As for the pain being the same or different, it's in the same areas as before surgery but more intense (especially during my period). Before surgery I could take Advil or Vioxx and get relief, but this time I took medication and was curled around a heating pad for several hours with no relief. It's not debilitating pain, but I never used to have anything but mild cramps prior to 2/01 (onset of adhesion symptoms) so this is quite unusual for me. Also, the 2 periods since surgery have been around 9 days duration including spotting (not normal, I'm usually 5 days) and I've spotted lightly every time I've had intercourse since surgery (never did that before).
The adhesions involved both ovaries, cecum, appendix, sigmoid colon and pelvic sidewalls. The doc did lysis of adhesions and a uterine suspension (mid-October). He did look a visual look/see for endo but saw none, though no samples were sent to the lab for analysis.
Thank you for your advice! I've already started my pain journal again to look for patterns and will write all these questions down. Last time I saw him, I brought my list & he and his nurse were very good about answering all my questions. I'm very concerned that the adhesions are back at work, as I'm noticing other very familiar pains along with the period pain, but I've been told to wait 6 months before being suspicious of adhesions again (it's only been 7-1/2 weeks) so I wasn't sure if this was considered normal post-surgery cramping or not.
Anyway, thanks for your reply, I will be sure to have a list ready and will let you know what he says.
Take Care,
-- Libby :O)At Sun, 02 Dec 2001, Jo Eslick wrote: > >Hi Libby >I am sorry that you are feeling pain with your periods. Tell me is this pain the same as before the surgery, or is it now different? It is possible that you have new adhesions, because of the surgery....they start to form with the first 24 hours of surgery, so that MAY explain the pain. Was there any adhesions around or on your ovaries? Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis in the past? If not, ask your doctor if he detected any signs of this disease during the surgery he performed on you. >These are all the kinds of questions I think you should consider, and form questions to ask at your follow-up appointment. Now my next piece of advice to you is WRITE DOWN all the questions, concerns & symptoms you are experiencing, THEN remember to take the list with you to your appointment. Don't let the doctor whisk you through the consultation and push you out the door until he has ANSWERED all of the questions and concerns you have written on the list. Have a pen with you and tick each one off as he answers it, also it means you can write down any unfamiliar words etc that he might use in his answer to you. There is no point in asking the questions & getting the answers if the minute you walk out the door you can't remember what he has said! > >I hope this helps Libby, and please come back here after you have been to the follow-up appointment & let us know how you got on, ok? > >Love & gentle hugs > >Jo (Australia) >