Port Pain

[pooh574 1]

Hi,

This is a little long which I apologise for. In April, I started vomitting for no reason, no where close to if I had eaten like 2-3 hours after with no rhyme or reason. They did a barium swollow lap band fine. Sent to GI doctor did X-ray and upper GI all was normal. It was decided it was due to stress of caring for 2 Alzheimer's parents. When I was vomitting My abdomen where my port is started hurting off and on. The pain was burning, like something was being ripped. Fast forward to end of June / beginning of July while on vacation no vomiting but constant pain where my port is. I tried to rest where I was not tighting my stomach, taking antiinflammatories no relief. I also did heating and cold packs. I went back to see my surgeon (actually it is always the nurse that work there). They ordered an abdominal ultrasound to check for Fluid around the port etc and it came back normal. The doctor recommended what I had already tried so I insisted on seeing him as the nurse said he told her that I needed to suck it up buttercup.

They would not make an appointment until they verified my insurance would or would not cover a port revision which I never asked for but simply for him to see me. I finally have an appointment but not until OCT 15. I can no longer wear any clothes that "fit" meaning anything that is non elastic or the next size up (looking loose) because it hurts. I also about scream when I bend over to pick anything up, or do any prolonged activity. my port is on the left side of my belly button and the pain is on the left side of the port.

I am 3 1/2 years out so I have had my band a long time. I have never been "too tight" and always compliant of my lap band, with no complication issues. I can not last much longer. I had to insist on seeing him because I know something is wrong! Unfortunately, he did switch offices to being close to the hospital and they now use electronic medical records and communicate via email. I am getting frustrated with that though, What should I do? I do not have a gallbladder.

[gowalking 10,790]

oh my goodness. suck it up buttercup?? for real?? I'd get another dr. asap. a*****e, piece of crap. I so hope you get the care you deserve. damn doctors...some of them have no business doing this for a living. You should put his name on the forum so people know to stay away from this guy. Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing.

[pooh574 1]

Thank you! I plan on calling another doctor's office on Monday. I am just very frustrated because of the pain and this isn't normal, also getting a run around and having to beg and plead to see the doctor.

[pooh574 1]

An update...I waited to see the doctor and he says basically it is muscle pain and is sending me to pain management. he did say to try to completely rest and luckily my husband has waited on me hand and foot too. I am fine at rest most of the time but any little activity (just going out of the house for dinner) and it is back to being in pain. The doctor said he has never heard of just port pain and there are no studies for this type. I am hoping after taking aleve every 12 hours with Tylenol every 4 hours in between this pain management can help me. Otherwise I am going to demand my port be replaced and moved. I have to wonder if it is the muscle and with a port stitched to it, it may not ever heal.

[Belinda Howe 0]

My port area still gets very sore, VERY easily. Even if my pants are near that muscle and they are not tight by no means most of my clothes are way to big at this point. I have mentioned this to my doctor but I feel like he blows me off about it. I have other friends that have been banded and they do not have this problem. I feel like it is never going to stop hurting!

[ally325 3]

I got married two weeks ago and have been having port pain non stop since then. I saw the doc and he also told me that it was just overuse of my abdominal muscles. I can't lay down comfortably, and it even hurts to cough or sneeze. I'm just supper nervous what might happen once I get pregnant. I'm afraid I might become in even more pain.

[pooh574 1]

An update.

I did see pain management. The doctor I did see was extremely nice and listens. He agreed with my lap band doctor that my port does not need to be moved at this time. After talking and making sure he knew I was not a drug seeker (I don't want drugs just relief) he did prescribe a cream that is mixed together with different pain medications in them that is localized to the area and not throughout my body. He also wanted to try a steroid injection (not an epidural) for the area T9 and T10 nerves. He said that due to the amount of injections over time to access the port can lead to pain. It did work! I am hoping I do not need another one. He did say if I need a second one then if a third one is needed he will burn those particular nerves. Keep bothering your doctors until you get relief!

[ally325 3]

Update to my port pain- turned out I was pregnant! Guess all the changes in my body irritated it.

[Ladybandito 516]

OMG, congratulations!