Perhaps you could print out some of the papers that Helen Dynda has emailed the IAS Board. There are many studies that show adhesions hurt you, cause pain, etc. You could also print out studies showing that medications given to you for pain do not turn you into a drug addict. There is much to be gained by researching on this site and others. Learn as much as you can and go to the doctors armed with hand-outs. It may not help as they seem pretty set in their ways, but maybe there is one somewhere who will listen. Good luck, Sally Grigg
At Sun, 29 Jun 2003, Elaine wrote:
>
>I appreciate both the responses on this thread explaining the Germany
>procedures, the emotions involved and the results. Some of us are still
>waiting for a doctor here in the U.S. to even acknowledge our pain even
>exists.
>
>Thus far, my gynecologist who did both surgeries on me for gyn related
>problems and on the second surgery put "pelvic adhesive disease" on the
>surgical report won't even discuss adhesions with me or my husband.
>Instead, he says my pain is not gynecology related. I've been told
>adhesions don't just hurt with activity, they hurt all the time. I
>don't consider a dull ache all the time pain, just the horrible pain
>that comes when I'm active. Therefore it must be in my head according
>to my gynecologist. IBS has come up of course, a visit to a gastro
>doctor has been done and I'm back to square one with no options.
>
>I'm stuck in the military health care system where I can't get a
>referral for a second opinion from a civilian gynecologist even though
>our insurance says it's my right. I can no longer take motrin because
>I've taken so much of it my stomach hurts even if I take it with food
>and a glass of milk. So, I'm here hurting every day with nowhere to
>turn. Because my husband is in the military (pay isn't bad, but we
>don't have a lot left over you know) I don't even have the funds to get
>a second opinion on my own without putting us in a financial bind. I
>feel my "must be mental" pain isn't worth hurting my family more than it
>already has so I wait, live with this and hope some doctor at some time
>might at least try to find out the cause.
>
>I don't know what to do other than to accept this is my life. So, for
>those that can get to Germany, I applaud your efforts, your willingness
>to share your experiences and feelings. At the same time, those that
>can't, if you have a doctor who at leasts believes you are in pain, be
>thankful. Some aren't even that lucky. I don't know anything that has
>hurt me worse than being dismissed and treated as if I'm a mental case.
>I pray daily that I will be blessed with a doctor who will at the least
>be willing to try to find the cause of this pain. I don't want
>medication, I'm not a drug seeker or a woman who is unhappy in life and
>needing attention. I just want my life back where I can live freely
>without scheduling my day around pain.
>
>My absolute best to all here. There's a place for all of us and our
>experiences! This board will serve no purpose if people stop sharing
>their stories, so I hope those considering that will reconsider ;).