Whew, it sounds like you've been through a lot. It's a good thing to talk on here. There are people out there who understand. Don't give up. Check and see what your options are for your insurance. You are very close(NJ) to one of the best Adhesion surgeons in the country.(Pa.) If that is one of your main problems, he could at least give you some advice.(clarkgerhart.com).He saved my life. Struggling with weight can be an issue. Have you been checked for other causes ie thyroid etc? Some peoples metabolizm is off, and can make it difficult to loose weight. I could go on and on, but it's late. Don't be afraid to email if you just want to talk. Marlene
> Date: Mon, 5 May 2008 12:43:43 -0500
> From: tracy.joslin@adhesions.org
> To: adhesions@mail.obgyn.net
> Subject: Can't sleep and feel like I am losing my mind
>
> Sender: aliciasnanny@aol.com (Lynda)
> Subject: Can't sleep and feel like I am losing my mind
>
> The pain from adhesions has continued to grow daily for the past few
> weeks. Heating pads, soaking in the tub and over the counter
> medications seem to have no affect any longer. The see-saw of
> constipation/diarhea has made me afraid to eat. I am overweight, and
> have had several abdominal surgeries over the past fourteen years,
> including many for adhesion removal. I also have pain in the area where
> epidurals were given during child birth, and the groin area where heart
> catherizations were inserted. The pain centers in my lower right groin
> area and radiates around my lower abdomen and back---and down both legs.
> Tonight (it is actually almost 4AM) I cannot sleep because not only am I
> in extreme pain, but suddenly both my legs and especially my feet are
> freezing cold. Although they try to be sympathetic, I know family and
> friends are skeptical that something they cannot see can cause such
> severe pain. I feel myself struggling to perform normal daily
> activities and often push myself past my pain limitations to do things I
> know have to be done. For instance, although I was suffering terribly
> this morning, I forced myself to go grocery shopping, and accompany my
> cousin to the pet store, and hardware store--putting my self on my feet
> for several hours with no relief. Then, the simple act of putting away
> the groceries, and cooking dinner was the straw that broke the camels'
> back so to say. I know I am overweight, and I know many doctors will
> say I need to lose this weight in order to feel healthier--and the act
> of limiting my food intake is something I am working very seriously on.
> However, I am limited on the exercise I can do to accompany the diets.
> Some may suggest bariatric surgery, but I have already been told this is
> not a consideration by a general surgeon because of the severity of my
> adhesions. One of my surgeries--many years ago was to remove my final
> ovary on the right side. At that time I still had my appendix, and the
> physician actually had a nurse come out and ask my husband after over
> and hour if he was sure I never had my appendix removed because he was
> having difficulty locating it. He did finally, and a surgery that was
> supposed to be no more then an hour took almost six, and included
> extensive manipulation of my bowels to remove adhesions, and the removal
> of a Meckel's diverticulum. My weight complicates recovery (I am
> 5'1"and weigh 220lbs) and did result in several hernias which also
> needed repair. I have been told I have a lypoma in my abdomen, and
> arthritis of the spine. Someone from this board also suggested I
> contact a neurologist about the possibility of Tethered Spinal Cord
> Syndrome. Unfortunately, we recently moved last June, and I was only at
> my job for six months when I needed my gallbladder removed. I lost my
> job because I did not have enough time in to qualify for FMLA---losing
> my job resulted in loss of medical insurance, and since my husband is
> disabled, I cannot rely on him to supply me with any. I cannot just go
> to a surgeon, neurologist or physician. My choice is probably an
> emergency room, who may help me qualify for charity care to pay their
> bill.