Adhesions...Please help

Hi everyone. I've been suffering from adhesion pain for 3 years after surgery for a left side oophorectomy and endometriosis. I feel like my bowel is being strangled and everything in my lower abdomen is stuck to the front of my abdominal wall constantly pulling and burning. I can no longer excercise or enjoy the feeling of my partner on top of me. (Sorry for being graphic, but this has been life changing.) My gynecologist has recommended an hysterectomy but I'm terrified it will make things worse. I've been researching this problem for 3 years and all I can find is horror stories of women on multiple narcotic pain meds etc. I'm torn as to what to do. Trying to decide if I just live with this pain or try hysterectomy and hope for the best. I'm not worried about endometriosis...I stopped menstruating after the surgery. I'm 53 years old. Is there anyone out there who has recovered from adhesions? Please help!

The first thing that I would do is get a 2nd opinion. It will either confirm what this Dr says and put your mind at ease some, or give you another option.

You are in pain, and losing a sense of yourself and your normal life NOW, right? That is likely to only get worse rather than better. If it were me, once I got a 2nd opinion, Id go for it. Id rather take a chance, than continue to be miserable out of fear of the what ifs Ive seen a lot of women on here suggest endo patients to contact a specialist in the area of endometriosis removal.

Thanks Olemiss,
I have an appt. on the 17th with a new gynecologist. Will see what she says. Surgery for endometriosis is how I got in this mess. This is way worse than any pain I ever had with endometriosis...and my understanding is that once you're in menopause the endometriosis implants (if there are any left) just dry up and don't really cause any problems.
Thanks for your comments and advice...I really appreciate it.

I can relate. I had my tubes tied back in 1998 and have had numerous adhesions since. Every 3 years or so I've had to have laproscopic surgery to remove the adhesions. That has taken away the pain until the next set of adhesions forms.

When they did the hysterectomy they found a number of adhesions that had been hidden and took care of them. I'm praying this time it will be for good. However, my body just doesn't seem to heal properly.

A laproscopic look at things would be my first choice and then hysterectomy if it doesn't work. It's not worth sitting around with the pain when it affects your life that much.

I am here to say that sadly, you are not alone. I have had them since my hyst in 10/09. I had adhesion removal along with a hernia repair 9/10. Once I started to get back to "normal" routine the very familiar pain/pulling/bloating and sadness that goes along with it all came back. Gyno and gen surgeon have basically blown me off. Now I am trying something called "Visceral massage/manipulation" to try to break up or loosen the adhesions. I have only had 3 sessions. I agree with the other sister here that maybe you should have a second opinion and maybe an exploratory surgery to see what is going on b-4 having a hyst. Of course, the more surgery you have, the better the chance of more adhesions. I am so very sorry that you are suffering through this.

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Originally Posted by wantrelief ...and my understanding is that once you're in menopause the endometriosis implants (if there are any left) just dry up and don't really cause any problems.

While some doctors adhere to the theory that menopause cures endometriosis, it is an inaccurate one! For one, the ovaries can still secrete trace amounts of hormones during menopause and for some, that is all it takes to allow the endometriosis to thrive! Also, endometriosis can create its own supply of estrogen!

Here is an article about menopause and endometriosis you might find interesting: http://www.endometriosissurgeon.com/...9/default.aspx

You symptoms really could be endometriosis and/or adhesions. The location of the implants could be the reason the pain is different.

Have you ever seen a gastroenterologist? If not, I would suggest you see one before making any decisions since you feel your bowel is involved.

I am not sure why your doctor is recommending a hysterectomy if the issues is endometriosis or adhesions. Removing the uterus won't solve either of those issues and surgery of any kind could allow for the creation of more adhesions.

I think you are wise to seek a second opinion and I would recommend making a list of all of your symptoms to take with you to that appointment. A hysterectomy is a major surgery complete with a list of risks so you do want to be sure it is the right choice for you before you head into OR!

I started steroid shots into the pain area muscle today. Same exact symptoms as you! I'll let you know if it works.

What are symptoms? I have left sided spasms that are of short duration almost daily. Could it be bladder? Mine started 6 months after surgery.