4 years post-op and still having bladder and abdominal discomforts

Hi~~
My name is Valerie and I had a total laproscopic hysterectomy 4 years ago. A few months after the surgery, I started having abdominal bloating and pressure, pubic pressure and nerve pain and bladder incontinence occurring at all different times of the day and lasting anywhere from a few hours to all day. After haveg many tests done and seeing several doctors and specialists in regards to this, it was determined that I had developed internal adhesions (scarring) from the surgery and the only treatment option would be to do laproscopic surgery and try to remove the adhesions. However, the doctors could not guarentee that after the surgery I would be better.
Because of this, I opted not to have surgery and hoped in time I would feel better. Needless to say, I never got better and over time continued to do less and less physical activity (which at times seemed to lessen the episodes of symptoms from the adhesions).
Now, I feel my entire body is so weak and fragile (especially my inner abdominal muscles) that I really need to start strenghtening them and my entire body before it's too late.
Has anyone had a similiar situation happen to them post hysterectomy?
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should go about safely starting to strengthening my body especially my abdominal muscles? I have not done any type of exercising in over 4 years.
I really look forward to getting any and all suggestions from you.
Thank you so much.
~~Valerie

Hi Valarie! Welcome to the site!

I am sorry you are dealing with adhesions issues. Unfortunately, I have as well! I had surgery a couple years ago to remove the adhesions and some endometriosis and thankfully I have done well since then! I did travel to a specialist for the surgery and he used an adhesion barrier hoping to prevent more adhesions!

The problem with adhesions is that they really can't be diagnosed without surgery. The very surgery to diagnose and treat them can create more of them!

As you are trying to prevent surgery, I do have a couple suggestions for you! One, talk to your doctor about some physical therapy and pelvic massage. There are some women who have had some success treating adhesion pain going this route. Any exercises you attempt to do to help with this problem should be done in conjunction with a physical therapist or physician so that more problems are not created.

You may also want to check out alternative treatment options such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, homeopathic remedies, etc. Additionally, a pain management specialist could help you manage the pain while you explore your various options.

I know adhesions issues can be frustrating and painful and my goes out to you! in there and keep working with your doctor to find a solution for you!

s

Hi~~
Thanks so much for all of your words of encouragement and advise!
How long did you deal with the adhesions after your hysterectomy before going for surgery to remove them and how long ago was that?
Can I ask the name of the doctor you went to for the adhesions removal and did they do it laproscopic?
During the time you were dealing with the adhesions, did you find anything that helped with the pain and discomfort?
Thanks again for all of your help.
~~Valerie

	Quote:
Originally Posted by vkohnen How long did you deal with the adhesions after your hysterectomy before going for surgery to remove them and how long ago was that?

My hysterectomy was in November 2000. We were pretty sure I was dealing with endo and adhesions soon after and I did not have subsequent surgery until January 2008. I waited because I knew I had to travel out of the area to an endo specialist.

	Quote:
Can I ask the name of the doctor you went to for the adhesions removal and did they do it laproscopic?

The names of physicians cannot be shared online but I will PM you the info. To find a physician, here are some suggestions: Check www.suggestadoctor.com. Call large and/or teaching hospitals and ask if there are specialists on staff who treat adhesions. You could also look for clinics and facilities geared toward treating women with chronic pelvic pain. Checking with your insurance company can also turn up some names.

	Quote:
During the time you were dealing with the adhesions, did you find anything that helped with the pain and discomfort?

I was taking an anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxor, and pain medications for other health issues and we believe they helped my adhesion pain as well. I used a heating pad a lot, adjusted positions with intercourse, and limited certain activities.[/quote]

I also wanted to mention that my specialist diagnosed me with interstitial cystitis (IC) for some of the bladder pressure and pain. You might also do some research on that topic. Neither my urologist or GYN suspected the IC!

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Hi again~~

I wanted to thank you so much for all of your advise.
Do you feel that the surgery to remove your adhesions in 2008 has helped you? How are you now and do you have any kind of post op problems now?
Also, what was the name of the actual surgery they performed on you in 2008? Would you recommend this type of a surgery for someone with the symptoms I'm having?
When you had your hysterectomy done back in 2000, did you have a total hysterectomy? Were your symptoms post op similiar to the ones I mentioned I'm having?
Look so forward to hearing from you!

~~Valerie

The surgery in 2008 definitely eliminated the majority of my pelvic pain once I had healed completely. Pain I experience now comes and goes with ovulation and if my IC flares.

I was scheduled specifically for a diaganostic laparoscopy, excision of endometriosis, lysis of adhesions, enterolysis of adhesions, ureterolysis, cystoscopy, and cuff resection! IN essences, my surgeon removed any and all endometriosis and adhesions that he found and used an adhesion barrier to hopefully prevent new adhesions! Specifically, I had one very well established adhesion connecting my bowel to my vaginal cuff. Removing that brought me a lot of relief!

The pain around my pubic bone was likely mostly related the IC, diagnosed with the cystoscopy mentioned above that was done at the beginning of my surgery. That pain has been helped by using meds specifically for IC, staying hydrated, and monitoring my diet a bit.

My bloating issues, which started after my hysterectomy, continue though not as extreme since the surgery in 2008. My bloating is related to the IC and IBS as well.

If you have exhausted all non-surgical treatment options and have ruled out all medical conditions besides adhesions, I could suggest you consider surgery. But until my pain was pretty much taking over my life and the pros outweighed the cons and I was willing to travel to a specialist in order to get the very best care, I didn't schedule surgery. I knew there were women who have gone into surgery with suspected adhesions and woke up to find that there were no adhesions or visible reason for their pain. So, their surgery was done for nothing.

Because you have bladder issues, I would suggest not considering surgery until after you have had a complete work up by a urologist. If you can find one, a uro-gynecologist may be able to offer the most help.

For me, we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had endometriosis. It had been left during prior surgeries. We also were pretty positive there were adheisons because I had had them already and endometriosis sets up an environment for them. The tugging and pulling pains were also clues as well as ruling out several other issues with various CT scans, ultrasounds, colonoscopy, and more!

I had a complete (or total) hysterectomy in 2000. I did not have an oophorectomy so I do have both of my ovaries. Pain wasn't really a problem for me during recovery. However, I had so many complications I was just trying to survive! Once I was finally on my feet, I realized I was having little pains here and there. And with time, they increased. Of your symptoms (abdominal bloating and pressure, pubic pressure and nerve pain and bladder incontinence), I had mostly abdominal bloating and pressure and pubic pressure and pain. I have not had bladder incontinence issues but nerve pain has been in the mix. I had other pain and issues as well such as pain with intercourse and bowel movements, pain across the lower pelvis, pain in the area of both ovaries, pain going into my back, basically pain all over my pelvic and abdominal region.

I hope this helps and I hope you can decide what is best for you!

Have you tried any pelvic physical therapy or massage? Some women have had at least some success trying those options, especially if used in conjunction with pain management.

in there!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Weiser I knew there were women who have gone into surgery with suspected adhesions and woke up to find that there were no adhesions or visible reason for their pain. So, their surgery was done for nothing.

Valerie,
I am one of those women that (((Weiser))) is referring to. After numerous other surgeries and multiple tests I was convinced that adhesions were my problem. And everyone I talked to, except my doctor, kept pounding it into my head that I had adhesions. "You have adhesions, you have adhesions" that is all I heard over and over and over. I guess when tests prove to be negative adhesions is an assumption because adhesions usually do not show up on test results.

I had one of my other doctors call my general surgeon and convince him to do a lap to take a look. I was so sure my problems were over. I went out that weekend and ate a great big juicy hamburger figuring the pain didn't matter anymore because come Monday it would all be over.

Alas, I woke up only to find out not a one adhesion was found. This despite all my previous surgical reports stating I had adhesions whenever I had surgery. To say I was devastated is an understatement.

I don't mean to go on and on, but just want you to know that not all problems are due to adhesions. Best to explore all other avenues first.

Yes, I still have major problems today and still have no answers. Accupuncture has made my pelvic pain 99% better. I still have abdominal and digestive problems, but with accupuncture I am able to at least function. I also have nerve damage.

I'm sending s and hopes that you will find answers.

This is how much this situation has consumed my life. I didn't realize that my hysterectomy was done in 2008 and not 2007. I battled with the idea of going into surgery once again to address bleeding and cramping since the hysterectomy was supposed to fix that in the first place. I am having what I call corrective surgery next week. The doctor will be removing my vaginal cuff as well as cutting around 2 small tears at the back of my cervix which was removed during my hysterectomy. I am hopeful that next week's surgery will alleviate my pain. I will definitely let you know how things go so you can get one step closer to making a decision about whether or not to have surgery.

hello everyone..
i too am in the same boat although i am in germany and my husband in the usa...and i have all 3 of our children. i am scheduled for a lap procedure on feb 22nd but i have not figured out how to pull it off yet unless my husband can come here...
i have tried all sorts of meds here and am currently taking paracetemol w codiene and it is nt working, i am not sure what to ask for and drs are pretty condservative here..any advice what works.
some days are worse then others, today being one of them i feel i have huge elastic band spulling my insides, shooting pains down my legs ect...
i know it is ashesions as it is the same pain as before, i have had 3 previous surgeries....
i feel so helpless and very alone being here without the love of my life and having to be on my game as a good mommy and dealing with the pain....
any advice for meds is welcome..heating pad and sitting or laying makes it manageable but not really doable with a family...
thanks to all and good luck
melani

I had my hyst in 2008 and have the pelvic pain, and bladder, and bowel problems....everys said that I have adhesions too....not sure what to do yet, not sure I want to do another surgery! Good luck!!