I do appreciate how you must feel right now. A colonoscopy will help to rule out certain bowel problems. If your pain management isn't helping very much then you need to express this to your pain management Dr. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the ins and outs of pain management, as I do not have any.
Korny as it may sound, this is what I do to help myself. I drink a lot of water every day. I think your Dr is making a valid point concerning water consumption. In my experience (as I have bowel adhesions) the more water I drink the easier things move along. I try to eat healthy, but it's sometimes difficult. I do eat protein, but tend to avoid most meats like beef (other than ground), pork, and I eat a limited amount of chicken. It seems to me that the activity needed to digest the heavier proteins causes pain. I take Metamucil daily (only a small dose), unless I'm having problems and then I stop taking it right away. I eat salads but cut them very fine and chew them well.
In my situation, activity causes pain. I do light excersise like short slow walks and housework when I can. I force myself to do it, and I believe that this has helped me some. I am not suggesting that anyone else should do this - I'm just letting you know what helps me.
Robyn, I don't know what else to say that could help you. Perhaps one of the other people on the forum will be better able to help you. BTW, I think that your Dr saying that you pain is "cell related" is crap. Ask him what exact "cells" he means :o) He owes you an explanation as to what he believes is wrong.
Wishing you painfree moments, hours and days.
-- ClareAt Wed, 23 Oct 2002, RobynD423 wrote: > >Right now the doctor states that he believes I'm in pain and it's cell >related and that I'm not giving my body what it needs. Meaning eat >better, drink water, no caffine and quit smoking. Yes I agree these >things would help but I don't think its the cause of my pain. Before my >surgery we went over my last surgery report which stated adhesions and >why I had to have a laporotomy and not laporsocpy to get to the ovary >which needs to be removed. I'm just wondering if there's something in >my colon. I don't know what to do about work. I don't even know how I >feel anymore. I feel like I'm losing my mind and can barely tell how I >feel anymore. I'm currently on a duragesic patch whihc my neurologist >prescribed due to peripheral neuropathy and for the most part these >patches leave me at a pain level of around 6. I have to call my regular >doc and hope he won't give me any hassle about still being off work and >hope I can get him moving on the colonoscopy, but what if they don't >find anything wrong there. Should I try to just get back to work later >next week after my post-op appointment with the gyno who did this >surgery. I just really really don't know what to do. > >At Wed, 23 Oct 2002, clare wrote: >> >>Dear Robyn: >> >>Helen's quite right (as usual) on this. :o) After so many surgeries I >>think anyone would have adhesions...sometimes surgeons refuse to discuss >>adhesions that in their personal opinion shouldn't cause pain. Remember, >>some people have adhesions and don't have any pain, so surgeons often >>have preconceived ideas as to what adhesions in which locations cause >>pain. >> >>Was the endo removed via excision or was a laser used? It often takes an >>endo specialist to remove endo sucessfully, as well as to recognize the >>different appearances of endo. Robyn, I'm no Dr, but as Helen says get >>your records, and then get a second opinion if you feel your pain is >>intolerable. The sitting pain really does remind me of both endo and >>adhesions. >> >>A colonoscopy will rule out some other potential pain causes. >> >>You know, before I had my last laparoscopy, I was afraid that my surgeon >>would tell me that there was nothing wrong, and the conclusion would be >>that this was all in my head. I have a bit of an inkling as to how you >>may be feeling. In my situation, he lasered some endo, performed a LUNA >>procedure, noted that there were adhesions from my ascending colon to >>the peritoneum, and spread an adhesion that had bound my falopian tube >>to the fossa. He also noted that he couldn't get at all the endo >>because of adhesions. After that, he told me that none of these could >>possibly be causing me pain. He inferred the feared conclusion.... >> >>I'm not sure why I'm telling you all this - I guess I just want you to >>know that Drs are often cold, and sometimes they are just plain wrong. >>Until they or someone they love experience the despair that being told >>that there is really no cause of your pain, they'll continue to use this >>as an out. >> >>Robyn, don't despair. Wishing you painfree moments, hours and days. >> >>-- >>Clare >> >>At Wed, 23 Oct 2002, RobynD423 wrote: >>> >>>Hi Everyone, >>>I had my lap yesterday to look for adhesions and I can't believe it but >>>he didn't find any. Now I'm lost - it's always been adhesions before. >>>Now I have no idea what's wrong with me. Why have a been in so much >>>pain and what's going on with my colon. I have no idea. Any feedback >>>as to what could be wrong since it wasn't adhesions this time. My >>>regular doctor when I first went to him decided to go the adhesion route >>>first and then the colon - meaning I need to get a colonoscopy >>>scheduled. I've been of work since Sept 30. It's hard for me to sit >>>for long periods of time. Any feedback would be so appreciated. >>>Thank you. >>> >>>-- >>>Robyn >>> >-- >Robyn >