Abdominal adhesions: any suggestions for relief?

Hello. Also new to the group. Diverticulosis surgery on 9/21/21. Pain on and off over the months of healing. After five spinal decompression sessions to treat bulging discs, my abdominal pains increased and sustained. Then several bouts of diarrhea. Stopped the sessions. Meeting with GI doctor next week. Surgeons office does not want to address. My thinking it’s scar tissue/adhesions. I’m so frustrated and not looking forward to more tests. I was so hopeful my digestive issues were in my rear view. I was wrong.

I also was going to physical therapy with compression for bulging discs. Which I think set off my last flare with adhesions. I also agree with you about the testing aspect, stay hopeful. Good luck with doc.

How ironic is that. Best to you too.

@hopeful33250 - I used to be constipated till I started taking psyllium fibre (generic Metamucil). I started with 1 teaspoonful and worked up to two tablespoonsful over several weeks. I have had no problem with constipation since - but when I miss a dose, I feel the difference! Psyllium fibre takes a couple of days to take effect when started.

I appreciate the reminder about psyllium fiber (Metamucil), @rashida. Yes, is a great product for chronic constipation. It does, as you say, take a few days to take effect and it's a good idea to stick with it each day so you don't lose its effectiveness.

Have you been bothered by constipation for a long time, now?

I too, am waiting for someone with a suggestion that may help.

@ alto
Spinach can contribute to bloating and so can protein bars. Most protein bars contain some type of nuts or peanuts (peanuts are legumes and not nuts) and also contains some sort of sugar. Sweets can cause bloating .. sugar substitutes can be worse triggers than actual sugar. I also get bloating with dairy products and whey.

I was told after my open abdominal/thoracic surgery that I would belch and pass gas and not bother with anti-gas products .. they won't help.

Because of a swallowing problem … achalasia … I swallow air and that does not help the problem. Swallowing exercises can help … such as those for stroke. I discovered that as I watched my mom recover from a stroke. I did the exercises along with her. The exercises will help even if you have no obvious swallowing problem. Also breathing exercises help .. breathe with your diaphragm. Exercise in general .. like walking .. will help.

Moist heating pad or hot water bottle held on the area may help along with gentle massaging. Lying on your left side can also help with bloating.

None of this is a cure, but are ways to ease the problem.

What to eat … whatever bothers you the least. Everyone is different.

Best wishes,
ZeeGee

Thanks for the suggestions!

I also struggled w daily diarrhea and bloating. Had 2 full open surgery, one for gastric bypass 2001 and a intucception last October. Have many adhesions and gallbladder removal 15 years ago. I have been diagnosed w IBS C. No cured for it, only medicines to help w sysmptoms. It is very frustrated to live w it. I had retired due to it. It should be a disability but ss. think is not. I can’t travel and many days can’t go out. Gluten makes worse as well as lactose and beans.

I too am plagued with adhesions! I have had a right collector, 3 unbiblical hernias, a laparoscopic gallbladder removal which left a suture in my small intestine which quickly dissolved and left a hole in my intestine which caused petitioners and a fistula. To resolve this problem they did an open small bowel resection and cavity cleanup. For the next five months I was put on IV feeding and a ton of morphine due to a bowel obstruction.
They did everything to try and find the obstruction but failed. I finally found a surgeon who did an exploratory open surgery and he found that the piece of small bowel between the previous resection and the colon had no blood supply and looked like thick parchment paper. He then removed that piece of colon and closed.
For the next five years I had constant pain and uncontrolled diarrhea. This was 20 years ago. Since then I have had 3 lysis of adhesions surgeries within 8 years. After the last one, I was told that no surgeon would ever operate on my belly again.
I finally found a GI doc who solved the diarrhea problem with Colestipal.
My problem now is with chronic abdominal pain. I have not found any relief (after doctors got me addicted to prescription pain drugs, I refuse to take them again.)
I know that the problem is adhesions.
Can anyone help!!!