bowel adhesions

Hi Sisters,

It has been a long time since I have posted over on the hormonal jungle. I have been following a lot of your posts for the past few months. I have been having increased pelvic pain. My TAH was 11/99 for Endometriosis. Anyway, I finally got in to see a gyn today and he thinks a loop of my bowel is twisted around the vaginal cuff and wants to do surgery. I am in a bit of pain and also feel my bowels are involved from the problems I'm having but I don't know this guy. He said there was no way it could be endo since I had nothing in there to make endo.

I'm suppose to let him know if I want the surgery (at the end of the month) or a referral to a GI doctor. I think I'll call my insurance to try and get a 2nd opinion but I don't feel comfortable with this. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

Thanks

Robbie: I follow a simple rule of thumb with dr's....if you're not comfortable with this do get a 2nd opinion....or at least discuss it with your primary care dr......could be this guy is on the right page...could be he isn't...it's your body and it's always your right to get another opinion before going ahead with more surgery

As far as the endo not returning after your ovaries are out...it has been proven that it can with hrt.......and i"m sure there will be other sisters along shortly to tell you all about it....Adrite has some great links on just that subject !!

Sending you a big and wishing you the best.....follow your gut sister

Robbie,

I'm curious...What kind of pain are you experiencing? I'm going back to my GYN on Tuesday, due to a lot of discomfort on my lower right side. I had a hematoma (blood filled sac) post-op and thought maybe that is coming back. But, my GYN said I have a lot of adhesions and they may end up causing bowel problems for me. This is why I'm curious as to what type of pain you are experiencing. Thanks for your help!

Kathy

My pain is on the left side and is a constant dull pain. I also have cramps like menstrual type cramps. I also am having trouble with bowel movements in that I'm not having many. My stomach is bloated and tender to touch. My left side pain also radiates around to my back.

I am going to physcial therapy to help with my back pain. I saw a cranial-sacral therapist which surprisingly helped with my left abdomen pain. I just can't afford to go very often.

My insurance will pay for a second opinion. I'm having an ultrasound next week. I just don't know how to find a doctor that specializes in endometriosis which I think would be my best option. I have a provider list from my insurance but I don't know how to pose the questions. When I called another doctor and asked if they treat patients like me of course the answer is "yes" by the receptionist. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm becoming so depressed and weepy. I am so grateful to read about other people who have problems like me and I'm not crazy, it is not "in my head" and hopefully are finding help.

do you have a Women's Resource Centre in your city? They are usually invaluable for this type of information or you could check with any Women's hospitals in your area...or your primary care dr should know of someone too (but not always as is the case with me).

I know how frustrating and emotionally taxing this is and you just have to try and stay strong.....the ultrasound isn't likely to show endo or adhesions unless they are on an organ or pulling on one...the only way to find these things is by laparoscopy.

When you gyn said he was going to do surgery to see about this loop of bowel did he say what type of surgery is would be ? (laparoscopy to look, or abdominal to get right in there?)

However I see by your post that you still have your ovaries.....could they be causing some of this pain on your left side? The ultrasound might show something there?

Sorry I can't be of much help, but I can offer support and lots of 's thats what we're good at around here!!

Robbie...get the 2nd opinion! Being comfortable with your doctor is very important.

I had my TVH in 1994 and on 7/11 I just had my left ovary removed and endometriomas attaching my vagina to my colon. I haven't had a uterus in 7 years and somehow had a considerable amout of endometriosis. I asked the doc how this was possible. She told me that microscopic endo cells that are left after surgery will feed off of estrogen in normal monthly hormonal fluctuations. I had my right ovary removed abdominally in '98 and the doctor(Navy hosp.) didn't mention seeing any endo. So he either missed it behind the vagina or it has grown this much in 3 years.

Get the 2nd!!

=) Debbie

Thanks for your support. I am going to get a 2nd opinion. Gidge I had both ovaries removed. My left about three years ago and the right with my hysterectomy. The surgery would be a lap....but I'm not comfortable with this guy. I may make a trip out of state to see my first doctor. He was great and I am comfortable with him. He suggested I stop HRT for a few months to see if it made an impact on my symptoms.