Having abdominal adhesions is probably as hard on the mental health as it is on the body. The constant fear of having an obstruction erodes at life. For me, digestive issues are now an everyday occurrence. I cannot choose when I use the restroom. When I need to go, I have about a 5 minute window of time. This means I cannot travel far. I have to find jobs that will work with my constant trips to the bathroom. It is very embarrassing. My digestive issues tend to be bad in the morning and then after lunch. By 2:00, I tend to be better. Then after dinner, I usually am in pain. A glass or two of red wine at night is my medication of choice. I will work and avoid pain medication as long as humanly possible. . .
Sex
For a lot of people in the Facebook group on adhesions, sex is very painful. I am lucky in this regard. I am also blessed with an amazing husband who loves me despite my medical issues.
Loneliness
Although my family is very supportive, I do feel lonely in my diagnosis at times. I worry that I am a burden on them. I know that my chronic pain can make me hard to get along with. Although Facebook groups are very helpful with this, sometimes reading about the horrors others are going through makes me fearful of what might lie ahead.
How to Cope
Find what brings you joy as you adjust to your new normal! My faith is the center of my world and I lean on Jesus constantly to remind me of what is important. Find laughter. I have had a few times when laughing that I felt something give in my stomach. It makes sense. Laughter really shakes up the stomach and seems like it would help. If not, then I still get all the other benefits of laughter.
I just found an article on the benefits of laughter:
Help Others
Whether you are spiritual or not, helping others is vital for your mental health. It is easy to feel like there is nothing you can do when in pain. Is that really true? Can you call someone and listen to them? Can you write a letter that inspires someone? Maybe you can throw a website or Facebook page out there that can help someone in some way. There is a lot of research out there showing benefits of helping others. I found that it also can help with pain:
Help Others, Help Yourself: Altruistic Behaviors Relieve Chronic Pain