Julie, My battle with adhesions developed after a ectopic pregnancy that
ruptured over 10 years ago. I had emergency surgery and the adhesion
problems began. When I started experiencing pain, pressure on my
bladder and terrible period problems, I went to a different surgeon(in a
nearby bigger city and better hospital facilities) for a laparoscopy.
That was the first time I had ever heard the word adhesions. I was
young,(29) and to make a long story short, it has been a learning
experience for me. I have had 8 surgeries that have all been related to
the adhesions. The surgeon even tried Seprafilm barrier which
unfortunately did not work for me. I had to have a total hysterectomy
due to adenomyosis. After that the adhesions took over my intestines. I
was in so much pain I really thought I was loosing my mind. Then I
found this site, I wasn't alone! I had already been to pain management
and it did help, but I was too far gone. I was experiencing bowel
obstructions and hospitilized. We had already discussed going to
Scranton, PA, if I had to have another surgery. That was Oct. 30,
2000. I always request my surgical records, and my post-operative
diagnosis was extensive peritoneal cavity adhesions involving the
abdominal wall, pelvis and interloop adhesions, internal hernias,
chronic cholecystitis, and cul-de-sac nodule with complete cul-de-sac
obliteration. Drs. Redan & Reich were able to do this laparoscopically
although they could not get in the supraumbilical position. It was a
very long surgery and I stayed in the hospital 3 days. Drs. Redan &
Reich use advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques that include
scissors dissection, aquadissection, laser and electrosurgery. They
stress the importance of hemostasis(leaving no blood) and at the end of
the procedure leaves saline solution to help prevent adhesions. They
gave me pictures and 2 videotapes of the surgery. Yes, I feel so much
better, but I don't believe I will ever be adhesion free. I personally
feel there is a connection between scar tissue and mixed connective
tissue disorders. I also have Fibromyalgia. Some research suggests the
scar response is amplified many times resulting in "keloid-type"
scarring in people with disorders such as Fibromyalgia,
Epstein-Barr,Chronic Fatigue, etc. That's another story! Sorry so long,
please feel free to contact me and remember; you are not alone. Sherry