in pain-what do you know about scar tissue after abdominal surgery?

Question

i had my apendix out about a year and half ago and three weeks ago i was is the hospital where they gave me an enema for a blocked intestine because of scare tissue and sent me home with lets see what happen. yesterday i started again with an attack and i gave myself an enema. i am not sure when is it nessceary to go back into the hospital-i think they may want to do surgery to repair the block but last week when i spoke to my family doctor about she said any abdominal surgey increases the risk of more scar tissue build up--so whats the best way to manage this, still in pain

Answer 1

If you are still in pain go back to the doctor, or if it is severe pain go to the ER. I have had several abdominal surgeries and also have had the scar tissue problem. While your doctor is correct that having more surgery can also lead to scar tissue again, ignoring it can be extremely dangerous. If the scar tissue is causing a blockage you neeed to have it fixed, or else be monitored while waiting for it to "unblock". If you do need more surgery and your surgeon knows you are prone to adhesions (scar tissue) they can put something on your intestines during the surgery that helps to prevent it. Also, depending on where you are blocked, an enema may not help it at all, it will only clear things out past the blocked point...... Waiting can be dangerous (if only I took my own advise!) I hate going to the ER but it is better then risking a rupture....Good luck.

Answer 2

well not sure if this is going to be of any help....but I've had lots of ops on my belly one for gall bladder removal...(keyhole surgery) and the others were Hernia ops.....most likely caused thru keyhole surgery! and yes there can be scar tissue left behind which is very painful....but i have been told before that if this happens they can just burn it away...but like with any operations there is a risk that you may end up with other complications.....like keyhole...we are all lead to believe that its less invasiive than under the knife and that recovery times are shorter....yes those are true facts but what they dont tell you is that having those instruments in you pushing around weakens the stomach wall thus creating a hernia to develop!....ive had 4 hernias so far and have had larger amounts of mesh put in me tummy to strengthen it....will never have keyhole again.
My advice is go for what is right for you, if its getting to the stage that the pain is too much to cope with and is affecting your life then maybe you should go for the op because its better to be pain free and happy than put up with it because of what might happen....because you never know it could sort out your problem leaving you free to live life to the full.

Good luck and all the best for 2007 x

Answer 3

I had mine out about five years ago. (Ruptured & encysted - posibly a few months before being diagnosed. Yeah, it's rare but it happens. And we redheads apparently have a higher threshold of pain than you normal folk.) Things down there may not be 100% what they used to be for me, but fortunately haven't had problems like you describe.

If I were in your shoes, I would talk to your doctor and find out what treatment options there are. If she didn't offer any when you asked before, though, she may think you're likely better off not trying. Sometimes it's best to leave well enough alone. If that's the case, maybe take a look at your diet with her or a dietician and see what can be adjusted there. You may want to log all your food between now and your next visit to have a realistic picture of your diet to work from.

Answer 4

I have abdominal scar tissue and every so often i will get an achy feeling or a burning sensation around that area. As your uterus contract during your monthly cycle then it would be possible to feel a bit of pain here. Hope this helps. x

Answer 5

You probably have adhesion's from the surgery which are a thickening of the scar tissue, which is removable by surgery. I would get at least two opinions from doctors before making a decision.

Answer 6

i can sympathise cause i have same problem. the scar tissue or 'adhesions' cause narrowing in the bowel. the only way to avoid further surgery (and risk of even more scar tissue) is to change to a high fibre diet to keep regular. make sure you drink 2 litres of fluid a day, and you could try a herbal remedy called acidophilius, which is great. if your problems continue though, i suggest you go back to the doctor.

Answer 7

if the scar tissue is causing constipation and that in turn is causing the pain, the best thing to take daily is a mild laxative like senekot, you can buy that anywhere over the counter. Sometimes as time goes by , your body will adapt to the scar tissue and accomodate it so the pain will lessen, but in the meantime, try the daily laxative

Answer 8

To start I would go with what schoolnur said and also look at your diet try things like this first but give it time for your body to adjust then if no better talk to your GP again

Answer 9

the only thing to get rid of the scar tissue is more surgery

Answer 10

good question....two and a half years after my C section, I still have occasional pain and a lot of numbness.
i'd lay off the enemas though..not sure how that would help?
...call your doctor....get some pain meds.