[48F] Experiencing severe lower left abdominal pain and sudden dizziness

Patient Description

A 48-year-old female reports experiencing severe lower left abdominal pain for several months, which has recently worsened. The pain is described as dull with sharp episodes, rated at 8 out of 10, and is alleviated by heat and rest. Additionally, the patient experienced sudden dizziness described as an almost blackout sensation, occurring twice without any specific triggers. The patient has a history of thyroid surgery six years ago and is on Levothyroxine 150 mcg daily and medical marijuana. There is no history of recent injuries, vaginal bleeding, or discharge, and bowel movements appear normal. The patient had a partial hysterectomy approximately seven years ago, and since then, the only significant issue has been the current abdominal pain.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, here are a few possible causes of your symptoms:

Ovarian Cyst: These are fluid-filled sacs that can form in the ovaries. They're common and usually form during ovulation. Most ovarian cysts are small and don’t cause symptoms. However, if a cyst becomes large or ruptures, it can lead to severe pain in the lower abdomen.
- Treatment can range from monitoring to surgery, depending on the size and potential complications of the cyst.
Diverticulitis: This is a condition where small pouches, called diverticula, develop in the digestive system and become inflamed or infected. This can cause severe pain in the lower left side of your abdomen.
- Treatment typically involves antibiotics, pain relievers, and a temporary change to a liquid diet. More severe or recurring cases may require hospitalization or surgery.
Kidney Stones: These are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. A kidney stone may not cause symptoms until it moves around within your kidney or passes into your ureter — the tube connecting the kidney and bladder. At that point, you may experience severe pain in your side and back, below your ribs.
- Treatment includes pain relievers and drinking lots of water to help pass the stone. Medical procedures may be needed to remove or break up larger stones.

Please note that these are just possibilities and not a definitive diagnosis.

What you can do

Continue to use a heat pad and rest as these seem to alleviate your pain.
Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet.
Over-the-counter pain relievers may help with the pain, but they should not be used as a long-term solution.
Keep track of your symptoms and any potential triggers to share with your healthcare provider.