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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
Digestive Health | Last Active: Oct 29 2:54pm | Replies (1225)Comment receiving replies
The original surgeon I feel was very good. He took the time to listen to me and was very understanding. He was the only one who believed me unlike others I dealt with. My first vascular surgeon laughed at me and said that your celiac artery wasn't the problem. That it was all just in my head. It wasn't until Dr. Lowery sent me out for another Doppler US. My velocities were from 580 to 620. After that, the original vascular surgeon sent a certified letter stating my health was in danger and I needed to see him ASAP. LOL! So I'm very reluctant to see this new vascular surgeon her name is Jenny Cho. She's out of KU MED CENTER IN KS. So I have an appointment on April 8th and we will see what she wants to do. I feel she will just blow me off as the other did. It sad people go to their doctors and they just look at you as nothing is wrong. It's their arrogance that comes through when they don't know about MALS. However, I believe I found a good general surgeon who listens and is willing to do what is right for me.
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Jayson, I can relate. When I had my initial diagnosis in 2015 I saw so many GI docs and most of them were so incredibly dismissive. My first one seemed to have only one answer: take more prilosec, take protonix, double up on protonix. So I finally said to him "is that your only answer, take more acid suppressants?" and he got visibly angry at me and said "do you want to get well?" So condescending. Then I had an ER doc accuse me of just being a drug seeker and sending me home after zero tests. After doing every GI test imaginable I finally saw an RN at an urgent care office who looked at my history and offered to make some calls for me on her lunch break. She set me up with a young GI specialist who ordered a HIDA scan (all clear) and the mesenteric artery ultrasound that finally diagnosed me. If it wasn't for those two, I have no idea how much longer it would have gone on.
Unfortunately, like you, I am having a recurrence of symptoms after 5 years. Last night was the worst night I've had since 2015, sharp pain building up, had to take an oxycodone and sleep propped up, then I still woke up nauseous. That has been my worst symptom and thankfully this time around, I am not having too much trouble eating. Once I get up and move around the nausea fades but pain persists. I'm getting a nerve block done next week and hoping the pain care center will also offer me some help over the next few weeks while I wait for what I expect to be a second surgery.
As far as seeing a new surgeon, I would at least google search and see what other patients have reported. The one I've been consulting is very young but has a special interest in MALS. Another surgery is scary to think about but so is living with constant bouts of pain/nausea.