Pain in upper left abdomen which radiates into my back... anyone else experience this?

[Timeforachange 15]

Looking to see if anyone else has the same issues...

I had my surgery on Saturday, Feb. 9th. There were no complications, and my sutures are all healing well, and have had no issues with drinking liquids. I am following the reccommended diet, and walking regularly. I continue to have significant pain in my upper left abdomen which radiates into my back. (Almost like my gall bladder pain before it was removed.) I am experiencing a lot of tenderness in the area, and it hurts to move, get out of bed, or bend over.

I attended the emergency ward here tonight as the pain continued to worsen, and it was not improving with medication (mprphine), application of heat, or rest. I also started to have a bit of a fever and some nausea. I was concerned that it may have been a problem with my spleen.

The doctor on call at urgent care had blood drawn and tested, all my lab work was normal, my blood pressure was normal, and my temperature had dropped back to normal. She also did some xrays which indicated a lot of gas in my system, but nothing that would indicate an issue with my spleen, liver, or kidneys. I also have some pain in my left shoulder.

Did anyone else experience this? Any tips on how to deal with it?

[leeann71 539]

I really dont want to scare you but some of those problems are signs of a leak. There is a forum you can look up and they tell you what symptoms are when you have a leak. Good luck keep us informed let us know how you are doing. I will also tell you after surgery for me I had pain in same place as you but no fever or nausea. It took about a two weeks for the pain to finally subside.

[Timeforachange 15]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm really not worried about a leak at this point... the pain does not appear to be connected to my ingestion of anything, and only physical activity appears to make it worse. The nausea and fever came and went in the space of an hour, and is not an issue at this time, and those few minutes were really my only issues with nausea or fever since being discharged.

[leeann71 539]

Thats great news. I would not want anyone to have a leak. About the pain on your left side my dr told me that it was from where they removed my stomache and put like amesh there to keep it from herniating.

[loveabledeeuk 20]

I have had the shoulder pain on and off since surgery, the Dr said this is referred pain ans not to worry, I've had a pain down my left side which hurts on movement, this I was told was were the muscles are stitched well to prevent hernias. Mine does not radiate into my back though, its just left shoulder and side. The Dr said this pain should resolve within two wks. My date was 23/2/13. I hope this helps :-)

[Timeforachange 15]

Follow up.... CT scan revealed a blood clot on the portal vein of my liver, which was backing up my spleen and other organs, and causing the pain. I'm now on anti-coagulation therapy and the situation is slowly resolving. I had to do a lot of advocating for myself to get the care and the tests that I needed. Had I not, I would not have had the CT scan, and the clot may not have been found in time, so please, make sure you speak up for yourself!

[Cristin 73]

Follow up.... CT scan revealed a blood clot on the portal vein of my liver' date=' which was backing up my spleen and other organs, and causing the pain. I'm now on anti-coagulation therapy and the situation is slowly resolving. I had to do a lot of advocating for myself to get the care and the tests that I needed. Had I not, I would not have had the CT scan, and the clot may not have been found in time, so please, make sure you speak up for yourself![/quote']

Oh my gosh!! That's so scary! Great work being your own advocate. Are they keeping you in the hospital? How do you get rid of the clot?

[Timeforachange 15]

Sometimes they keep you in hospital, but I am able to be at home. I will be on anti-coagulants for the next 3 months, and hopefully, that should take care of it.