Hello to all you brave women (I just realized I don't believe I read a
single message from a man on this site). I have been reading for the
last hour some of the interesting information all of you have shared
with each other over the years of your trials and suffering. I have had
intense abd pain for about the last six months, multiple tests have
ruled out everything, which leaves my surgeon to believe I have
adhesions. She does not recommend surgery due to, you know, creating
more adhesions. My first abd surgery was in '98, open cholecystectomy
(gallbladder removal due to large stones) which left a large scar that
took about a year to heal, still felt "tight" at that time. Then I
became very ill 11/01 with frequent bouts of flu-like symptoms about 1-2
times a month. Then in Feb '02 became very feverish, jaundiced,
hepatitis tests negative, more tests revealed almost completely blocked
liver duct. Emergency repair surgery with larger abdominal scar over
old scar (looks like a large inverted 'V' with 6-8 inch lines), that was
in March '02. Very long recovery, Dr kept saying "you had a very big
surgery with lots of layers of muscle cut open, it will take a while to
heal". One year later pain seems to be getting worse with frequent
episodes of bent over, can't breathe, think I might die kind of pain. So
begins the tests to rule out everything but the kitchen sink. I live in
a medium size town so we get sent to a bigger town 3 hours away for
major surgeries. I went back to the big city to see my surgeon and she
confirmed what I hoped I would not be hearing, "you have adhesions". She
gave me an anti-spasmodic which does not seem to help any more than the
oxycodone and told me I could come back to see her but there is not much
she can do since more surgery . . . you know the story. I was so
depressed on the way home I cried for two hours non-stop. I'm a single
mom of a 12 year old son, how can I work, have a life with my son, have
a life of my own. So much I used to be able to do I may not do again.
The next day I woke with a sense of determination. I have a lot of hope
that I can beat this somehow, without surgery. I have received 2
acupuncture treatments and am scheduled for another 2 this coming week.
I am using a chinese herbal drink that seems to lessen the pain a bit.
The acupuncture has generated some result after first session that
lasted a few days, then second session was not as effective. There are
good days and bad days. I will research low residue diet as my problems
seem to be bowel related.
Thank you for providing this outlet for ARD - I am sure it will help me
as I am sure it has helped many others cope.