I will use this Thread to introduce myself: I am Mere, middle aged married female with no childeren. I have a long medical history beginning with abdominal surgeries for different things but all with a common denominator of excessive scar tissue (autoimmune)?

Cholecystectomy with Sphincteroplasty (age 24)
Total Abdominal Hystrectomy with gross adhesions (age 30)
Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (mesenteric artery pinches off the duodenum causing obstruction - age 34)

Diagnosed with Spondylarthropathy, Collagen Disease, Severe FMS, CFS, abdominal migraine and elevated LFTs (associated with Fatty Liver) (age 40) I have been ill with it all for probably 17+ years. Spondylarthropathy is rare in females and presents somewhat differently. For example, I do not have spinal flextion or stooping but I do have inflammatory arthritis in my back and large joints.

I take Humira, prednisone (3 mg), Verapamil and Lortab 10 as needed. I just recently d/c Savella, Welbutrin and Mirapex. I have taken stronger pain meds in the past but with the introduction of Humira, it became easier to discontinue the meds. They made me sleep excessively. I still usually have pain to varying degrees, but what chronic pain patient doesn't.

This is a very bad weekend for me as I am toughing out a partial bowel obstruction. Liquids, pain meds and trying to move is helping but it is just so d..n painful. It is upper abdomen and partial but I am not vomiting so I think it is okay. I placed a 25 microgm duragesic patch after talking to the doctor yesterday. I have an Upper endoscopy Tuesday, hopefully something can be done. Perhaps it will resolve on its own. I hope so. Kind of funny to say, but I have my best relief when I bend down and weed the brick patio.

It especially su.ks when you have chronic pain and then something like a small bowel obstruction comes along dumping additional and different pain. It almost makes me wonder if it is some sort of test.

Mere