Nikki,
I had a senior attending MD - Oncology, Gynecological Surgeon do my surgery. It would be worth looking into an Oncology/Womans Health Surgeon. They are the top. Mine is a proffesor as well at Nothwestern and he had never personally done an incisional endometrioma but he was very aware of it's existence. He knew what it was the moment he opened me up and he was smart enough to have pathology make sure all the edges were clean - meaning he got it all out. Just a suggestion. Go to a Womans Specialty Oncology/Gynecolgy surgeon. Or a regular doctor to get you in the right direction. Good Luck. ↑
it has been almost 4 months since i have had my c section and i just started to feel these very uncomfortable pains in my lower abdomen around my uterus and ovaries. at first when i came home from the hospital i had very horrible stingy pain in my c section inscision, but it was from the glue that was holding me together. also one of my suchers were sticking out of me near the end of the inscision due to it being the last one, my ob assures me it would fall of and about 2 months after being home it did. just recently these new hurtful pains really started to scare me and i never knew of any women besides myself got these. i at first thought the worst, cancer, or something was sewn up wrong, but after seeing all these post i feel better knowing im not alone in this. they feel very sharp at times on my left side more than my right, and get worse when im sitting down. its almost like a constipation feeling but im not. it gets so uncomfortable and painful i could almost cry, but i hate to go get checked out and waist money on what i think they will tell me nothing is wrong, like they always do. ↑
to Nikki-STL
You are the first person to describe the same feeling I had after having a section 3 years ago, in relation to the bladder problem when needing to go to the toilet and waiting, the pain when stretching or when i get up too quickly, I had this pulling sensation.
I don't seem to be experiencing the pain at the moment as I am pregnant again and it has gone away.
The last scan I had to see what it could be was when I was 8 weeks pregnant and they couldn't see anything. They couldn't forward me on for further testing (maybe an MRI) because I was pregnant. But if I end up with a section again this time (I'm over my date 2 days now already), I want them to inspect the right hand side of my abdomen to see why I get like this each month. ps. When I went to bed at night my belly moved and rumbled with wind and I had an increase in vaginal discharge, do you have this aswell?? ↑
hello again everyone. I am just as frustrated as everyone else on this one. I had surgery in Febuary to remove incisional endo...and now here we are almost 5 1/2 months later and I am right back to where I started. I have been on my period again for a month today and I have been getting the pain in my stomach again for about two months mildly. I went on a shopping trip with the girls this weekend and I spent the whole weekend in my hotel bed because I am in so much pain. I called the doctor last week and have an appt on the 26th. Hopefully I havent bled to death by then, I know that sound dramatic but that is how I feel right now. There is a difference this time though besides being tired I am VERY moody, constant PMSing, I snap at everyone and even though I know I am being irrational I cant stop. I am at the point that I just want to curl up and never see anyone or go anywhere because I feel so awful, both physically and emotionally. I work full time at a busy place and I can't keep up on most days any more, I am burnt out. Has anyone else had the mood swings, or felt like they were pmsing ALL the time? Lorri, I too get the rumbling and movement in my belly and I also have bladder pain when I dont go pee right away and pain when having bm. I just wish the doctors had some kind of answers, I can't handle living in this kind of constant pain, and having my period for a month at a time drains me even more. Hopefully we can all get through this and someday maybe we will get some answers. stay strong and never give up! my thoughts are with all of you! ↑
hi ya ladies its me again sorry not bin in touch. so so many probles. well pain is worse then ever. many times i felt like going to the hospital but whats the point they just give me more pills 2 take. ive had a bad few weeks. as i said b4 sex is painful 4 me. well once i came home from my holiday with my parents i made love 2 my partner as missed him so much. well ive only made love 4 time this year... well guess what i happened to fall pregnant yep thats my luck... well nature took its course an i miss carried at 6 wks, its 4 the best. well my depression has hit rock botton my gp sending me 4 counselling at long last. the pain in my left side an middle of my c.section scar has doubled. i cant stand the pain much longer. can any of u tell me if u get pain in left side when u eat. each time i eat im in agony an have to rush 2 the loo im doubled over an cry in pain, it hurts down left side an scar when i go poo. i hate eatting as i no it will hurt. doesent matter what i eat even a cup t will send me rushing 2 toilet. an no its not ibs, at moment im not eating ive lost half stone in weight but i no that aint the answer, i just cant take the pain no more so ladies any answers would help. i go see my consultant on the 10th an im not letting him fob me off with excusses like he does. i want answers its bin 4 yrs now, also i have 2 have spinal blocks in left hip an spine as lots of pain there 2. pain doc said nerve damage could be due to adhesions or the fact the the docs cut same c.section scar 4 times when they should have cut me down with the last 2 pregnancies an not across. i go in 4 injections on my birthday 31st aug so lets hope its a good day 4 me. well if u any answers please reply on line or email me its diddydi41@hotmail,co.uk. i will let u no have hospital appointment goes on the 10th so wish me luck.. u all keep your chins up an try be strong. send u all a big hug. night night god bless 2 u all xxx ↑
Has anyone had upper right side abdominal pain after c-section? My son will be 2 soon and I still have pain. I had an endoscopy, ultrasound and gallbladder problems were ruled out. I was basically told I probably have acid reflux. I know this is not the case since the pain doesn't flare up after eating. Any advice or info would be appreciated. ↑
Well, I went to my doctors appt last week and once again the cycle of being made to feel crazy begins. He told me that I have irritable bowel and that there is nothing wrong with my uterus or overies, he did no tests or anything, just said to take metimucil and eat lots of fibre, and did i mention i have had no problems with my bowel EVER! He wants to put an iud in at the end of august, to stop the excessive bleeding that I have, I just stopped bleeding two days ago, I started June 17th, but he doesnt think that is a problem and he was the doc that removed my endometrioma in Febuary, who knows maybe he didnt get it all out and now its back but he isn't willing to take that option in to consideration and the fact that my hair is falling out, I feel like I am pmsing all the time, i have little to no sex drive, I have memory lapses on a regular basis, and I am having frequent heart palpatations. That is the short list on my symptoms that I have been having lately but he doesnt think that there is anything wrong. I have an appt with my gp today to get a referal to another doctor, I am not going to let my kids grow up and miss enjoying it because some doc isnt willing to try to find some answers, it took a year of agony to find out that I had the endometrioma and now here I am starting over again at step 1. Well thanks for listening to me vent and I will keep you all posted, never give up and dont let them make you feel like you are crazy! Keep on pushing for answers! ↑
This is especially for lynnlynn - yes that upper right abdomen is exactly wher my pain still is (my daughter is now over 2yrs) I also get other pain around the c scar but only around my period. The upper right pain is constant and always swollen. I often look quite pregnant as the enlargemnent is high up near my ribs and slightly more so on the right. It seems to be worse if I have to lift my daughter more than usual and it also swells especially large during & after my period. I never have pain on the left side. I have been booked in for a laproscope in a month or so and will keep you posted. Please note this pain was almost immediately after my C section and for the record I never so much as went to a doctor before this happened and I don't have mental issues as many of the doctors & specialists have hinted at - nor am I just "fat"! Everyone hang in there and keep posting so that we all know around the world that we are not going through this alone and hopefully eventually the medical profession will recognise that there can be serious and debilitating side effects after C Sections. ↑
Four months after my c-section I told my doctor my scar felt puffy and swollen inside. Two years later I have adnemyosis and my GYN said 80% chance of endometriosis. My whole uterus is swollen and painful along with bad back pain. I have never had any female problems or pain before this. I don't want a hysterectomy so I am looking for answers. The Mayo Clinic had something about a ceasarian scar could start adnemyosis. By the way I have had pelvic MRI, vag. ultrasounds and a D-n-C. Does anyone have some answers on alternative treatments? ↑
hello to you all. Let me say that I am more than shocked to see that so many women are having the same issues. I have been having pain to the touch, twinges, and such in the lower left side near my c scar for a couple of months now. My son is 6 months old, my second. My first c went fine, no probs. The same doctor did both of my surgeries. I finally called her and she is going to see me on Tuesday. She said that it sounds like a "neuroma" and she will send me to a general surgeon or plastic surgeon to take care of the problem. I have one concern, there are no submissions on this forum about whether or not this goes away... anyone seen this cured? I feel like I am blessed to have a doc that seems to know what it is right away and take care of it, without even seeing me. I will write next week to tell what the doctor said. ↑
nmickly, I will post "a few years out" so to speak. I have been screamed at, booed, hissed at and called judgemental and pushy on other forums for trying to dissuade women from ELECTING c-sections for no reason. Most of them site "pain" or recovery from vaginal delivery as leaving long term problems for their reasons, like c-sections don't do both? Well, I can honestly say that the after-effects from c-sections last YEARS until someone fixes them. I suffered from all you are describing, plus all the horrific periods, blood clots, adhesions, organs stuck together etc. after my 4 very necessary c's. For years my docs said it is hormones, or try depo or yadda yadda. Finally, when I was going into labor to "deliver" clots every 20 days I stormed into a gyno's office and begged for an end to it. She did an ultrasound, found some small fibroids that she could use to qualify me for a hysterectomy and in we went. I know it is so final and I know it has drawbacks, but I am so glad I did. She found my bladder stuck to my uterus, my colon adhered to the backside of my uterus, adhesions pulling on various intestinal structures and my ovaries and severe adenomyosis in my uterus itself (the reason for such heavy periods). I was only in my early 30's so it was a sad day, but I have 4 healthy kids and couldn't go through another c-section anyways. I hope you all don't have to go through a hysterectomy, but I do hope you will continue to warn women and educate doctors that there are these horrible side effects to c-sections and that NOONE should treat them as an easy alternative to vaginal birth. Best wishes to each of you, I hope you find relief. ↑
Wow I really am glad I am not the only one going through this, like most of you may feel when you finally find this site. I just had a emergency c-section 3 months ago.This is my second baby but my first cesarean everything happened so fast from the time we were told we needed one to delivery was 13 minutes. we tryed to have her vaginally but I had no water her head was down but was giving me back labor cause she was facing the wrong way and we lost her heart beat I am glad she is alive and healthy ..Thank God! Now I have the same pain in my left side especially when I stand for long periods of time I bleed for three to four days about every 3-4 days and get nauseous, dizzy sometimes the pain is intense. I am very fustrated and even sex sucks because I get vey nauseous and get pain especially on my left side during and after. and after we have sex I get a very intense pain in my ovary area also. then sometime bleed the next day. if I wasnt bleeding already .Dr. first thought it was a incisional hernia 30 seconds later he left the room and left me baffled and unable to ask any questions.but I went to the specialist and he told me he didn't feel a hernia. I was sick for two days after the exam then went back to my ob he gave me a pelvic exam and he said he doesn't know whats wrong and there are no test do find out what it is.since I was not bleeding oh give it another two weeks. after his exam I was sick for four days.I know what I am going through is not normal and my ob doesn't even seem to care and is unwilling to suggest anything or even stay in the room for more than 10 minutes. I have since changed dr's and am awaiting my next appt. Have any of you been through this and found out what's wrong? ↑
Hi to you all. I have great news in that I finally had a laproscope done and the following was found - a 5cm cyst on my left ovary, adhesions sticking my stomach to my abdominal wall, adhesions found on both left and right side of my abdomen and placental cell left inside after having a c Section over 2 years ago. I am now 2 weeks post op and whilst still a bit sore from the operation i finally feel "better". Now I just have to recover slowly and get down to some excercise which I will finally be able to do without pain as I won't be all "stuck together". None of these things ever showed up on scans or MRI's and it was only through sifting through many doctors and websites have I finally found some answers. I have had to fund evrything myself and had to travel 4000km to get satifaction but finally I have been helped. Although a little bloated still my stonach has finally dropped and is changing shape, I am looking "less pregnant and swollen by the day and feelingstronger for it. PLEASE - No matter which country you live in or where you live keep pursuing your health system because there are answers and you are not making it up. i started to doubt myself but am very glad of having a great supportive husband that has helped me through and now I will be well again. Ask questions, look at websites and if someone doesn't believe you walk out and find someone else! Good luck to you all - will post in a month or two when I am fully recovered - thanks for all the suuport! ↑
I am so glad to have found this site. I hope it may arm me with some information for when I go back to talk to my doctor. I have had 3 c-sections ('01,'04, '05). I have had no problems until this last c-section. I knew immediately something was wrong and I tried to tell the doctors and nurses. I had intense burning & swelling along my right bikini line that would radiate into groin. My incision never really hurt. I couldn't sleep on my right side for months since it would burn. It's been 9 months and things have improved but now my pelvic area/groin area hurts all the time on both sides. It especially hurts if I hold something heavy or try to run. One doc thought nerve damage. Now I know I need to keep seeking answers instead of being in pain. I wish someone would have explained what having mulitple c-secs could do to your body. My doc just said there could be problems with scar tissue but not to let it stop me from having more babies if I wanted them. If we have more it won't be from my body. My first c-sec was so easy to recover from I never considered a VBAC. Thanks for sharing your stories ↑
Hi everyone!! Can I join your club please!!! I had section 16mths ago have been suffering ever since. Did anyone have a drain in place after their section? I nearly died when they pulled mine out!!!! Anyway! I have moderate aches and pains in my right side dailey! and then everynow and then i suffer spasms in my tummy, stomach cramps accompanied by the sweats ...I suffer from trapped wind soooo bad! I feel like i could pop...the glands in my groins are always up. As soon as I lay in bed my stomach makes strange lous noises that make me feel sick. I also have achy pains in my right side after sex and if i'm lucky it hurts to cough!!!!
I have had an ultrasouns to check for a prolapse, adhesions & cysts but am yet to go back for the results..the technican that scanned me said " Everything is where is should be" ?? what now??? I cant go on like this??! ↑
Hello again everyone. It's been a while since I last posted. I had a FNA biopsy of my "lump" back in April. The radiologist called me to say that there did appear to be endometrial cells in the tissues that were examined, which led her to believe that this could indeed be an incisional endometriosis. My sucky OB/GYN dr. never even called me back to discuss the results of my biopsy. (GOD, THAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF!) I let it go because any pain I had felt was bearable, and I just didn't want to deal with having any kind of surgery until summertime was over because I had alot planned. I figured I would take care of it in the fall and keep track of any pain and patterns over the summer months. Well, I kept track on my calendar and definitely noticed a cyclical pattern to the pain I was beginning to notice more and more. Just like many of you, my pain around my lump (on the left side of my incision) starts at the tail end of my period and lasts for about two weeks afterward. I am noticing that as time goes by, the pain is getting worse, which tells me that I need to get my butt in gear and just call a dr. to have it removed. I was hoping to hear from those who have had the surgery about how recovery went. I felt very fortunate to have gone through easy c-section recoveries without any complications. In retrospect, I may have pushed myself a bit more than I should have, but I obviously felt well enough to do so at the time. I'm just looking for some details so I can prepare myself for something I am not looking forward to. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks! ↑
I had surgery back in April 2006 for incisional endometrioses. I discovered the lump and started having pain in January. The surgery itself was outpatient and was scheduled for 11 am and I was home by 4pm. I did have a little trouble with the anesthesia but I had that after my c-sections also. I would have probably been out of the hospital by about 2pm if I didn't. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and by Saturday of that week I was at my oldest son's baseball game. Recovery was pretty easy and other than the drainage from my incision for about a week I was fine. My doctor took out a tennis ball size lump...it had been growing for about 6 years ( since my 2nd c-section) . I was prescribed vicodin but only took 2 pills in the first 2 days and then went to advil....the pain was minimal...I had more trouble getting up and down from the bed and couch for the first 2 days...reminded me of what it was like after a c-section....Hope this is helpful...let me know if you have any other questions...believe me I thought I could live with the pain until the first month I didn't have it.. ↑
I had a csection a month ago and have been debating whether I should go to my OBGYN about the pain in my left side. Am I just wasting my time if I go? Any advice, littlemama92806@yahoo.com. ↑
I finally went into the Dr. and they told me I only had a uterine infection and put me on some antibiotics. I guess it could've been worse. We'll see if this fixes my problem. ↑
For those who have been successfully diagnosed and treated by a doctor for this condition, it would be great to know that doctor's name and location. Thank you. ↑
Hi Everyone! --Now Pain Free!!!
I wanted to share with you all my experience with abdominal pain after my c-section. My c-section was almost 4 years ago. I started having this same type of pain that most of you are experiencing about 4-6months after my c-section. I told my doctor and was told the same thing that many of you have been told. It could be a hernia, it could be adhesions, it could be nerve damage, it could be this, it could be that. My pain gradually got worse with each cycle. Almost 3 years later, and a new doctor, we discovered, through a CT-scan, that there was some type of mass in my c-section scar. (you could also feel it under the skin) I was scheduled for a laporoscopy and the doctor found that I had Endometriosis in my scar tissue that was apparently caused by my previous c-section. When you have a c-section if the doctor does not completely clean you out then some of the uterin lining can get trapped in the incison causing Endometriosis in the Scar area. She removed it and I have been pain free ever since!!! I hope this information can help some of you!!!! Good Luck! ↑
Hi all,
My wife had a C-section which was described as traumatic by the docs involved. Afterward, she had tremendous pain which matched alot of the descriptions listed her. We were convinced something was seriously wrong. After 4 months, she had multiple doctor appointments, internal exams, blood tests, ultrasound, CT scan, and a trip to the ER for extreme pain. Her regular massage therapist eventually did some work on her and in the process found a spot along her spine that correlated directly to the pain she'd been having. I'm not sure what nerve it was but she also figures there were alot of adhesions along the scar. Using her hands, she was able to massage the lumps out and after a couple of appointments, my wife was about 90% better. She still has minor pain, but she attributes that to the fact that she's still not totally healed and it's still getting better with time. I can't say enough to express how much of an improvment there's been. We were on the verge of travelling to the nearest maternity center (5 hour drive) and start over with new docs. Good luck! ↑
Back again girls, this time after a long recovery from my hysterectomy. After ruling out all the above mentioned diagnoses, we elected just to get rid of the junk in the trunk. Thought this would fix everything. But, as I suspected, a hysterectomy opens up a whole new can of worms. I went in for my hysterectomy via lap, spent one day in the hospital and was sent home. I returned 6 hours later with massive internal bleeding and double pnuemonia. At one point I was told to call family, and signed my medical directive. 2 blood transfusions, a colonoscopy, and several more painfull procedures later, 11 days in the hospital to recover, and I'm still not the same. They left my ovaries (which the left one should have been yanked, as thats the one that keeps getting cysts). After the docs examined my poor discarded useless uterus, they said I had severe adenomysis. Ok, so maybe that explains the pain. UNTIL, my next uteruslessness 'cycle' came around and BAM, pain still there. So I gave up the option of having kids, almost died, and all for WHAT? Now I have a whole new set of problems. The docs have followed up with a CT Scan, to see if the bleed was done and to make sure the pneumonia was at bay, and lo and behold we have a whole new can of worms to contend with. I now have colitis, deep vein thrombosis of my left ovary, and a lovely little nodule in my right thyroid. All my TSH and various other thyroid tests check out fine, so tomorrow I go in for a biopsy of the nodule. I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired, all was for naught, I feel like a terrible Mom, I have no support system, and the anti depressant drugs are a joke. So my advice is this ladies, if your doc can't figure it out, it is because they just don't know. Bullshit hypothesis, gambling with your reproductive system, when they don't really know a mutha freakin' thing. Stay on drug therapy, I would much rather be addicted to vicodin than to have to continue to endure this endless stream of health problems. JMO. Once they start cutting, and they really don't have a clue what they're looking for? You're in deep doo doo. Hopefully all will go well with the biopsy tomorrow. They already ruled out polycystic ovarian disease, and I am going to one of the numero uno cancer centers in the US for the procedure so there is some faith in that. Not much faith for the medical community as a whole though. I've just been let down too many times. If I didn't have kids....I hate to think what I would do. But of course if I hadn't had the C-section.....Anywho- this only affirms my belief that anyone who wishes an ELECTIVE C-SECTION is a TOTAL MORON.
Good luck to the rest of you. I hope you find some answers, and if my journey helps any of you then gratis. ↑
Nikki, I am so sorry about all of the pain you have endured! What a nightmare! I am supposed to be calling my GYN to be put on the surgery schedule for next month to have laproscopy to check out the "incisional endometriosis" but I am a little frightened that there might be some problems and I could end up with an emergency hysterectomy. Might sound silly and far-fetched but who the heck knows what might happen!
Best wishes with your needle biopsy if your thyroid. I had half of my thyroid removed in 2001 due to nodules. My TSH is still ok and I am not on any replacement hormones for that yet which I am glad about because thyroid issues can bring on a whole new set of health issues. ↑
Hi everyone
Like many readers of this site, I am really shocked about the number of women out there who have been experiencing chronic pain after c-section. It is now just over 3 months since mine and I am still in pain across my abdomen, I think where the incision in my uterus must be. It has been chronic for a few weeks, not getting better or worse, though today seems to have started getting worse. I have decided after reading many of your experiences that I am going to make sure I get the after care I need - so far I have been waiting 6 weeks to get a specialist appointment on the NHS, but it could be weeks more until I get the referral. So, think I am going to have to go private - not sure how many of you out there are writing from the UK, but if anyone can recommend private specialists (ideally in London area), please let me know. Greg, glad to hear that the massage therapy worked for your wife. Has anyone else found solutions by alternative therapies? Anyway, good luck to all of you for speedy healing. I will def post another update on this site if I feel I gain any knowledge / experience that might help others.
I haven't been on this site for quite sometime. I had my surgery last March 6th for my removal of incisional endometrioma. And I am happy to report I have had ZERO problems since. However, wish me luck as my next c-section is looming - I am 9 months pregnant. I am in a totally different state, with completley competnant doctors this go around....I only pray the same thing doesn't happen. However, the one thing I appreciate is that this Dr. knows exactly about ins endo and wouldn't let it slip through the fingers like the last joker!!
Good Luck Everyone!!
Nikki, I am praying for you sister, nobody should have to endure what you are going through!! ↑
It is years since I originally posted here about incisional endometriosis and it is great to come back and see that at least some women have found answers to their (very often disbelieved or ignored) problems. Last month I finally had surgery to have my incisional endometriosis removed and honestly, the surgery went so well and I healed so quickly that I regret leaving it until I could no longer bear the pain. I was lucky, my endo was relatively superficial and was removed in day surgery and after 4 weeks I am fully healed, PAINFREE even when I have my period!!! and back to a regular life. I am still angry that this condition is under-recognised and possibly even denied by many gyn/obs and the lack of responsibility for this condition which arises primarily due to "shoddy" surgical practice in the first place. Be aware ladies - if you return to the doctor who performed the C-section it is highly likely s/he will diagnose any other condition under the sun (most commonly a hernia) than incisional endo. You need to get a second, more-informed opinion. If your pain is around your C-section site and has cyclic symptoms you should find out what you can about incisional endometriosis and ensure this diagnosis is given serious consideration by your doctor. ↑
i have soreness on the left side of my abdomen it feels brused almost 6 months after section. It is tolerable but is sore when pressure is applied. does this sound familiar??? ↑
Wow, To Liz and Robin, my story sounds very similar as yours. I have had 2 c-sections. First one was ok, developed what I was told scar tissue on the right side of my scar (inside), by the second pregnancy I developed a hernia. (can't remember if it was before or during) had second c-section. During surgery, doctor repaired the hernia, and had a tubal ligation. It's been almost 5 years since my second c-section and I have dealt with pain and swelling on the right side of my scar. It is literally driving me insane. My OBGYN has given me injections, I have been rechecked for another hernia, negative, I have had ultrasounds, vaginal ultrasounds, physical therapy and even have been sent to a chiropractor because of some back issued and thought it would fix my scar swelling?? Back got fixed, lump not so much. I have been referred to another OBGYN for a second opinion but I am at my wits end. It feels like it is on the scar. I have more numbness on the right side that runs right down by my bikini line and under by crotch area. And numb in the lower back area just to the touch. Was so glad to find this link. I am wondering if Laprascopy would be my answer. So frustrated!! ↑
