Need Help w/ Referred Diaphragm Pain!

[weso631 0]

I'm sorry if this has been discussed previously & I've missed it. My DH was banded 6 days ago & he is in excrutiating pain that began yesterday. It is a pain that started in his shoulder & chest & has most recently moved to his lower back. He saw the Dr. today & he said that it was referred pain from his diaphragm. He said he should take some extra strength Tylenol & ride out the pain. My husband is in tears from exhaustion, pain, & probably dehydration & I am at a loss as to what to do. He's saying that he wishes he never had this surgery. I feel so helpless.

Has anyone had this & found something that helps you to relax? How long does it usually last?

[jensmallwood 0]

Oh, that freakin' gas pain! It sucks. A heating pad felt really good to me, so you might try that.

The only solution that I've really read to work is walking around. It just helps the body get rid of that gas (that they used to open up the abdominal cavity.)

Some people swear by Gas-X and that kind of thing... but I can't figure out how that helps (since the gas isn't IN the stomach, right?)

It WILL go away. For some people it takes longer. If he's staying in bed because of it, it may take even longer. See if you can get him up and moving, and try small sips of Water to keep him hydrated.

[weso631 0]

Thanks for the advice! Im definitely going to try to get him up to walk a bit more. Poor guy...he's so exhausted.

So is the pain from the diaphragm the same as gas? I'm really clueless when it comes to this stuff. We actually went to the ER last night because of the pain. I called the pharmacist to ask what kind of gas reliever he could take & they told me I had to talk to the Dr. I then called the Dr. who told us to go to the ER so that they could rule out blood clots, etc. All the results came back fine, thank goodness. They sent us home & told us to pick up some infant gas drops (didn't help)& make sure to follow up with his regular Dr. today.

[missgypsy 1]

try the gas x strips or sucking on a peppermint. it's def gas. i was banded on may 20th and up until last week i still had gas in my left shoulder. about drive me insane. brought tears when it would hurt. the more he walks the better of he will be. and the liquid tylenols rocks!! :tongue2:

[mominkansas 2]

Walking and raising my hands over my head helped alot!

[weso631 0]

Thanks, you guys are great! I just got back from Rite-Aid & picked up some of those gas-x strips. I hope it works!!

[Nean4488 1]

Its prolly not the gas pain anymore so gas-x and walking wont help. Extra strength tylenol helped me a tad. Im about 3 weeks post op and I am still having referred diaphragm pain, it was from the hital herina. Some days are worse then others, but nothing really helps :-( You just kinda have to ride it out....

[weso631 0]

Its prolly not the gas pain anymore so gas-x and walking wont help. Extra strength tylenol helped me a tad. Im about 3 weeks post op and I am still having referred diaphragm pain, it was from the hital herina. Some days are worse then others, but nothing really helps :-( You just kinda have to ride it out....

Well, you were right Nean, here it is...a couple days later & he's still having some pain. Not nearly as bad though, thank goodness. The gas-x didn't do anything for him & the extra strength tylenol is the only thing that has given him a measure of relief.

Do you know if this will eventually go away altogether? Or, will it always come & go?

[Jenna22 0]

I'm three days out of surgery and my gas pains are really getting better. I got icey hot Patches and cut them in strips. I placed them right under my boobs and that helped weirdly! I don't know if it is gas or the hernia but it has relieved the sharp pains. Also, as someone said above, raise your arms above your head and take big breaths. The first few sucks but then it feels so much better.