Christie, Thank you for your posts. I am really happy for you!! With your advice and results many of us might be posating messages similar to you in the very near future. Take care and check in on us every once in awhile. :) ↑
Hi,
In response to Emma, and the legal issue. I too, was wondering, and happened to mention it to a friend, who is a doctor...he was very quick to "shut me down". I get the distinct immpression that 'they' (drs.) stick together, and the chances of actually making any progress is slim.(in legal action) I would be curious though if anyone has been successful in a courtcase against a dr. Also, I am in Canada, and I am not sure where a lot of you are from...and how it may work in different countries.
Anyway...I continue to check this site...because I am AMAZED at how many there are with similar situations.
Take care all,
TJ ↑
Thx for your reply TJ. I have done a lot of reading, and endometriosis is not mentioned anywhere as a risk or possible complication of C-section. This is an avenue I will certainly pursue if my laproscopy confirms my diagnosis, if only because my anger is rising while I WAIT so long to be reviewed by my obgyn. And I'm sure my anger will overflow if he bills me for services to correct the problem! I am in Australia - I'm sure the legal issues are different everywhere - but what I find out I will post here. You're right, they do stick together.... ↑
There is a little info on the following website that has some helpful info: www.birthrites.org/EndoCS.html My doctor said a laproscopy would not work because the lump was in the abdominal wall. The reason he recommended surgery was because you could actually feel a lump. If your pain comes and goes with your cycle, I think it's a good chance it's incisional endo. As far as taking legal action, I too was wondering since they make you sign all that paperwork when you first see the doctor for your pregnancy. Hope the info helps! CL ↑
Thanks for the link. I have read the research article from which it quotes and the link is a good summary. (my job is actually in medical research, although not this field) ↑
hi girls- about the legal issue...DREAM ON! my dad went in for a stent after 3 heart surgeries failed. the bypasses kept occluding. one of the drugs they gave him was a blood thinner anti-platelet, Integrilin. what the doctor didn't think about was that my dad was a 'bleeder', even though it was in his records, and we called attention to it prior to surgery. placement of a stent has become a every day surgery in our hospitals and is considered pretty simple. HA! well, they basically blew up my dad's brain, in fact the neurosurgeon who operated was dumbfounded, said he had never seen anything like it, that blood was literally ooozing outt of his brain from everywhere. they called it a hemmoraghic stroke, but that is when an artery in the brain bursts and bleeds. dad's whole brain was oozing blood. anyway, he survived it (if you could call it that) after a 3 month coma, and is completely fried. he is much like a 200lb baby. it is sickening what the doctor and drug company did to him. we saw 3 of the top attorneys in st. louis and not a single one would touch it, even though it was blatantly obvious he didn't just so happen to stroke out at that precise point in time. my point in all this is just to let you guys know, that from what our family has been through and continues to go through, it is very very hard to get a med malpractice case going. it has to be cut and dry or they won't touch it. the atty's usually work on a contingency basis, so why put time and $$ into a case that may not win. sad but true. BUT- don't let my story stop anyone from trying, if you can get an atty to try it go for it! ↑
you should have a MRI done by a different doctor than your own, For you doctor might have left a roll of gauze or something in you. which means you have a malpractice lawsuit on your hands! ↑
A warning to all of you out there seeking justice through filing lawsuits: they are no fun, and most of the time do no good unless you've accumulated medical debts so high you can't pay them and they all relate to one specific problem. Also, as a result of the tort reform that has taken place in so many states, including Mississippi, which once had a reputation as ground zero for tort suits with hefty settlements, today it's much less likely that attorneys will take on such malpractice suits. I've been through one medical malpractice suit already as a result of my husband being misdiagnosed with the stomach flu when it was really appendicitis. To make a long story short, my husband's appendix ruptured after his misdiagnosis, and he nearly died less than 48 hours after this happened. Even my husband, a practicing attorney, had trouble finding an attorney who would touch the case. That said, I would advise you to seek an attorney only if you want to prove a point, but not for monetary reasons. We ended up settling out of court for an undisclosed sum, but believe me, it was nowhere near what I believe we were owed. My husband lost his job, our credit card debts rose, and we had to take on a second mortgage--all while I was in the midst of having our child (I was about eight months pregnant when this occurred.). And that doesn't even include all the medical debts we incurred as a result of the misdiagnosis. My husband also later had to have plastic surgery to correct a hernia that had resulted after the first surgery due to incorrect healing.
My suggestion to those of you out there with this problem is to get it properly diagnosed and fixed, and then figure out what you want to do. You might even consider writing a letter to your local paper or to national newspapers or even to television stations or popular national television news magazines (i.e. Dateline, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, etc.).
s'me again. arghhhhh this sucks so freakin' bad!! i'm on my SECOND period since the surgery (lap) on June 9th. YES- 2 periods in this time frame. SAME pain. anyway just got off the phone with the doc he said possibly adenomyosis. sooooo....anyone diagnosed with this please respond. when he did the lap he said there was some concern because my uterus looked 'spongy'. wtf does spongy uterus mean i wondered until i looked up adenomyosis and found it enlarges your uterus.
anyway, i'm not going to go on lupron if it is adenomyosis as recommended on several sites. that drug sounds like BIG trouble. anyone here on lupron?? just wondering how you're doing with it.
so, looks like it may be hysterectomy time. the only thing that worries me is it is soooo final. i mean, i am DONE having kids, but to have the OPTION taken away is discomforting. I will not however MISS having periods in the slightest. AND, i've heard they can do a tummy tuck at the same time..... hmmmmm!!! maybe a good idea, eh? ↑
I wrote a while back about soreness and pain. Well that was about two weeks ago and the pain is now completely gone? Could I have pulled a muscle? Do you guys think the pain will come back? As you know I had such pain I went to the ER, they found nothing. The pain continued for about a week after that. Now I am fine? Go figure? Wish I would of waited could of saved my self a whole day in the ER and a $50.00 co-pay. Hope you are all feeling better. ↑
Hi Ladies,
I know, got my period yesterday and YEs the pain is back in full force. It feels like something is going to explode inside me. It is also very sore. I guess a trip to the Ob gyn is now in order. Shoot! I thought I was done with the pain for at least a while. Now at least I know it comes during ovulation and now is back when my period came. Maybe it is related? ↑
Hello All, I had twin 17 months ago and for the last 3 & 1/2 months I have been having this pain on the left side of my scar. There is no swelling or anything but I am concerned. This is my first c section but I have never felt this pain. Is it because I gained a few pounds? I mean the pain is getting unbareable. I can't laugh, sneeze, get up or even yell "Get that out of your mouth" without it hurting. What should I do? ↑
had 2 c sections the last one was 4 years ago I have a knot on my left side and experience shooting pains right after my period the doctor tells me it is endometriosis I will be having surgery to have this removed tomorrow ↑
I wrote about a month ago when I had my surgery to remove my incisional endometriosis. I went back to my ob/gyn for a follow up. Even though my endo was removed, he put me on a stronger birth control pill, which I am to take the first three weeks, skip the placebo pills, and start a new pack. I guess endometriosis grows when you ovulate, and by taking your pills this way it keeps you from ovulating and, hopefully, from the endo returning. I did have a period after my surgery, and YAY, no pain! Just wanted to let you all know. If you think you may have endo (pain during ovulation and periods), you can google "incisional endometriosis" and leads to websites with helpful info. Good luck to all! C ↑
hi im so pleased to have found this site,i had my third section in march 2002, at the same time i was sterilised, since not long after i can remember one night having an awfull coughing fit,and at the time i said to my husbandthat it felt like something had popped inside my stomach.
not long after this i started to get really bad pains but there were no pattern as to when they would start, but they used to have me doubled over in agony i would sweat, feel sick and literally feel like i was going to pass out, i went to my g.p,and the only other way i could describe these pains would be to say that it felt as if the nerve endings on my right side of my tummy button were rubbing against the wall of my tummy, very very painfull. my g.p sent me for a scan (ultrasound) and they said that they thought i had gall stones, but because im on the big side, it was difficult to tell, therfore it was never really followed up, then a while later the pains got so bad i was admitted to hospital, the doctor there basically did nothing and said he didnt think i had gall stones, but the blood tests i had taken when being addmitted to hospital had revealed i was anemic, i was discharged with no action taken, i later returned to my own g.p. to show her the lump which had rapidly grown, she said it may be a hernia and she would send me for tests, i returned to the hospital and saw the same surgeon who had discharged me from my previous stay there, he basically said that unless i lost weight they couldnt do much, he still hadnt confirmed exactly what this lump is, he sent me away to lose weight ,no help or advise given.
i lost some of the weight and recently went back to hospital again after complaining about the pain and the lump in my stomach, only for the same surgeon to send me for an endoscopy, to see if i was bleeding anywhere inside as i am still very anemic, the test showed everything was normal in the upperhalf of my stomach, they now want me to go and have the test repeated so they can check the lower half and my bowl, i am so fed up, my lump is now so big that now iv lost some weight whatever i wear all i can see is this lump, when i sit down i have to push it back into my stomach otherwise i cant sit, i cant lie on my front its so uncomfortable its about the size of my hand and im still none of the wiser of what it deffinatley is, iv been told that after major surgery such as a ceserean the wall of the stomach can be weakend, i am going back to see my g.p to push for another scan of some sort, i may even ask to see a different surgeon as a second oppinion, ill let you know how i get on ....keep strong and well, all. ↑
i also forgot to mention that since the sterilisation i have stopped taking the contraceptive pill for obvious reasons! but every month my periods are getting worse and the cramp that i am suffering is herrendous this makes the pain from the lump in my stomach much, much worse, also..... sorry for going on abit! ↑
In response to Barbara - women with symptoms such as yourself visit an average 10-12 doctors before their symptoms are acknowledged and investigated properly. Go to your doctor and ask for an ultrasound and biopsy to determine the nature of your lump. This condition is reported to affect only 0.03-0.15% of women who have had a C-section, however this figure does not account for the likely significant number of patients who remain undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed.
in response to my own post a few weeks back - yes I now have a confirmed diagnosis of incisional endometriosis - only because I pushed the GP, gynaecologist and general surgeon to consider this as a likely diagnosis to investigate.
I have read all the research published in English in medical journals over the past 20 yrs on this topic (a measly approx 15 articles with no sound research at all) and I would have to say that medical litigation would be a waste of time, money, and emotions. You will not win any litigation suit against the surgeon who performed the C-section because there is insufficient research available. Also, most western countries require some form of (general major nowadays) "damage" to have been done - pain and suffering alone is insufficient.
However, I believe we have a responsibility to educate our gynaecologists about correct procedure - in most cases they would not have the time or the facilities to access research specifically on this topic (remember, it is rare, despite the large representative of ladies posting in this forum). If anyone would like some copies of sound medical information relating to likely causes, and procedure to reduce the risk of causing incisional endometriosis when performing a C-section to forward to their doctor, please post here and I can send an electronic copy. ↑
I no what you feel like I had csecion 1 yr ago I poke out one the left side also in my belly hole it beats like a heart I am not pregnant I got sumthing wrong what did u so ↑
HI, I had my c section almost 6 weeks ago and i have the same thing but on my right side it kinda bulges out a little bit but the pain is like a stabbing feeling but comes and goes. I have never heard of this problem before but im tryin to look into it myself ↑
I never would have dreamed to see this many of us with the same damn problem! You'd think that by now they would have come up with more logical answers and procedures to get these things fixed. I, too, have had two sections. After my first (3.5 yrs ago), my fascia layer never completely healed together---but instead healed to all of my other organs in the area. This was not discovered until my second section that was 6 months ago. They stitched my fascia back together--which I promptly ripped back open a few weeks after. They had noted during the second section that I had adhesions to my bladder, and uterus that they did nothing with. (why? who knows..) And after doing scans, US's, etc., they have put their fingers on my again torn fascia layer, with adhesions. Not only this, but my scar from my 2nd didn't heal correctly--but instead of telling me to come in to have it re-stitched, they gave me those silver nitrate sticks to fix it myself...so, now one side of my scar has a nice line, and the other---the side that I had to doctor myself---looks like I went to a chop shop for a fixing. I'm now on two periods a month, pain on both sides- a pain that I know all of you understand. It's so pointless to go to the doctor b'c all I ever get is BS, literally Bullshit. I've questioned whether I'll end up with hernias, more adhesions, etc., from the still open fascia and what not---their answer--"we'll deal with that when it happens." Wonderful. Nice. It's great being a woman, isn't it? So, I thank all of you for posting, and making me feel like a human again--not just some lab guinea pig, and uncared about patient. I wish all of you the best, and hope for all that the pain subsides! You're all in my prayers! ↑
Name: ssummerfield | Date: Jul 30th, 2005 11:16 AM
I have had similiar issues, but on the right side of my lower abdomen. i have had 3 c- sections and have a lump above my incision and have plenty of pain. I am going to an endometriosis specialist after finding information about incisional endometriosis that sounds similar to our symptoms. You might want to find out more information about this disease. Hopefully I was of some help. Good luck! ↑
Hi all....well this is my 3rd csection with a tubal. Have swelling on my right side with pain above my sutures and I am 10days post op......this dont sound good and I am tired of bleeding. I think I stop then start burgundy blood with a few clots , thought it would get better in time and not doing well. I go to my doctor tomorrow and reading all this makes me really wonder. I know one thing, I wont let them jack me around since I read everyone's column and problems. If I find out anything new I will let everyone know. I do know one thing, the doctor did tell me in surgery I had tons of scar tissue he removed and cleaned up, it took him over 2 hours to do this. 1 hour just to get the baby out. And the baby was fine. Not a normal csection at all like my last 2. Plus my spinal started wearing off while they were closing me, about killed me too of pain, started feeling them pushing on my uterus and putting it back in. I was freaking out. And was not happy. They kept saying it was pressure and let me tellyou friends, it was not pressure, Piercing pain!!All I have to say after what I was just put thru, they better find out quick why I am swelling on this one side or someone is going to have a lawsuit.......I am not putting up with it.So I will keep you ladies posted. ↑
I wrote about two months ago. I like to find those who had laprascopy to remove adhesion. Did it resolve the pains? How long has the laprascopy done? Thank you. ↑
I also suffer from the same symptoms and have been for 3 years. My obgyn put me on continuous birth control pills but it doesnt help. I want a lap done and am having a hard time finding a surgeon to do it. At my last gyn appt he pretty much blew off the r sided pain conversation and said I was just fine from his point of view. I am now searching for a new gyn. Does any one here live in florida that could recommend a Dr that has helped. My next step right now is a plastic surgeon, i am really hoping he can help. Any advise? ↑
I've had hernia surgery, one this year, one last year. I also still have a sharp pain whenever I cough, sneeze, or laugh on the right side, near my C-section scar. I have had that pain for the last 11 years, the age of my last child. One specialist said it was skelatal pain, nothing to do about it but rub some aspercreme on it, thats what he said. So, I have no idea. The hernias were bad enough, still recooperating from that mess, and my doctor seems to think I have more. First surgery, I had 7, second surgery, I had 5. My stomach looks like hell, and the only way I was told to prevent more hernias was with a tummy tuck, and abdominal muscles tightening. Only thing is, my insurance won't pay for none of it, and the cost is more than I can handle. So, I will continue to have more hernia surgeries, with insurance paying for it. Sounds insane to me. ↑
Hi all..I logged on in June..and have kept looking in to see how all of you are. I know the pain that each of you speaks about. One thing that I did try..that provided some relief, was a (female) physio therapist, specializing in pelvic floor-women's organs, muscles, tissues. She taught an amazing class regarding our pelvic floors...and exercises to prevent urin leakage later on in life.(for example...was one of the things that she taught) HOWever...she 'treated' my left side numerous times...(a session of physio)...but I stopped going because the pain was way too much. That is where my story picks up in an earlier entry here. I am now scheduled for surgery, to have a stitch removed.(at least that is what the Dr. says it is.) But I wanted to mention my physio experience..because she WAS wonderful! A decent, honest person that told me that she could do no more for me..and that I should continue with the Dr. route. My physio attended the birth of my 3rd child...SHE WAs Awesome!
Anyway, it would be interesting to know if any of you have tried physio...
Take care all,
TJ ↑
I am sitting here crying. Why was it so hard to find all of you. My beautiful second son first c-section was born 5-5-04. I have been through it all and still have left sided pain. I have had surgery, untrasounds and scans. All they come up with is nerve pain. I get some relief in now knowing I am not crazy. I felt like the docs no longer believe me and they think I want the stupid pain meds. Please! I did have a hernia and repair surgery but pain on left is still there. Love to you all. It is hard to take care of a family and also have daily pain. ↑
Had my first section in 1999 & have had pain on left side EVERY SINGLE DAY since! I've had MRI, CAT scans, laporoscopic surgery to remove adhesions, x-rays, pain medications, physical therapy, TRIED EVERYTHING! Had another section in 2001, now PG again... due in 01/06. The docs say I'm just depressed, because they can't find anything wrong... wouldn't you be too if in pain constantly since 1999? I pray daily for an answer & solution to this pain & to be taken seriously by just one doctor! ↑
