Since I'm not a medical professional, all I can do is share the information I've found. If you are suffering from unrelenting chronic pain - and all diagnostic tests have been negative or normal - it is highly possible that you could be suffering from adhesions. If this is the case, then it's very important that you start to learn as much as you can about adhesions-related disease (ARD); because ARD is so poorly understood by the medical profession. There are far too many doctors who don't believe - or won't admit - that adhesions can cause pain!!
With the knowledge that you gain by learning as much as you can about ARD, you will be able to recognize if your doctor has the same understanding about ARD as you do. If he/she doesn't, then it's time to look for a doctor who does agree that adhesions can cause pain!!
"Knowledge gives you strength.
Knowledge gives you courage.
Without courage there can be no progress.
Without progress there is no solution."
You will learn that there are three adhesion barriers currently available in the United States: Interceed, Seprafilm and Intergel. The FDA has approved the use of these adhesion barriers for laparotomy (open abdominal) procedures only!!! Only an informed doctor/surgeon would know that adhesion barriers are available. A surgeon, who is not aware of adhesion barriers, will not have the skill and experience needed to apply these adhesion barriers correctly.
The purpose of an adhesion barrier is to help minimize the formation of adhesions. Ahesions start forming as soon as three hours following the conclusion of surgical procedure. The human body tries to heal and protect itself following a surgical procedure (or other trauma); and,as a result. adhesions begin to form - and will continue forming for up to 7 days!!!
Unfortunately, none of these barriers are 100% effective. Each barrier has its own problems. SEPRAFILM is brittle and is difficult for the surgeon to use. When Seprafilm is moistened, it becomes sticky and very difficult for the surgeon to apply. If any blood is left in the abdominal/pelvic cavity, INTERCEED will not be effective. Consequently, many of the best surgeons have made a decision to not use adhesion barriers at the conclusion of a surgical procedure!!
November 2001 SprayGel, a gel adhesion barrier, was approved by the European Union for use in laparoscopic surgery . In the United States SprayGel is currently in the Clinical Trial stage; and It may take another two years or more before this product will be ready to seek the approval by the FDA. SprayGel IS showing promising results in Europe at this time
Education is the first step as you try to understand and cope with adhesions-related disease.
X> What you don't know can hurt you: Knowledge is power in a doctor/ patient relationship.
http://www.obgyn.net/women/articles/comfort/comfort006.htm