WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1998: Re: Adhesions

Re: Adhesions

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 7 Aug 1998 11:01:10 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Dharma: "Adhesions"

At Thu, 6 Aug 1998, Dharma wrote: >
>Hello. I am having a heck of a time with pelvic adhesions. My history
>is a long and drawn out one, so perhaps I should do it in point form (or
>at least parts).
>- I'm 32 years old and in very good general health.
>- First period when I was 15, heavy bleeding and extreme pain.
>- Many meds tried and failed through my teens and early to mid twenties.
>Had several diagnostic procedures including laparoscopy and laparotomy.
>- Finally diagnosed with endometriosis & polycystic ovaries.
>- Tried Lupron... absolutely no benefit.
>- More surgery, extreme abdominal pain. Getting worse through the
>years.
>- 6 years ago, surgeon found ovaries twisted and all "gummed up" with
>adhesions. Tried to free them and used Intercede. Pain reoccurred.
>- Complete hysterectomy and right ovary out about 3 years ago.
>- Left ovary and appendix removed 6 months later.
>- Pain continued to reoccur, saw many doctors and had every test
>imaginable to look for other possible causes of pain, nothing found.
>- Bowel obstruction - adhesions. Laparotomy.
>- 6 months later, laparoscopy, band of adhesion found and released.
>- 6 months later, laparoscopy, adhesions released. Surgeon used
>Sepra-film not in the prescribed fashion, but we thought it was worth a
>try. He broke it up into little pieces and placed it on the spots where
>he released adhesions.
>- Pain reoccurred three months later... that was 2 weeks ago tomorrow.
>
>I have had all kinds of different doctors, we've moved every year for
>the last 3 years so this has been difficult because it meant starting
>over with new doctors each time. I currently have a wonderful
>physician, he goes above and beyond duty to help me... a true gem! My
>surgeon, on the other hand, is difficult. One of the biggest problems I
>have is being the patient the surgeon/doctors want me to be. I am very
>active in my own health care, I have to be... most often, with this
>ailment, I have to fight very hard just to be listened to. So, I am
>versed in the medical lingo, I ask many questions and I speak up if I
>disagree or just wish to comment. Anyway, the reason why I am here is
>not to "bash" surgeons etc... honest! I am looking for ideas on what I
>can suggest to my physician in order to better help me. If he heard of
>any new treatments, I know he would do whatever it took to get it for
>me. As I said, my last surgery was done with Sepra-film, though not in
>the way it usually is. I am wondering about Gore-Tex and any other
>barrier methods of dealing with this problem. I am fully aware that
>surgery begets adhesions begets surgery begets adhesions... and so on.
>Thing is, I have tried so many other things that haven't worked... I am
>more than willing to look at surgery to take care of it if nothing else
>works. I personally believe that one of the barrier methods, being
>placed not just in immediate problem areas, but pretty much all over,
>may be a good option. What do you think? I was thinking about Gore-Tex
>because I understand that it doesn't dissolve like Sepra-Film or
>Intercede do.
>
>Not to whine, but just as some background about me. I am a happy person
>by nature. I am very active, have horses and live in the country. We
>just adopted our first child last December, and he is a wonderful and
>happy baby. I want to stop having to go to the hospital for injections,
>I want to not have this problem continue to hinder the kind of activity
>I wish to pursue. Any and all suggestions are much anticipated, I am
>completely open and willing to listen to whatever you suggest. Thank
>you in advance for your time.

I feel for you. What you've gone through is very draining both physically and emotionally. You've gone through all well described reasonable methods of treatment and the problem continues. From your description, Gore-Tex may not be what you're looking for but only your physician can know for sure.

I'd suggest looking into alternative therapy. Acupuncture has been helpful to many of my patients with chronic or recurrent conditions.

Good luck.

--
Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS
OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York
Great Neck, New York
http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm
http://www.obgyn.net/women/advisors/harveym.htm

**Note:  Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
and/or interventions.

**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
consequently no private emails will receive a response.

**Thank you for your understanding ;-)

Next message: Ann: "Re: does pre-ejaculate contain sperm?"
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In reply to: Dharma: "Adhesions"

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