Ding, ding, ding!

tootsie1
tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Ding, ding, ding! We think we have an answer! I saw the new gastroenterologist today, who turned out to be a woman (could have sworn they said "He" on the phone). Anyway, she was lovely and listened so carefully to everything I said. She believes the problem is with nerves near the incision site that are trapped by scar tissue. We're going to try topical pain medications and Motrin. I will see her again in 3 months, and if I feel relief is not significant enough, I can see a pain specialist for abdominal injections of Lidocaine or a steroid. Not wanting to do that! They will only do surgery if there is a severe blockage, because surgery causes more scar tissue. So, not something that will take it away forever, but I might get some relief! Oh, and on the way to the appointment, I read our local paper, which quoted me in an article about the Relay kickoff. *smiles*

*hugs*
Gail

Comments

  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375 Member
    That's great, Gail!! With
    That's great, Gail!! With some experimenting, I bet you end up finding just the right meds to fix the nerve-caused pain. I wonder if Gabapentin (prescription) might work too, since she thinks it is nerve related? Gabapentin is a med that cuts off or short circuits the message that is going from the nerve(s) to the brain saying "Pain! Pain! Pain" so that the brain doesn't receive the message. Once they know that the pain is caused by nerves, they can give this med. The pain is real, but it's not indicitive of something that the brain needs to be constantly reminded of.

    I have been prescribed Gabapentin for the nerve pain in both heels of my feet, caused by the oral chemo when I was on it during radiation. Now, as long as I remember to take it, it works fine... my problem is, if it's working, I forget to take it!! LOL!!

    Huggggs,

    Cheryl
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  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    Gail, I'm so glad you saw someone who took this seriously and is trying to help. I really hope you get some serious relief!

    Hugs,
    Kirsten
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    good news!
    Half the problem in resolution has to be identifying the problem! Now that she believes she has found the root, hopefully treating the pain will be easy! Good luck and let us know how it goes!
    mary
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    And time......., what a concept!
    Recovery from any abdominal surgery takes a huge amount of time.

    Hopefully, with relief from the pain, your body will respond and eliminate the source...

    WHEW! I'm sure you are sighing with relief right now!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    Great News
    In our plights we take any and everything we can get as far as good news. Hopefully this will be the culprit and you will find relief now.....and kudos again on the lecture........
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Well, it's only taken a year
    Well, it's only taken a year to get here. *L* Yes, adhesions and scar tissue are the same. Sorry you have to deal with it.

    *hugs*
    Gail