1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

abdominal pain

Posted by builderpc @builderpc, May 18, 2012

I get severe abdominal pain when I walk. It has gradually gotten worse to where it now is effecting my quality of life. this has gone on for approximately 25 years. I have told so many doctors about it that I've lost count. I just had a CAT of my abdomen and nothing showed. the pain is worse if I carry anything in front of me, if I walk uphill it becomes excruciating. it eases to almost nothing if I walk backwards. I am severely hunched over and have significant back pain as well and I feel it is all related to my abdomen. I had pyloric stenosis as an infant and wonder about scar tissue? If anyone can help me I would be very grateful. I had I am 67 years old and was hoping to enjoy retirement but this prevents me from doing so many things.

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FredV45 | @fredv45 | Jun 11, 2012

It's been a few weeks since you asked, but may I comment?
Problems like those you mention could be caused by a list of things, incl a pinced nerve or other spinal issues, but I expect you would have been checked for these already. I'm your age, had ps surgery also, and have been interested to learn and blog what I can about it. Adhesions are to be expected after this kind of surgery, and can become obvious even at our age. They can cause this kind of trouble as adhesions can affect muscles, are hard to diagnose without open surgery, and are therefore put in the "too hard" basket by most MDs and specialists. If you're sure there's no harm in pushing yourself, you could try massaging your scar regions and then breaking through the pain, as women with ps scars sometimes have to do during pregnancy. Let me know if I can help any more. Best wishes.

REPLY
3 replies
builderpc | @builderpc | Jun 11, 2012
In reply to @fredv45 "It's been a few weeks since you asked, but may I comment? Problems like those you..." + (show)
@fredv45

It's been a few weeks since you asked, but may I comment?
Problems like those you mention could be caused by a list of things, incl a pinced nerve or other spinal issues, but I expect you would have been checked for these already. I'm your age, had ps surgery also, and have been interested to learn and blog what I can about it. Adhesions are to be expected after this kind of surgery, and can become obvious even at our age. They can cause this kind of trouble as adhesions can affect muscles, are hard to diagnose without open surgery, and are therefore put in the "too hard" basket by most MDs and specialists. If you're sure there's no harm in pushing yourself, you could try massaging your scar regions and then breaking through the pain, as women with ps scars sometimes have to do during pregnancy. Let me know if I can help any more. Best wishes.

Jump to this post

Fred,
Thanks for the comments. The question I've lived with is why did this seemingly wait until my mid forty years to begin. I lived an active life thru-out highschool and college, playing sports, etc. Nothing bothered me in the service or for a number of years following. I participated with my family and neighbors in 3 mile brisk walks on summer nights.
I was a food service manager in health care and noticed at about 44, I would strain carrying pans of food. It slowly became more of a chore; and eventually over years, progressed to just walking distances and uphill, actually caused discomfort. Now at 67, I would like to visit and enjoy much of the beauty our national parks have to offer. I can observe from a distance but cannot hike the trail to get up close.
Only once did a Dr. offer a guess; a hidden hernia. He said they look for that with exploratory surgery!! I opted for a no on that one. I continue to do stretching and abdomen strenghtening exercises on my massage table most mornings but life remains the same.
I had a disc (2009) removed at L-5 and a rod joined 5 to the tailbone. My abdomen remains the same.
I'll keep searching and walking backwards when it helps.

Thanks,
Paul

REPLY
FredV45 | @fredv45 | Jun 12, 2012
In reply to @fredv45 "It's been a few weeks since you asked, but may I comment? Problems like those you..." + (show)
@fredv45

It's been a few weeks since you asked, but may I comment?
Problems like those you mention could be caused by a list of things, incl a pinced nerve or other spinal issues, but I expect you would have been checked for these already. I'm your age, had ps surgery also, and have been interested to learn and blog what I can about it. Adhesions are to be expected after this kind of surgery, and can become obvious even at our age. They can cause this kind of trouble as adhesions can affect muscles, are hard to diagnose without open surgery, and are therefore put in the "too hard" basket by most MDs and specialists. If you're sure there's no harm in pushing yourself, you could try massaging your scar regions and then breaking through the pain, as women with ps scars sometimes have to do during pregnancy. Let me know if I can help any more. Best wishes.

Jump to this post

I can somewhat understand your bewilderment and frustration, as I also love the outdoors and hiking. What you write hardly sounds like it's ps or adhesions related, although adhesions are normally part of healing from abdominal surgery and can cause trouble quickly, after any number of years, or never. When I see somebody walking backwards thru a forest, I'll know who that may be. Keep up the search and enjoy what you can.

REPLY
FredV45 | @fredv45 | Jun 12, 2012
In reply to @fredv45 "It's been a few weeks since you asked, but may I comment? Problems like those you..." + (show)
@fredv45

It's been a few weeks since you asked, but may I comment?
Problems like those you mention could be caused by a list of things, incl a pinced nerve or other spinal issues, but I expect you would have been checked for these already. I'm your age, had ps surgery also, and have been interested to learn and blog what I can about it. Adhesions are to be expected after this kind of surgery, and can become obvious even at our age. They can cause this kind of trouble as adhesions can affect muscles, are hard to diagnose without open surgery, and are therefore put in the "too hard" basket by most MDs and specialists. If you're sure there's no harm in pushing yourself, you could try massaging your scar regions and then breaking through the pain, as women with ps scars sometimes have to do during pregnancy. Let me know if I can help any more. Best wishes.

Jump to this post

I can somewhat understand your bewilderment and frustration, as I also love the outdoors and hiking. What you write hardly sounds like it's ps or adhesions related, although adhesions are normally part of healing from abdominal surgery and can cause trouble quickly, after any number of years, or never. When I see somebody walking backwards thru a forest, I'll know who that may be. Keep up the search and enjoy what you can.

REPLY
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