Re: Do you experience nausea as a result of adhesions...and yet diagnostic tests are normal?

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Tue Jun 20 18:30:49 2000


I'm sorry but it really bugs me when a message goes off into cyberspace! Here is my second try:

Janet M. has written to me regarding her problem with chronic nausea - which she believes is caused by adhesions; but X-rays always come back normal. Since I do not experience *nausea* or constipation as a result of adhesions, I cannot really speak from experience about Janet's problem with nausea.

In her first letter to me she said that she had suffered with appendicitis pain for 14 months until it finally burst. You and I know that when an appendix bursts, peritonitis is the result. When peritonitis happens, adhesions are the inevitable outcome. Right? If food is not getting through, I would think that a X-ray would show that there is a problem.

If her problem with nausea seems to be like yours, would you share your experience here on the Message Board? Do you experience chronic nausea - and yet tests come back normal?

Janet would really appreciate your help! Thank you!!

** In Janet's June 19th letter she said: "I have been struggling with chronic nausea since my appendix burst in 1997. (I credit the doctors with that - 14 months of appendicitis and they kept telling me it COULDN'T be my appendix.) At any rate, the only thing we know for sure at this point is that I am full of adhesions. One doctor did offer to do surgery...others say my nausea is likely not related to the adhesions. I find occasional reports of things like physical therapy helping, but everywhere I search for alternate means (besides surgery) leads to a dead end."

** Janet's June 20th letter says: "One reason my family doctor is unsure whether or not my nausea is caused by adhesions is because, theoretically, the nausea would be caused when I get partial bowel blockages from them. Yet when I have episodes of unremitting vomiting and end up in ER, X-rays show no partial bowel blockages. Do you know if adhesions in an of themselves can give nausea? I realize that this might be a question for a doctor, but I've found out the hard way that often lay people who have researched an area know more than many doctors about that area.

"You asked what medications I am on. Since the pain is infrequent and often not that bad, I am not on pain meds. Nausea, however, is a real curse. When I can't handle it anymore I take promethezine. I've tried lots of other drugs, nothing else works.

"You also asked about constipation. That is only a problem if I take promethezine too often. (Since it wipes me out, I try to avoid it.) I am more likely to have diarrhea, which I have read can happen with partial bowel obstructions."


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