Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

I went to Dr Benjamin Abrahams, an anesthesiologist at the Cleveland Clinic..Dr Park had worked with him when he worked there last year.
Dr Abrahams had reviewed all my tests (CTA, Ultrasounds and the actual CPB)done by my doctor from Florida.
He said my vertebrae was curved therefore they wouldn't be able to place the medication where it needed go, hence it didn't work. He went directly thru the Aorta which he said is very safe and it worked. I had 2 failed CPB until Dr Abrahams did one that worked allowing me to have surgery. I have to tell you that I had no sedation or drugs other than what the doctor needed to numb the nerves. It really wasn't bad at all. It also allowed me to drive immediately without being drugged.

If you haven't been out to MALS Pals on Facebook, you're really missing out. There's a wealth of information out there from people who are experiencing and sharing their journey. You can post under anonymous if you prefer.

I think so too. The Mals causes so much pain and definitely weight loss as well. You will find healing. Just need the right Dr sometimes or right test. I went for many tests through gi. Many! But I haven’t had a endoscopy with biopsies in two years. So a friend of mine who’s a nurse practitioner says I need the endoscopy. Because the biopsies can answer and diagnose many things. I pray you too get the answer and healing you deserve. Keep in touch. Let me know how it’s going. Hang in there MAlS warrior!

Oh wow! How was the plexus block different? And how did you find that doctor you went to see?

Thanks for your kind words. I started with gastro. I've had every tests there is, colonoscopy, Endo, Barium swallow, and others. I've been told I have IBS-C, which I believe I do so I follow the low fodmap diet and it helps. Another gastro told me it was constipation causing my stomach pain and weight loss. The third gastro told me it was Eosinophilic gastroenteritis. It was the Mayo clinic Gastro that was concerned about the extreme weight loss and ordered the CT Angio and U/S, then referred me to the vascular surgeon. I was praying that this would work. When they were doing the ultrasound, that's right where the pain was, right where that celiac artery would be. It has to still be the cause of my weight loss and pain. I just need a fix!! I have my post op appointment Friday. Hopefully there will be something good to come from all of this that can help. I'm surprised they didn't send you to gastro first. Hopefully they will get to the bottom of your health issues and help you ♥️

After having a robotic lap surgery to release the Median Arcuate Ligament and nerves, I had reached out to Dr Hsu, a very well known surgeon in Connecticut. He wanted a CPB. I had 2 that failed and he would see me or consider surgery.
I reached out to Dr Park from University Hospital in Ohio. He also wanted another Block but wanted it done another way, and by someone he knew at Cleveland Clinic. I saw Dr Abrahams and it worked.. Don't give up. You need to find the right qualified doctors and sometimes that may mean you need to travel to get help. I traveled from Florida. Reach out to the MALS Foundation and MALS Pals on Facebook. You won't find a better place for resources. Good Luck and Stay Positive.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. What a horrible experience for you! I too have Mals and had celiac plexus block Didn’t relieve any pain at all. I didn’t have angiogram though. I always have chest pain with or without food. Worsens after food. Feels like burning. Have had dysautonomia as well. Surgeon told me the too usually go hand in hand. Right now I don’t qualify for surgery because plexus block didn’t help me. She now feels a lot of my symptoms are my esophagus and has sent me an urgent referral to gastroenterologist. Have you had endoscopy? Or other testing? For Mals or gi issues? When I’m in intense pain I always get checked out at er!!! I hope you feel better. And I think your Dr was very insensitive to you! Reach out with any questions at any time. I know what you’re going through with this Mals. But you may also have something else.

Hi ladies, I've been reading your post. I recently also have been diagnosed with MALS after seeing the fourth gastro doctor at the Mayo clinic. I've lost over 50 lb. My symptoms are not the classic ones though. I have pain most all of the time. Eating food or not eating food doesn't seem to affect the way I feel. I was just at the Mayo clinic this week to see the vascular surgeon for additional testing which was mesenteric artery angiogram and a plexus nerve block. It did not go well for me. I didn't think the communication with the surgeon was good. During the angiogram I had a moment of intense pain when he said he was injecting the contrast. I said something about feeling hot, but he said you have to differentiate between temperature and pain then he walked away. He didn't give me the opportunity to explain. It felt like a burn. Sometimes my pain feels like a burn, sometimes like a knife or twisting. The next day I had the nerve block which I had some side effects from. My BP was super low so they kept me for an extra four hours. I was laying down or reclined the entire time. I find when I'm in this position, I feel better. I thought my pain was gone. I just felt some pressure in my stomach area. When I was finally released and we were starting our trip back home, the pain came flooding back!! I cried. I sent a message right away to the vascular surgeon but was told I would have to discuss it at my post op appointment next week. This pain is intense and I don't know what to do... I need help now. I'm hoping someone can recommend something or has had symptoms like me. I never been given any kind of meds for pain. It just keeps getting worse 😭

I do have MALS 😕 but the nerve block didn't work so I don't know what is next for me.

Hi ladies, I've been reading your post. I recently also have been diagnosed with MALS after seeing the fourth gastro doctor at the Mayo clinic. I've lost over 50 lb. My symptoms are not the classic ones though. I have pain most all of the time. Eating food or not eating food doesn't seem to affect the way I feel. I was just at the Mayo clinic this week to see the vascular surgeon for additional testing which was mesenteric artery angiogram and a plexus nerve block. It did not go well for me. I didn't think the communication with the surgeon was good. During the angiogram I had a moment of intense pain when he said he was injecting the contrast. I said something about feeling hot, but he said you have to differentiate between temperature and pain then he walked away. He didn't give me the opportunity to explain. It felt like a burn. Sometimes my pain feels like a burn, sometimes like a knife or twisting. The next day I had the nerve block which I had some side effects from. My BP was super low so they kept me for an extra four hours. I was laying down or reclined the entire time. I find when I'm in this position, I feel better. I thought my pain was gone. I just felt some pressure in my stomach area. When I was finally released and we were starting our trip back home, the pain came flooding back!! I cried. I sent a message right away to the vascular surgeon but was told I would have to discuss it at my post op appointment next week. This pain is intense and I don't know what to do... I need help now. I'm hoping someone can recommend something or has had symptoms like me. I never been given any kind of meds for pain. It just keeps getting worse 😭

Dr. Bowers did my surgery. I pray you don't have mals.