HELP!!!!!

[TRISH1970]

I am a 38 yr old female who had a perforated colon due to a laproscopic surgery gone bad. I had endometriosis in 1997 and the OB GYN did laproscopic surgery to get rid of it. The endometriosis surgery part was a sucess but I have had sooo many problems since. I was hospitalized for 6 days and given high doses of antibiotics and did well so I was released. I never got my energy back and have been diagnosed with Lupus and Fibromyalgia in the last few years. I am VERY achy, tired, sore, have acid reflux, lots of headaches (including migraines), and severe depression. I hurt so bad sometimes that my skin actually hurts for my clothes to touch it.

I started out feeling like I was getting the flu back in late 97, (about 4 months after surgery), with all the aching and tiredness, but never a fever or actually getting sick. Then it would go away and come back a month or so later. Eventually getting closer and closer together and finally, in 1999 never left. I have had every test the Dr's know to give me in my area of East TN, but sometimes wonder if I need to go somewhere else to a bigger hospital or some clinical trial.

Does anyone out there have any questions or any HELP for me? I am off work due to all this and my life is basically none at this point and I am at my wits end. PLEASE HELP or give me ANY info you may think is pertinent. THANKS in advance. Trish


This discussion is related to recovery after emergency perforated colon surgery.

[snoozies43]

Good morning Trish,
I do know there is a medicine out for fibromyalgia,....called Lyrica.
As far as lupus is concerned you may want to visit the Lupus forum. You Family Dr should be able to direct you to a doctor that treats lupus, if he cannot help treat this himself.

Also there are medicines for acid reflux.
Stay away from acidy foods...coffee, spices etc.

Good luck!
Sue

[Kathy1020]

Your story sounds so familiar.  I had emergency surgery in 1999 for a perforated colon from Diverticulitis. I did not know I even had Diverticulitis, but I had been experiencing extreme constipation for about two weeks before...

Anyway, after my surgery, I also began to have aches and pains.  I also thought I had the flu.  I started going to doctors just to find help.  Finally I found a doctor who really listened to me.  She ran every test imaginable and finally also diagnosed me with Fibro and arthritis. (lyrica did not work for me)  I have now also developed Peripheral Neuropathy which is effecting my feet terribly and starting in my hands.  I live in pain 24/7 and can now hardly walk because of the pain and numbness in my feet.  

The only thing that gives me any relieve at all is water exercises.  It does nothing for my feet, but it melts away the body pain while you are in the water.  I have also been going to a pain clinic  for about the 5 past years.  I have reactions to many of the meds they try for the fibro, so they are basically just treating me for pain control.  Im not happy about being on narcotic pain meds but I was more unhappier being in severe pain all the time.  I still have pain, but it is at least bearable now.

I have often wondered if colon surgery started all this.  I did have very bad medical mistake made during that surgery.  They left a surgical sponge inside me for two months, which I had many complications from.  I always thought that trauma did this to me.  But after reading your letter, maybe it has to do with the original surgery??

Good luck and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Kathy