DEAR DR. GOTT: My 15-year-old daughter has always been very active in sports. Starting last year when she has done strenuous exercise such as running or playing basketball, she gets an extreme pain in her lower left abdomen. The pain is so bad she cannot continue to play. After she rests for approximately 10 minutes, the pain goes away but will return as soon as she starts exercising again. She has had two ultrasounds and has had exams from our family doctor, an OB-GYN and a surgeon. None of them has been able to make a diagnosis. We are not even sure where to go next. This is very frustrating to my daughter because she enjoys sports but is now unable to participate.

DEAR READER: If a family physician, OB-GYN and surgeon have been unable to make a diagnosis, I don’t know if I can offer much additional advice but I will try.
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