18 years after hysterectomy?

18 years ago my mother had a complete hysterectomy. She endodemetrosis (sp?) and adhesions causing abdominal pain. Adhesions from a c-section 25 years prior. Over the past 2 to 2 1/2 years the pain has come back and is increasing in its severity. She has undergone many tests, probes, etc. (MRI, CAT, ulrasounds) Doctors keep telling her nothing is wrong. She adds that the pains seem to occor worse around a monthly cycle. Is this possible? What should she be asking her doctors that we may have overlooked? Some days she can hardly get out of bed now.

Dear Sheila-
We have seen several patients with a similar scenario. We performed a laparoscopy and found endometriosis in the pelvis. Although this is rare, it can occur.
A total hysterectomy is not always the cure for this disease. If the body senses any form of estrogen, endo will continue to spread and be symptommmatic. It will not show up on MRI, CT Scan or U/S.
If you continue to experience symptoms, request a laparoscopy with a skilled physician.
Good luck.