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Abdominal adhesion, symptoms, and therapy or surgery?

Posted by kremer1 @kremer1, May 20 11:11am

I need some advice about upper abdominal discomfort and pain that I've been having since the fall of 2023. I had laparoscopic gall bladder surgery in 6/2/23. All went well, recovery was fine. There were four small incisions made, and the lower right side one that was used to remove the gall bladder was the most sensitive post surgery. It continued to be sensitive, primarily due to it being located where my waist bends. It healed, but still felt like there was a strain there at times. Since the end of 2023 to now, I've been having more discomfort abdominally and particularly on the right side in that location. I had imaging done to rule out any other abdominal issues, and all imaging is fine. I have an appointment with the Dr. that did the surgery in a week. Looking on-line, it appears that abdominal adhesions are common post abdominal surgery. It appears that the symptoms that I have are common too: abdominal pain, cramping, bowel movement changes, etc.
Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what outcome is there for this? It reads on the internet that the scar tissue can be removed with more surgery, but may cause more to develop.
Input please!!

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kenc | @kenc | Jun 12 11:44am
In reply to @mrsroundrevul "My husband has struggled with post-surgical abdominal adhesions for years. He had a bowel resection caused..." + (show)
@mrsroundrevul

My husband has struggled with post-surgical abdominal adhesions for years. He had a bowel resection caused by adhesions in 2008. They were not causing an obstruction, just significant pain. In 2020, he began experiencing continuous pain on his lower left side. We finally convinced a surgeon to perform laparoscopic surgery in 2021. The surgeon found significant adhesions which were removed on husband's left side towards middle. The surgeon didn't want to touch the right side which was complicated by a hernia and the presence of mesh from another hernia operation.
Husband got some relief for several months. But now the pain is almost constant. He takes Tramadol up to 4 times daily. He has tried fascia massage but this required driving 7 hours round-trip in one day, which tended to undue the benefits. He has lost weight (intentionally) on advice of the massage therapist. Nothing really helps. He describes the pain as someone taking a jackhammer to his side. He has tried medical marijuana, too.
Are there any clinical trials for nonsurgical treatment? Anything else out there?

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I have had some positive results from the PT using an apparatus referred to as Soft Wave.

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mrsroundrevul | @mrsroundrevul | Jun 12 4:43pm
In reply to @kremer1 "@mrsroundrevul I've been trying to find out more about nonsurgical, but there isn't much online. It..." + (show)
@kremer1

@mrsroundrevul
I've been trying to find out more about nonsurgical, but there isn't much online. It sounds like adhesions are fairly common from abdominal surgery. I'm not sure that what I am experiencing is adhesions. I saw a gastroenterologist who thinks my symptoms are due to microscopic colitis. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy to verify that, but the imaging is booked out to mid Aug. In the meantime I have to deal with it the best I can. But I still think that some of what I'm experiencing is due to adhesion. There is self massage, and I try that with a bit of relief.
Is your only option for massage that far of a drive? Does an pain med help? Does the medical marijuana help?

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medical marijuana - no; says he feels a buzz plus the pain
pain meds - takes Tramadol daily, typically 3-4 a day, although today it's 5:38 pm and he's on #5.
message - could look around here (Charleston WV) but need someone focused on fascia instead of muscles
tried acupuncture once
What is particularly pernicious about adhesions is that they don't show up on x-rays; and the medical community only seems concerned about adhesions causing blockage, which can be fatal. But chronic pain from adhesions can be very debilitating. Good luck.

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1 reply
kremer1 | @kremer1 | Jun 12 7:57pm
In reply to @mrsroundrevul "medical marijuana - no; says he feels a buzz plus the pain pain meds - takes..." + (show)
@mrsroundrevul

medical marijuana - no; says he feels a buzz plus the pain
pain meds - takes Tramadol daily, typically 3-4 a day, although today it's 5:38 pm and he's on #5.
message - could look around here (Charleston WV) but need someone focused on fascia instead of muscles
tried acupuncture once
What is particularly pernicious about adhesions is that they don't show up on x-rays; and the medical community only seems concerned about adhesions causing blockage, which can be fatal. But chronic pain from adhesions can be very debilitating. Good luck.

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@mrsroundrevul ,
I found a site called myofascialrelease.com. I've only looked at a couple of the postings, but you can check it out for yourself. It sounds like it is more for fascia, but might help with adhesions?

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3 replies
mrsroundrevul | @mrsroundrevul | Jun 12 8:12pm
In reply to @kremer1 "@mrsroundrevul , I found a site called myofascialrelease.com. I've only looked at a couple of the..." + (show)
@kremer1

@mrsroundrevul ,
I found a site called myofascialrelease.com. I've only looked at a couple of the postings, but you can check it out for yourself. It sounds like it is more for fascia, but might help with adhesions?

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Thanks. I'll look this up.

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mrsroundrevul | @mrsroundrevul | Jun 12 8:17pm
In reply to @kremer1 "@mrsroundrevul , I found a site called myofascialrelease.com. I've only looked at a couple of the..." + (show)
@kremer1

@mrsroundrevul ,
I found a site called myofascialrelease.com. I've only looked at a couple of the postings, but you can check it out for yourself. It sounds like it is more for fascia, but might help with adhesions?

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The website does list adhesions as one of the conditions. There is a clinic about 2 hours away, so we'll definitely look into it. Thanks again.

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Aug 3 7:24pm
In reply to @kremer1 "@mrsroundrevul , I found a site called myofascialrelease.com. I've only looked at a couple of the..." + (show)
@kremer1

@mrsroundrevul ,
I found a site called myofascialrelease.com. I've only looked at a couple of the postings, but you can check it out for yourself. It sounds like it is more for fascia, but might help with adhesions?

Jump to this post

@kremer1 Have you been able to try myofascial release? Myofascial release does help with surgical scar tissue and that is of course connected to something else because the fascia intertwines through everything. I recently used myofascial release to work on scar tissue on my leg from the surgeries I had because of breaking my ankle. With the muscles being tight and one side of the ankle weaker because of the injury, what was happening was that the scar tissue pulled and added pressure to the joint which was making my ankle collapse while walking and it was like having a sprain all the time. I was able to get the uneven pressure released and walk pain free for the first time since the injury. That's how bad scar tissue can be. It can restrict normal movement.

How are you doing?

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resilience | @resilience | Aug 4 8:53am

Find a pelvic PT. Guang sha tools from Amazon to release adhesions once you isolate them. Upper fascia layers first only.
Jill Miller - Tune Up balls - research her.
Keep a maintenance schedule, self care.
Do not get more surgery unless you are getting repeated frequent blockages.
Try a back brace or a thin extra long hair elastic band or a belt directly on your waistline for counter pressure. Heat, use ice for sharp pain. Best wishes !

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