I have used the directions for PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, which I posted today, to do a search on the drugs which you listed: Keflex and Robaxin.
Keflex is a Beta-Lactim Antibiotic and Robaxin is a skeletal muscle relaxant. Neither drug is a pain-reliever! No wonder you are having pain!!!!!
Both Keflex and Robaxin are Brand Names - which means they are more expensive than the generics.
Cephalexin is the generic of Keflex. Methocarbamol is the generic of Robaxin.
I suggest that you read the information for both of these prescription drugs at the Planetrx site. If you have any trouble following the directions, which I have posted today, you can write to me personally at the above address.
Since your adhesions are attached to your small intestine and colon, unless you are able to find a doctor who specializes in doing surgery for adhesions, it would be very unwise to have just any surgeon do an adhesiolysis for you.
* * SURGEONS WHO SPECIALIZE IN ADHESIOLYIS SURGERY * *
Surgeons, who specialize in adhesion surgery (adhesiolysis), use microsurgical techniques.
These surgeons do many more of these kind of surgical procedures - day after day - in comparison to regular surgeons.
These specialists have developed special techiques - which they strive to improve on from one adhesiolysis to the next one.
A surgeon, who specializes in this kind of surgery, must be able to have the virtue of PATIENCE because these kind of surgeries can take many hours to complete. These are also very risky surgeries for the surgeon to perform and especially for the patient.
I had an appointment to talk with a colon-rectal surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in January 1997. He said that he *would not* do an adhesiolysis for me - unless I, as his patient, were having a bowel obstruction. He did not advise surgery!!!! So what is there left to do? PAIN MANAGEMENT -- and this is what doctors at the Mayo Clinic advise patients, who come to them with adhesion problems.
This does not necessarily mean that these surgeons do not believe that adhesions do not cause pain. It means that surgeons have learned through many failed attempts at adhesiolysis, that adhesiolysis is not the answer *at this time.*
Considering the risks involved, surgeons do not encourage surgery for adhesions at this time. There is not an adhesion barrier available yet, which has been proven to give adequate protection from the re-development of adhesions. Our bodies are in control. Adhesions are how the body heals itself.
* * SO WHAT AM I DOING? * *
So what am I doing? Since January 1997 I have been seeng a psychiatrist, who specializes in pain management, on a regular basis. She has prescribed Carbamazepine (200mg) for me to take in the morning - and 400mg of the same drug for me to take at bedtime. Carbamazepine is the generic of Tegretol.
In January 1997 she prescribed Amitriptyline (100mg) for me to take at bedtime. Amitriptyline is the generic of Elavil. Amitriptyline was the *first and only* medication which had given me any relief from pain back in 1975 - after having suffered from very severe intractable pain following surgery in 1970. This drug is an anti-depressant and it has also been recognized to relieve pain.
I also see a psychologist on a regular basis for talk therapy - about how pain has affected and is affecting my life; and also so I can share concerns in a safe environment - instead of "stuffing them" and never talking about them.
I have also allowed myself to become involved with life again - instead of isolating myself and suffering in silence. I have joined a Weigh Down Workshop group for weight reduction. I teach piano lessons to young people, teen-agers, and adults. I am the accompanist for our church choir.
As I've said before, I have been doing a lot of research on the Internet. In the process of researching, I just recently learned that there is psychological term for doing something like: It is known as DISTRACTION. It really works!! As I have been absorbing all of this information, DISTRACTION has been keeping my brain so busy that it has prevented the full impact of pain-messages from reaching my brain. I am a firm believer in the mind-body concept. In order to accept the mind-body concept, it was necessary for me to read about it and take whatever time was necessary for me to understand and accept it - which has taken me a long time!
* * ADHESION BARRIERS * *
Some of surgeons use adhesion barriers. Some have made a decision not to use the adhesion barriers which are available now - because of the less than satisfactory results which surgical patients have had with the application of an adhesion barrier. The use of an adhesion barrier does not guarantee that adhesions will not return!!
Both INTERCEED (TC7) and Seprafilm adhesion barriers have been approved by the FDA for use in laparotomy surgery (open abdominal).
Although there are some surgeons who have learned how to apply Interceed laparoscopically, Interceed has not been approved by the FDA to be used in laparoscopies. Seprafilm cannot be applied laparoscopically.
* INTERCEED (TC7) *
For Interceed to be effective, there must not be any blood left in the abdominal cavity.
* SEPRAFILM *
Seprafilm's texture is something like waxed paper. It is brittle and once it is moistened, becomes sticky and unmanageable for the surgeon to use.
I am not an expert on the above subjects. The information, which I have just shared with you, is based on the research I have done on the subject of adhesions and adhesion-related topics - which I started almost two years ago.