Silent Sufferers

Undiagnosed Groin, Abdominal, and Pelvic (UGAP) pain is not an uncommon condition and millions of patients, both females and males suffer from it. It is a great masquerader mimicking several different lower abdominal, groin and pelvic conditions.
Let’s all think of UGAP pain in patients presenting with atypical pain over the lower abdomen, groin, and pelvis. This is one of the few enigmatic conditions where a diagnosis can be strongly suspected in the majority of the patients just on clinical examination.

Let’s help these “Silent Sufferers” and prevent them from doctor shopping, minimize expensive diagnostic workup and prevent unnecessary endoscopies and even unnecessary surgeries. In the process, we will be saving billions of dollars which are currently spent in diagnosing and treating these unfortunate patients.

During the first phase of the UGAP pain, which typically last for 3 months to one year, most of the patients do complain of pain and seek medical advice. Majority of the Physicians are in dark about this condition. When the physician cannot make a definite diagnosis they keep on ordering tests-sometimes very expensive ones, they request endoscopies, laparoscopies and even surgeries. When pain progresses to a chronic phase patients tend to live lives of quiet desperation and are essentially a “Silent Sufferers”. Self esteem is impaired and the ability to enjoy life is limited.

There are several reasons for this behavior. Some endure pain for a long time because they are frustrated with the lack of knowledge Physicians have about this condition and their reluctance to spend time, and labeling them as “Malingerers”. Some have aversion about this site of the body, for example genitals and rectum. Some have stigma-especially with women when it comes to dyspareunia (painful sex). Some suffer for years without telling their husband, they don’t mention to their Gynecologist during their check-ups, thinking that it is normal to have pain during intercourse.

Some are worried to mention to their Physicians, that the final diagnosis will be of some serious and critical condition like cancer. Considering the above it is not surprising that these patients feel isolated, they are recluse and live a life of a “Hermit”. Our challenge is to get them “out of closet” and help them.