Re: Dr. Harry Reich in PA
From: Chris (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed May 26 22:18:14 2004
Hi Danica,
Dr. Reich started out as a gynecologist. I think he is now considered
an advanced laparoscopic surgeon whose specialty is endometriosis,
especially in the cul-de-sac and bowels. That's why I chose him. You
can read about him at http://www.adlap.com. I have some other websites about
him too if you want them. My second surgery was with a reproductive
endocronologist and he did practically nothing but go in, look around,
and get out. My problem was too involved for him. Most doctors don't
want to get involved with the bowels. I can't tell you how many doctors
told me that my bowel issues weren't related to my endometriosis. Why
would it be so hard to believe that when your intestines are wrapped up
and tied in knots, that they wouldn't function right? Even I can figure
that out! Mostly, I think they say it's not related because they would
rather you just believe you have irritable bowel syndrome and go away,
than have to go in and do surgery on your bowels. I especially knew
they were related when all the bowel problems went away after my first
surgery, and then reappeared along with all the endometriosis symptoms
at the same time. That's too much of a coincidence. After doing
intense research on the Internet, like you, it can't be denied that the
two are related. I never went to a gastroenterologist (I can't spell
either...hahaha!) because after all my research I found that they are
likely to do a colonoscopy which will show nothing unless the
endometriosis has eaten all the way through your intestine (a sign would
be rectal bleeding, which I don't have), and also I read that a
colonoscopy could be dangerous when you have bowel adhesions, because
they could actually end up puncturing your bowels. I don't live in PA,
I live in New Jersey, and I had my first appointment with Dr. Reich in
New York. Please feel free to e-mail me personally. I love finding
people like me...there aren't tons of us, but there are some. Chris
At Wed, 26 May 2004, Danica wrote:
>
>Hi Chris-
>What type of doctor is Dr Reich? Is he a reproductive endocronologist? I
>had a laproscopy about a month ago where endo was removed from my uterus
>and rectum and also removed an endometrium cyst- I also feel like i went
>into the laproscopy blindly-I always thought my stomach problems were
>aside from my endo until after the surgery i started doing intense
>research. A lot of my symptoms are digestive -insane amounts of gas
>with digestion problems- I dont know who to go to with these symptoms- I
>feel like the reproductive endocronologist who did my surgery wont be
>able to help- Is Dr Reich labeled a endo specialist???? Do you recommend
>seeing a gastroentologist? ( cant spell) Sometimes I feel like my
>stomach and intestines are all twisted. Any advice or help would be so
>appreciated!! I wanted to try to get your permission o email you
>directly before just doing so. Also do you live in PA? Did you see Dr
>Reich in PA? I live near King of Prussia, PA.
>Thank you so much! Hearing your story gives me hope!!
>At Wed, 26 May 2004, Chris wrote:
>>
>>I know you feel like a dumbo, but it's not your fault. I ended up
>>having a laparotomy too in 2001. That's when I found out I had stage IV
>>endo. As a result of that surgery I felt great for about a year and
>>then the real trouble began. All the previous problems returned, and
>>then some. The worst symptom was painful, strange looking bowel
>>movements and major food digestion problems. I knew it was all from my
>>endometriosis because most of my problem was all over my intestines and
>>cul-de-sac. My previous doctor pretty much refused to help me again. So
>>I went ahead in search of an endo specialist this time, and found who I
>>thought sounded like "The" surgeon for this kind of problem. The first
>>time I saw Dr. Reich, my husband and I both loved him! He understood
>>and acknowledged every symptom that I had and said he could help me. I
>>had my surgery with him on May 14th. My bowel issues do seem improved
>>so far, but it's hard to say how good it turned out yet because I am
>>still recovering. But he found a real mess and said he fixed it all. My
>>intestines were all stuck together by scar tissue and smooshed into the
>>left side of my abdomen. The right side was empty. My colon was
>>scrunched up like an accordian! Also, my intestines were going up and
>>down instead of back and forth. He said anyone else would have done a
>>bowel resection on me, but he took the time to clean it all up. I
>>watched the video with him and he explained everything he was doing. It
>>was amazing! He also removed fibroids and my appendix which was full of
>>endometriosis. The best thing about it all is that he did it all
>>laparoscopically. And there is a huge difference in the recovery and
>>probably in the adhesion reformation. Hopefully, it won't come back
>>again. At this point all I can do is wait and pray. If you have any
>>questions please feel free to e-mail me. I am in the process of writing
>>my whole story and when I'm finished I'm going to post it on the
>>Endometriosis quilt and the Adhesions quilt. Good luck! Chris
>>
>>At Mon, 24 May 2004, Endo wrote:
>>>
>>>Thanks for the link. I had not seen that. I am scheduling a visit to
>>>see him in NY asap. My laparotomy of 6 weeks ago by a different surgeon
>>>didnt work. I still have the same rectal pain with sex I had before,
>>>pain with bowel movements. My surgeon was too conservative and never
>>>even went near the rectovaginal septum, although he did say I was Stage
>>>4. Which is where I was told by at least three doctors they felt a very
>>>large mass. If I'm worst case scenario, then I'll go to the worst case
>>>scenario doctor. The laparotomy was all for nothing. I wish I would
>>>have known I was stage 4. With everything that I've read, I should have
>>>known better and went straight to a specialist. I feel like a dumbo
>>>(and I'm being polite). I want my life back.
>>>
>>>At Mon, 24 May 2004, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>Has anyone ever heard of Dr. Harry Reich in Shaverton, PA? Has anyone
>>>>>seen him? Any reviews of his work? I'm curious. He seems to know alot
>>>>>about endometriosis in the rectovaginal septum. Thanks
>>>>
>>>>I saw an article that listed him as one of the few experts in severe
>>>>cases (my doc was not on the list :( ). Here's a link to the article:
>>>>
>>>>http://www.obgyn.net/displaytranscript.asp?page=/avtranscripts/aagl98-janik
>>>>
>>>>Leslie
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