In the words of one ARD sufferer, "I hate to say, but I wish it were cancer. At least people would understand."
For the ARD sufferer, there are many mountains to climb. First, just receiving a proper diagnosis is monumental, as statistics show the ARD sufferer will go from doctor to doctor, an average 7-10 years, before finally learning he or she has adhesions. Once adhesions are identified as the true cause of illness, the stage is set for the devastating blow to come: little to no help from the medical world. For those who do receive "help", the help can come at an even greater cost, as surgical technique for this disorder varies from surgeon to surgeon. One surgeon may plow through the spidery web-like mess by painstakingly removing the adhesions one by one, while another surgeon may yank ever organ that can possibly be yanked in an effort to "clean things up." Many women undergo hysterectomies in an effort to be freed from this debilitating pain, but later have to face the sad reality that adhesions win out in the end. (A hysterectomy is no cure for adhesions.)
For sufferers who have a frozen abdomen, the surgeon may simply open and close the patient-no surgery whatsoever- after encountering an internal visual field that appears as concrete.
Many physicians refuse to operate at all since adhesions are known to reform, often within hours of removal, in a process known as adhesiolysis. Current barriers on the market, a crucial component for a successful outcome, have proven to be less than effective in preventing reformation of adhesions.
In a nutshell, the following article explains the dilemma an ARD sufferer faces, as the sufferer of this disorder is medically labeled "THE DIFFICULT PATIENT"
Sadly, this young man, Ryan Whitmire, lives the "Difficult Patient" life, just as my daughter did for 14 years. He knows all too well how it feels to be shunned by the medical world, left to suffer day in and day out, misunderstood by many people (sometimes even family) who may have never even heard of adhesions, or mistakenly believe: "It can't be THAT bad." He also knows how going in for medical "help" can actually make your situation worse.
Thanks to one surgeon, the ARD sufferer can receive adequate help for this once seemingly hopeless condition. Dr. Daniel Kruschinski, a German surgeon, has pioneered a form of adhesiolysis unlike any other anywhere in the world. Because of his brilliance and determination to overcome the challenges this condition presents, many sufferers can now say they are former sufferers. Unfortunately, most USA insurance will not cover medical costs outside the country. Because of this, sufferers face another huge hurdle: raising the funds for a chance to have this specialized procedure that is currently only available in Europe. If you find it in your heart, please help Ryan.
*Note: Funds to help Ryan are only received through the fund at the link above, which belongs to Ryan Whitmire, and not through this website. Though this website and its owner, Karen Steward, make donations to assist ARD sufferers, this website and its owner has no affiliation with this or any other fundraiser. This website's purpose is to spread ARD awareness and help those who are in the battle to overcome this illness.
For the ARD sufferer, there are many mountains to climb. First, just receiving a proper diagnosis is monumental, as statistics show the ARD sufferer will go from doctor to doctor, an average 7-10 years, before finally learning he or she has adhesions. Once adhesions are identified as the true cause of illness, the stage is set for the devastating blow to come: little to no help from the medical world. For those who do receive "help", the help can come at an even greater cost, as surgical technique for this disorder varies from surgeon to surgeon. One surgeon may plow through the spidery web-like mess by painstakingly removing the adhesions one by one, while another surgeon may yank ever organ that can possibly be yanked in an effort to "clean things up." Many women undergo hysterectomies in an effort to be freed from this debilitating pain, but later have to face the sad reality that adhesions win out in the end. (A hysterectomy is no cure for adhesions.)
For sufferers who have a frozen abdomen, the surgeon may simply open and close the patient-no surgery whatsoever- after encountering an internal visual field that appears as concrete.
Many physicians refuse to operate at all since adhesions are known to reform, often within hours of removal, in a process known as adhesiolysis. Current barriers on the market, a crucial component for a successful outcome, have proven to be less than effective in preventing reformation of adhesions.
In a nutshell, the following article explains the dilemma an ARD sufferer faces, as the sufferer of this disorder is medically labeled "THE DIFFICULT PATIENT"
Sadly, this young man, Ryan Whitmire, lives the "Difficult Patient" life, just as my daughter did for 14 years. He knows all too well how it feels to be shunned by the medical world, left to suffer day in and day out, misunderstood by many people (sometimes even family) who may have never even heard of adhesions, or mistakenly believe: "It can't be THAT bad." He also knows how going in for medical "help" can actually make your situation worse.
Thanks to one surgeon, the ARD sufferer can receive adequate help for this once seemingly hopeless condition. Dr. Daniel Kruschinski, a German surgeon, has pioneered a form of adhesiolysis unlike any other anywhere in the world. Because of his brilliance and determination to overcome the challenges this condition presents, many sufferers can now say they are former sufferers. Unfortunately, most USA insurance will not cover medical costs outside the country. Because of this, sufferers face another huge hurdle: raising the funds for a chance to have this specialized procedure that is currently only available in Europe. If you find it in your heart, please help Ryan.
*Note: Funds to help Ryan are only received through the fund at the link above, which belongs to Ryan Whitmire, and not through this website. Though this website and its owner, Karen Steward, make donations to assist ARD sufferers, this website and its owner has no affiliation with this or any other fundraiser. This website's purpose is to spread ARD awareness and help those who are in the battle to overcome this illness.
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