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Chronic pain for abdominal pain post abdominal surgery

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 3/30/2008 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm new to the group and this is my first posting.

I had my colon removed about 5 yrs ago and have since had really severe lower abdominal pain which is worsening.  The problems is that most meds can cause ab pain so if that's one's "weakest link" it makes it a lot worse.  Even eating and going to the bathroom increases the pain.

Anyone else with chonic lower abdominal pain? 

Any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated.  My docs have totally given up on me so I'm trying to figure out on my own what to do which is tough when I cant think clearly most of the time because of the pain.  I've been housebound and almost bedbound for a few years and I have to find some way of reducing the pain without the traditional narcotic, neuropathy meds.

 

Posted 3/30/2008 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi hopefulalways,
I, too, have chronic abdominal pain. Mine is due to adhesions and Crohn's disease. The adhesions (scar tissue) are caused by surgeries. I have had two colon resections and two surgeries to remove the adhesions. Its a catch-22. Have your doctors mentioned the possiblity of adhesions? They can be very painful and can cause blockages in your intestines. Have you had any tests to rule things out? Like a small bowel follow through? Are you seeing a gastroenterologist?
I am sorry for your pain and wish you the best in getting some help with it.
TinaK
Posted 3/30/2008 5:12 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

I also suffer from the same thing, it has taken over my life too. I had to have emergency colostomy surgery due to a severe supermegacolon episode. I have tried lots of things, now I am using narcotics to try to manage the pain, most of them only have helped some. I am still searching for the right combination of medication that might provide some relief from the constant pain. I have also spoken to 2 different surgeons for their opinions, both tell me it is not a sure thing. So until the pain management Doctors run out of options I have just put the surgery on hold for now. The thing about eating and the increased level of pain, I do think they are related. It has been confirmed that the cause of my pain is post surgery adheasions, so I just keep trying to get this under control, and it is very frustrating. hope things get better soon.

Posted 3/31/2008 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
While it's true that more surgery can cause more adhesions to form, there comes a point that action has to be taken. That point general means full obstruction. I've got the same problem and have dealt with it for over 10 years. There really is nothing the doctors can do other than prescribe pain and nausea meds, and do surgery when you're completely closed up. I've lived for years on a liquid diet. No, it's no fun, but the pain of eating solid food isn't worth it. I know my body well enough by now to know when I might be able to risk eating a small meal. You might look up info about low-residue diets: less bulk = less pain.

Another often-overlooked treatment is psychotherapy with a pain psychologist. Mine has really helped me get my life back on track. Yeah, my life is different, but my pain isn't running it any more, and it no longer defines who I am. A good pain shrink can teach you various techniques to help deal with the pain when nothing else helps. Just look at it as one more tool in your pain toolbox right along with the pills.
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