hurts to take a deep breathe?

[MeMeMEEE 206]

I am 4 weeks out on Monday. When I breathe deep it hurts in my left shoulder all the way down the left side of my abdomen. It has been this way for a good 2 weeks, maybe longer. I know it isn't pneumonia as I did go to my Dr this week for coughing and drainage and he listened to my chest and it was clear. Has anyone else experienced this?

[SeattleSue 25]

Could be healing nerves...up to 6 weeks. If it concerns you though, call your surgeons office. It was at about 4 weeks that I started having the re-ocurring pain up to my left shoulder. It's now resolved, but it came and went (positionally triggered I felt) but definately felt it in my left side...just to the left of my drain site, all the way to my shoulder. It felt remarkable like the "gas pain" people experience after surgery in their shoulder. It seemed random..appearing just at about the same time frame you mentioned and after researching the boards and other sites, I felt it was likely just that...healing nerves.

[MeMeMEEE 206]

Thanks - it seems worst when I first wake up and as the day goes along it gets easier and easier until it goes away. I will go with this! My biggest concern was pneumonia or bronchitis and with that ruled out nerves sounds right!

[SeattleSue 25]

I don't know hon, mine came and went and ALWAYS when I would sit at a 90 degree. I seriously felt like I had a pinched nerve...but it clearly seemed to involve pain at or around my left side...right at the level of my surgery. Definately keep an eye on it...

[staceybea 0]

I had that also and luckily my nurse had told me about this beforehand. She said during surgery gas can move into other places of your body. I tried to walk it out over the week and then took Gas-X also. I am 2 1/2 weeks out and it is gone now.