Hello,
I am a 39 year old male with a history of abdominal adhesions. I am
active duty Air Force. In June 1996, I had laparoscopy nissen
fundoplication for GERD. After the surgery, I had difficulty
swallowing. After several upper GIs and esophagogastroduodenoscopy with
dilations, I had open abdominal surger to take down the nissen and do a
toupee fundoplication in March 1997. This surgery corrected the
difficulty swallowing, however, in late 1999, I started experiencing
severe abdominal pain. In February 2000, I had open
exploratory/adhesiolysis surgery. The surgeon found massive adhesions
in my abdomen. This surgery relieved the severe abdominal pains
temporarily. In 2001, I started experiencing severe abdominal pains
again which resulted in several hospitalizations. In May 2001, I had
open adhesiolysis surgery which relieved the severe abdominal pain. In
2003, I again started experiencing severe abdominal pain. I have had a
small bowel follow-through exam and have been hospitalized on three
separate occassions. During these hospitalizations, the doctors have
been treating the symptom of constipation, along with administering
narcotic pain medication for the severe abdominal pain. They have now
sent me home with morphine and vicadin. I have discussed with the
general surgeon about doing surgery and using Seprafilm that helps
reduce the incidence, extent, and severity of postoperative adhesions.
He told me that he could not guarantee the Seprafilm would work. They
also want me to go to a pain management clinic. I do not feel that the
narcotics or pain management clinic will solve the problem. They will
only be hiding the pain. I have an appointment on December 4th with a
general surgeon in St. Louis, Missour for a 2nd opinion. The severe
abdominal pain is a major issue in my quality of life. Has anyone had
any experience with using Seprafilm to reduce the adhesions? Also, I am
looking for any ideas and suggestions. Thank you and God Bless You!