Thanks for the replies and the information. From what I have read about adhesions is that alot of Doctors don't all believe that adhesions cause pain and alot of them say it could be IBS....but do I need all the testing if I don't have any symtoms of IBS??
You said you "don't have any symptoms of IBS" - and I believe you. I'm not a medical professional; but when doctors say it must be IBS, that to me is a lot of BS -- not IBS!!
I had a complete hysterectomy in 1996 and it took 6 hours to complete because of all the adhesions, bowels, bladder, ureters, etc. I have always gotten some relief from the surgeries, it just always comes back. My doctor that did my surgery on April 15, 2002 told me that there was no way he could get the "ton" of adhesions with the laproscope this time. And he has agreed to do the surgery on me. But before he does it he wants to rule out anything else, so that is why I have to see the Gastro DR and also the Urologist.
It is true that doctors really need to rule out other conditions before ruling in adhesions. In your case, it is also clear to me that your doctor's referral to specialists (such as a gastroenterologist and Urologist) - PLUS all of the additional tests they order - only lines their pockets with their patient's money!!!
I saw my PCP yesterday and he told me that I should have the tests done just to make sure there is nothing else going on. He also told me that they have used different types of radiation therapy for adhesions...Have you ever heard anything like that before???
Radiation IS NOT a therapy for adhesions!!!! Radtiation therapy IS ONE OF THE CAUSES OF ADHESIONS!!!!!!! There are websites on the Internet to prove this!!!
He also gave me a RX for Neurontin.
Some people have been prescribed Neurontin and this medication is helping them; but not everyone is helped by Neurontin!! I have learned that anesthesiologists and psychiatrists (who specialize in pain management) are the best medical professionals to seek pain management from.
He told me that when people sometimes have a limb amputated they still have nerve endings that make them think they still have the limb...he said this medication is to desensitize (Misspelled sorry) the nerve endings and hopefully help my pain medication work better....So I'll try it!!
Your doctor's reference to limb amputation and "nerve endings THAT MAKE THEM THINK they still have the limb" is correct. BUT his/her explanation that this statement applies to adhesion sufferers IS TOTALLY FALSE!!! Adhesion pain IS REAL!!!
Sorry to just ramble on like this, I am just thankful to find people to talk to about all this....you don't know how grateful I am...I truly am....thanks
I recommend that you start to learn as much as you can about adhesions; and I suggest that you find a doctor/surgeon, who is knowledgeable about adhesions!!! It is critical that adhesion sufferers educate themselves - so that they will know if their doctor or surgeon is telling them the truth. At this time there is NO sure way to get rid of adhesions. The new SprayGel, that was approved in Europe late in November 2001, is very promising!! But SprayGel has not been approved by the FDA in the USA.
Pain Management at a multidisciplinary pain clinic (a clinic that deals with the whole person) is the best that the USA has to offer adhesion sufferers.