1. < Digestive Health

Abdominal Adhesions

Posted by medic_simmons @medic_simmons, Feb 20, 2018

So for the past 3 months I have had awful middle epigastric pain, new onset constipation, no appetite at all, dizziness, headaches, and horrible itching. The pain came on suddenly in the middle of the night that woke me up from a deep sleep. So far I have had an upper GI barium swallow study, EGD and colonoscopy, 2 CTs, 1 MRI, X-RAYS, and an exploratory abdominal surgery where I had a few adhesions and a cyst on my left ovary. All of my lab work has been fine and all of these tests have been normal. Anyone have any suggestions on what it could be? I am seeing my GI tomorrow in hopes of scheduling an ERCP and if that doesn’t show anything I will be headed to the Mayo Clinic. I’m open to any suggestions on what y’all think it might be.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Gary, Alumni Mentor | @gman007 | Feb 21, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "@medic_simmons, I send you positive thoughts as you have your ERCP tomorrow. I am sorry to..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@medic_simmons, I send you positive thoughts as you have your ERCP tomorrow. I am sorry to hear of your current situation. I know the discomfort and fear of the unknowing. I hope that you get some helpful information in the results. But I assure you that if you don't - Mayo is top of the field in GI.
Rosemary

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Since being diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, I have had probably 15 therapeutic (stints placed, removed, balloon clean outs, etc...) ERCP's and have yet to have one cause an acute P attack. I do go to the medical school hospital in my state where there are very high volumes of these procedures done. That would be the only thing I would recommend about the ERCP; you do not want to be the fifth person the Dr. has ever performed one on. Good luck and I hope you find some answers.

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medic_simmons | @medic_simmons | Feb 21, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @medic_simmons Welcome to Mayo Connect. I appreciate your question regarding your digestive problems. I applaud..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @medic_simmons
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I appreciate your question regarding your digestive problems. I applaud you for being such a good advocate for your own health care. It is obvious that you have been persistent and proactive in seeking a solution and that is one of most important factors in resolving health issues.

While we are not medical professionals at Mayo Connect, perhaps someone else will be able to identify with some or all of your symptoms and offer some suggestions. I see that you are planning to go to Mayo to seek answers if your ERCP does not provide you with answers. That is definitely a good plan.

Since you have indicated this problem is new to you, I have a couple of questions, is there any family history of digestive problems? Have you considered food allergies? Have you ever kept a food/activity journal to see if there are any triggers to your symptoms? While you do not mention your age, I'm assuming that you are a younger person based on your picture.

Have you recently had any unusual stressors, changes in lifestyles, moves, etc.?

I look forward to hearing from you again and I hope that you soon find a resolution.

Teresa

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No. I have been off work since mid December. I can barely unload the dishwasher without having to stop because of pain.

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medic_simmons | @medic_simmons | Feb 21, 2018
In reply to @rosemarya "@medic_simmons, I send you positive thoughts as you have your ERCP tomorrow. I am sorry to..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@medic_simmons, I send you positive thoughts as you have your ERCP tomorrow. I am sorry to hear of your current situation. I know the discomfort and fear of the unknowing. I hope that you get some helpful information in the results. But I assure you that if you don't - Mayo is top of the field in GI.
Rosemary

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I could always get one done at OU med school. That’s our #1 hospital in OK

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medic_simmons | @medic_simmons | Feb 21, 2018
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @medic_simmons, I can imagine how stressful and frustrating it must be, to not get a..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @medic_simmons,

I can imagine how stressful and frustrating it must be, to not get a clear answer! You mentioned "...I had a few adhesions and a cyst on my left ovary."
Adhesions are fibrous bands of scar tissue that can be difficult to detect and diagnose, and are often painful.
I'd like to invite @caligodgirl @virtuous69 @kag13 @loriel59 Mentor @jimhd @ginpene05 to join in this conversation as they've shared their experiences related to abdominal adhesions, elsewhere on Connect.
You can read @caligodgirl 's post in this discussion in Chronic Pain group:
– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/welcome-please-introduce-yourself-welcome-to-the-new-chronic-pain-group-im/

And, here are some discussions in the Digestive Health group:
– recurring abdominal adhesions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recurring-abdominal-adhesions/
– Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-just-joined-this-site-and-am-looking-to-see-if-anyone/

@medic_simmons, have you found any strategies that help with the pain?

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Thank you! And no I haven’t found anything that helps with the pain

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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Mar 8, 2018

@medic_simmons, have your doctors ruled out complications from interstitial cystitis?
I'd like to tag @suzettemh @susierq111 @tbeckys @cbs61752 @kas1792 @operationqueen @rdrdhap @suzette @barb54 @8dzaweek @lexi @jeananderson2014 @mgnunez75 @Weedy @praymond234 @mogulers @kerrilynn1 @jmgm @charlenem, who have all shared their IC experiences on Connect, and invite them to join us here with any insights that may help you.

You can also read through some of the conversations in this discussion:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-ve-been-told-that-interstitial-cystitis-is-an-autoimmune-disease-are-there/

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1 reply
medic_simmons | @medic_simmons | Mar 8, 2018
In reply to @kanaazpereira "@medic_simmons, have your doctors ruled out complications from interstitial cystitis? I'd like to tag @suzettemh @susierq111..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

@medic_simmons, have your doctors ruled out complications from interstitial cystitis?
I'd like to tag @suzettemh @susierq111 @tbeckys @cbs61752 @kas1792 @operationqueen @rdrdhap @suzette @barb54 @8dzaweek @lexi @jeananderson2014 @mgnunez75 @Weedy @praymond234 @mogulers @kerrilynn1 @jmgm @charlenem, who have all shared their IC experiences on Connect, and invite them to join us here with any insights that may help you.

You can also read through some of the conversations in this discussion:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-ve-been-told-that-interstitial-cystitis-is-an-autoimmune-disease-are-there/

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@kanaazpereira no they have not. They haven’t even mentioned it. I will have to bring it up with my urologist. I’m calling to make an appointment as we speak. Thank you.

REPLY
hymelchristy | @hymelchristy | Mar 8, 2018
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @medic_simmons Welcome to Mayo Connect. I appreciate your question regarding your digestive problems. I applaud..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @medic_simmons
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I appreciate your question regarding your digestive problems. I applaud you for being such a good advocate for your own health care. It is obvious that you have been persistent and proactive in seeking a solution and that is one of most important factors in resolving health issues.

While we are not medical professionals at Mayo Connect, perhaps someone else will be able to identify with some or all of your symptoms and offer some suggestions. I see that you are planning to go to Mayo to seek answers if your ERCP does not provide you with answers. That is definitely a good plan.

Since you have indicated this problem is new to you, I have a couple of questions, is there any family history of digestive problems? Have you considered food allergies? Have you ever kept a food/activity journal to see if there are any triggers to your symptoms? While you do not mention your age, I'm assuming that you are a younger person based on your picture.

Have you recently had any unusual stressors, changes in lifestyles, moves, etc.?

I look forward to hearing from you again and I hope that you soon find a resolution.

Teresa

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I know this is gonna sound weired but does it somtimes feel like you got rocks in your stomach

REPLY
hymelchristy | @hymelchristy | Mar 8, 2018
In reply to @gman007 "Welcome and sorry for your troubles. I have chronic pancreatitis and some of your symptoms line..." + (show)
@gman007

Welcome and sorry for your troubles. I have chronic pancreatitis and some of your symptoms line up with mine and some don't. I also have heard very similar symptoms with folks who have had a bad Gall Bladder. That would be the only two experiences I can use to speak to your issues.

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Maybe gastroparesis.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 9, 2018

Hello @medic_simmons,

I was wondering how you are doing. Have you had any new diagnostic tests and/or procedures scheduled yet? I do hope that your doctors are able to get to the root of your problem.

I would love to hear from you again and know how you are doing.

Teresa

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