Can I get some answers/opinions from you guys?

[oppasaranghae]

So my Mother Had a hysterectomy about 8-9 months ago, surgery went great, though she had a rough time recovering. It turns out that She had an adrenal gland in her left kidney that gave her big headaches, to the point where morphine was given to her in the emerge. She ended up having the surgery and it went well. This was done two moths after the hysterectomy. Anyways, so after that she started developing depression causing to always feel like she couldn't breathe, lost in appetite. Weeks after the depression slowly went away, but she started developing abdominal/stomach pains when ever she ate. She's barely eating now, cause her pains are always bothering her. She describes it as "my stomach is really tense. It feels like it's being scrunched up" It hurts me a lot seeing her losing weight and not eating everyday. She lost about 35 pounds from September. We've been to doctors and we tried specialists and tests they were all coming back normal. My mother is in her mid 40s. Is this maybe an early stage on menopause? Plus. Her period hasn't come at all since her hysterectomy. I'm beginning to feel that this may relate to that surgery. But please, If anybody has any advice, or opinions of why mother is like this please share.

[oppasaranghae]

Thank you everyone for your opinions. To answer everyones questions. My mother had her uterus removed, therefore she would still have her period, no? We have a family doctor, but he has done everything for my mom, giving her pain medication for her stomach/abdomen.

Because of gallbladder stones, you would have pain from the abdomen/stomach? If thats so, I'd be sure to check that out.

The thing is that she wouldn't feel as bad if she doesn't have to eat. We've had her drink some milk, ensure, boost. but it would make her feel the same way to the point where she would be afraid of drinking it just because it would make her feel that way. She's been eating a alot of plain porridge lately. But that has no fats, no nutrients whatsoever.


One more thing, when she did a blood test, it showed that her iron was realllyyyyyyyyyy.....low. She's been taking some iron pills after that.

Also adhesives, do they grow within a particular surgery? or could it relate to the adrenal gland surgery too because  Prior to everything she has had high blood pressure for 5 years.
Though you say it wont show up on imaging, how do drs come to a conclusion?

We never went to the follow up appointment for her hysterectomy because she was in the emerge so we booked an appointment already and thats in august. Thank you everyone!

[Sarajmt]

Hi! I'd like to welcome you to the Pain Management forum.  We are a community of chronic pain patients.  Unfortunately, we're not doctors nor are we monitored by doctors. But we  have some very knowledgeable forum members.

I am so sorry for your mom and you.  Did your mom have her uterus removed or her ovaries?  Knowing that would make this a little easier.

In addition to the excellent advice given already, your mom may have adhesions.  Adhesions form from scar tissue that normally forms as a part of the healing process.  Adhesions are when they grow like weeds inside you binding your organs and causing a lot of pain.  Being squeezed by a python from the inside is how I commonly describe it.  Unfortunately, they will not show up on any imaging test.  And they can make eating very painful.

However, I have no way of knowing if your mother has them or not.  Only a doctor can diagnose this.  It may be something else entirely.

I would suggest your mother go back to the doctor.  She needs to find out exactly what is going on in her body!  And if she doesn't want to eat, you may see if she can handle a smoothie or yogurt.  And she can try a drink called Ensure that will help her nutritionally

You are a wonderful daughter and your mother must be very proud of you.  Do encourage her to go to the doctor and keep pressing for answers.

Sara.

[RunningMom]

It could possibly be her gallbladder.  Sometimes when you have gallbladder stones, it's very painful after you eat.  That is one of the main symptoms.

My gallbladder quit working all together and I had the pain 24/7.  I was curled up in a ball on the couch for three months until they figured out what was wrong.  

[jamlws]

First off I want to tell you how sorry I am that your mom is going thru all this pain. When she had her hysterctomy did she have everything taking out? If she had her ovarys taking out she would go thru menopause. I am not a dr but that is what I have heard.
I hope you find a dr that is able to find out what is wrong with her so she don't have to suffer anymore. Has she been to a pain dr? Does she have a family dr?
It is never good when you lose so much weight and your not eating. I hope someone else on here has some better advice for you and your mom.
Hang in there
Jamie