I’m not writing to give advice, as I am in the same boat as most on this site, but what I can do is commiserate and tell what I’ve tried and what I’m still trying.

Surgeries: Appendix, kidney stone removal, 2 atopic pregnancies ( that’s when the fertilized egg gets caught in the fallopian tube and starts growing there. Immediate fallopian tube removal is required), c-section ( invetro twins), gall bladder removal, scar tissue removal (but as we know, it grows back twice as much when removed), and an ERCP which led to pancreatitis. I have a redundant ( tortuous) colon where a colonoscopy can’t be done and most recently, after searching years for an answer to this lower pelvic pain (keeps me up literally all night long), I was diagnosed with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. PFD IS THIS: your pelvic floor is like a sling that holds your intestines in place, as well as your spine. The pelvic floor is also attached to your hip bones. When your pelvis is weak and starts to drop your intestines become misaligned. I’ve been told It probably began with pregnancy ( I was 110 lbs and gained 80 lbs with the twins. They are 19 now). PFD symptoms: bladder leakage ( I don’t have this),constipation, lower pelvic pain, extremely painful intercourse, unexplained back pain. I have 4/5 of the symptoms. And men can get this as well, although not as common as with women.

Between the tortuous colon, the massive amount of scar tissue, and the pelvic floor dysfunction, i have horrible back, hip, and pelvic pain, and major bathroom issues, which I’m going to call IBS because I don’t know another word to use. What I go through on a daily basis with my stomach can’t be described in words or on paper. I have eliminated most foods because eating makes things worse, I’ve lost many friends because of this, and I have tremendous guilt because my wonderful husband shouldn’t have to deal with me.

About 2 months ago I got sick. I lost 12 lbs, which put me at 93lbs. I’m 5’4”. I had to take a leave of absence from work ( going back in about 3 weeks, and with 2 kids in college it’s the worst timing ever), I’ve gone through several back epidurals, going through PT for the pelvic floor 2x a week ( It’s not your normal PT. It’s very invasive and emotional); which includes internal vaginal injections every 3 weeks. I do home exercises and stretches, acupuncture 2x a week, a psychologist 2x a week, I’m having my first nutritionist appointment today because I can’t gain any weight back and eating scares the crap out of me because I get such bad stomach pain, and I’m trying to find a psychiatrist that takes insurance because pain management ( really, and this is their job) and my internist are both uncomfortable prescribing pain pills. I take different pills at different times for different issues. There’s more, but I think my point is taken. You’re not alone.

To answer your question, yes you try everything. PT, acupuncture, whatever. This way no one can ever say “well the dr said to do this and you didn’t want to listen”. I’ve just began acupuncture. I’ve been told you will notice the effects after 2x a week for 6 weeks. I’m on week 3. Right now I believe it to be hocus pocus. People look at me like I’m crazy ( at least that’s what I think. It could all be just in my head), you’re made to think that you’re a drug seeker because you stress at the Dr’s office when they dont prescribe enough pain medication to get you through a month. Perhaps if I call them every hour on the hour during the day and especially at night due to the pain they’d understand. I’m exhausted as all of you out there, yet I have to keep smiling for the people around me because who wants to be around Debbie Downer, when in truth, I’d like to just sit in my bed, watch tv, and be left alone.

Until modern medicine is equipped to handle people with multiple issues simultaneously, physically and emotionally I personally see no way out, but it’s nice to know I’m not alone out there.

My saying is 1 step forward, 3 steps back, followed by the song “ I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down”, by Chumbawamba. At least this makes me laugh, along with The Big Bang Theory.