Question: I has a rectal prolapse; and told surgery could become an emergency. Having had a vaginal prolapse, I had no idea what was in store for me. He removed 24"of colon; capped off the original area; opened a hole in side of rectum and sealed w/mesh. I left hospital w/infection and had an 8.3cm hernia operated on at Mayo. Now I have terrible gastro issues and my pain is like labor - nerves fire if I walk much. Once the nerves go off, all I can do is lie down. Fetynol may help; I don't know how bad it would be w/o. When I had the defecating ptoctogram, the tube must have hit area he closed off because I was shaking, I had so much pain. I feel a "rock" inside that, when I walk, pushes inward and aggravates the nerves. Removing mesh is too risky. I had an SI injection that gave same pain. Do you know about sacral plexus? Someone along this journey mentioned this - nerve damage. I was so active and healthy and blindly trusted this dr. Redundant colon, he said, is why he removed the colon (24") no life now. My rt leg has gotten weaker/painful; possibly from the rear ending, , but surgery has complicated everything. I also got lost in the system between military and civilian doctors so, no continuity. I hope this helps. Never had issues as far as cramping, but normal function is gone since surgery.

Thank you for showing an interest. In the medical field, it is difficult to get straight forward answers.
Long, three year story, but, after being rear-ended (and told I couldn't possibly have been injured) I tried everything suggested for low back pain (never had back pain prior) to include injections, prednisone, meds, Physical Therapy, Chiropractor. The meds, presumably, caused a prolapse and I was told I needed surgery because it could become an emergency; also told it could help w/back pain. I trusted the doctor, and anything that could help with back pain probably blinded me. Also, I had had a vaginal prolapse which required surgery and had absolutely no problems - I had a mesh bladder sling at the same time. A year later, however, I had to have a repair of the vaginal anterior/interior wall - then I was hit. Back to the colorectal surgery. I had no idea a resection was going to take place; on my admission form, I put prolapse and enterecele. Came out of what was to be a four hour surged 6 1/2 hours later minus 24" of colon. Discharged on third day; not once were the bandages changed; I had to call the doctor because I cleaned a mess I made enroute to the ladies room and showered, without supervision. Fortunately, my husband asked to check the site where the incision was made and it was beet red; packed for 6 weeks; hernia started - doctor acted like it happens all the time and told me not to let it interfere with an appointment I had at the Mayo Clinic to find out why I was having back pain. By the time the surgeon saw me and did the surgery, I looked three months pregnant....8.3 cm hernia. This is a person who, until the hysterectomy, had one other surgery in 1965 - an ovarian cyst. Now I'm filled with mesh; had a surgery I didn't need (which the doctor, to my XXXXXXX admitted) but that didn't help much. When I had the defecating proctogram and manometry tests as soon as the balloon hit a certain spot, the pain started and by the time I had the tube inserted for X-ray, I was in so much
"nerve pain" I was sobbing. This led us down a path thinking something terrible must have happened during the surgery - and, three opinions - mesh is not used to repair colon and redundant colon is common. He had retired from the Air Force and I think I must have been his first patient. I don't think he tried to harm me, but his carelessness and lack of attention after the surgery, has me in so much pain once I start walking as something appears to be pushing inside...it's difficult to explain. I'm stuck with mesh; less colon, and told that removing the mesh could cause more problems. So, I can be practically unable to move much without causing pain that brings me to tears??? I often wonder if he injured the wall that butts up to the vaginal wall but it appears there is no way to test this. What is Methylcobalamin? I tried Lyrica and Gabapentin and can't tolerate it; also tried Cymbalta.
With all this going on, my providers kept leaving, so I had no continuity in care. It just doesn't seem possible that I went from active, happy, involved, to being dependent and inactive. Is there no solution, in your mind?
I just appreciate being able to have the opportunity to tell this nightmare to a physician. I keep my hopes up only to hear what a disaster was done. If you can suggest anything that could be done, I'd appreciate it. By the way, what is the sacral plexus and could it have been damaged and cause excruciating pain? I"m sorry this is so lengthy. I so want my life back, but seeing doctor after doctor doesn't give me much hope. You have been very attentive, which is more than I've received in three years. Thank you.

You are an example to listen to, however, the focus has been on my back for so long, even though I kept saying the pain is deep inside and when I had the defecating proctogram, and my nerves reacted horribly, a close look was done as to what and how the colorectal surgeon did....he put a hole in the side of my rectum, connecting the colon there and closing the other end of the colony. Before he operated, the only time I had incontinence was after the first lumbar injection; now, my gastro issues and the pain in area where he resection is beyond hope if someone doesn't understand this and, being labeled "chronic pain" it isn't easy to get someone to understand nor to look. A doctor will never commit to saying the surgeon messed up - against XXXXXXX protocol; hence, I'm without hope of anyone trying to understand the problem. You mentioned MRI and CT - both are available to me, and you understand the sacral plexus and the mesh; I can't find someone who does. Do you mind telling me what one would look for in MRI or CT scan? I tell you without a doubt, the pain is in area of resection and end of tail bone.
I'm trying to talk to those present during surgery because something that was to take 4 hours took 6 1/2. The doctor is no longer at that hospital, but, unless someone understand what mesh can do; putting the colon on side of rectum and the pain I feel, because there is friction/movement when I walk I absolutely cannot keep walking - it is unbearable. I am strong; I have spent three years being the wife/mother/grandmother I love being, but I cannot any more. Yesterday I stayed on my back the entire day and didn't think of pain until I got up to get ready for bed and my nerves were on fire.
Gabapentin; any antidepressant give me depression and such irritability and had no effect whatsoever. Please, if you understand how the sacral plexus is connected to the resection, would you mind guiding me so that I can at least get a doctor to think about this? Hope is one thing; but trusting the medical profession is another. There is little doubt that my major problems started after that surgery.
Are you aware what mesh can do to the body? And do you understand the vaginal wall repair area that butts up to the area the colorectal surgery took place. I'll fly to XXXXXXX if I have to because I am too important to my family and I have too much to live for. Nobody wants to take me on since the mesh was placed on colon. I am happy to hear that you are continuing to heal; you are a doctor and understand anatomy; much stronger than I have become. I literally cannot walk w/o the inside area nerves firing so much I have to lie down.....before, sitting still was something foreign to me. I sound desperate, but you are the first to understand the sacral plexus and the colon, so, if you can guide me, please help. If there is a bonus section, I'll be happy to give you a bonus. I've never pleaded before; I always appeared strong in front of the doctors, but I can't trust that anyone will look deep enough. Thank you and forgive me for begging. My best to you.The only neuropathic pain I have is in my right leg. The other pain is way beyond and is, as I described. If you had had a child, it would be easier to understand what I'm saying; having a child was a blessing; this is not and, I almost think, it's harder to withstand.
Thank you so much and continued healing for you. I think your patients are very fortunate.

You are an amazing man. I don't want to take advantage of your kindness. When I said I would go to XXXXXXX I might have misled you and by no means do I want to do that. The abdominal pain and deep inside pain prevents me from going our much at all. It would be wonderful to have a doctor who has the integrity such as you, review my pictures and reports, but, I can't expect you to do so thinking I could make the trip. The area under the hernia is loose, so, I did not have did fortune w/this entire catastrophe. Knowing I coukdnt make the trio, I will follow your lead. You are a remarkable doctor. Your community is very fortunate.
Just your thoughtfulness is overwhelming. If you still want to see everything, I will scan tomorrow when my husband is here to help. The other dr opinions are the same - why resection into side and mesh is not normally used in colon. I trusted him and don't understand how he could even remove healthy colon. Again, I will wait for your lead. Thank you so much.

Thank you. I will get them to you tomorrow. Helping others in your field is enlightening to me.
No, I said "I'd go to India" if I has to. Misunderstanding.
You have given me hope.
I admire you for continuing to be a surgeon w/all you have been through.
Thanks so much. XXXXXXX

Please send address that I can use to scan and send reports, etc, to you. I apologize for being neglectful in sending as I said I would.
Thank you for your patience.I don't know if the colorectal surgery is causing the abdominal pain; restriction deep inside which restricts movement. I have what feels like a deep rock inside which restricts movement from low right abdomen to inside low back/tailbone/rectum. It is confused by not having one doctor keep my records and many doctors injecting then the surgery which I didn't need.
I will send reports, regardless, because, I have had gastro problems since the surgery and so much abdominal pain through to inside. It is so hard to explain.
I just need your address. It is terrible to be so desperate in the US where medicine is supposed to be superior.
Thank you and bless you,

I sent reports and hope you received them. I must explain that he cut a hole in the side of the rectum to attach the existing colon; the other end he closed off which is where the proctogram might have touched which caused my nerves to fire and continue where, I believe, he did the resection.
Wondering if you found anything notable in reports.
Also, I feel off mattress into pool; struggled and pulled hernia which feels lose, and, a lot of movement. Is it unlikely to tear repair? Any need to have this checked and how would one check this?
Waiting to hear about the report.
Thank you,

I feel that it is asking a lot for you to review pages and pages - nobody has so far. The only relief for me is to lie down and not start the insides moving.
I admire that you will take records from a stranger and do your best to see if there is an answer. God is good.
Thank you, kind sir. Perhaps there is hope; an answer as to what caused my bowels to function improperly and my entire area under the mesh from hernia all the way to low abdomen have such incredible pain-to include rectum. It's too complex and I'm so tired of searching.
If I could, I would do something for you. You seem like a very conscientious, kind doctor - rare, indeed.You asked that I remind you that I sent reports.
I have been my own advocate and today, I recalled the awful nerve pain after proctogram, SI injection, epidural and acupuncture. Put these together and called Neuro Radiolotist who immediately understood the test I need - it is unfortunate that the way the surgeon capped the colon and put a hole in the side of rectum; also unfortunate that I didn't have a doctor who could put all these experiences together; hence, prescribing drugs has been the only care for the last 8 months. Now, the mesh from the hernia repair is feeling loose and, I have extreme gastro pain with sweats and nausea. But, surgery complicated so many things it's difficult to focus on one area. Three 1/2 years of not connecting the dots, but, calling the neuro radiologist with symptoms, he immediately felt he knew what tests need to be done. I'd like your opinion, however, on the colorectal surgery as the surgeon will not respond to my calls. I also understand I'm asking a lot - and, if this is too complicated, I understand that you may have choose not to go any further with this. If I hadn't been so sure of the lack of communication and no follow through, I'd be on the couch with no life. It is good I trust myself; I know the pain; I know the errors and I am worth fighting for. I hope you are doing better each day. You are working under adverse conditions and your patients are fortunate.