Adhesions and more...

[ElseCC]

What a relief to find you! I was in A&E on Monday due to severe spasmodic left sided pain. It turns out my left ovary is attached to my lower bowel, and as I was ovulating they felt that this explained the pain. Yesterday the surgeon chirpily told me as it wasn't causing me distress they weren't planning to do anything?! When I reminded her of A&E, the fact I can no longer swim or cycle, that I've had both constant and periodic acute left sided pain for 5 months she decided to do a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy.

I am 47, and have never given birth. I've had polycystic ovaries, I have 2 small fibroids, I have endometriosis, I had a polyp removed 10 months ago. I've had multiple laparoscopies and hysteroscopies. I had a fibroid the size of a grapefruit removed through keyhole surgery 10 years ago, and have had left sided pain ever since. I can't take hormones as I then get breast lumps

The surgeon left me feeling really unsettled and unsupported. She said she wasn't sure what was causing the pain, or the (occasional) mid-cycle and post-coital bleeding/spotting, and that as my grandfather died of bowel cancer I need to get my bowels checked.

I'm torn between getting the surgery to alleviate my anxiety about what is happening, and avoiding the surgery as I strongly suspect my pain is linked to adhesions and all the surgery I have just makes it worse (this will be my third laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in 12 months).

I live in the North of England and would really like to be able to talk this through with a sensible medic.

Any advice, greatly received!

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo]

Are you anywhere near Middlesborough ? if so I may be able to help. E-mail me at [e-mail]

[ElseCC in reply to PPSN_JudyB]

No I'm in the North West, but to be honest I'd be happy to travel to get some sound advice. I feel as if I am stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment. Thanks for getting back to me.

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo]

The NW is tricky but if you're prepared to go to Middlesbrough, there are a couple of people who may be able to help

[ElseCC]

Trust me to live somewhere tricky! I have to travel to Durham for my work in the next couple of months, so I could visit Middlesbrough if it was for a consultation, although regular treatment might be difficult. I also travel to London for work and my family are in Hampshire, so there are other places I can consider.

I have 2 jobs and 2 kids so my life is demanding, but so is this pain and the thought of more surgery from someone who rarely seems to read my notes is scaring me. I am certainly happy to travel to see someone recommended for advice.

[PPSN_JudyB Pelvic Pain Support Netwo]

Re: bowel check, that should be possible to sort locally. Then you could request a referral to John Hughes at James Cook Hospital in Middlesborough. He is very thorough and knowledegable.

Please let me know how you get on ( I would avoid Hampshire and London for the time being )

[ElseCC]

Thank you so much for getting back to me. Excuse my naivety; would I be asking to see John Hughes as an NHS patient, or would I need to pay for a consultation? Also, will he think it's odd that someone from Manchester has appeared on his list?