>
> Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2002 23:15:18 -0500
> From: "Millie" <milliem@citlink.net>
> To: <adhesions@adhesions.org>
> Subject: Re: 21 yr old; recent bowel resection and lots of questions
> Message-ID: <004e01c1b057$387f6180$5ce1d7aa@hppav>
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>
> Dear Kristy,
> Yes, you get more adhesions with each surgery. I had them since 1985. I
> ended up with more because of an un - needed TAH last year.
> I get pains all through my abdomen, and tenderness at scar, which is
> bikini - line.
> There is also constant pulling. There is no adhesion barrier that is 100%
> guaranteed. I , myself, won't be cut again, unless it's a life -
> threatening case.
> Millie.
>> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kristy Traylor" <KKTraylor@aol.com>
> To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS"
> <adhesions@mail.medispecialty.com>
> Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 3:07 PM
> Subject: 21 yr old; recent bowel resection and lots of questions
>
> > Hi! I'm 21 yrs old and have recently been having a lot of problems. In
> > June 2001 I went to the ER with pain. They thought it wass my appendix
> > so they did a lapro.Turns out it was ovarian cysts. The surgeon removed
> > them and also my appendix. 4 days later I returned. I had a small
> > bowel obstruction and they removed 3-4 ft of my small intestine. I got
> > an infection and was in ICU for a week where I had yet another surgery.
> > They don't know what caused it but my surgeon says it had nothing to do
> > with the previous surgery. I was getting better until December and I
> > was hospitalized. My surgeon keeps saying this is not a surgical
> > matter. My gastro can't find anything wrong with me. Neither can my
> > hemotologist. I have a scar from my belly button to my pelvis so my
> > surgeon says of course I'm going to have adhesions, but that wouldn't
> > cause all of the pain I'm having. I can barely walk and I always have
> > to use a cane. The only position I'm comfortable in is lying down. I
> > am in the Army and thankfully they have given me con leave, but I'm
> > having a very hard time dealing with this. The doctors here say there's
> > nothing they can do...just pain management. I don't want to take pain
> > pills for the rest of my life...and half the time they don't even work.
> > They said if it is adhesions if they remove them it will just cause
> > more...is this true? Do adhesions really hurt this bad? What type of
> > doctor should I go to and will they actually do something to help me?
> > I'm sorry this is so long, but if anyone could give me advice I'd really
> > appreciate it.
> > Kristy
Dear Kristy:
I'm so sorry to hear that you're in so much pain and your Drs. are doing nothing to help you, not even telling you that yes, sadly, adhesions can cause that much pain. And, yes, surgery can cause adhesions. As most of us on this board will tell you, we've learned the hard way not to have surgery unless we have no other options. After 10 surgeries I absolutely refuse to have any more. Every surgery I've had to remove adhesions have resulted in worse pain and more adhesions.
You might try seeing a neurologist, an acupuncturist and an osteopath. I've tried everything I could find.
I, too am only able to get some relief with medication and laying down. The pain medication may need to be supplemented with other Rx, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, anti-prostoglandins, etc.
The adhesions I have in one area are wrapped around a large nerve, and the only thing that helps with that pain is to take a combinations of pain killers and an anti-anxiety Rx, then lying down. Trying not to panic is something I have to practice often.
Good luck honey. Hang on -- you've found hundreds of us who know exactly what you're going through & are here to offer our support.
In friendship,
Chris