Bowel Adhesions?

Hello Ladies! I went to my doc last week because of yet another cyst. While I was there I told him that I was still having pain(off & on) on my left side - had ovary removed almost 2 yrs ago. After exam and sono he said that I have adhesions to my bowel. I have been uncomfortable -to say the least- ever since the exam. Is it possible for the adhesions to be messing with my system, ie: constipation/diarrhea? He said the only thing we can do is another surgery, but that in the long run may cause more adhesions. tmi - I have only had two bm's since the exam and am now having the most awful gas pains. My son is home today and is laughing at me because I keep running to the bathroom hoping that I'm going to finally have some relief. Glad he finds some humor in this! I have a call into the doctor, but wanted to get y'alls opinions as well! Thank you.

Pelvic adhesions can form in the pelvis and cause organs and intestines to stick or bind to one another. Adhesions are common after surgery. The pain they may cause can be quite severe as can the possible complications they can cause. Not all adhesions will cause pain or problems. Some people go through life never even knowing they have them. Then there are those that can have a small amount of them but suffer a great deal of pain & sometimes ongoing health issues because of them. Their location and what they are adhered to can make a big difference in the issues they may create.

The only way to positively diagnosis adhesions is by having lapraoscopic surgery.

Adhesions occur in the majority of women who have pelvic surgery. Adhesions are a common and occasionally serious outcome of surgery of all kinds, including common gynecologic procedures, including hysterectomy. Adhesions that form after surgery in the pelvic area are among the leading causes of post-operative pelvic pain and small bowel obstruction.

Here are a few sites and information that better describe adhesions; why they develop, treatment options & possible prevention:

What Causes Adhesions?

How Are Adhesions Treated?

You might also want to check out the HysterSister Resources section on Adhesions

I have had surgery 3 times since my hysterectomy - each time I have needed to have surgery more adhesions have formed (even with the use of mesh which can reduce the severity of adhesions).

If you are having severe bowel problems, your doctor may be correct - surgery may be needed to correct the problem. There are mesh products that can be used during surgery to help prevent further adhesions - ask your doctor what your options are.

Let us know what your decide to do. Take care.

s

This is my problem I was diagnosed with today! Went back in for 3 month checkup from ovary being removed with complex cyst only to find large mass on bowel and assuming it is adhesions, or else another cyst? Same pain with back throbs, constipation and pressure in the abdomen. Going to see gastro dr to rule out adhesion - cant believe they dont know which it is..cyst or adhesion then depends which dr works with me. Does this regquire more surgery? Last cyst was 9x11 this mass is 11x23...no wonder I have pressure!
Please keep me posted on what your dr says.
Thanks

nyjen,
I'm going to assume that your new mass showed up on a test, sono, mri, etc... Is that correct? From what I've been told, adhesions don't normally show up on these. My doctor told me the only way we can 100% say that it's adhesions is to do a lap. Although I have pain & problems, I'm trying to put it off as long as possible. Surgery may not even help - since adhesions usually come back. Right now I can't do surgery anyway - my mother just broke her ankle and had to have surgery - pins & plates inserted - so she is staying with me for at least the next 6 wks. Hope they figure out what is going on for you. Keep me updated & take care!

thanks for your reply.
had a sono with gyno and tech said it was a large cyst but he wants me to go to gastro to rule out adhesion??! going next week to gastro, then hopefully will know which road i am going down. it is funny that the mass is on the left side, the same side the cyst and ovary were removed from 3 months ago!
Hope your mom recovers well and i will keep you posted.
Thanks again