C-section mums: scar tissue pain?

[Glitterballofdreams]

Hi, I will try to summarise this the best I can.

I started experiencing upper right abdominal pain intermittently around 4 months ago, it has progressively gotten worse.
I saw my GP multiple times, ended up in A&E, with a few hospital admissions.
I have had X-Ray, ultrasound & CT scan & multiple blood tests all of which showed no issues.

I am still suffering sharp, consistent pain in the area. My GP has referred me for more urgent scans.
Naturally I’ve been googling like mad, I wondered if anyone has suffered with scar tissue problems post caesarean? Could this be the issue?

I have had 3 caesareans, the first was almost 18 years ago and the most recent just 4 years ago.

Any thoughts would be amazing. TIA x

Im sorry that you’re having such a rough time at the moment, it might wind up being endometriosis? Especially with so many csections, it sounds pretty likely. Fingers crossed theyl stay so proactive with the investigations for you. If the pain is very bad and can’t be managed with over the counter stuff then definitely speak to your GP and ask for them to prescribe you something stronger to use temporarily and help you manage the pain until you can get it resolved.

Well, let me tell you about mine.
I was in pain for 4 years after my first section and it was only when I was 10 weeks pregnant with my son that I was rushed in with appendicitis.
When they opened me up they found masses of scar tissue, my bowel and bladder had joined together (had to be intricately separated) and my womb had attached itself to my bowel as well.
The surgeon said that if I hadn't had appendicitis, the likelihood is that as my baby grew there would have been massive tearing and internal bleeding and I likely would have died.
As it happens - all the corrective surgery was a complete success and I went on to have my tough little lad who wasn't going anywhere.
I was told the scar tissue issue is quite a big problem and not many women are aware - I was clueless.
Don't give up but I'm keeping 🤞 that it's something more straightforward for you 🙂

Oh gosh that sounds scary, glad they managed to operate safely.

I wasn’t aware of scare tissue problems, but I am desperately looking for answers and wondered if this could be the cause.

my pain is sort of under my right rib cage, not sure if scare tissue could travel that far?!

Thank you. They have prescribed various things but nothing works, maybe takes the edge off for an hour.

Dd1 is a senior gynaecologist and dd2 is expecting her second dc (had an emergency c section last time). She did say that not many people think about the risk of adhesions etc when they have multiple c sections. I've had 4 c sections and haven't had any major issues. Your problems do seem quite high up as normally it affects organs like the bowel. Good luck, I hope its sorted soon.

Hi Glitterballofdreams, I just wanted to say I’ve had similar pain after C-sections, sharp and under the right rib too. Turns out scar tissue (adhesions) can cause issues even years later and sometimes pulls on organs or nerves, especially after multiple surgeries. Mine didn’t show up on scans either. You’re doing the right thing pushing for answers, hope the urgent referral gives you some clarity. Hang in there.

Under your right ribcage sounds like gallbladder to me. It’s exactly the same place I had pain and it took a long time for it to be diagnosed as gallstones. I hope you’re ok.

Thank you, on my last section the consultant noticed a lot of scar tissue and it was more difficult than expected to deliver baby. They had to use forceps too.

I also thought my pain seemed too high up to be related, I’m clutching at straws 😢

Thank you. I was convinced it was my gallbladder too, the scans showed no stones at all. Which the consultant said is rather odd for a female of my age. So I wondered if my gallbladder was ill functioning 🤷‍♀️

It could be that you’d passed the stone(s) at the time of the scan but you can still produce others unfortunately. I’d go back and see, mine was misdiagnosed for a long time so I feel your pain literally and figuratively! Best of luck 🤞

I had 3 sections too.
15 years later and after a ridiculous number of tests I was diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis. The cause and start will now never be determined as I had a hysterectomy.
If things aren’t right @Glitterballofdreams all I can say is fight!
Get to the cause, you and your children deserve better

Thank you. How did you finally get diagnosed? Did anything show up in your bloods?
Ive had a horrid time, a GP dismissed me multiple times. Telling me to “go home and forget about it and the pain will go away”. Thankfully the GP I have since seen is concerned and actively seeking a cause.

Oh wow! Sorry to hear it took you so long to find answers, I hope you’re more comfortable now. I’ve never heard of adenomyosis. I honestly didn’t think that caesareans could cause such an aftermath (silly me). My first was an emergency, and further two were planned and I do not dilate in labour. I suffer with such heavy painful periods, I do wonder if this is contributing but tbh I am clutching at straws as medical staff have no answers. I’m hoping my next scans shed some light as this is making for a miserable existence x

Endometriosis can only be diagnosed by hysteroscopy
Im not saying this is you, But bear it in mind

Mine was diagnosed by a final scan that showed a gallstone blocking the bile duct and as painful as that was I felt relieved that I was somehow exonerated. All resolved by having the gallbladder removed and all ok since. I hope you have a clear answer soon and a reasonably ok resolution too.

Oh and no nothing showed up in bloods at all. Annoying at the time.

I had an emergency c section 20 years ago and planned c section 15 and 10 year agos. I have multiple adhesions, I have been told my
stomach is like a ‘car crash’ by the last consultant who went in and had a look. I have had an ablation and adhesions cut and am currently in follow up as pain has started again. I have been told they will not cut them again or do a hysterectomy as it would be to dangerous so unfortunately it’s going to be put up with it and pain management . My pain is mostly round the belly button, Low right and low right backache. If the pain was higher up I would def be asking for more gallbladder and liver scans

Have you had your liver and gallbladder scanned?

Yes both looked fine. I have another ultrasound & CT coming up I am praying they notice something because there’s definitely something not right

It could be adhesions (fibrous tissue) maybe you should ask about that.

Hello OP, I just came across this thread. Did you get to the bottom of your pain? I hope so.
im experiencing similar and wondered what happened with yours.

Hi there, sorry to hear you’re also suffering.

After multiple scans nothing showed up. My GP seemed to think the physical pain could be caused by the recent burnout I had, which coincided with the symptoms starting.

Since taking things easier I have noticed a vast decrease in pain, however during stressful times and around my period it rears its head again.

Have you had any scans yet? What are your symptoms?