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Can Pelvic/abdominal Adhesions Be Missed in Diagnosing Chronic Abdominal Pain?

I had a baby, a uterine suspension, and 4 other pelvic surgeries (all on same incesion) within a 6 year period of time starting 1974. Over the years, I have been misdiagnosed with Chrons, ulcers, gas, spastic colon, IBS, etc. Recently an ultrasound, CT scan, and upper GI have proved "normal", but I am still in great pain and have not been able to work for the last month!! Is there any other answer that could possibly shed some light on my problem? My MD dismisses my concerns about adhesion

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2 Doctor Answers | Asked by Kath508 in Coopersville, MI

Doctor Answers (2)
Community Comments (5)

Hi There,

I just wanted to let you know that our doctors here specialize in aesthetics, so you might not receive the answer that you are looking for.

Can Pelvic/abdominal Adhesions Be Missed in Diagnosing Chronic Abdominal Pain?

Although most plastic surgeons have significant experience in general surgery, we usually do not practice in that field once we start our plastic surgery careers. The questions you have need to be addressed by either a general surgeon or your gynecologist. I think an internist or family practice specialist is unlikely to have the experience necessary for your needs. Get to a specialist soon and get treated.

Chronic Abdominal Pain

I hope I am wrong and that one of the plastic surgeons who answers these might have some insight--but this is really far out of the scope of our practices and expertise. We occasionally deal with pain following the surgeries we do, but we are not involved in surgery of the abdominal cavity and pelvis. Nonetheless, I will make a suggestion If all else fails, sometimes laparoscopy can be done to look for a cause of pain, and if so adhesions if present should be identifiable.( Their... more

Comments (5)

janeellie
9 months ago

Hi I have had 2 surgeries for bowel adhesions after my hysterectomy 10yrs ago the only way they can be seen is by doing a diagnostic laparascopy, this is looking into the abdomen with a camera, adhesions caused me no end of problems with my bowel, but I am now ok, I think losing 4 stone in weight too has helped a great deal. xx

LynnGH
9 months ago

Good! Let me know how it goes! If you're not happy with your appointment, then find another doctor.

LynnGH
9 months ago

Oh...no adhesions ever showed on any of my tests either, but they were there.

Kath508
9 months ago

Thanks. Lynn! I have another appointment tomorrow and I think it's time to kick a "little butt" with my doctor!!

LynnGH
9 months ago

It absolutely could be adhesions! I had several surgeries on the same incision line starting about 8 years ago. I then had numerous hospitilizations with "undiagnosable" abdominal pain, repeated obstructions, etc etc. I even had a surgery to remove lesions and was told none existed. It was a nightmare!! I finally convinced another surgeon to go in laparoscopically and just take a look again. My stomach was so full of adhesions that my small intestine was literally twisted and stuck to my abdominal wall. Do not let them dismiss you or your gut instinct! I suffered needlessly for years until someone finally listened to me and looked for adhesions. It is absurd to just dismiss adhesions as a possibility when you have had repeated surgeries.

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