>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: jetstamp<mailto:jetstamp@yahoo.com>
>> To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS<mailto:adhesions@mail.obgyn.net>
>> Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2009 3:20 PM
>> Subject: Hype!!
>>
>> I just had my follow-up visit for a new gynecologist. Unfortunately, I
>> am right at this moment kicking myself for once again falling for the
>> hype.
>>
>> This doctor was listed as a member of the International Pelvic Pain
>> Society. On the clinic's webpage, it said that his special interests
>> were pelvic pain, endometriosis, and menopause. He also was listed as a
>> top women's doctor for the year 2007 in a Minnesota publication.
>>
>> At my first visit 3 weeks ago, he did seem to listen at length but
>> pretty much dismissed any ideas I had about my condition, which began in
>> 1984 after an on-the-job injury which affected my lower right quadrant
>> and pelvis (the injury was never diagnosed- I still wonder about some
>> type of hernia or prolapse).
>>
>> I also gave him a 6-page timeline beginning in 1984. Since I've had
>> this for so long, it is just too difficult to remember everything so I
>> have it on my computer and I update/edit it as needed. This helps save
>> me from struggling to remember stuff when preparing for an appointment
>> with a new doctor- of which I've had many because I have never in my
>> 25-year history with this found anyone who took what I said at face
>> value and at least would do what they COULD to help me cope if nothing
>> else, like pain meds [besides the dreaded anti-depressants-ick!] or FMLA
>> papers to protect my job during flare-ups or frequent appointments. I
>> also gave him a copy of a CT scan and an MRI from 5 years ago- the
>> interpreting physician had no problem suggesting possible adhesions.
>> Also 2 physical therapists thought I had adhesions, probably from the
>> injury itself as well as subsequent surgeries. I have not been
>> 'officially' diagnosed with adhesions- just have been given the lame,
>> vague names for some of my symptoms- IBS and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.
>>
>> Anyway, today, I experienced the all-too-familiar 'rushed' appointment.
>> All he did was explain my current hormonal situtation- the beginning of
>> menopause, etc. which was fine. But not one word about pelvic pain or
>> anything relating to my most troublesome issues. I could tell he just
>> wanted to be done with me.
>>
>> I have fallen for this 'hype-type' of thing before. I had the same kind
>> of experience with a urogynecologist at Mayo whose articles I had read
>> on PubMed. In those articles he came across as having sincere sympathy
>> and interest in pelvic pain and dysfunctions women often endured. He
>> barely gave me the time of day- we barely spoke.
>>
>> I get so mad at myself for buying into this kind of advertising- 'false'
>> advertising. I'm wondering if I should bother to state my opinion on
>> RateMDs.com- I sure would like to. He has only 7 reviews, all of which
>> were positive alhtough 7 is not very many reviews. I have to be careful
>> though because somewhere in the fine print it says something to the
>> effect that you are held responsible for what you say so don't know how
>> honest I'm allowed to be.
>>
>> Wish I could be like a woman who posted on the ibsgroup.org website. She
>> has such a low regard for doctors that she said she had not been to one
>> in 27 years- that was when she had her last baby.
>>
>Kelly,
>
>My recent primary doctor- who I've decided to fire- is under Internal
>Medicine. However, she is unfortunately one of those who buys into the
>convenient made-up catch-all terms like IBS and absolutely will not
>consider adhesions.
>
>At my final appointment with her last year, she told me to stop taking
>the supplements that I've been taking in an attempt to loosen things up-
>like Serrapeptase. When I asked her why, all she would say was "Doctors
>know these things". Then I said, "Then what should I do about
>adhesions?" She shook her head, then turned her little stool around so
>her back was toward me. That was the end of the appointment.
>
>I find it very interesting that the physical therapists and
>chiropractors can feel the tightness in my abdomen- they don't seem to
>need a laparoscopy to suspect adhesions. The doctors that bother to
>examine my abdomen don't seem to be able to do the same. This
>gynecologist didn't even bother- even after reading my 25-year hostory.
>
>I am considering trying an accupuncture guy who at least is not far from
>where I live and see if he has any knowledge of adhesions. He used to
>be a chemist and I think he's into Traditional Chinese Medicine. Will
>have to check with my insurance first though as I suspect it could get
>expensive- not just the accupuncture itself but I imagine he might have
>patients buy supplements which would be totally out-of-pocket.
>
>--
>I also tried AbdoTab and decided it wasn't worth anything. I also read somewhere that they promised a money-back guarantee but that when you tried to contact them they weren't available. Also, the exact location of the company is pretty remote- if I remember it looked like the company was in one country but the product came from another. Also saw other products which looked like they came from the same place but a totally different company.
>
>I currently take Neprinol (for about 6 months now) which is very expensive. Also lycopene which I read was good for adhesions but it wasn't clear as to whether it was just good for preventing adhesions or getting rid of current ones- the article had an endometriosis basis but I asssume all adhesions would respond the same if lycopene were indeed effective. I also just started taking Resveratrol which the TV show 60 minutes did a story on this week- they made it sound like a miracle supplement but don't know if it would do anything for adhesions.
>
>My main pain and tightness started in the lower right quadrant after an on-the-job injury 25 years ago. I've been to two physical therapists who think I have adhesions. So far, no doctor will discuss it. I have had an exploratory lap (1991), myomectomy (1991), vaginal hysterectomy (1998) and right adrenal gland removed (2006). But as I said, I'm pretty sure my adhesions were from the on-the-job injury- which no doctor can seem to comprehend! Surgery and endo are 2 causes but not the only ones. Generally, anything that causes inflammation could create adhesions.
>