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In sept I had laproscopy surgery for endometriosis and ...
Sent to Health Experts February 04 11:06 AM

In sept. of 2005 I had laproscopy surgery for endometriosis and adhesions. The doctor also cut open and removed an old csection scar because it was full of adhesions.This turned into a nightmare. I developed a staph infection and had ecoli... my incision burst and infection poured out, i had a temp of 103 for several days.The infection continued to seep for weeks and i had continuous pain. I was on 3 different antibiotics for 3 months(including a stay at the hospital on a drip of "super antibiotics) and on vicodin for pain with intermittent ER visits. I still have a ripping pulling pain in my lower left quadrant near the incision area that is aggrevated if i am full of stool. When I describe this incident I get raised eyebrows and grimacing looks, but no one will actually confirm anything went wrong with this surgery. I have massive medical bills in association with this problem and still have ongoing pain/problems. 2 weeks ago I was hospitalized with pancreatitis for 4 days.It was undetermined why i had this attack. No one will relate this to my traumatic surgery, but i can't seem to shake the feeling it is related. I have lost 12 pounds in 10 days since returning home from the hospital.I have been watching what i eat since this attack( I am overweight by about 70 lbs so I need the weight loss but still baffeled by loss) I am very tired and feel weak. my blood pressure has been running at 95/63 or so... for 5 years my blood pressure has been high(150/ 110 or so)so i can't understand why it is now so low . Everyone acts like this is normal, but i dont feel good and am concerned. My cholestral is 173 and my triglycerides are 160.I consider myself a healthy eater despite my weight, i just eat too much and don't excercise enough. 2 months ago another doctor put me on metformin and said i was insulin resistant and said my c-peptides were "very high". I think this is all related. I feel awful and I am worried.Also, I am on my period now and the blood is blackish purple, i have not had this before. i don't know if that is related. What do you think? I need help, I am a mother of two and this is impairing my quality of life and affecting my job. please help!
DinaOptional Information: Female , Age: 35Already Tried: doctors, internet

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on February 4 2006 at 12:53 PM

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
February 4 1:36 PM (2 hours and 30 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Hi Customer (name blocked for privacy),
I can understand the mental and the physical trauma that you have undergone over the past few months. I will try to answer your queries as best as possible.

First of all, pancreatitis can occur after a major surgery, specially if there is sepsis or infection postoperatively. In your case, since you had a severe scar infection, pancreatitis might be related to the surgery and subsequent infection. On the other hand pancreatitis being an episode not related to any precipitating cause can also be not ruled out.

In acute pancreatitis one of the signs seen is acute fall in blood pressure. After two weeks if the fall in BP is persisting, it can be due to pancreatitis. On the other hand reviewing your other symptoms of weight loss, fatique, low BP, I think you might be haiving Addison's disease. This results from decreased production of cortisol hormone. This hormone is secreted from adrenal glands situated above the kidney. In your case the reason for this could be the high level of stress your body has undergone (due to major surgery, infection, repeated hospitalisation). To diagnose it you need to undergo blood tests to determine the level of cortisol and maybe also a CT scan of the abdomen. The treatment is to regulate the normal levels of the hormone in the blood by supplementing it.

For more information read here...

I would advise you to discuss the possibility of Addison's disease with your doctor.

Do remember to ACCEPT and consider a BONUS if you found the answer useful. For any clarifications please get back.

Regards

Dr. Gupta

Reply
February 4 6:25 PM (4 hours and 48 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
Dr. Gupta,
Thank you for your reply. I will look into this. Do you have any idea why I would still be having the painful ripping, and pulling sensation in the area of my incision? It is deeper than the skin level and worsens with heavy lifting or standing for periods or general physical activity. I have already been checked for a hernia. Thank you.
Dina Houston
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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