Re: Saw the surgeon today regarding adhesions
From: Christine M. Smith (smithy@maine.rr.com)
Tue Aug 31 08:25:43 1999
At Mon, 30 Aug 1999, Ginny King wrote:
>
>Well, I saw the surgeon today regarding adhesions. He doubted that the
>right side, burning tearing pain that I am experiencing is caused by the
>Crohn's, but when I am in an active state of inflammation, all pain gets
>worse including adhesions as the tolerance level of the patient is so
>low. He didn't seem to have much of anything to say regarding surgery
>as an option and stated that many doctors now believe that because the
>pain can come back so quickly after surgery that they have done nothing
>to help the patient and that the temporary relief one feels is from the
>residual effects of the anesthesia and pain medication given after
>surgery. He also indicated that when a doctor takes down adhesions the
>best they hope for is that they will reform in a different configuration
>that might not cause the pain the patient was in before. He is going to
>get with my PCP and GI and thinks we might should try a pain management
>clinic. At least he semed sympathetic and indicated that no one should
>have to continue in pain. He said that it is a shame but only recently
>has the medical profession really started to focus on pain manegement. I
>don't know if he is correct or not and left feeling more confused than
>ever. I have experienced some relief in the inflammation type symtoms
>from the medication the GI gave me for the Crohn's but the "other" pain
>that I have is just as bad and I just don't know what to do. I know we
>all could use just one day that we wake up pain free. I don't know what
>that feels like anymore as it's been so long. I know you all
>understand. Best wishes. Ginny
Hi Ginny:
I am curious about a few things you have said in your post. Maybe your
explanations can help me figure a few things out about myself.
First, why does your surgeon doubt that the pain in your right side is
due to crohn's, when this is the area it typically presents pain in? Was
it because the biopsies did not show crohn's in this area? Is this the
area that you are still having pain in, while the other areas are
improving on the medication?
I can't remember the history you gave when you joined the forum. Was
this right side the area you had adhesions in? How do you know you still
have adhesions? (I'm assuming you had a lysis done)
Why don't you think that your spinal problems (which you know you have)
can be causing the right sided pain? This is the area that I had the
severe pain in during the time I was taking the step aerobic class. I
would have described it as a crushing, burning diffuse pain in the right
lower quadrant, nothing that I could trace. It might be helpful if you
kept a diary of your activities and degree of pain. It might also be
helpful if you stopped playing tennis and see if the pain improves any.
I know I have not had one of these pain attacks since I stopped the
aerobics. I would think that if you have spinal arthritis you are going
to have pain after a sport like tennis and it is common for that pain to
be referred into the pelvis. They might tell you this at the pain
management clinic as back problems seem to be a big part of their
business.
Chris S.