Wow...you know the more NEW stories I read...the madder I get! This is truly an epidemic in my opinion. And somewhere ...somehow...this has got to be addressed just like diabetes, cancer, etc. Yes, Hi, I am an adhesion sufferer as well but am doing much better then I have in years. I am also a paramedic. Well ...WAS. Until adhesions took my life in a new direction. I am doing great NOW though. To both of you...I do not know a doctor in NY but Dr Semertzides is the one in Ohio and he is mine. He is WONDERFUL! There is no "the pain is in your head"....or "deal with it"....best bedside manner I have seen in a LONG time and remember...I used to see ALOT working on an ambulance. I myself have had surgery with him. He WILL take care of you AND work with your personal physician in your home state for ANYTHING! I HIGHLY recommend him. I am doing great now. I own my own business now and pain is NOTHING like it was since him. Call him if Ohio is not too far of a drive...even if it is...its worth it. Tell him I recommend you. I am sure he will remember me. God Bless and Good Luck to both of you! In a message dated 3/26/2010 9:16:44 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, tracy.joslin@adhesions.org writes: From: adhesions@adhesions.org [mailto:adhesions@adhesions.org] On Behalf Of Marlene Wheeler Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 1:56 AM To: adhesions-request@adhesions.org Subject: Re: Questions ....new here
Karin, You came to the right place to learn all you can about this disease..Their are so many of us out there that live with this at varying degrees of severity. Stress causing this! No not really.. It's pretty much the way our bodies heal from the trauma of surgery..of course if someone wanted to argue about it.. stress on the body from surgery. but to my knowledge stress itself doesn't cause adhesions. Reading your history of Endometriosis etc. It doesn't surprise me that you have adhesions. For some reason this disease hit's us females, from what I've heard, more than males, because we have things like endometriosis etc.. Yes it does hit males also..It's the way our bodies heal after surgery.. Many people get adhesions, probably more than we know, after surgery, but where the problem comes in is when the adhesions decide to attach themselves to other organs or abdominal wall, thus causing all sorts of problems.. for example in the digestive process.( thus your small bowel obstruction.) Anyway that all aside. I don't pretend to be an expert at this disease.. I just happen to be a Nurse that's worked in an Operating room and has seen these things.. and has had major problems with them myself. My suggestion to you is to first off find a good pain specialist that can help you feel more comfortable without having to be on all sorts of Drugs that just make you sleepy. There are many Docs out there that deal with adhesions on a regular basis.. I don't know of any one in the Rochester area of Ny.. But my Doc happens to be in Pa..within a decent drive from you.. Also from what I've heard from here theirs a Doctor in Fla, Ohio. Their out there. I just would suggest if you ever need to have them taken care of again not to go to just any surgeon. You need to find someone who's up on the good barriers etc to help keep these things from returning with such a vengence.. Since your a fairly new post op patient..If you want it's not going to hurt to at least get some advice from one of these Docs..Everyone on this site is going to have varying opinions on who's good etc.. All I can say is I ended up going to Pa from Ut to see Dr Gerhart, and I have not had one moments regret of taking those trips.. Yes I had to go twice within a six month period.. But that's been over three years ago..He is a wonderful Doctor, knows a lot about adhesions..In my case I won't let anyone else touch me when it comes to dealing with them if I need surgery. I unfortunately, before I saw him, had Three surgeries here for some of the same problems, and I ended up in really bad shape.. I don't blame anyone.. I'm not that type of person, but with adhesions you really need a Surgeon who knows how to deal with them.... No their are not any cures for these things, and yes they can come back, but at least their are treatments.. I feel so much better than I did in 2006 before I made the decision to see a specialist for these..I would most likely have not made it if I had just sit here and let things ride..(Long Story) Anyway! Good Luck! Don't be afraid to email me at any time if you need to talk.. You also may be a little bit early post op.. I wouldn't rush right into another surgery, but if you want to send your info to Dr G, or just get some advice from them.. the web site is clarkgerhart.com. He's in Wilksbarre Pa..I'm guessing about..oh maybe a six hour drive from you..( I grew up in Northern Pa..know the area fairly well.) Take Care Marlene
Fyi, Taking and endurance class?? This is one where everyone is going to have a different opinion..It may be a bit too early for that.. If the adhesions are trying to come back.. In my experience doing that could make things worse..!! Our bodys need time to heal..Sometimes it takes much more than just the usual, 6 wks or whatever.. Some times it literally takes as long as six months, or even longer depending on what was done.. before jumping into that I'd talk to your Doctor.