Pelvic Physical Therapy?

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I have been dealing with undiagnosed abdominal pain for well over a year now. I have done numerous tests. The good news is that all the tests they've done have been normal so there's no structural issues with my small bowel or colon. I've often felt throughout this process that the doctors aren't listening to me.

Today I met with my GI person and she did listen to me (perhaps my rare and unexpected burst of tears helped with that). She examined me today and she's recommending pelvic physical therapy. She said there's a test i could do, but would have to be done 2 hours away from where I live and would be very anxiety-provoking for me. She said it would most likely lead to the recommendation of physical therapy anyway so we're skipping the test for now.

I am wondering if anyone had ever done pelvic physical therapy before and can tell me if it was really triggering or if it helped.

 

[Gs172003]

I didn't know there was such a thing. Tell me more?

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Tell me more?

Well, I don't know a lot of details, which is why I posted on here. However, I did talk to a friend who is a physical therapist and she knows someone who does it. It is to help strengthen the pelvic floor and muscles in the area of parts I don't like to name. I believe it includes internal and external work unlike your basic physical therapy. I want to get to the cause of my abdominal pain and help it get better, but I am not sure I can do this which is why I am looking to see if anyone's had experience. Maybe if they have, we'll both learn more. :)

 

[Gs172003]

Well, I don't know a lot of details, which is why I posted on here. However, I did talk t...

I have a boss that's wife has the same issue as you and they haven't been able to help her. Hopefully you can help her too

 

[Silver.]

Just an errant thought, and totally ignore this if you feel it doesn't apply,
but has any of your doctors kicked around the idea of endometriosis? So many people
go undiagnosed with this for years, so that is why I am asking

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

but has any of your doctors kicked around the idea of endometriosis?

My primary care doctor who left (whom I loved and miss greatly) did mention that. She explained that I could have a rare case that happened during my last c-section which included an emergency hysterectomy. My ob-gyn, whom I also respect and like, completely disagreed saying it was highly unlikely (that was the point though) so we left it for now. The only way to confirm if I did would be to do exploratory surgery anyway so I'll try this latest recommendation and then go back to the drawing board if it doesn't help. I like that you brought this up because it brings validation to it being a possibility.

 

[Silver.]

I had it for years undiagnosed, it took my third ob to say "hey, I think this is what's going on"
and really you are right, the only way to know for sure is a laparoscopy.
But I don't think it should be easily dismissed, as anyone can get it. But I think it should be something to think about, as if it is endometriosis, further complications can arise
(I have lost an ovary and a tube so far)
I am sorry you are going through this, I hope you can find some resolution, and perhaps maybe get a second opinion, because it doesn't hurt to just ask I think.
x

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Thanks, @Silver. for now I am going to go with the physical therapy or at least try it a couple of times and see how it goes. If it doesn't help or I can't handle, I will ask for more explorations. I wish I had my PCP back or knew my new one better so I had one person to help me navigate through all of this. I talked to a friend I know who does general physical therapy and she knows someone who does pelvic physical therapy so I am going to talk to her most likely and get some more information. I think I could very well have two issues going on or more anyway so I haven't taken the endometriosis off the table.