>>> Christine M. Smith <smithy@maine.rr.com> 05/20 5:29 PM >>>
My appointment with the colo-rectal surgeon was very interesting. He
was great. I think I am on the road to a correct diagnosis. I hope you
don't think all he did was "pass the buck". First we spoke (in the
presence of a medical student which is to the patient's advantage
because in this situation the doctor spends a *lot* of time with the
patient) and I said "I'm beginning to think that my adhesions are not
necessarily the cause of my problem" and he commented with "I really am
glad you said that." After we spoke he examined me and went on to
explain how his wife had the same exact problem! First she went to her
gynecologist because the pain felt exactly like an ovary/tube problem
she once had. The gyn was not impressed. Then they found a large cyst.
He was still not impressed and suggested crohn's disease. The tests (Ct
Scan etc.) were all negative. A visit to the orthopedic surgeon didn't
get any answers. Somehow she ended up at a rheumatologist and a bone
scan was ordered. She had a definite inflammation of the sacroiliac
joint, given antiinflammatories and is now fine. I find this most
interesting because I spent several years in a rheumatologist's office
about 10 years ago, never getting a diagnosis before the problem went
away. Or did it?
He also said that he didn't think the malposition of my colon would
cause problems (which makes sense considering the fact that its probably
been that way for at least 20 years and has functioned fine). He said
he has seen colons that looked like they were tied in knots. He said it
was very easy not to notice something like this in a colonsocpy because
you don't get a very good perspective.
So, I'm optimistic.
Chris S.