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