Hey There!!
I would like to introduce myself to you.. and tell you my story. I'll try to keep it short. I too have had numerous abdominal surgeries.. 3 C-sections, 2 Laproscopic Procedures, A Partial Hysterectomy, An Oophorectomy, and Appendectomy..I too suffer from Post Surgical Adhesion Disease. I call it Pretty SAD...
It all started in January of 1999. I had my last baby via C-section. My Ob/Gyn noted when opening me massive amounts of adhesions and scar tissue. So before closing he removed all of it, and used a barrier to prevent more from reforming (yeah right) About a year later I started having severe pelvic pain..A new Gyn Dr ran a multitude of tests, all negative. Still having significant pains so Dr order a Lap.. Had that done in early 2000, lap showed minimal Endometriosis, Dr also suspected Adenomyosis cause of symptoms and shape of uterus. So I had a Partial Hysterectomy. Once she opened me up she found massive amounts of adhesions, uterus adhered to bladder, tubes adhered to ovaries etc.. She said it was like someone squeezed a whole bottle of super glue inside of me..So I recovered from this surgery quite well. then about a year and half later I started having pains again..Well the only thing I had left was an Ovary..So more tests, found an enlarged ovary. So Dr suggested a lap be done to remove Ovary. Lap was unsuccessful due to massive amounts of adhesions..So about 2 weeks later I had to have another laparotomy to remove Ovary and Adhesions.. She said my ovary was adhered to back wall. Adhesions also found on bladder again and bowels this time. So I was again recovering from another major surgery... About 7 months after that I again started having severe pain in lower right pelvic.. I thought I have nothing there what could it possibly be. Only this time I had a fever, severe pain, and vomiting..Rushed to hospital White Counts were extremely high. You guessed it Appendicitus..So yet another abdominal surgery, cut in the same incisions as before because of the Adhesion history.. Again massive adhesions were noted.. At the end of February this year, the all to familiar pains returned once again..They did every test you could think of MRI's, CT Scans (2 of each) Sonograms, X-Rays you name it. And Finally the Dr came to the conclusion that Adhesions are what is causing my pain.. I strongly agree cause the pain is the same as before. And my history of them. Dr told me I could risk having another surgery only to make them worse and cause me more pain.. Or do pain management until something more severe happens...Bowel Obstruction.(That Scares Me) Or pain just gets unbearable and the medication doesn't help mask pain anymore. So I know where you are coming from. And I can truly say I know the pain you suffer. If you ever want to talk feel free to post to me. I am having issues dealing with this as I just found out my options, and the fact that there isn't a whole lot that can be done for them.. I have done alot of research but there is always something new coming along in medicine, so there is always hope..
Sorry I know you didn't ask for my story.. But I felt the need to tell you. Hope you don't mind..
Take Care
A Sticky Friend
Sonya
P.S. That was very interesting what you said about adhesions and nerves...
[This message has been edited by chrpps99 (edited 07-09-2003).]