Worried about my dad - bad stomach pains and vomiting

[April2]

I just found out from my mom that my dad has been having really bad stomach pains off and on with vomiting. Sometimes it gets so bad she thinks she'll have to take him to the ER. I guess this has been going on since last Summer. They're running a bunch of tests but think it may be scar tissue. He had prostate cancer and surgery almost 2 years ago. Why would he just now have problems with scar tissue? Does that sound like what it is? And if it is scar tissue how do they fix it? More surgery? But I would think that would make more scar tissue again. Just a little worried about him.

[babypooh]

April2, what you say does make sense. Scar tissue may start developing soon after surgery, but doesn't necessarily present symptoms right away. It can certainly take months or years to have the symptoms, which might include pain and vomit. From what I know, vomitting relieves some of the pain, but I have never gone through that. Has your father mentioned this to his doctor? I sure hope so because that makes sense to me too. I hope he gets some relief soon and hope that he also gets some answers. Good look to you and your father. I will keep him in my prayers :) God Bless you and yours.

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Scar tissue causes adhesions. Adhesion related disorders have varied symptoms. If the pain and vomiting are very severe, then yes, the doctors may plan another surgery. Otherwise only symptomatic medication will be given.
However prostate surgery should normally not cause adhesions inside the abdomen, unless it was a major surgery. Hence you should look at other possible causes like Celiac Disease/Ulcerative Colitis/Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Chronic intestinal obstruction, cancer of the gut (even metastasis), tuberculosis of the gut, are all cases that develop variable symptoms over a period of time. GERD also causes pain with vomiting.
I would strongly recommend you to see a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system) and his cancer specialist. It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage.  Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[April2]

Thank you. He did get a small bowel follow through yesterday and is scheduled for a colonoscopy and endoscopy for Tuesday. If they don't see anything through all of that they're going to assume it's scar tissue and then I guess he'd need more surgery. We'll have to see. Thanks for writing back.