Hi,
I'm new here and need some support and advice.
I've had recurrent intermittent episodes of severe abdominal pain (around belly button) with nausea and vomiting for 3 years now. Many ER and doctor's office visits with diagnoses from functional abdominal pain to fibroids.
Had a hysterectomy in July 2010 that was supposed to "fix" it and then lysis of adhesions in December 2010 that was also supposed to "fix" it but neither stopped the episodes of pain. I never know when one is going to hit me, and I feel like I'm going to die when I have one.
I finally did a camera capsule endoscopy Oct 2, and went back Oct 11 for CT scan and to talk to doctor about what the pictures showed, and he told me the CT shows capsule stuck in the last part of my small bowel. Pictures show numerous ulcers and severe inflammation in small bowel. All previous tests before this one were normal; nothing wrong, etc., so I finally feel somewhat vindicated -- I KNEW something was really wrong for me to hurt that bad.
Doctor recommended surgery to remove the segment of bowel that has the stricture and said he needed a biopsy to help him know what kind of medication to prescribe -- to confirm a Crohn's diagnosis.
I saw the surgeon yesterday, and he said he is reasonably sure he can do it laparoscopically, but no guarantees. I am a very high risk patient because I'm morbidly obese, and he drove that point home. I told him I'm well aware of that fact, but I did fine with both previous surgeries, and I plan to just as well with this one. I know it's a more complex, major surgery, and I feel terrified and overwhelmed, but don't have a choice; it's got to be done.
Not to mention I can't stand feeling so nauseous every day and trying to drag myself to work every day -- I have to work. It's been really, really hard, to say the very least.
I am praying this surgery will help me feel better. I know it will probably be rough going for the first few days afterward, but I will get thru it.
Can anyone tell me if I will wake up with an NG tube? If so, how long will it have to be in? I had one of those during an ER visit, and it hurt my throat SO BAD; I hated it. But I'll deal with it.
I would really appreciate any advice, suggestions, experiences, comments, etc., and thank you in advance.
Dana B.
Houston, TX (Cypress)
:sign0085::sign0144:
I'm new here and need some support and advice.
I've had recurrent intermittent episodes of severe abdominal pain (around belly button) with nausea and vomiting for 3 years now. Many ER and doctor's office visits with diagnoses from functional abdominal pain to fibroids.
Had a hysterectomy in July 2010 that was supposed to "fix" it and then lysis of adhesions in December 2010 that was also supposed to "fix" it but neither stopped the episodes of pain. I never know when one is going to hit me, and I feel like I'm going to die when I have one.
I finally did a camera capsule endoscopy Oct 2, and went back Oct 11 for CT scan and to talk to doctor about what the pictures showed, and he told me the CT shows capsule stuck in the last part of my small bowel. Pictures show numerous ulcers and severe inflammation in small bowel. All previous tests before this one were normal; nothing wrong, etc., so I finally feel somewhat vindicated -- I KNEW something was really wrong for me to hurt that bad.
Doctor recommended surgery to remove the segment of bowel that has the stricture and said he needed a biopsy to help him know what kind of medication to prescribe -- to confirm a Crohn's diagnosis.
I saw the surgeon yesterday, and he said he is reasonably sure he can do it laparoscopically, but no guarantees. I am a very high risk patient because I'm morbidly obese, and he drove that point home. I told him I'm well aware of that fact, but I did fine with both previous surgeries, and I plan to just as well with this one. I know it's a more complex, major surgery, and I feel terrified and overwhelmed, but don't have a choice; it's got to be done.
Not to mention I can't stand feeling so nauseous every day and trying to drag myself to work every day -- I have to work. It's been really, really hard, to say the very least.
I am praying this surgery will help me feel better. I know it will probably be rough going for the first few days afterward, but I will get thru it.
Can anyone tell me if I will wake up with an NG tube? If so, how long will it have to be in? I had one of those during an ER visit, and it hurt my throat SO BAD; I hated it. But I'll deal with it.
I would really appreciate any advice, suggestions, experiences, comments, etc., and thank you in advance.
Dana B.
Houston, TX (Cypress)
:sign0085::sign0144:
