not able to detect the cause of the pain. There is no cyst anymore as per the reports. Could you please help me what should I do to detect the reason behind this irritating pain. Now I am scared if it is something bad like cancer ?? Doctor: Hi.Thanks for your query. Since all the reports are normal now and the pain persists, we have to look for odd reasons , uncommon causes for pain in abdomen.The possible causes are:Prolapsed intervertebral disc at the level of lower thoracic spinal cord. This can be diagnosed by an MRI of the thoracic spine.Post-herpetic neuralgia- history and trial of Gabapentin under your Doctor's guidance can help.IBS- all reports are normal- irritable bowel syndrome- treat the anxiety and stress, and the IBS.Few more investigations would help to understand te cause and treat accordingly:Color doppler of the abdomen to rule out vascular insufficiency to the intestines due to occlusive arterial disease of the intestines.Enteroclysis to see for the dynamics and mechanical obstruction.If all the investigations are normal- you may please consult a Psychiatrist.