Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

Thank you so much for replying to me for replying to me. It feels wonderful not to feel so alone. I have done all of those tests. My doctor has a ton of experience with MALS at UVA in VA. have you fully recovered from your surgery? Do you still get pain in your chest?

I suffered from undiagnosed mals for 17 years. I had every gi test and sometimes twice. I’m so very thankful for this site as it lead me to Mals Awareness Facebook group. It’s easy to find information and ask questions. I also self diagnosed myself through information and researching. It lead me to a doctor who, 4 years ago, was one of the few doctors who treated mals. My vascular doctor told me he had done three with not much success, so I chose to go across the country to a doctor, who at that time had done over 300 with great successes. I was in so much pain, narcotics didn’t touch it. I had lost 30 pounds and was continuing to do so. My husband and I chose to have open surgery and I knew upon waking from surgery that the mals pain was gone. It took 7-8 months of recovery. I do have a lot of residual problems because it took 17 years to find a diagnosis, but I’m so thankful for the support and encouragement I get from others who have been down this long, lonely road. Just some advice, get checked for mals, nutcracker, pots, Elder Danlos and smas because correcting mals can sometimes cause other vascular compressions to show up. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Hugs!

Hi
I have been struggling with MALS for 3 years..struggling with MALS . You are not alone. There many of us out there struggling.
Facebook has a wonderful support group called MALS PALS and and MALS Awareness Community . This is a page where you can ask questions and share your experiences withe others who have MALS. There are also a list of files at the stop of the page that show you surgeons that have been used.
With the use of these Facebook Pages, my husband and I diagnosed that I had MALS. It is a very complicated and rare to diagnose because everyone is so different with the symptom's. It took over 30 diagnostic tests to confirm I had it because MALS is a combination of a process of elimination of tests. The final tests doctors will die after ruling out GI issues are CTA Angiogram with and without contrast and using breathing protocols, Mesenteric Doppler Ultrasound with breathing protocols and Celiac Plexus Block. This test is usually the last test a vascular surgeon will do. If you are relieved of pain after eating for atleast 4-6 hours, chances are you are a good candidate for surgery. Some doctors will do robotic Lap, Lap, or Open surgery.
I had a Robotic Lap almost 2 years ago, unfortunately, it didn't work and the compression was still there. I had Open Surgery in November and so far I'm better but not perfect. Recovery time can be very long unfortunately and can take up to a year. Everyone is so different.
Be sure to do your research and find a good Vascular surgeon with lots of experience, not just a couple.
Also research the MALS Foundation National Median Arcuate Ligament Foundation, its a nonprofit with alote of good information.

Hope this helps and Good Luck!

Hi Grace here. I was diagnosed with MALS recently and have been suffering with severe chest pain for almost a year Hurts more after I eat. I see vascular surgeon in March. I spoke to her nurse. The surgeon only does the surgery where they open your stomach not laperoscopic. Anyone have this surgery? Or these symptoms. I feel so alone and isolated. Thankyou!

I'm a 59 year old man in Australia. I have been diagnosed with MALS however I have little to no pain. My problem is debilitating and ongoing nausea which has been constant for 2 years.
I'm wondering if anybody else has the terrible nausea without the terrible pain.

I have chronic abdominal pain caused by nerve damage in my abdomen following a surgery in March. This past week I had my first Ketamine Infusion after reading a lot of information about it. So far I have not seen any great results, but it may take a couple of days I am told. I have also been told that I may need to have one or two more infusions in the next couple weeks to see any reduction in pain.

I had all those things before the surgery last year.

For Neurogenic MALS you need to have a ct scan with pictures taken on inhale and exhale, have a diaphragm that’s low and a CP block which you can eat with no pain. Many doctors treat mals as a blood flow problem only.

Hi -- I had laparoscopic surgery for MALS last November, and the pain is now back. I don't seem to have a path forward here in North Carolina. My GP ordered a CT scan and the results suggested that the flow through the celiac artery has improved, but I have worse nerve pain than before. No next steps here. Any suggestions or thoughts?

They are different. MALS comes from a blockage from pressure from the mediun arcuate ligamate, but left untreated, it can cause an aneurysm.