Left iliac fossa pain? all xrays ,scans etc show nothing?

i have been in agony now for 4 weeks,i spent all yesterday in hospital,waste of my time and tears.i've got very severe left sided pain and i've had this problem off and on for the last four years,basically since i had my bowel pierced ,whilst having my right ovary removed,each time the pain comes back worse and normally it'll dull down after a week or 2 but this time it's lasting longer and getting worse by the day,painkillers i have aren't even touching it now ,i'm on tramadol and i have 100mg each time with paracetamol and it doesn't even take the edge off the pain,i've had scan's x-rays a a microscope thing to look in my bowel and a barium enema ew nasty but nothing can be found!
i have a feeling it could be adhesions from the ops i had previously but i don't know if these would show up on any of the tests i've had,i have an appointment on the 12th of this month and i need to get this doctor to listen to me,so does anybody know anything about adhesions

and any advice on how to try and get through the next week with this constant agony?
i can't eat.sleep.play with my kids,go out or go to college because i'm just in agony and i've had enough

First of all - sue the original surgeon. He is insured for incidents like this.

Pain in the left iliac fossa is usually related to the descending colon.... (the very last sections of the large bowel)

Adhesions are excessive scar tissue on the bowel/other abdominal organs that can cause colicky belly pains - they are like a band that has a mild but painful strangulation effect on the bowel. Adhesions are a risk of any abdominal surgery but the accidental perforation of the bowel is negligence.

I think the x-rays, scans and barium enema that you've had are to rule out peritonitis caused by a leaking bowel. (If this was to happen the pain would be excruciating and constant, you would feel dreadful and want an ambulance).

Adhesions are not easily identified on x-rays/scans. They can be difficult to diagnose. The adhesion itself has then effect of sticking loops of bowel together, when peristalsis then occurs (forward motion of the bowel) it is tight and painful.

The surgical repair of adhesions is avoided by many specialists because the surgery doesn't always work. There is a chance that a few months after the op more adhesions may form and so we're all back at square one.

Nevertheless, if an individuals suffering is seriously affecting their quality of life (ie - needing strong pain killer like tramadol, not being able to work) then a surgical option should be explored.

Tramadol is a BIG STRONG pain killer. It isn't prescribed lightly. It would be wrong to use such a strong pain killer for a prolonged period.

An alternative treatment would be Buscopan - this is an involuntary muscle relaxant and so relaxes the muscles in the lining of the bowel to ease pain. I've found it's use to be a bit hit/miss but worth a try. You can buy it over the counter at the chemist but be sure and tell him what what other meds you're on.

Codeine pain killers are constipators and these may worsen the pain.

You may need to alter your diet a little. Avoid constipation. Fruit - will soften your stool and may ease some discomfort.
Fibre - will keep you regular but the way it expands once in the bowel may cause you some discomfort.

Couple glasses of orange juice is probably best each day and couple pieces of fruit (except banana's coz they constipate some people).

Your doctors would prefer to avoid surgery, they're hoping that the pain will settle of its own accord (which it often does) and in the meantime they treat with pain killers.

Do you think you need surgery?
How badly do the symptoms affect you?
Do the symptoms prevent you from getting on with your life?

Any individual with persistent pain will at some point become depressed - it's a fact of human life.

How do you explain this to the doctor?
Basically explain the impact it is having on your life. If it is a large impact then tell him how. If it doersn't impact that much you may wish to continue with medications to see if the situation improves.

Try some peppermint cordial (mixed 50:50 with boiled water) - this can ease some discomfort - just try approx 60mls.

Good luck.

x

It could be adhesions or the ureterosacral nerve. This sometimes causes horrible pain in women. Adhesions do form in a lot of people from having surgery. The surgeons I work with always wash the belly out with saline to prevent adhesions. Sometimes it works other times it does not. The only way to see if you have adhesions is to have another surgery using the laprascope, which can cause adhesions. Usually adhesions cause constant pain, that is why it sounds like the nerve. I am by no means a Dr. just a nurse with years of experience. The pain meds you are on should help relieve the pain. I would go to the Dr. tell them what you have stated on this board asking what can be done next. A little help with talking to the Dr. is to act like you do not know anything about medicine. Dr.'s sometimes resent ppl acting like they know everything about the medical field, or the meds you are on. Just act innocent and be sure to explain your symptoms.

I hope this helps and you will be pain free soon.

Take Care and May God Bless You!