My Side Pains Are Back

[Yumeko-chan]

Lemme see if I can explain this without rambling too much...

Last week I thought I had a UTI. It burned a little bit when I peed, but not really that much. It was mostly a PAIN issue. My sides were killing me, especially if I had to be on my feet for a while (like, oh, at work). Went to the doctor, peed in a cup, and while the test came back negative she said it was "walking and talking" like a UTI so she went ahead and gave me a prescription for nitrofurantoin (Macrobid). My pain got worse, and on Friday night at work my back started hurting. I was worried that perhaps it was spreading to my kidneys, so I went back to the doctor on Saturday and peed in a cup again. Negative again, so it never was a UTI, nor was it a kidney infection. Was tested for pregnancy (negative). She's gonna get me checked for gonorrhea and chlamydia to see if those are the cause of the itching that recently started (though if those tests are positive, that would mean my b/f has been cheating, and I seriously doubt he has been). She also said she thinks my back pain is being caused by muscle spasms and so gave me a prescription for methocarbamol (Robaxin). ALSO wants me to get a pelvic ultrasound done to see if maybe ovarian cysts are causing my pain.

I didn't say anything, and maybe I should have, but the moment she recommended the ultrasound, I had deja vu. When my side pains first appeared a couple years ago I had a TVU (trans-vaginal ultrasound) done to see if there was anything physical causing it. Nothing. I have noticed, though, that the pains flare up when I'm under stress, and admittedly I've been under some mental stress lately (for some reason my PTSD likes to flare up at this time of year). The back pain, though...I know I didn't strain it. I haven't done anything out of the ordinary to do anything to it. So that's a question mark.

I did some research on Robaxin, and while it's a muscle relaxer, it's also used to treat fibromyalgia. That's when a light went off in my head. Back pain, pelvic pain, the fact I have to lay my head down at breaktime every day at work because my sleep isn't truly "restful"...it's a big maybe, but I suppose it's a possibility. I've seen others on here who have struggled with fibromyalgia. Maybe I'll bring it up with my doctor the next time I see her.

The Robaxin's helped a tiny bit, but hasn't taken away the back pain (and side pain, haha) completely. I'll give it a few more days.

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I have interstial cystitis / painful bladder syndrome. (It's an auto-immune disorder also like fibro, chronic fatigue etc.) Stress definately increases the pain and it does VERY often walk and talk like a UTI. If you want more information - you can pm me if you'd like.

I'm sorry your in pain - and I'm not saying for sure you have what I do - but it does sound strangely similiar - I was finally diagnosed by a urologist.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Yumeko-chan]

PM sent :)

[Grainne]

Are you prone to kidney stones? Sometimes tiny stones cause the type of pain you are describing, along with the slight burning sensation when you urinate. Ultrasound will find those (external US, though...not TVU).

Best of luck!
Grainne

[Yumeko-chan]

Can't say I've had kidney stones, but the pain's been on both sides, not just one.

[Grainne]

Pain from a kidney stone can radiate to both sides, depending on where it is located. And again, they would be small stones (very small). Big ones hurt a LOT...usually to the point of rushing to the emergency room.

Just a thought....xo

[Mina]

Did they culture your urine? Just one more thing to check. I've had UTIs that don't show up on the usual tests...only when they culture it for several days...and my main symptom was always lower back pain on both sides, near the kidney area.

Sorry you're going through this, Yumeko-Chan. So frustrating to be in pain and not know why! Hope you have some answers soon.

[Yumeko-chan]

Yeah, they cultured it when I was there the first time last week. Nothin'.

[Yumeko-chan]

Had a pelvic ultrasound today. Things of note from that:

I had one a year and a half ago also. Had to drink 32 oz. of water an hour before that, and they only let me pee after the exam was done. For this one, I did the same, assuming they'd want me to have a full bladder like last time. Nope. The radiologist asked me to void BEFORE the exam.

[During the exam] "Did you empty your bladder?"
"Yeah."
"It's showing your bladder is still full."

(I've read up on that. It's called "incomplete voiding," which has happened my whole life but I guess isn't quite normal? *shrug*)

Asked her about the interstitial cystitis thing (read up on it and it fits a LOT better than fibromyalgia does...kinda scary how well it fits, actually), and she said if it was a bladder issue it wouldn't show up on the ultrasound. Asked her if I should ask my doctor about it, and she said it wouldn't hurt.

After the first one a year and a half ago I was left in enough pain that I was bed-bound the rest of the day. Let the radiologist know of that, and she took care to be gentle. No problems thus far; some pain, but not enough to keep me down.

I'll find out the results in two or three days, but if it's anything like the last one, they won't find a darn thing wrong.

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I would suggest you see if your GP can send you to a urologist. I have always had incomplete voiding and yeah I agree the more I read - the more it sounds like it could be IC (again I'm not a doctor just basing my "opinion" on your symptoms).

Try not to get frustrated, they have to rule out other causes (hence the pelvic ultrasound). I'm glad this ultrasound didn't hurt you as bad as the one you had previously.