mystery ailment

[lilwe]

I had a surgery to remove my last remaining ovary in Jan.  The gyno that did it was also a oncologist so instead of laparascopic he opened me up unfortunately.  Anyways, I also had adhesions and endometriosis on my bowels/colon which he removed.  After surgery I began experiencing alot of lower back left sided discomfort, hard to sit etc.  My flank area also was hurt and it slightly bulged out.  I saw my gyno who said that the bulging out would not come from within the pelvic area, it was probably a muscle spasm.  It also hurt my left buttock.  My bowel movements afterwards weree very painful and burning. There was pressure in my flank when I had to move my bowels and urinate.  Afte bm's in the area became inflammed and went partially up my back.  It felt as though before bowel movements that the area where the bulging was became more swollen. It felt like there were something insidelike fecal matter that maybe was stuck,and again afterwards it felt on fire.  I had another surgery to remove more endo/adhesions on my bowel.  I am now experiencing more pain than before.  The pain shifts around and I have trouble moving my bowels. I am also experiencing burning type pain in my left upper abs right under ribcage.  Since they removed my intestions/colon when they did the hysto and then put them back in their atomically located place or whatever is it possible that for some reason my bowels are kinked causing this.  I have alot of pressure on my spine.  It is unrelenting and pain pills just don't help.  Could the muscle spasm be doing this and affecting my bowels.  I am not crazy or a whiner, I have been through alot of pelvic surgeries this year.  It is becoming a nightmare now that noone can figure out or some don't want to. I cannot function.  Could also or should I have a test to see if there is bacteria in my bowel.  My bowels are not right.  I am more constipated than ever and not to be graphic but after bowel movements there seems to be like a release of air afterwards.  Could a back problem also be affecting my bowels, I do have a facet problem . Could damage to the colon cause this?  This is spirialing out of control with all the maybes that it could be, but the one constant thing is the bowel trouble I have and the lower lumbar.  If your bowel is twisted or not aligned right and I am not saying it isn't but could it be poss that it is kinked and pressing on my spine and nerves.  Please I know maybe that someof this is not probable but is it possible and what can be done.  I don't think anyone including me will want to do another surgery, but I cannot live this way.  One more thing, if it is poss. that the colon be pressing on your nerves could it be causing leg or lower lumbar problems, its hard for me to bend, it feels very constricted and tight.  I am desperate. I didn't have any of these problems before the first surgery and some doctors won't listen or just don't understand or take the time.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

Without examining you or talking to your surgeons, it is impossible to say what is going on.

Unfortunately, adhesions after gynocologic surgery is a known phenomenon.  Pain and bowel obstruction are the more common presentations of this.  

With your comments about constipation - obstructing lesions (adhesions or masses), neurologic or metabolic disorders are possible causes of your constipation - a colonoscopy would be a good start for evaluation.  

You also mentioned buring pain the left upper quadrant - this can be dyspepsia or pancreatitis.  Evaluation with an upper endoscopy and/or abdominal CT scan can be considered if not already done.

Without examining you, it is unfortunate I cannot be more specific.  You may want to consider another surgical or GI opinion.  If they are all not revealing (i.e. they don't know - which is entirely possible), you may want to inquire about a neurology referral to see if your pain can be better managed.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[lilwe]

Irka

Thank you for your concern, it helps.

Lil

[irka]

hi there,
i'm sorry that i can't help you but i just wanted to let you know to keep your chin up.  i'm the one who wrote in the heller myotomy question just above yours.  my surgery screwed me up also.  it is truely unberable.  although i don't have the same ailment as you do i know what it is like to not be able to get any answers from doctors and surgeons that you relied on.  you would do just about anything to fix the discomfort and pain.  hope you feel better soon.  my prayers are with you.