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Re: Adhesions? Let me tell you about mine...From: Helen (anonymous@obgyn.net)Mon, 22 Mar 1999 17:06:05 -0600 (CST)
Christy, Your experience was very much like my own! After a laparotomy in 1970 and after twenty-seven years of searching to find a medical reason for the chronic pain which ruled my life, I was finally able to find information which helped to open the door which finally proved that the chronic pain I had been suffering with was "NOT all in my head." A gynecological surgeon, who was recommended to me by the Endometriosis Association, was the professional who suggested that a diagnostic laparoscopy was the only way to determine whether my chronic pain was being caused by endometriosis or adhesions. He told me, "Your symptoms sound more like adhesions." THIS IS WHERE CHRISTY's EXPERIENCE SOUNDS SO MUCH LIKE MINE: When the surgeon tried to view my pelvic organs from the usual belly button location, he couldn't even see my pelvic organs. Next he decided to try doing the laparoscopic procedure while working from the lower pelvis (between my legs)...BUT again he could not see my pelvic organs. So beginning from the lower abdomen, he slowly and methodically lysed (cut) the massive adhesions which had adherred my omentum to my abdominal wall...the very same place as Christy's. This was a very time-consuming procedure for him because he had to be so careful that he wouldn't accidentally harm nearby pelvic organs. I had massive adhesions the full length (7 inches) of the surgical scar (from my 1970 surgery) PLUS a fatty mass which extended 2 inches on each side of the surgical scar. This procedure was a very difficult and time-consuming surgery which took considerable time for him to do. This diagnostic laparoscopy was supposed to be SAME DAY SURGERY....but because of the complexity of the surgical procedure, I was kept in the hospital overnight on intravenous antibiotics. My purpose in responding to Christy's experience with my experience is to encourage you women to learn everything you can about your medical situation. Had I stopped looking for an answer to my chronic pain, I would not know today what the REAL DIAGNOSIS was. It took me 27 years to find the information which eventually proved to me and the medical profession that my chronic pain was "NOT all in my head!!!!" If you have had surgery and the surgery was videotaped, I suggest that you request a copy of the videotape of your surgery. I was able to get a videotape of my surgery in 1997....which was very interesting to watch and also very revealing...because I noticed that there was some bleeding when the surgeon lysed a particulary large adhesion. It is possible that this bleeding into the abdominal cavity could contribute to the return of chronic pain which has happened to me. If you haven't requested copies of your medical records, you have a right to receive this information. Also be sure to request a copy of your surgical report. These medical and surgical reports along with the videotape of your surgery can be very useful for any future medical problems you may have. Many of you have already read my story, which I posted at the Healthseek Forum in June 1998. You will find MY STORY at: <http://www.healthseek.com/forums/physicians/messages/38.html> Someone has taken my story (and other messages which I had posted) and put these messages on various search engines on the Internet. I was a little surprised to find my messages on the Internet....but then I decided: Why not!!!!!!! Shortly after that I decided to accept the responsibility of sharing my story and then attempting to educate others about adhesions and adhesion barriers...especially those women (and a few men) who had posted at the Healthseek Forums and other forums on the Internet. I have been overwhelmed with the response of gratitude from the many people with whom I have shared the results of my research on the following subjects: Adhesions, Adhesion Barriers, Chronic Pain, Endometriosis, and many other medically related topics. I am willing to share the research I have done on the above subjects with anyone who wants to become better informed. Please e-mail me for this information. If you want to share something about yourself, I leave that up to you.
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