Question:
Adhesion causing back pain/ache?

Hi. I am wondering if those of you that have had adhesions experinced back aches. I'll try to make my story as short as possible. Three days ago I went to ER with crippling abdominal pain. They ran a bunch of tests, but couldn't figure out what was wrong, so they gave me a shot of pain killer and sent me home. Next day I go to the clinic here on post (I'm on a military base in Germany and the health care here leaves a lot to be desired) and the doctor suspects an adhesion, but didn't deem it an emergency and sent me home with more pain killers. The doctor that performed my surgery is in the States. Basically I am still having the gut wrenching pain in my belly, plus now my whole back just ACHES!! My belly is beginning to swell. I haven't had a bowel movement in three days, but I am not vomiting. I'm not eating much either. What I do eat is mushy or liquid. I guess I'm just wondering if this is an issue I need to push harder with the doc. All help is appreciated. THANKS!!    — Jennifer H. (posted on November 26, 2003)

November 26, 2003
Jennifer, Since you're in Germany, maybe you should try and contact Dr. Weiner. He's an excellent surgeon, and his post-ops have a very high regard for him - plus, he's a WLS surgeon, so understands the specifics! Here's his contact information: Prof. Dr. Rudolf A. Weiner E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 0049-69-6605-1199 Fax: 0049-69-6605-1530 Department of Surgery, Section for bariatric surgery Krankenhaus Sachsenhausen Schulstr. 31 60594 Frankfurt Germany Hope that helps! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

November 26, 2003
ORIGINAL POSTER here. Thanks so much for the info. I will see if I can get a referral to see him. THANKS!!
   — Jennifer H.

November 26, 2003
How scary for you to be experiencing this, much less in another country! This may sound a bit strange, but do you still have your appendics? My daughter (8 years) had similar symptoms for 3-4 days before hers ruptured. The immediate care I took her to told me she was constipated and to give her lalaxative. Well, long story short, doing so nearly killed her. If you are running a fever at all, have them sheck you blood for you white cell count. It's a sure sign of infection if it's elevated. I never thought her back would hurt but it did, she was vomiting though. Good luck
   — Angela T.

November 26, 2003
I've haven't had this surgery yet but I had a c-section in February. For about 3 weeks after my c-section, I could hardly walk for a horrible HORRIBLE pain in my side. Like you, I went to the ER..they found nothing. I called my doctor's office and they thought it may be an adhesion and told me to stretch and stretch and stretch and then when that was done to strech some more!! Even though it hurt horribly, I found that it worked. After 2 days, I felt the pain going away. They also mentioned to me that if that didn't work, that they would have to go back in and remove some stuff as this was my 2nd c-section and they feared stuff from my first was causing problems. But anyway, I'm not sure if this will help, but with my adhesion, stretching was the miracle cure! Good luck and I hope all goes well for you!!
   — ZachNJakes M.

November 26, 2003
I definitely agree that you would be justified to push the doc for more answers. Did they rule out the possibility of a twisted bowel? That would be my biggest worry with abdominal pain. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon.
   — K M.

November 26, 2003
Hi Jennifer, This same thing happened to me a year and a half ago. I would end up in very bad pain. Felt like razor blades going through my intestines. My stomach would bloat up like I was pregnant. I am a size 4/6 and my stomach would bloat up to a 10/12. I could barely walk upright and it felt like my innards were twisted. There was no rhyme or reason to my pain and swelling. It would just hit me out of nowhere and it would last about 3 days. I would go to the emergency room and they would take xrays and then NOTHING. I finally spoke to a weight loss surgeon in my area(when I moved from Texas). He suspected a hernia in the mesentary area which is way deep. He thought there may be a hole there and the intestines would get stuck in the hole and then release after a few days. He did a Hidascan for my gallbladder and realized it was only functioning at 18 percent and showing "sludge". That was enough for insurance to cover removal.. then he could have an excuse for "exploratory" surgery. Insurance wouldnt cover for him to just go in and "look around". Anyways... when he finally got in there... it wasn't a hernia in the Mesentary but there were 4 adhesions twisting my intestines in several places so he snipped them. He also took out my gallbladder too. I am pleased to say that I have been pain free since then and its wonderful. I am not sure if gallbladder had to do with some of the pain or not. I might also add that during these "episodes" I did not have a bowel movement at all.. then when it would finally "release" me from being in the fetal position and the swelling went down.. then I would have a bowel movement the next day or so.. and it was a HUGE movement that I call a "rectum ripper". No joke.. I would bleed it was so thick. I hope they find relief for you there. If at all else.. PLEASE get a hidascan for your gallbladder... then with that they can go in for the adhesion cuts and/or hernia. ALSO.... have them check for hernias STANDING UP!!! I once had a small incisional hernia and 3 doctors couldnt find it and said it was in my head *the small sharp pain under my lap port*. Finally another weight loss surgeon had me stand up and then he immediately found it. One of my lap ports didnt close all the way at the fascia and it was like a button hole effect. It was just a thin sliver and then when I twisted it would open up like a button hole and then part of the intestine would slide in there then it would close up. It was a small surgery to repair.. 30 minutes and 2 stitches and I was out. That was a year before the gallbladder/adhesion episode. Luckily these 2 surgeries were easy to fix. But I learned from now on that when you want someone to check for a hernia.. STAND UP!!! Most docs only do it laying down. Hope one of these situations pertains to you so at least you have a diagnosis. It was frustrating and a waste of my time and so painful for months before someone listened to me. As far as I know.. this has only happened to one other person on this site and her name is Debbie Underwood. Hers however ended up being a hernia in the mesentary area. Like I said.. get a hidascan.. it might be gallbladder too. Hugs and good luck!! Dana
   — danabky