I am dealing with chronic pain for 1 1/2 years from Abdomenal adhesion

Posted by hmburk @hmburk, Apr 9, 2025

Does anyone with Abdomenal adhesions found successful treatments. I have tried physical therapy, chiropractors, exercises , stretches, dry needling, pulsed magnetic therapy and now injections in SI joint and facet nerve block ( mainly to rule out both) and Miralax. PT helped more than anything and cold packs which mainly allows me to not feel the pain. My biggest symptom is pain with sitting with 6-7/10 pain.

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Thanks, I see a PT in 2 weeks. Hope they help.

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Profile picture for dinahj @dinahj

Thanks, I see a PT in 2 weeks. Hope they help.

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@dinahj keep me posted good luck

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Profile picture for dinahj @dinahj

@jimhd I guess my main question is did you suspect adhesions and ask your doctor to open you up, or did they maybe find it while doing another surgery. It's my understanding that x-rays, MRI, etc, do not show up. I'm having a time getting them diagnosed. They blame it on arthritis of my spine and disc issues. Told my doctor the problem with that is I had rib pain dozens of years before my back issues. Did you have to go to a specialist of some sort? Thanks

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@dinahj I don't remember how the surgeon knew what was going on, but my wife remembers that he ordered a CT. He did both releases, 10 years apart. It's possible that he was looking for something else that would explain my pain the first time. The second time, he probably had suspicions. Honestly, I don't remember a lot about it. I was taken by ambulance from the local hospital to the nearest one with a surgeon who could treat me, and I don't remember anything after the ambulance until I sort of regained a level of awareness. I don't do well in the hospital, with pain meds, being intubated, or various other things.

Jim

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Thank you Jim, I'm glad they found it for you. I feel pretty certain this is my issue. I think maybe the surgery for adhesions is not something surgeons do often, and maybe a bit risky. For me, not ever getting even a diagnosis is very frustrating, and gets depressing. I'm pretty much limited on everything I use to do. I sincerely hope all will be well with you in the future. Thanks, Dinah

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Profile picture for dinahj @dinahj

@jimhd Oh my, that sounds very serious. I have many questions, but don't want to be a bother. Would it be ok to ask several? I've had such a time getting any doctor convinced it's something besides my back. I just know I've had 3 knee replacements in one knee, and 1 in the other, an apendectomy, an open gallbladder surgery in 1970, a hysterectomy and cancer. None of those things caused me as much pain as this rib pain. Can I text you back with other questions? Thanks

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@dinahj I am experiencing the exact same thing. I have had multiple surgeries.....knees, shoulder separation and clavicle shortening, plus many abdominal surgeries. I also have not ever had this much pain for this long. I would love to know what has been tried for you.

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Profile picture for nannybb @nannybb

@dinahj I am experiencing the exact same thing. I have had multiple surgeries.....knees, shoulder separation and clavicle shortening, plus many abdominal surgeries. I also have not ever had this much pain for this long. I would love to know what has been tried for you.

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@nannybb I have tried to convince doctors it has to be adhesions. I started trying to search any info possible. My Dr blames my back, but have had rib pain for around 40 years. I can't do anything, anymore. Can't even take a shower, wash and blow dry my hair without feeling the burn. Can't cook, clean, sweep or scrub floors, and so sick of it. If I could find a surgeon who would even go in and look with lathroscopic (probably spelled wrong) surgery, I would, but unfortunately until I have a serious bowel block, I think they about refuse. I have read these adhesions can wrap around other organs, and think there is risk for doctors. The only other two options I have read about are massage therapist, who say they can release the scar tissue, or Physical therapy. I'm starting with PT in 2 weeks. I don't have a lot of hope, but will find out. The reason I chose PT first is because my insurance covers it. I read you really need to go at least 3 times a week. If PT doesn't help, I might try Massage, think it's called Massage Release. That will cost me more money, and being a Senior, I need to watch my spending. I'll try and remember to post after several weeks, if PT helps. I am literally at my wits end. Good luck to you.

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Profile picture for dinahj @dinahj

@nannybb I have tried to convince doctors it has to be adhesions. I started trying to search any info possible. My Dr blames my back, but have had rib pain for around 40 years. I can't do anything, anymore. Can't even take a shower, wash and blow dry my hair without feeling the burn. Can't cook, clean, sweep or scrub floors, and so sick of it. If I could find a surgeon who would even go in and look with lathroscopic (probably spelled wrong) surgery, I would, but unfortunately until I have a serious bowel block, I think they about refuse. I have read these adhesions can wrap around other organs, and think there is risk for doctors. The only other two options I have read about are massage therapist, who say they can release the scar tissue, or Physical therapy. I'm starting with PT in 2 weeks. I don't have a lot of hope, but will find out. The reason I chose PT first is because my insurance covers it. I read you really need to go at least 3 times a week. If PT doesn't help, I might try Massage, think it's called Massage Release. That will cost me more money, and being a Senior, I need to watch my spending. I'll try and remember to post after several weeks, if PT helps. I am literally at my wits end. Good luck to you.

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@dinahj I have also had rib shots. They don't help. The last one went totally south. Had an immediate reaction, felt like medicine went down inside of my back, across waist into my left groin. I had trouble putting weight on that leg, and that night I discovered I had 4 large bruises on top of my left thigh. Never again

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Profile picture for dinahj @dinahj

@dinahj I have also had rib shots. They don't help. The last one went totally south. Had an immediate reaction, felt like medicine went down inside of my back, across waist into my left groin. I had trouble putting weight on that leg, and that night I discovered I had 4 large bruises on top of my left thigh. Never again

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@dinahj How in the world did you get bruises on your thigh? I agree that it may be adhesions. I almost always have internal scar tissue problems later down the road from surgeries. I had no idea how bad they could be until after many operations for cysts on my ovaries. I finally had a hysterectomy. My usual OBGYN tried to do the procedure vaginally, but my insides were literally glued together with adhesion. He had to open me up. I did have the therapy to break up the remaining adhesion through deep massage therapy. It was intense, but I believe it helped. Is there any way you can maybe look into a medical advocate to see if you can get on an "extra help" program for assistance? I have done that before for medication etc. I so sorry you are in such pain.

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Profile picture for nannybb @nannybb

@dinahj How in the world did you get bruises on your thigh? I agree that it may be adhesions. I almost always have internal scar tissue problems later down the road from surgeries. I had no idea how bad they could be until after many operations for cysts on my ovaries. I finally had a hysterectomy. My usual OBGYN tried to do the procedure vaginally, but my insides were literally glued together with adhesion. He had to open me up. I did have the therapy to break up the remaining adhesion through deep massage therapy. It was intense, but I believe it helped. Is there any way you can maybe look into a medical advocate to see if you can get on an "extra help" program for assistance? I have done that before for medication etc. I so sorry you are in such pain.

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@nannybb All I know is they put the medicine in my right side rib area. Instantly I was in pain. It happened so fast, and felt like medicine traveled down my back to my left side groin. I think maybe they hit a nerve, or hit scar tissue which in return caused them to hit a nerve. My son took me, and he had to help me to the car. The pain left reasonably quick, like an hour or so. I could then put weight on my left leg, but was I ever surprised to see bruises on the left thigh. I don't know for sure what happened, but I won't go back.

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Profile picture for dinahj @dinahj

@nannybb All I know is they put the medicine in my right side rib area. Instantly I was in pain. It happened so fast, and felt like medicine traveled down my back to my left side groin. I think maybe they hit a nerve, or hit scar tissue which in return caused them to hit a nerve. My son took me, and he had to help me to the car. The pain left reasonably quick, like an hour or so. I could then put weight on my left leg, but was I ever surprised to see bruises on the left thigh. I don't know for sure what happened, but I won't go back.

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@dinahj Man! I am going to have it done one more time, and if the ablation is completed, I think I am going to call it quites. I can see how it might be a nerve issue in regards to the pain the shot produced, but your bruise? Bizarre to say the least.

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