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Three years ago I had surgery for lysis of abdominal adhesions.

 
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Three years ago I had surgery for lysis of abdominal adhesions. There was a "kink" in the bowel, too. They "ran" the bowel, also. I was in the hospital for 6 days. Was home for 24 hours and started vomiting and readmitted for a partial obstruction. They put me on an IV and an NG tube. Also gave me some type of "milkshake" looking stuff through another IV. They had me hospitalized for 3 weeks until the obstruction was gone. They ran CT scans every day to watch.
The pain never really left. At times I can hardly walk. When it gets so bad I recline in a chair until it eases up. If it doesn't ease I take Vicodin. I'm on Ativan at night to help me sleep but I wake up with such pain in the abdomen plus now I feel like I'm having a heart attack. I have to sleep sitting up because I wake up with burning in my throat. I seem to always be burping and sometimes food comes back with it. The doctor ran every test there is on my heart and it's fine. I'm on Prescription Prilosec for the stomach.
I had an upper GI and a small bowel x-ray done April 4. When the x-ray touched my abdomen it hurt so bad it made my leg jump and I had tears rolling down my cheeks. They had me move by leg up a little and turn slightly on the table. Every time the machine touched the one lower right side it sent pain all the way up under the rib cage.
I got the results of the test today and they show everything as normal. I don't know what to do any more. I'm almost ready to beg for another lysis of adhesions but they won't do it until I have a total blockage.
Thanks for your help.

 

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Person's Gender: Female
Person's Age: 62

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Submitted: 339 days and 20 hours ago.
Category: Medical
Value: $35
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  DrThomasMd replied 339 days and 20 hours ago.

Hello
Have you had a colonoscopy
When
What findings?

Customer replied 339 days and 20 hours ago.

4 years ago. Only 1 polyp, not malignant

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Expert:  DrThomasMd replied 339 days and 20 hours ago.

OK
I would ask for an MRI now.

Nothing else shows what is going on as well.
The adhesions could be worse than they know.

In addition you clearly have uncontrolled reflux

The medication should be switched to another PPI and maximized.

If this does not work then a scope with consideration of evaluating for surgery.

However, right now I would ask for an MRI.

Let me know if you have further questions, details or need clarification, just use reply.......

Please Click Accept to give answer credit so I am compensated for time and expertise. Come back if needed. Bonuses and positive feedback most helpful. Answers for informational purposes only, not to replace your physician advice or visit.

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Customer replied 339 days and 20 hours ago.

Will an MRI show adhesions?
What is the scope for?

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Expert:  DrThomasMd replied 339 days and 20 hours ago.

An MRI is the only imaging that would show adhesions
The scope to evaluate the reflux and possible damage.



Please Click Accept to give answer credit so I am compensated for time and expertise. Come back if needed. Bonuses and positive feedback most helpful. Answers for informational purposes only, not to replace your physician advice or visit.

Future questions? Ask for DrThomas in the question title or see my profile to request me. Save my profile to your browser favorites.

Customer replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

So, if the MRI shows the adhesions, that still doesn't help me for the pain. They said no surgery because it would only cause more adhesions. Is that true? They will only do surgery if I have a total blockage.

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Expert:  DrThomasMd replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

It will let them see if this is the cause..that is valuable
And it will let then see if you are close to blockage.

Customer replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

My daughter- in- law takes Pantoprazole 40 mg for her reflux. She said I should ask my gastroenterogist about going on that. She said it really helped her. Is this better than the 20 mg Prilosec once a day?

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Expert:  DrThomasMd replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

Yes
Studies show faster relief

Customer replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

Is it bad to keep using Vicodin for the chronic pain? I only use it when the pain gets so bad I can't stand it any more. It's 5-500 strenght. Can only take 4 a day. Usually take only once a week because I normally can keep the pain at a minumum if I recline in a chair when it gets too bad. It's just that I'm getting tired of being in a chair and not being able to carry on a normal life. Also, the Vicodin can cause constipation which doesn't help the adhesion problem.

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Expert:  DrThomasMd replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

OK
Vicodin is OK as long as prescribed appropriately.
You seem OK in your use.
In fact physical therapy might help you as well.

We are really on to many new questions..please remember we are only paid per accept.

Customer replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

Thank you for your time. Do you know of any doctor on the West Coast that specializes in adhesions? Can I talk to you again later if I have any more questions?

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  DrThomasMd replied 339 days and 19 hours ago.

Yes you can come back after you accept ..you can accept more and new answers here, etc.

No we do not refer directly but what you need of course is a laproscopic surgeon..there is no such thing as a specialist in adhesions.

Expert TypeBoard Certified Physician
Category: Medical
Pos. Feedback: 97.3 %
Accepts: 41776
Answered: 5/4/2012

Experience: Internal Medicine--practice all of internal medicine, all ages, family, also Integrative, CAM, etc

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