ADHESIONS =>Bev's answers to 9 questions about adhesions

From: Helen Dynda (olddad66@runestone.net)
Fri Jul 13 16:39:07 2001


Bev's answers to 8 questions about adhesions:

1.) Once adhesions have formed, how rapidly do they grow or spread?

Bev: Adhesions form within 2 to 7 days post operatively. The very thin filmy adhesions do not create any problems for months to years; and they are soft and pliable. Your organs, though attached abnormally, can move quite well and freely thus no tugging. Over time -- and it's different for each adhesion patient -- the adhesions start to get firm, like external scar tissue does; and when that starts to happen, the organs that are tethered together will begin to lose their freedom, thus the pulling and tugging starts and the ARD sufferer will experience pain and other symptoms. The symptoms are very dependent on which organs are attached and how tough the adhesions have become. Some adhesions form very quickly and are thick, vascular adhesions; thus one experiences pain and pulling within a couple of days post operatively! Once adhesions are formed within that time frame, they DO NOT continue to form and they do NOT spread. They get tighter; and the tissue toughens thus creating either pulling of the organs or constricting of the bowel -- like placing a loose rubber band around a balloon and gradually wrapping it around more and more, thus causing a constriction.

2.) Is there a point where the growth stops?

Bev: Adhesion formation ONLY takes place in the time span of two to seven days. That is due to the healing process of the internal wounds. After seven days NO adhesions form as a result of the invasive process of surgery or injury. An inflammed appendix though can create inflammation internally; and the longer it is undetected, the more adhesion growth there is in response to a pending burst within the body. The body is encapulating that injury site with adhesions so if it does burst, the peritonitis is less -- though it is still usually fatal.

Adhesion tissue does not continue to grow. Your pain and symptoms increase due to the toughening of the tissue and thus tighter tethering of what should be freely moving organs -- and, of course, along with that comes pain!

3.) How can the extent of their growth or spread be determined?

Bev: As to the extent of the attachments and organ involvement from adhesions, only a laparoscopic diagnostic test will show that. There is no diagnostic test known in medical science today that will or can diagnose adhesions. NONE! No matter who tells you otherwise, there is none!

4.) Should I be concerned that they may be attached to other organs?

Bev: Well, I don't know that. They ARE attached to other organs as that is what tethers them from moving freely. As to whether you should be concerned about that depends on your symptoms. If you have no symptoms that bother you, don't worry about them; BUT, if your'e suffering from symptoms of pain, constipation, heart burn, vomiting, etc...then yes, you should have a great concern as it will not get better. It only gets worse over time.

5.) Could they be the cause of abdominal distension (when no gas is present and BM's are regular) because of the extra tissue that has formed?

Bev: Abdominal distention is a symptom of ARD; and it is not due to extra tissue. It is due to the bowel not being able to function properly as it is probably being pulled out of normal alignment as well as constricted in areas. This all depends on what surgeries you have had and what organs may be involved. This CAN be pretty well determined by looking at your operative reports. They tell a very informative story as to what adhesion involvement you have.

6.( I had a CT scan in December and a spot on the liver was detected. I go for another on Friday to determine if it has increased.

Bev: The spot is NOT adhesions.

7.) Could this be an indication that there are adhesions attached?

Bev: NO, it cannot be; and it isn't adhesion tissue at all there.

8.) What is the prognosis for people with abdominal adhesions or is there one?

Bev: There is one. The best case scenario for a good prognosis for an ARD sufferer is to secure the most qualified adhesiolysis surgeon there is. To date there are three of them in the world. The difference in frosting a very eye catching wedding cake is in the skill of the cake decorator -- as it is for a high quality adhesiolysis performed by a skilled and very precise surgeon. One will never really know what their personal outcome will be following an adhesiolysis; but it sure is one's best chance of getting as well as they can get if they go to the best. If you don't, your chances of getting any BETTER then when you went in for an adhesiolysis with an unskilled surgeon are very poor -- let alone thinking of getting well from ARD! It won't happen. It hasn't yet!

9.) Are there suggestions for living with and successfully managing adhesions?

Bev: That depends on the symptoms. I have about 5% pain at times. It is either adhesions or residual damage from prior surgeries, which would be normal. If one can live with a certain level of pain -- such as people do who have back problems, arthritis, lots of things that cause chronic pain -- one may be able to live with ARD and manage it with medication. BUT...taken over a long period of time, medication itself will start to distruct your organs -- liver and kidney toxicity, esophageal eschoriation (GERD)...ncrease in dosages if the pain increases. intolerance of medication over time...lots of things happen when people are on long term medications. This question is based on how YOU think you can live with it. If you can eat and perform tasks, sit in a car, sit for over ten minutes in a chair, walk, bend, have bowel movements, not vomiting all the time...maybe you can live with it. I would guess some do. I only hear from those who suffer terribly; and many are so ill they might succumb to ARD...I don't think people, who can live with it, actually look for help so we at the IAS wouldn't hear of them.

I tell people with ARD, like myself, one day at a time and you will be able to know when you need something done for your adhesions...you will know!


Enter keywords:
Returns per screen: Require all keywords: