Diverticulosis/diverticulitis question??

[Ihurt]

Hi Everyone.

I have not posted in quite a while. I have been having GI issues for a few years now. I was dx with IBS a few years ago. I have had a colonoscopy( 4 years ago), MRE, CT scan, MRI, blood work, Stool tests, etc.. over the last few years.

Last June I started having this sever lower left pelvic pain. The only way to describe it is a Sharp, thorbbing, pulsing pain that will raidate to my groin, down my upper front thigh, around my hip and even felt it in my lower back. The first episode I had was back in June and I went to the ER thinking I was having an ovarian torison or ruptured cyst. They did blood work and a Plain CT wihtout contrast which was all normal. They told me to follow up with my gyne. I went to the gynecologist and she did an MRI( No contrast) of my pelvis and it showed changes consistent with Adenomyosis and a firboid. My gyne did not seem to think this was the cause of my pain but said I might have Endometriosis( However, I was never doisgnosed with this).

So Then I went to see an Ortho doctor because at times it feels like it might be in my hip since I am having the groin pain. Had an MRI of my left hip and that was normal. I am going to see a Hip specialist just to get a second opinion.

I am wondering if maybe I have Diverticulitis. I mean when I had this pain back in June the ER doctor did blood work which was normal and the Plain CT wihtout contrast which did not show any divertiulosis or Divertiultiits. I just wonder if it could have been missed since it was done without dye( I am chemical sensitive so I do not tolerate the dyes or contrast). Also when I had the pelvic MRI which was also without contrast back in October, the report said no diverticula noted.

I keep being told that is sounds like it is gynecological, but my gyne seems to brush it all off saying everything looks ok Gyne wise and would not explain this pain( unless it is Endo). I even saw an Endo specialist and he said he could do exploratory surgery as well as hysterectomy at the same time. I however need to make sure this pain is Not stemming from my intestines or Hip before I resort to surgery. I also have other health issues( IC, loads of allergies to meds, etc..) that would complicate matters so surgery has to be a last resort.

The pain I get seems to get severe after my period ends and also near ovulation. I think this is why everyone wants to blame it on being gynecological. However, when I am in pain my intestines also do not feel great either. I just do not know what to think and am getting the run around.

My question is, can diverticulosis/litis be diagnosed with a Plain CT scan without contrast? I am so tired of being in pain and getting no answers.

 

[ronroush7]

I don't know the answer but hope you feel better soon.

 

[Ihurt]

Thank you...

I don't know the answer but hope you feel better soon.

 

[Trysha]

Diverticula can be seen on a plain X-ray and this is where I was initially diagnosed as extensive diverticular disease.
Further radiology studies were done with contrast in later years.,as well as CT and MRI scans...with and without contrast.
Also numerous ultrasounds and other X-rays.
I had my first attack of diverticulitis at the age of 21.....
Not much was available in treatment terms at that time so it was hospital bed rest ,diet and belladonna at that time. It was successful treatment and went away for some years.
Now retired and with a further diagnosis of Crohns...how lucky can you get....
Recent surgeries have removed some areas of acute diverticular disease., which also showed crohns.
Have to cope with the residual crohns ...rears up at intervals and inconvenient moments....
Hope this information is helpful to you.

 

[Lisa]

Check nutcracker syndrome - rare but my Mom was recently diagnosed after left side pain and at least one supposed bout of diverticulitis.....took a vascular surgeon to find it.....

Nutcracker syndrome is a vascular compression disorder and refers to the compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and aorta. This can lead to renal venous hypertension, resulting in rupture of thin-walled veins into the collecting system with resultant haematuria.

Nutcracker Syndrome Symptoms and Diagnosis
Nutcracker syndrome symptoms
Nutcracker syndrome has many symptoms for both adults and children, although some – especially children – don’t have any symptoms.

The most common symptoms of nutcracker syndrome can include:

Flank pain (abdominal pain).
Blood in urine (hematuria).
Pelvic congestion in women, or varicose veins in the lower abdomen that may cause pain and heaviness in the pelvis or genital area.
In women, pain during sexual intercourse.
In men, varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum).
Other symptoms of nutcracker phenomenon can include:

Varicose veins in the legs.
Severe menstrual cramping.
Painful urination.
Gluteal and vulvar varicose veins.
Low energy.

 

[Ihurt]

Thanks Lisa and Trysha for the replies. Lisa, Oh wow, thanks for sharing this. So this was not seen on any scans your mom had? Did the vascular surgeon have to do surgery to find it? So I am guessing your mom never had Diverticulitis then?

Trysha, I am so sorry to hear all you have been through. I think the worst with this is Not knowing what is wrong..

Check nutcracker syndrome - rare but my Mom was recently diagnosed after left side pain and at least one supposed bout of diverticulitis.....took a vascular surgeon to find it.....

 

[crohnsinct]

My dad had his diverticulosis diagnosed with colonoscopy.

A lot of the pains you describe also fit hip issues. My oldest Crohnie recently had hip surgery and most of the pains you describe are very common with hip surgery candidates. She has a tilted pelvis and is actually experiencing all the same things now on her right side. It probably wouldn't hurt to also see an orthopedic specialist well versed in hip issues.

 

[Lisa]

Thanks Lisa and Trysha for the replies. Lisa, Oh wow, thanks for sharing this. So this was not seen on any scans your mom had? Did the vascular surgeon have to do surgery to find it? So I am guessing your mom never had Diverticulitis then?

She has had abdominal discomfort for quite a while - never diagnosed with anything....was in the hospital for a couple days recently for what was diagnosed as diverticulitis....I'm not sure she ever had that (this hospital is infamous for wrong diagnosies (sp?))....

The vascular surgeon picked it out on a CT scan - AFTER going through symptoms with my Mom...no one else picked this up....but my Mom said when she saw the scan and the doctor pointed it out it was pretty obvious.

 

[Ihurt]

Thanks. Yes I actually saw a Ortho sports doctor and he did Xrays and an MRI which did not show much. I however am seeing a Hip specialist next week just to get a second opinion. I might have 2 things going on actually. My pain is situated on my lower left pelvis, groin, upper front thigh, ect.. I so think some of this pain is coming from my hip area, but I am not sure that would cause the pain in my lower left pelvic area and even having some pain in my upper left area as well.

My dad had his diverticulosis diagnosed with colonoscopy.

A lot of the pains you describe also fit hip issues. My oldest Crohnie recently had hip surgery and most of the pains you describe are very common with hip surgery candidates. She has a tilted pelvis and is actually experiencing all the same things now on her right side. It probably wouldn't hurt to also see an orthopedic specialist well versed in hip issues.