I am a 35 year old woman, with a long history of ob/gyn problems:
G9,P3,PT1,AB6,LC2. Several early MC, one 19 week MC (incompetent
cervix), One PT delivery (23 weeks gestation, chorioamnionitis). For
the last several years, I've experienced excrutiating pain from ovarian
cysts - mostly on the left side. In 2006, I had a c-section at 23
weeks, transverse skin incision, with classical uterine incision. Three
days post-op, I developed a temp of 104, and was re-admitted to the
hospital under the diagnosis of endometritis. I was given triple
therapy for about 36 hours and released after being afebrile for 24
hours. Seven weeks post-op, I was again admitted with large abdominal
abscesses. I was treated with Vanc, Gent, Clindamycin, Ampicillin and
Flagyl to no avail. I ended up having a laparaotomy 6 days after
admission, because of dehiscence of my c-section scar, with copious
brown, bloody drainage. I believe the surgery took 5 hours - and ended
with the removal of 3 abscesses, along with my right fallopian tube, for
necrosis. In 2008, I began to have several symptoms - diarrhea
alternating with constipation, pain with bowel movements, pain with
urination, and generalized abdmoninal pain, as well as a 6cm ovarian
cyst. I was referred to a laparascopic surgeon for suspected adhesions.
Six months after the onset of symptoms, I had the laparascopic lysis of
adhesions. It took the surgeons 2.5 hours to lyse down to visualize my
left falloian tube and uterus. The surgeon said it looked as if a bomb
went off inside my abdomen because of the extensive adhsions. They
found my left fallopian tube was dilated and adhered to my intestines
(and gave me a 2% chance of ever conceiving again). The surgery went
well, and I was basically pain free for several weeks. Then, in August
(surgery was in June), I began having the cyst pain again. The pain has
only escalated since then - along with the cyst pain, I am also having
the same pains as I did with the adhesions. The pain extends from my
groin up to my ribs. It hurts to stand straight up, and upon movement.
I asked my doctor about removing my left ovary (the one that is causing
me pain with cysts), but she only said if I had that removed, the right
ovary would start with the cysts, and recommends a total hysterectomy.
She refuses to do the surgery because of the history of adhesions, and
said she would refer me to the same surgeon that did the adhesiolysis in
June. Well, that was in late August, and I've yet to hear from her
about an appointment. She prescribed me Percocet 10/325 for the pain -
which doesn't even make the pain tolerable anymore. I'm beginning to
get frustrated, sometimes to the point of suicidal thoughts. I want to
be free of the pain, but I feel like I am bothering my doctor if I call
and ask about the referral. I've considered consulting a new ob/gyn,
but the problem with that is, they won't be familiar with my history. I
have a very high intolerance to pain medication - not because of over
use, but that's just the way my body has always been. I also have a
high pain tolerance, which allows me to work even though I am in pain.
The problem is, the pain is worsening, and I am no longer getting pain
relief with the percocet. I would welcome a hysterectomy via laparotomy
with the insertion of adhesion barriers at this point. The only problem
is getting a doctor who will perform the surgery. I did consult a
doctor before my regular ob/gyn, who said he would do a TAH, but wanted
to do a vertical abdominal incision, which is something I'd like to
avoid. I am getting so frustrated with the lack of concern about this
problem. What the doctors aren't realizing is, I am in almost constant
pain, and it is interfering with every aspect of my life - I find it
hard to concentrate in school, get agitated when I'm in pain and end up
hurting others feelings (including my understanding husband and
children), I can not have enjoyable sex, or exercise...Any information
or suggestions would be most appreciated.