>----- Original Message -----
From: "Teresa" <williams3@area-net.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS" <adhesions@dns.obgyn.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003 2:17 AM
Subject: Re: Adhesions & Lower Back Pain
> At Thu, 14 Mar 2002, Karyn wrote:
> >
> >Hi...I am new to this message board and was so thankful to find such a
> >group and learn that I am not alone with this.
> >
> >A brief background of my situation: I am 33 and have had roughly
> >(honestly, I've lost count) 9-10 surgeries due to ovarian tumors
> >(benign) and adhesions. I've had 4 laporoscopies, 1 oophorectomy (1/4
> >of one ovary remains), 1 ovarian cystectomy, & 3-4 laparotomies. Some
> >were removal of cysts and several due to removal of adhesions. Currently
> >I see a gynecological oncologist since the surgeries have become
> >complicated with the adhesions. My last surgery was in 1996 which was
> >to remove horrific adhesions. The surgeon explained that a resident
> >physician there to view the surgery had to leave the operating room
> >temporarily due to the horrific site when she opened me up...not what I
> >wanted to hear but I had a close relationship with my doctor.
> >
> >For about the past 2 years I have been experiencing lower back pain of
> >which has become increasingly more painful over the past 6 months. When
> >I asked my current doctor if my surgeries could be causing the lower
> >back pain since it is directly behind (in the very lower back) where my
> >surgeries have been, he said "no" and suggested I see an orthopedic
> >doctor. I saw an orthopedic doctor and after an x-ray, he feels my
> >stomach muscles have been badly damaged from the multiple surgeries and
> >are not supporting my pelvis properly. He recommended physical therapy
> >to strengthen those muscles. I am skeptical of his diagnosis after
> >further research on my own, and wonder if adhesions could be causing
> >this lower back pain rather than what he suggested.
> >
> >Does anyone have a similar situation from multiple abdominal surgery and
> >causing lower back pain due to adhesions? I almost feel as if I have to
> >do a self diagnosis rather than trusting what a doctor is suggesting.
> >
> >Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so
> >much.
> >
> >--
> >Karyn
> >
>
> Karyn,
> I can sympathize with you. I also have forgotten how many surgeries I
> have had. After having a partial hysterectomy and then a complete
> hysterectomy, my gall bladder removed, my appendix removed, and other
> surgeries in between, and also a surgery to remove adhesions, I am
> having severe lower back pain. Because the pain is getting so bad that
> I can't stand up for very long at a time, and I am hurting in my right
> side, I have sought medical advice. I have had kidney tests, an MRI of
> my back, and several back x-rays and none of these tests have shown a
> cause for my pain. I am almost positive that my problem is adhesions. I
> can't deal with the pain much longer because I am unable to do hardly
> anything because of the pain. I am not glad that you are having lower
> back pain and suspect that it is from adhesions, but I was glad to find
> that I am not the only person who thinks that her back pain is from
> adhesions. Let me know if you find out for sure that your pain is from
> adhesions, and what treatment if any helps you.
> I can understand why you feel that you need to do a self-diagnosis
> because I feel the same way. I don't think that doctors realize how
> much pain I am in.
> Teresa
>