upper right quadrant pain

[Emmywinks]

anyone else get really painful pain here on their period.

I have been for years - I don’t see how it can’t be related to my cycle when it comes with every period like clockwork.

But when I’ve had scans etc for gynae pain and heavy periods I’ve been told the two things aren’t related.

I’m a little unsure what to do. I have read and read and read on endo - changed my whole lifestyle around, even began studying health at masters level to understand more and I do feel I have that pain under control now. Yes, I still need painkillers and hot water bottle and at least one day is a bit of a write off. But it’s nothing like what it was - from my first period - excruciating pain - now, in that area of my body, I can cope. I had two ops to remove some, many years ago, I don’t want to have any more ops unless it becomes unmanageable.

However, the side pain - like gallbladder/liver area is upending my life - I’ve just had to quit another agency job because of it, I couldn’t be reliable enough ,on my last full time job I was on my last warning. I’ve created a very small life with minimal responsibilities so that I don’t have as many to fail at. I don’t have much money but get by. But this pain is too much. I’m lucky if ibruprofen, paracetamol and codeine together take the edge off. Otherwise it’s about 4 days of agony. Laid in bed, contorting into positions, crying, hovering over going to A and E but talking myself out of it because of the thought of feeling that way for hours in the waiting room. It’s always pain in the same exact place, it’s very predictable. And it affects the rest of my life. I’m always tired and drained. I’m always dreading it coming round again. Or obsessing over lifestyle tips that I read that could potentially help.

The doctors are treating it and my gynae issues as unrelated, so I just had scans on the upper right and nothing showed.

I have another scan coming up for my uterus etc. The last option I was given regarding that was that next step would be laparoscopy and removal of any endo if there. Them Covid happened and it didn’t go ahead. Which I’m glad of I think. I’m not sure I want to have another op. But if it gets rid of the upper right pain then I do want to. But since they are saying it is unrelated and conclusion is that nothing can be seen to be wrong in that area on scans - I feel as though I may end up having an op that won’t remove the pain that’s actually causing me the most grief.

sorry for this essay. I’m just kinda hoping that someone else has had similar experience or of anyone has any ideas or suggestions.

the best image I can give to describe the pain is like if you twist up a tshirt really tight in your hands - it’s a pressure pain - like something could burst - it’s only (and always) when I have my period. It doesn’t respond to painkillers. Even when the pain edge sometimes gets taken off I can still clearly feel that pressure.

Thanks in advance and sending all you ladies suffering a lot of love. Endo is a hard thing to deal with and I feel that I get off lightly compared to others.

[Bebe294]

Hello

Sorry to hear you are in lots of pain.

I had similar pain in around liver area the tense twisting pain which got worst with moving to the sides. I thought it might be cysts but its upper than ovary. Finally in my last MRI showed there is a hernia( apparently happend in the area of my lap incision) and it gets really bad around the period - I think might have to do with endo inflammation around that, maybe adhesions. And when it gets cold it gets unbearable.

So maybe check on that if yours could be hernia? Is it possible?

[Mizunderstood]

Do some more research, I am undiagnosed but definitely believe l have endo. I have pain in that area also and have come across many videos on YouTube where this pain is mentioned along side thoracic endometriosis. People have been found to have holes in the diaphragm or lesions behind the liver which can be almost impossible to spot through imaging and the same through laparoscopy unless the person is experienced in doing laps in that area.

The fact you recognise it as being part of your cycle surely tells it all. Good luck!

[Caralatte]

hi Emmywinks,

I am 43 years old and have had a pain around my gallbladder area since I was in my early 20s, it comes on 5 days before my period starts, and during ovulation. I would describe my pain as more of a burning pressure. I had my gallbladder removed at 26 as despite me saying I truly believed it was linked to my cycle, the docs said that was impossible as the pain was no where near my uterus. The pain was still there every month after the surgery. It took another exhausting ten years to finally get diagnosed with endo at 36. By which time I now get pain in my right shoulder and down my right arm. I live in Northern Ireland with no access to specialists. After years of research I believe I have endo on my diaphragm but despite talking this over with a Gynaecologist I still can’t get the help I believe I need. It is exhausting and depressing to have endo and it is a constant battle but I just wanted to share my story with you as I wanted you to know you are not alone and not crazy to think that your pain is connected to your endo. Take care and stay strong.xx

[Emmywinks]

thanks so much ladies for your replies and sorry to hear you went through/are going through these thing.

I am going to mention all these things to the doctor on my appointment in 2 weeks xx