Hi Cathy, I saw that it was a number of years since your insightful suggestions regarding chronic and numerous adhesions. I am almost at the end of my rope with not only the continual & at times excrutiatng pain; but how the last 17 years of my life have been dictated by "good days"/"or days that I can barely make it out of bed!"
I am 39 years old, happily married but due to the unknown illness that struck when I was 21 and then 17 pelvic/abdominal/kidney/abcess removal ad nauseum surgeries that ensued - sadly no children.
Perhaps, only to those who understand the toll and how mis understood adhesions are by the medical community: can someone comprehend how disturbing and absurd that my biggest contribution to the greater good is: 6 surgeons telling me I have the worst case they have ever witnessed! Hey, they have even filmed three of my laporotmies as worst case scenarios. My parents always believed I had a bit of the theater/drama in my blood. Who knew literally? LOL! You either must laugh or cry: with my Irish sensibilites.
I will heed your advice & I too, advocate that everyone check with their physicians and be their own best advocate: a voice to be heard that may generate more research and possble solutions? It was simply by happenstance that I came across you article. My husband and I were just transferred to Northern Virginia from Chicago & due to many issues it was a very stressful move! But, we were pleased that it had been 18 months since my last hospitalization and I was starting to feel that perhaps my health woes were becoming more manageable? Within two weeks of arrivng I was in our local emergency room with a serious kidney infection & an unknown 10cm fluid collection in my pelvis. I have seen over 5 surgeons and all are unsure exactly how to proceed? In addition; I now have to be back on opiate pain medication once again! I have been down this precarious road before and it is often an emotional & pyschological mind field - that is complicated by pain dictating your decscions over intellect.
With all this said; It was karmic that I came across your advice and suggestions...I feel alone and you were a light and a kind soul that spoke to my fears.
I will reconnect to other's with Chronic pain and addhesions: and you helped me to remember the rule that if you wish to get past your own pain focus on someone else's and if you can; be of any service to them. Peace and Gratitude. God Bless all on your journey.
Robin
At Sun, 25 Jul 2004, Cathy wrote:
>
>Hi, I'm new to this site but have read enough where I see the cry for
>help and relief. I'd like to share some of the things I'm doing or am
>planning on doing in the hope that it will help someone.
>
>First of all, if you need to take any kind of narcotic pain relief, long
>term, please do your body (and your mind) a favor and take a stool
>softener. That was the first thing my doctor recommended after my
>surgery. I take an OTC product called Colase. This is a very expensive
>medication but at least Meijer makes a brand comparable for about 1/3
>the price of the name brand, and it works JUST AS WELL. I take one of
>these per day and have not had a bit of a problem.
>
>Secondly, I am experiencing a lot of back pain lately and all I can come
>up with is the fact that these little buggers attached to everything, so
>they probably attach to nerves, too, which probably travel outside the
>abdominal area and into the back, since it's pretty close. I use a
>heating pad constantly on my back and sometimes a cold gel pack and find
>great relief with both. If I'm planning on swimming or doing any kind
>of exercise (which a lot of time exaccerbates my pain, especially
>vacuuming), I take Motrin first (anti-inflammatory).
>
>Third, my doctor recommended (no more than) 400 mg of Vitamin E. This I
>take by mouth and the idea is that it softens the adhesions and makes
>them more pliable and when that happens, hopefully = less pain!
>Apparently, Vitamin E is not water soluable so you have to be very
>careful to NOT take more than one per day!
>
>Last, one more thing that I've heard of is a product called Zostrix, I
>think it's actually peppermint oil, and you apply it to the site(s) of
>your pain The idea is to rub a very thin coat on your skin, making sure
>you put it where you will not sweat because that will just make it wipe
>right off and it won't be effective. Apparently, you can get this at
>the pharmacy. I'm planning on trying that very soon and I'll do a
>response to this thread and let you know how it works.
>
>I'm not recommending anyone do any of this stuff without checking with
>their doctors, especially the medication suggestions but it's sure worth
>a try! Ok everything with your doc first, though, please!
>
>I'm 38 years old, have a husband and three kids and I'm dealing with the
>pain of adhesions on an every-day basis but I look forward to reading
>these postings and picking up new ideas to help cope. Thanks, everyone
>for sharing a part of yourselves that's pretty personal, and painful as
>well! Your thoughts and insights are invaluable to the people seeking
>help! Take Care and God Bless!
>
>--
>Cathy in Michigan