I know what you mean about how radical removing all but a small part of the
small intestine is - but really what I wanted to know was who told Laura
those percentages of pain relief by having that radical of a surgery done. I
asked the Mayo clinic surgeon about having that done and his response was
that it could be done if all but approx 10% of the bowel remained - the end
could be re-anastomosed to the rectum without having to have a
colostomy/illiostomy. The possiblity of having to have TPN for the rest of
my life was a very real consideration. I have had to have TPN for 8 weeks
and I would sure trade the pain for TPN hands down and in a second. When
dealing with sucidal levels of pain - being paralysed would even be better.
>From what I understand from the reasearch I have done - like having a
hysterectomy helped with the pelvic adhesive pain so would removal of most
all of the bowel. Inflammatory bowel(IBD) patients who have had total
colectomys got much relief from their pain. Although IBD is inflammation on
the inside of the bowel - adhesions are causing/resulting the inflammatory
response on the outside of the bowel. There is still much research to be
done in this area and is a very radical procedure and as with all other
surgeries - there are no guarantees.
Laura - I am anxiously waiting to hear who told you about that because I would sure love to know more details.
Thanks
Tina