Abdominal pain and lack of bowel movements since multiple surgeries.

[LanniKate]

Surgical procedures:
Cesarean 2013
Cesarean 2014
Gallbladder removal/umbilical hernia repair/pancreatitis 2015 (laparoscopic)
Cesarean & Tubal Ligation 2016
D & C due to left over products 15 weeks after Cesarean

After my gall bladder, and progressively worse third cesarean I experienced inability to have a bowel movement ranging anywhere from 1-2.5 weeks at a time. Relied on laxatives, sought so doctors advice and was told that it was just temporary paralysis of the bowel due to cesarean and that it would come right.

I also experienced a pulling/stabbing pain in certain movements of my upper right hand side of my abdomen. I assumed this was due to the laparoscopic procedure and had this investigated as the pain would get so bad I couldn’t hold my son.
I was told it was possible adhesions but that surgery is the only wsay to diagnose and remove, but by doing so you can cause more if that is what it is.
I was still experiencing bowel issues he had no answer for except advised to try movicol. Ultrasounds came back with nothing abnormal and was sent on my merry way,

It’s now 2018 and in the last week I have been experiencing black vaginal discharge, extreme upper right abdomen pain acute and still brought on be movement or pressure placed on my abdomen. I can’t pick my son up, I can’t live anything or even run without doubling over in pain at times.

My new doctor is testing for coeliac as he thinks this my explain the bowel issues, I’m not convinced but I get results tomorrow.
I also get ultrasound report tomorrow.

He thinks that my abdomen pain is either a muscle spaz, torn abdomen wall, possible hernia, possible air trapped after surgery- he’s testing my liver and pancreas as I have a history there but he is entirely clueless and I explained to him my pain but he kept saying it couldn’t be internal or to do with the surgeries.

Maybe he’s right but this has been going on for 2+ Year’s now, I still only go to the toilet maybe once every two weeks, the pain in my abdomen comes and goes but it’s there more than not, and this week it won’t stop or ease.

Has anyone experienced anything like this, I know I need to be patient.  But any information or insight would be amazing.

[SassyLassie]

Hello~I am sorry you are experiencing such pain. Has the doctor checked you for any cysts on your ovaries? This can at times cause the pain and constipation as well. I would insist on an ultra sound of that area to rule out any thing serious.

As to the constipation, I have that issue, have had it all my life. Try drinking an ounce of aloe vera juice before bed, this sometimes helps, also, organic apple cider vinegar can aid in alleviating constipation. Take 2 tablespoons in 8 ounces of water after each meal, this will not only help with the constipation but sometimes helps with losing weight as well.

Please, though, as I said, have those ovaries checked, it sounds like a cyst issue to me.

Hope you feel better soon. God bless you.

[Red_Star]

You may have Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). SOD occurs most frequently following gallbladder removal (post-cholecystectomy). Other risk factors for SOD are being female, middle aged, recurrent pancreatitis.

Symptoms of SOD may include abdominal pain (usually in upper right quadrant), upper back pain that may radiate to shoulder, pancreatic and/or liver abnormalities, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, malnutrition, unintended weight loss.

Tests for SOD include liver or pancreatic enzymes; ultrasound of the bile duct, liver, or pancreas;
MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography) which is an imaging study of the bile and pancreatic ducts; ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography) which looks directly inside the duct system while getting X-ray images, taking visual pictures, and measuring pressure.