post surgical mistake undiagnosable abdominal disability

[ladygadiva]

I had an abscess rupture, post surgery, causing peritonitis, they opened me up pulled everything out hosed out the puss that filled me. after that i was hospitalized 32 times for recurrent infections of the kidneys, I have always had this severe pain in my left upper quadrant it feels like a so hot it feels cold metal bar going through me into my back ,I also have my intestines swell if I eat or sometimes even water will make me swell it puts pressure on my diaphragm and makes it hard to breath I have daily vomiting severe nausea which the only thing to releave is medical marijuana. I also use duragesic pain patch 100mcg. every three days it has been 14 years. I pass undigested food as stool at times. I have chronic constipation not helped by the narcotic therapy but my pain is worse than my 36 hours of child birth. I do suffer from diarrhea several times a month which cause severe sweating all over my body my feet go numb and i get worse nausea . can any one HELP ME I spend most of my time in bed or in my recliner. I used to be a nurse at a busy family practice now my life ***** please anyone help all my tests have been normal or negative .    

[ladygadiva]

Thank you for the info on IBS, i am aware that i do indeed have this but the drs. feel there are other issues probably made worse by adhesions. they even thought it could be my gallbladder and took it out,it had a stenosed opening and sludge, but my pain has never gotten better. even activity make me swell. any other suggestions? lady gadiva

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Sorry for all that you have to go through.

In my opinion,your symptoms are related to irritable bowel syndrome as all your investigations are normal. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by mild to severe abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating and alteration of bowel habits. In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements.Diarrhea or constipation may predominate, or they may alternate (classified as IBS-D, IBS-C or IBS-A, respectively). IBS may begin after an infection (post-infectious, IBS-PI) or a stressful life event.
Irritable bowel syndrome can be a very difficult diagnosis to make. IBS is called a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that a doctor considers many other alternatives first, perhaps performing tests to rule out other problems.

Treatment includes addition of more fiber in your diet,cessation of smoking and taking stress,antispasmodic medicines,antidiarrheal medicines,antidepressants and new medicines like Alosetron (Lotronex) and Tegaserod (Zelnorm).

Pls discuss this option with your doctor.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.