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Lower Right Abdominal Pain, Back Pain and Nausea. Adhesions?
Hello, I am a 41 year old female and I am looking and searching for answers and came across this forum that I am hoping someone can help or provide advice.
I have had several surgeries over the past few years - c-section (1997), gallbladder removal and hysterectomy (2008)and then last year (Dec 2010) a resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse.
Over the last few months, I have been developing pain in my right lower abdomen. Over the last two months, it has become extremely severe and debilitating. It also goes around to my lower back. I have urine retention problems (I am seeing an urologist and until my urodynamics test, have to self cather myself 4-6X/day). But, this does NOT relieve the pain - unusually, it seems to bring it on more.
I believe that my pain is due to scar tissue build up and adhesions.
When I first had the pain, I went to my OB and he did a pelvic exam and ultrasound and said all was good with my ovaries. Then, I went to my internist who thought it might be appendicitis so took a trip to the ER to find it was not appendicitis. The cat scan showed some minor cysts on my kidneys, but then also a "mixed density bilobed structure in the right lower quadrant) - my internist said that basically means an unidentifiable mass or blur of "something". After talking further, he referred me to a general surgeon. I saw the surgen today to discuss laparoscopic surgery, but he seems very hesitant.
I am in such pain and distress that I have not been able to work (I am now out on disability as of this week). I cannot eat (causes too much pain and I have lost over 15 pounds over the past month) and I was in the ER last week because the pain was so bad. I am also very nauseous.
How can I convince the surgeon to do the laparoscopic - I am certain it is scar tissue (when I had my hysterectomy, my gynecologist saw a lot of scar tissue that he says he removed some from my c-section with my first child).
I have had issues (digestive) for the last 5 years where doctors told me I had IBS, eat more fiber, etc., and that I would be okay to find out that I had a gallbladder disfunction and then the prolapse. I have had every test known to man (cat scan, mri, ultrasound, xray, bloodwork, urinalysis, proctogram, cystoscopy, small bowel series) and cannot go on like this.
The surgeon seemed hesitant because he said that if I had scar tissue or adhesions, that my intestines would be blocked, but from what I have read, that is not necessarily the case. Adhesions can cause intenstinal blockage, but not in all cases, correct? My other symptoms seem to point me back to scar tissue buildup and adhesions from my rectopexy (it was done robotically, but the surgical incisions are quite large and my pain is where the incisions are).
Your advice or suggestions are appreciated very much!
I have had several surgeries over the past few years - c-section (1997), gallbladder removal and hysterectomy (2008)and then last year (Dec 2010) a resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse.
Over the last few months, I have been developing pain in my right lower abdomen. Over the last two months, it has become extremely severe and debilitating. It also goes around to my lower back. I have urine retention problems (I am seeing an urologist and until my urodynamics test, have to self cather myself 4-6X/day). But, this does NOT relieve the pain - unusually, it seems to bring it on more.
I believe that my pain is due to scar tissue build up and adhesions.
When I first had the pain, I went to my OB and he did a pelvic exam and ultrasound and said all was good with my ovaries. Then, I went to my internist who thought it might be appendicitis so took a trip to the ER to find it was not appendicitis. The cat scan showed some minor cysts on my kidneys, but then also a "mixed density bilobed structure in the right lower quadrant) - my internist said that basically means an unidentifiable mass or blur of "something". After talking further, he referred me to a general surgeon. I saw the surgen today to discuss laparoscopic surgery, but he seems very hesitant.
I am in such pain and distress that I have not been able to work (I am now out on disability as of this week). I cannot eat (causes too much pain and I have lost over 15 pounds over the past month) and I was in the ER last week because the pain was so bad. I am also very nauseous.
How can I convince the surgeon to do the laparoscopic - I am certain it is scar tissue (when I had my hysterectomy, my gynecologist saw a lot of scar tissue that he says he removed some from my c-section with my first child).
I have had issues (digestive) for the last 5 years where doctors told me I had IBS, eat more fiber, etc., and that I would be okay to find out that I had a gallbladder disfunction and then the prolapse. I have had every test known to man (cat scan, mri, ultrasound, xray, bloodwork, urinalysis, proctogram, cystoscopy, small bowel series) and cannot go on like this.
The surgeon seemed hesitant because he said that if I had scar tissue or adhesions, that my intestines would be blocked, but from what I have read, that is not necessarily the case. Adhesions can cause intenstinal blockage, but not in all cases, correct? My other symptoms seem to point me back to scar tissue buildup and adhesions from my rectopexy (it was done robotically, but the surgical incisions are quite large and my pain is where the incisions are).
Your advice or suggestions are appreciated very much!
Did the endo on your appendix show up on any tests (i.e. cat scan?). How did you get your endo diagnosed? It seems that either scar tissue, adhesions or endo can only be truly diagnosed by laparoscopy - did it take a lot for you to get the surgeon to do the laparoscopy? I am in so much pain (I go back to him on 9/26) that I am literally going to get on my knees and beg him to do it because I am 100% sure that he will find something.
Thank you Again!
Thank you Again!
You're welcome,
I forgot to add I also had endo all over my apendix (it was infested and huge) so when I had my laparoscopy my doctor also ended up removing my appendix.
I forgot to add I also had endo all over my apendix (it was infested and huge) so when I had my laparoscopy my doctor also ended up removing my appendix.
THANK YOU!! I do have bladder wall irregular thickening which I think can also be a sign of endo?? I am in Michigan, but will definitely check out the links you sent!
Hello, thank you - yes, it could be my appendix. I will discuss with my doctor. I read another thread where someone said that they were told it was not their appendix, but when they had the laparoscopic surgery, they found it was an issue with their appendix.
I have been on antidepressants before when I had abdominal pain because they told me that 80% of your nerve receptors are in your abdominal area; however, it did not help at all. I am on pain medication and am on pretty much a liquid diet (Ensure is great for nutrition - I used that last time and it helped - I will get more).
I appreciate your advice (and everyone else) who takes their time to read my story!
I have never been in this much pain before and just need relief...
I have been on antidepressants before when I had abdominal pain because they told me that 80% of your nerve receptors are in your abdominal area; however, it did not help at all. I am on pain medication and am on pretty much a liquid diet (Ensure is great for nutrition - I used that last time and it helped - I will get more).
I appreciate your advice (and everyone else) who takes their time to read my story!
I have never been in this much pain before and just need relief...
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http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
Just because you have had a hysterectomy does not mean that you do not have any endo:
http://www.vitalhealth.com/patient-physician-resources/dr-cook/recurrent-endometriosis-after-TAH.php
Also if you are in Illinois I recommend going to
http://www.surgery4women.com/home
Also if you are anywhere near these doctors they are excellent:
http://www.nezhat.com/patients_myths.html
(laparoscopy myths this should help you with your argument)
http://www.nezhat.com/about_us_farr.html
http://www.nezhat.org/who/drs_cam_nezhat.html
http://www.nezhat.com/about_us_ceana.html
(They are all in different states)
I hope this helps,
achilles2