Re: Questions on Pelvic CT Scans.

From: Millie (milliem@citlink.net)
Tue May 14 19:55:09 2002


Karla, I finally received the results of the Ct scan, and the gastro and the surgeon both said it was 'perfectly normal.' But I'm still having the pressure and trouble getting rid of gas, and loose stool. The contrast I drank was white. It was Barium Sulfate. Then they injected a dye into my arm. I am just about at the end of my rope. Have you ever gotten to that point? I emailed Dr. Redan on either Friday, or Saturday, and I told him I didn't yet know the results of the Ct scan. He said if I felt I was having an obstruction, to head to the nearest hospital, and to contact my family Dr. Karla, remember I went to Dr. 'B.' almost 2 weeks ago, crying my eyes out. I told him I felt that was because of the hormones probably being out of kilter. He NEVER OFFERED to do any bloodwork of any kind!!! I told him I had adhesions cut whan I had the hyst, and that I KNOW they come back and cause pain and MORE trouble. I was met with, "NO. You're depressed." No kidding, Karla, and it gets worse. I had the barium swallow last June or July, which didn't show anything. I had a colonoscope last year, which she said was 'normal,' but the right side of the colon wasn't cleaned well at all. (I couldn't take the phosphosoda like I was supposed to.) Have you ever seen any info on enteroceles, or rectoceles? I often wonder since I have this other trouble, if it could be an enterocele or rectocele. The surgeon did a rectal last week, and said there was no rectal prolapse. Thanks for listening. Millie. Dr. Redan said he hadn't seen me in a while, and he wouldn't be in til next week. That was this past weekend he answered. Should I try to email him again? I am praying he didn't read Jean's remark about what I did "to myself". What tests are left that I could ask for? This is really getting to me, and where I live, I feel so alone, and desperate. Yes, once I had the Kool-Aid type of contrast. It was pretty tasty. Millie.

> ----- Original Message -----
From: Karla N To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 11:13 AM Subject: Re: Questions on Pelvic CT Scans.

--
   Millie,

CT scans do not show adhesions...with or without the contrast. But they will show bowel that is pulled out of place by adhesions...that is how they can say that you have adhesions from a ct...not by seeing the adhesion itself but by the positioning of your bowel. CT scans with or without contrast will also show obstructions....the contrast just highlights things more and makes it much easier to see. I suppose something could slip by if they didn't use contrast. You drank white contrast? The contrast I have drank with my CT's has always been clear...well either a Tang type liquid or most recently a kool-aid liquid. I don't remember any white contrast...but that could just be what my particular hospitals use.

If there were some emergent problem..like an obstruction...the radiologist would be on the phone with your doctor immediately. Well, that is what happened in my case. If this test shows nothing I would question your doctor a little bit. Does the scan show anything that would indicate adhesions? Are your bowels in their normal position or are they pulled into another spot? I wouldn't go out looking for any more tests if the ct is "normal". Actually, if the ct shows the bowel is out of place because of adhesions I wouldn't get any more tests either. You don't need any more to tell you that you have adhesions. You have the pain. You have the bowel problems. That and your history say adhesions. Nothing short of surgery with a specialist is going to change anything or help you. Don't focus on the possibility of your having an obstruction. The stress of all of that will cause you a! lot more problems.

Millie, do you remember when you first came on this list? Are you having any different or worse problems than you were then? At that time you were very worried about obstructions and the ng tube. Fortunately, you didn't have an obstruction and I think you were able to let go of the worries...you didn't focus on the possibilities of an obstruction for a LONG time. I would try and let go of the worry. It doesn't do you any good. No doctor is going to let you go with an obstruction. That would be lawsuit time. Yes you have lots of pain...that is normal with adhesions. Yes, you have bowel problems....that also is very normal with adhesions. Many of us go to the bathroom very little....that doesn't mean we all have obstructions...thank God. I have gone as long as ten days without having a bowel movement....yet I didn't have an obstruction. It was quite uncomfortable, but it eventually worked its ! way through. I think you have mentioned that you eat very little. That very well could be the reason that you are only passing a small amount of stool. I know that my habits change considerably based on what I eat and what I don't eat...including the amounts. I can go from being almost constipated to having considerable diarrhea in two minutes. That is all a part of having adhesions on my bowels.

Please relax. Don't worry about being obstructed or having an ng tube until you are or you need the tube. You are causing yourself undo stress. This too could affect your bowels and your level of pain. If you start vomiting within a very short time of eating and you don't feel nauseated...then you should be a little concerned. But there's no sense worrying until you know that there is a definite problem.

Love ya!

Karla

Millie <milliem@citlink.net> wrote:

Hi, I have some more questions,( as usual.) Yesterday, I had a pelvic CT scan of the pelvis, with contrast. I am wondering if Karla, or Helen D., or anyone had had one of these. I'm wondering what the scan can show. I'm certain I'm loaded with adhesions, and I have constant pain, discomfort, and a lot of bowel problems. Since you drink the white contrast, can they see the outline of the bowel, as if it may be pulled out of shape? If the radiologist saw something he didn't like, wouldn't he call the Dr. right away? I also had a dye injected in my arm. If this test shows nothing, what should I do next? What other tests are there? Are there any sites on Ct scans? Many thanks. Millie.

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