Have recently undergone removal of 2 large adhesions, one of which caused a loop in my bowel through which other bits of my bowel were falling through, getting trapped and blocked. I saw photographs the surgeon took prior to removal and I was shocked to find that the main one was the size and thickness of my middle finger, totally smooth and cylindrical and a very healthy pink colour with a root like structure on each end (rather like the stalk and roots of kelp seaweed). I had always imagined adhesions as film like sticky scar tissue patches, not living being structures that are almost like a new organ your body has grown. The surgeon told me there were other adhesions forming but not then causing any problems.
I only stayed in hospital for one night and the following week was great, I just felt so good, better than I had in years. I thought "Yes, at last the final hurdle has been passed and I am now reaping the full rewards of my new J-pouch". My appetite returned and I was able to eat so much more with no bloating or obstructions afterwards. Then, out of the blue "Bang", my bowel ruptured. I can honestly say I have never experienced anything quite to frightening or painful in my life. The rupture was due to the surgeons accidently making a small hole in my bowel when they used the diathermy machine to detach the adhesion, that had then rotted over the week and finally burst.
It is now 6 weeks after and although I feel well the pain I am now left with is awful. The surgeons have said that it is probably more adhesions following my laparotomy and there is nothing they can do for me now.
Is anyone else in this situation? Pain relief seems to be the only option and the reason they will ever give me more surgery is if my bowel obstructs. I understand this and agree with them that more surgery will just make matters worse. I also contracted sepsis immediately after my original one-step j-pouch surgery and this is why my adhesions are so bad.
I seem to be better if I stay on liquids and if I move around too much it makes the pain worse.
I know there are no other options, but would be good just to hear that I am not the only one in this situation. I have read about some hands on therapy, but to be honest, having seen the size and structure of my adhesions, I really cannot believe that this would make any difference.
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