Persistent Pelvic Lump: Causes, Symptoms & When to See a Doctor

Question
For about 10 months, I have had a hard lump on my left side just to the right of my pelvic bone. The lump is hard and round. When I mash on it, it will not move at all and sends a shooting burning pain around the area of the lump and dull aching into my thigh.  It hurts constantly, with the pain ranging from dull to sharp and burning.When I am lying down, the lump is not as easy to feel. Sometimes when the pain is especially bad, I have seen bruises right over the lump. It seems to be worse when I move around a lot, especially if I bend over and put pressure on it or if I sit in certain positions. It also seems to be worse with intercourse and mid-cycle and during my period. I have regular periods for the most part, but around the time that the lump appeared I had missed several months of periods after I stopped taking birth control pills. I did have a c-section 2 years ago and the lump is near the end of where the incision was. I realized that I did have pain in the same area with heavy and irregular periods, but no lump several years ago. My ob/gyn did laprascopy to find the problem but could not find anything. I am worried what this lump could be not to mention to the point of being unable to function sometimes. I can't lift my daughter because the pain is so bad when I lift things. Any ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated. I don't have insurance now and have been putting off seeing a doctor for the cost.  

Thanks,   
Sara

Answer
Dear Sara,

Hmmm...initially I thought maybe you had an adhesion from your previous surgery, but if your doctor actually did a laparoscopy to try to determine a cause for the pain and did not find anything internally, I can only speculate that it may simply be a build-up of scar tissue or something along those lines from the incision - since you said it borders the incision line. You say it looks bruised sometimes - does it get red and feel warm/hot to touch? If so, THAT is the time I would make sure to be seen by a doctor.

My best advice is not to give up. If you need to see another doctor, so be it. Keep trying until you find someone who will listen to you. Eventually there will be someone who will figure out what you are dealing with. I understand your insurance dilemma - it is one that TOO many people must deal with in our country. But unfortunately it sounds like this issue is something that will not be able to be resolved without further evaluation by a doctor.

I hope this has helped you in some small way and answered your question. I apologize for the delay in the answer - I was on a rare vacation for the 4th and for some reason this system didn't schedule it as it should have. I wish you well.

Brenda