May
I’ve been suffering from abdominal pain since last Thursday evening. I phoned NHS Direct who gave me a couple of possible causes - appendicitis, ovarian cyst and ovulating pain. They advised I should call out the emergency physician, but instead I decided to wait until the following morning and see my own GP, who sent me straight to A&E.
At A&E I had bloods checked, urine checked and the doctor gave me a swift external examination. He said possible causes could be a grumbling appendix or an ovarian cyst. The results of bloods and urine came back normal and as they has dosed me up with pain killers I was free to go.
The pain has been constant over the weekend, so I phoned my GP first thing Monday morning to get an appointment with the physician who had initially sent me to hospital. She was unavailable, so I had to see another physician.
I told the new doctor about the pain, explained where it was, how long it has lasted, and she immediately diagnosed me with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, caused by either chlamydia, gonorrhoea or bacterial vaginosis (sp?).
My question is, can an STD live in my body for over 6 years without showing any symptoms or being detected? I’ve been with my husband for 6 years, have had a child 5 years ago and have to go for yearly smears. My husband has never shown any symptoms of any sort of STD.
Or is this doctor just crap at her job? She didn’t examine me, ask if I had any other symptoms - pain whilst urinating/ heavy irregular bleeding/ discharge/ etc…non of which I have!!! She did ask me, however, if I had any suspicions about my husband! Cheeky Cow!!
What do you guys think??
Answer:
Well, no doubt she could have exhibited a tiny gentler bedside manner, but unfortunately her diagnosis is still a possibility. Yes, you could have had chlamydia for six years and it hasn't been diagnosed or detected. It's also possible that it is an ovarian cyst. If the other tests were normal, meaning they didn't show you had a kidney or bladder infection, and the CBC was normal, the only possible explanations are those you already have. Namely, appendicitis, ovarian cysts, or PID. She also listed the major reasons for PID. Your husband could indeed be the source of the infection as well. Male anatomy means they have the ability to harbor the infection and not have symptoms at all. Until there’s damage enough done to cause a problem, you wouldn't suspect anything. And even though I comprehend bristling at the question about your husband, I have the ability to also tell you from sad experience that many times we’ve found STD's in ladies who later found out that it was the hubbie straying that brought it home. I still recall having to talk with a lady who had gonorrhea diagnosed, and she had been with nobody but her husband. She thought he had been 100% faithful as well, and it was really hard to more or less have to smear her face in things. I sure felt horrible, and I know she felt worse. The question is valid, and there just isn't a good way to put it sometimes. I’ve a hubbie too, so I know exactly how you feel. I also know the other side because I have had to ask the same question myself of patients. I have yet to figure out a good way to put it. All this aside, you need a full pelvic exam from a gynecologist, along with a pelvic ultrasound and cultures. That should answer the question as to the reason for your pain. I honestly don't know which to hope they find. I doubt it's your appendix, but I guess of the group that's what I'd hope for. Failing that, perhaps just ovarian cysts. But if they do happen to find chlamydia, just get it treated for both of you and sign it off without pointing fingers. As long as you know and trust your hubbie, for all you know you might have had it for 6 years. You’ll never know who had it first either. It is just one of those awful things about chlamydia, it is nasty and silent for too many ladies for just too long before it gets detected sometimes. If you never had a culture done with the pap smear, and being you are married, nobody would think to do one- it is possible you’re being stung now for what happened a long time ago. Sorry, all the way around really. Sorry for the pain, and the question. Unfortunately now days, you do just have to ask.
Answer:
Yes it's true. Or you could have parasites, H pylory and any other infection for years without any symptoms. I’ve that same symptoms for 6 months, it only gets superior when I reduce stress. I advocate you try that first and then just never have any contact with any other humans or animals what so ever again.
Answer:
Yes - this is JUST the problem with Chlamydia - it doesn't show any symptoms in some people…. but it's still there, causing infertility mainly and creating all sorts of problems.
Answer:
The physician, to me, was just being thorough in her examination of you…to rule out all possibilities. The only thing I have the ability to compare it to is when I went into the physician to be checked for a strange looking quarter size red patch on my buttocks. He promptly told me it was either Herpes or HIV, and I had been married for 7 years! Can you imagine? I though he was just crazy, but as it turns out I did have Herpes, and had not realized. I knew something was wrong, but by the time I got into the physician I tested normal. I contracted it from my ex husband, who showed no signs…go figure! So things do lie dormant or can be in your body without you even realizing. Chlamydia can be present without you even knowing…so I would welcome the check-up, but could have done absolutely away with her question about your husband.
Hope you get it cleared up soon and feel better. Try not to worry. Just get the mystery solved and take care of whatever it might be.