Abdominal Swelling
From: Lis:- (kiwi2b4x@aol.com)
Sat Aug 22 19:43:17 2009
For those with massive swelling, it adds more problems. I'm 115 pounds
with a 27" waist. When swelling starts, I can go to 35" within minutes.
For a while it comes and goes, then one day it's obvious it's not going
down "this time".
When I had surgery 18 months ago, I arrived at the hospital in maternity
pants and wore my size 4 jeans the next day. I get grossly distended,
the pressure on my back is extreme and many times this leads those
"internal" problems in my rectum to prolapse, swell & bleed. I'm a
non-smoker who has COPD, and with all the swelling under my ribcage, my
lungs hyper-inflate, making breathing harder.
Because I have celiac disease, my diet is already restricted but when I
swell, I can only get a little soft food down. I may or may not get
nauseated, there's just no place for food to go and I literally "feel
it" get stuck. Occasionally something causes a distinct excruciating
pain in my upper abdomen. I'll tell my husband we may be heading to ER,
which is a nightmare within itself because of the looming fear of
another NG TUBE!
Next week, I'm going in for a "clean-up" with Dr. Jay Redan,who I
consider one of the very best surgeons out there. After it's over, my
pain will be relieved and I'll be able to use only Tylenol or Ibuprofen
for a while! Believe it or not,if you use pain meds for pain, you're not
likely not become addicted. I've used narcotics on and off for 20 years
and I've NEVER had a problem coming off even after a year or so of daily
use. I've never had any withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. Let me
emphasize, I take the least amount I can get by with and I don't use
week-ends as a reason to stay doped up.
Along those lines, all three of my kids work in a hospital,(one's an ER
nurse) and it is true that many seeking narcotics claim to be covered by
adhesions as it is such a phantom disease. Don't get mad or defensive
if a physician stays on top of your medical history and your current
meds. We should want them to do that as we have nothing to hide or be
ashamed of. I meticulously keep track of my scripts, use one pharmacy
and routinely schedule a visit with my physician rather than calling in
over and over to ask for refills.
In summary, while it's true that most folks who have surgery develop
adhesions, it's painfully(pun intended)true that for some, it becomes a
debilitating, life altering DISEASE. I should not feel compelled to
justify or defend decisions I make about my health. I hope this
encourages somebody to stop feeling guilty and start feeling better. God
bless!
Lis:-)
--
I have been on a gluten free diet for nearly 10 years now(Celiac Disease)
There is no question that it can help those with adhesions simply because
you are not putting as much strain on your intestines and digestive track.
I very RARELY ever "cheat" because I KNOW what will follow. Days of
fatigue, bouts of severe constipation,back pain, etc. Having said that,
unless you are a Celiac, the diet is not ideal for everyone and is hard to
follow properly if you eat out a lot or don't read food labels. Have a
great New Year everybody! Lis:)