~ ~ ~ ~
Part 4: Bev is pain-free following her April 22, 1999 adhesiolysis...
I discussed Dr. Reich's procedure with a local surgeon -- as well as a pathologist ( who our son works with ) -- before I agreed to have it done. I also sent them my post-operative reports that defined the locations of previously lysed adhesions in both my abdomen and pelvic cavity.
During a routine autopsy, they instilled 3-4 liters of ringers lactate to raise the abdominal wall away from the intestines to determine if, in fact, an adhesion could reform and REACH the abdominal wall to attach itself from the intestine.
When there is that much ringers lactate in the cavity ( that type of attachment was the ONLY cause of my pain ); and when organ attachment involves the peritoneum, you have pain! ( I had that in both previous lysis ). It did raise the abdominal wall a good 3-4" and in all probability, an adhesion would NOT be able to attach.
In the event you are interested in contacting Dr. Reich, let me know and I will assist you with that as well. I also can give you some pretty fresh ideas in planning a trip to New York ( without getting hit by a street-selling crook....like someone I know did! ).
I hope this synopsis provides you with the information you asked me for. If there is anything else I can do for you, please feel to e-mail me at bnb@cybrzn.com ). Please educate yourselves to all that you can about adhesion disorder; and then call for a SIT DOWN consultation with your doctor to discuss all areas of adhesion disorder. Many times the doctor is as scared and frustrated as we are as to what to do for you! Take information to your doctor from the following excellent websites:
*International Adhesions Society
*Women's Surgical Group
http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com
*International Pelvic Pain Society
*Pathways to Hope: "Roses projects for Adhesion Sufferers"
Re-evaluate your medications!! You MUST be taking an analgesic ( pain med ) on a consistent basis for it to be effective in your system to combat the pain. It is also imperative that you take an anti-inflammatory.
As for an MRI, Cat Scan or any other high tech medical test for a person with a history of adhesions, I feel it is a waste of money and time. A simple ultrasound and abdominal x-ray will detect any abnormal pathology in the abdomen. If you feel that you are suffering from the same type of pain in the same region -- as with your previous adhesion problem -- then you surely don't need anymore tests, if an ultrasound proves negative! Everything else will be negative too; and your doctor STILL cannot diagnose your adhesions as the cause of your pain -- unless a diagnostic laparoscopic surgery is performed.
Your Dr. can't say that your pain is caused by adhesions until he actually sees them; but you can pretty much be assured that the pain is from adhesions -- if you've had adhesions before -- if the results of your tests are negative.
You can say your pain is being caused by adhesions -- and not have to worry about getting sued. Your doctor can't! He sure might think your pain is caused by adhesions; but he really, really cannot say it -- until it is proven! BUT, as long as all medical tests rule out abnormal pathology, you DO have CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN and that IS recognized as a medical condition; so get on a pain management routine and take it from there! A doctor HAS TO respond to your request for that!
( Continued in Part 5 )