Hi all...
(I just had to use this smilie, I love it!).
A brief intro...
I am 30 years old, married with one biological child. I have not been on any form of birth control (other than a brief 4 month period during the summer of 2007 prior to my wedding) for about 5 years now. However, even without birth control my cycles have been fairly regular, on a 25-28 day cycle.
In Oct/Nov I began having pain in the lower right quadrant of my pelvis. I had ovarian cysts throughout college, so thought that may be what the cause was. I had a transvaginal u/s with my gyn -- he did not see any cysts, but pointed out fluid in my pelvis, which he said was probably from a ruptured cyst. I was told to come back if the pain continued. It did, so in January I scheduled another appointment, but this time with a new practice.
On January 19th, when my period began (24 days after the start of my previous cycle) it just didn't go away! It lasted until February 7th (2 days short of 3 weeks). On February 10th I met with my gyn (the appt had been scheduled before my cycle lasted longer than a week, it was scheduled for the persistant pelvic pain). She told me it was probably hormones and/or stress and wanted me to chart my periods for a while, said that if it was still a problem to call back and they would schedule another u/s and try b/c pills.
11 days later, on February 19th my period began again. It seemed to stop a week later and I thought everything was more normal (though I still have the pelvic pain). However 2 days later it began again. I have been bleeding since then. So I have now had bleeding (and it's not light) for the past 37 out of 50 days. I was back at the doc last Thursday.
The bleeding (sorry for TMI) has been different also -- it has been a steady mixture of bright red and dark brown blood, but it is very mucousy (spell check!). The 11 day "break" I had I also had a clear mucousy discharge. In addition, my cycles have always brought cramping and sore breasts, however since January I have had NO cramping or sore breasts which is highly unusual.
I am still having the pelvic pain and have had persistent nausea (which may be related to an antiobiotic I have been on for an unrelated problem). Starting yesterday I have had terrible cramping, and I'm not sure whether the b/c pills the doctor had me start taking last Thursday are causing this or not.
I am scheduled for a (and I may have the terminology wrong) hydro ultrasound -- they also have it written down as an SIS ultrasound, with saline -- on Wednesday the 25th of March.
A bit more history -- I am the daughter of a breast cancer survivor -- Mom was dx'd at 44, pre-menopause and did surgery, 6 months chemo and 6 months rads -- thankfully cancer free for 13 years! As such, I am very aware of my risk for both breast and ovarian cancer and it terrifies me.
So does anyone have any suggestions or experience with anything like this?
Forgot to mention -- the new gyn did a physical exam on Feb 10th and said ovaries and uterus felt normal.
I have also been treated for Irritable Bowel Syndrome for 1.5 years, however my primary (and most "irritating" symptom) has been frequent gas pain and bloating, with bowel issues (I 'see saw' back and forth between constipation and diarreah -- spell check again!).
P.S...I guess it wasn't such a 'brief' intro after all, lol!
Abnormal Menstrual Bleeding -- 13 days w/ no bleeding since 1/19/09
..
