What could it be?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2003
What could it be?
5
Mon, 11-17-2003 - 5:31pm
Hi, everyone,

I am a 34 year old woman.

About two years ago, I started having several health issues at about the same time that my doctor(s) can't seem to explain.

One of the symptoms was very strong body odor -- like rotten food. I'm very clean -- showers and baths didn't help much. This was not just me imagining it or being hyper-sensitive. It stuck in my clothes and everything.

I also started gaining weight, even though I have eaten a healthy diet and managed my weight for years. I also broke out on my cheeks and neck.

In addition, my urine flowed backwards instead of down when I went to the bathroom.

I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis and with chronic urethral irritation, and am being treated for both. My urologist has dilated my urethra about four times or so and put me on different medications, but the relief is only very temporary. He wants me to continue the dilations indefinitely, but I'm not sure this is the right thing.

I have also struggled with vaginal infections for years, and the standard medications don't help. I am not sexually active.

I still have some of these symptoms, particularly the weight gain and urinary problems, although hormonal treatments for endometriosis have eased (but not stopped) them some.

Does anybody have any thoughts about what this may be, or what I should do?

Thanks,

Wildkitten1969


iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Tue, 11-18-2003 - 10:58am

Welcome!


I'm so sorry you have gone through all of this.

 


 


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2003
Tue, 11-18-2003 - 4:09pm
Hi, Cinderkitty,

Thanks for the note.

Funny you should ask about PCOS and thyroid. Actually, one of my sisters has PCOS and the other has thyroid cancer! As for me, I've been cleared of both.

I've had various tests...my gynecologist observed my ovaries in a laparoscopy last year and said they were fine. He removed some endometriosis from what he called the cul-de- sac area, but said there was still some on my bladder.

A dermatologist tested my testosterone and said the level was normal.

I've had two complete blood counts this year, both of which were normal except for a slight rise in a liver enzyme level, which the doctor attributed to medicine.

I've also had bloodwork for my thyroid, which was normal, a thyroid ultrasound, which was normal, and an MRI of my brain, which was normal, except for a small bright spot on my brain, which the doctor says is insignificant.

I've also been to an internal medicine doctor, a urologist, and a neurologist, of all things.

My gynecologist is good -- overworked, but good. It took me ten years and several doctors to get the endometriosis diagnosed after I started having symptoms.

Thanks for your support. I really do appreciate it.


Wildkitten1969

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 11-20-2003 - 1:47am

Hi

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Avatar for klrambo
Community Leader
Registered: 10-19-2000
Thu, 11-20-2003 - 3:06pm

The next time you speak with your GYN ask if (s)he thinks using an Estrogen Vaginal Cream might help.

Co-Community Leader at:
50 & Up Friends | Menopause & Perimenopause
 
My Web sites:
50 & Up Friends | Ladybug’s Recipes | Menopause Oasis

You are loved ~~ far more than you may ever know!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2003
Fri, 11-21-2003 - 10:56am
Hi, klrambo,

Thanks for the info. I had considered perimenopause, but I have not wanted to admit that it could be a possibility. I'll definitely check into it! I've been hearing recently about the estrogen cream.

I have had the vaginal infections about all of my adult life...starting when I was about 18 or 19, and have been treated over and over and over, with little, temporary or no relief. And, I've also had the urinary problems about that long. They've just progressively gotten worse. My urologist thinks the medications for the vaginal infections might have caused my urethra to become inflamed and constricted, but I don't know whether to believe him. He keeps wanting to whack away at my urethra over and over (dilation). I also have endometriosis on my bladder.

Thanks for the info.!

Wildkitten1969