Regarding Pain part deaux

[leatha_g 4]

It's funny how those of us who deal with depression and codependency behaviors tend to want to help everyone else but generally don't consider ourselves too much. But, somehow we have to break that cycle and validate ourselves or ask for help.

Anyway, I thought I'd actually post something that I've been dealing with now for the last week or more.

I had surgery on July 16th to reposition/repair what the doctors said was a slipped band. When they took care of that, they also found a hiatal hernia which really should have been taken care of during my first surgery as I've known it was there since my first pregnancy in 1981. I was surprised my first surgeon didn't do anything with it and I feel that I might have avoided this second surgery if he had. apparently, there is a correlation with hiatal hernias and ill-positioned or slipped bands.

My surgery went okay, although I was much more sore than the first time around, but I've been dealing with some pain this past few weeks that I felt would eventually go away. I chalked it up to my insides being tender from surgery. Problem is, this pain is on my RIGHT lower quadrant, about 5-6 inches to the RIGHT of my belly button. Some days it doesn't hurt until later in the evening if I've been standing alot or walking. Sometimes I think it may hurt worse after I've eaten. I can't really pinpoint anything in particular about it except that as the day goes on it gets worse.

I drove about 3 hrs away yesterday to take my mom to dinner, then I drove back. Before I left her house I was having sharp pains upon movement and by the time I was nearly back home I was considering stopping at the ER to at least do some xrays or ultrasound.

Since it has followed my surgery, I want to think it might be related, but I don't think they did a darn thing on my RIGHT side??? Other than that you have your appendix, which I still have or the other possibility is maybe a hernia?

In the past, I'm almost sure that I've pulled a hernia on that side while doing certain exercises or have a really bad bout with coughing or sneezing too hard. There was never anything diagnosed, so it could be possible that it was just a pulled muscle during those times, I just felt like I could feel something sort of 'popping' out. It's hard to explain.

So now, I really don't know what to do. I've called my surgeon's office and they said come in tomorrow, my co-workers say I need to go to the ER and have the doc just call over any tests he would ask me to do tomorrow.

Anyway, I'm just so hoping this isn't something that will require anymore surgery/hospitalization.

[New Hope 37]

If you have an appointment scheduled with your surgeon tomorrow and you're able to wait, I'd go to the surgeon as opposed to the ER. A lot of times, interns are running the ER and have very little helpful knowledge, plus you have to sit there an eternity, and it costs a fortune. Does your surgeon do general abdominal laproscopic surgeries (not just the band)? If so, he should have a broad knowledge of what's going on internally with you. Try to take some slow, cleansing breaths and avoid any unneeded stress. Tension doesn't help things. Please do follow this up with your dr. You need to know what's going on! Best of luck to you!

[New Hope 37]

Would a heating pad help a little with the pain? Or a massaging shower?

[donali 57]

Leatha -

I have had some sharp pains like you describe as well, but not as long lasting as yours sound. I just chaulked it up to gas in high places, but really have no idea what it was.

I hope your surgeon is able to figure out what it is, and fix you up without another surgery.

Please keep us posted, and let us know how it goes!

**hugs**

[leatha_g 4]

Thanks, ladies.

I think at first, I thought this might be gas too, since it began after my surgery, but when it went on past the pain in my port area, it started to concern me. Now, this past week, I worked and every day the longer I stood the worse it hurt. Last night, I came very close to going to the ER by the time I got home. Anyway, I was able to get into the docs office and he wants me to do a CT scan just to rule out anything serious, I guess.

With me taking coumadin, he said there was some risk of bleeding or a hematoma, which I'm going to choose is NOT the problem.

My insurance kept us waiting over 40 minutes while they pre-certified a CT scan and had to look up a place in their network to do it. Me and the nurse were both beside ourselves with how long they kept us standing there. It makes sense to me that I had my darn surgery at the hospital right next door to their office. I would have thought that would be the place for me to go for any follow up on my surgery or surgery complications, but NOOOOO, they have imaging centers that they have to refer you to.

Last I heard, they are going to call me with an appointment for a CT scan. It's now 4:37 central time. It doesn't appear that it's going to happen today. I should have just gone to the ER. I've spent all this time and haven't had a bite to eat all day.

I guess if it gets any worse, I'll just do that...

Leatha

[paula 4]

Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking about you... and like the others, waiting for the end result!

If I remember correctly, you are around the Dallas area, right? If so, (I hope this is a consolation) you know as well as I do that Dallas is THE place to be if you have any sort of health problems. People around here go to Dallas ALL of the time for their medical needs... so girl, youre in the right place to have a problem such as this one!!

(Just hope they find it soon)

[nightingale2u 42]

Leatha... my heart is with you and believe me when I say... I know how you feel! Please listen to your body... and if the pain worsens... go to the dreaded ER. Please keep us updated Leatha... ((((HUGS))))

Darcy

[baileymb 0]

Sorry to hear about your pain, my thoughts are with you!

Let us know how your doing!

Baileym

__________

June 14th

Dr. Deol

[Neicy 0]

Leatha, sorry to hear that you're having pain. Is it in the area of your port? My port will hurt if I have stood a long time or walk excessively. It has slowly gotten better as time passes, but it has gotten pretty uncomfortable in the past. I hope your problem is nothing major, glad to hear you are seeking medical attention. Keep us posted.

[leatha_g 4]

Thanks Neicy. Nope. My pain is on my right side. The doc wants to do a CT scan to rule out any sort of bleeding or hematoma from the surgery. I'm leaning in the direction of a possible hernia. The insurance people are screwing me around. It's funny how they will okay you to have surgery in a facility, but 3 weeks later you have to have a CT scan in a free standing facility. Ughhh...

I can't wait until Open Enrollment comes back around.

[New Hope 37]

Leatha, didn't you have some bad bruising on your abdomen following your last surgery?

[hagerteresa 3]

Hi Leatha,

Sorry to hear about your pain. I have had sharp pains on rare occassions on my right side too but they never lasted more than 15-30 minutes and it has only happened a couple of times. I have no idea what was going on with myself and am anxious to hear about what is going on with you. Keep us posted and best wishes, Teresa

[New Hope 37]

Unfortunately, unless you're bleeding profusely, having chest pains, or unconscientous -- no one seems to get in high gear.

A few years ago, I had a large, firm mass on my upper thigh. Several dr. visits later, he finally decided to do an mri. By then, the pain,swelling, and numbness were so intense. I went to the ER (with my mri film). While waiting indefinitely, I could hear the dr. talking about his ski trip plans. The ER dr. looked at the films and told me to go back to my dr. "They wouldn't assemble a surgical team for this", he said with almost a sneer. I asked if I could at least have a shot of demeral before leaving ER. Fast forward, the surgeon made a 9" vertical incision and removed a 4 1/2 lb. tumor. Fortunately, it was benign. It had hurt so bad because it was pressing down on the nerves. He said it was as big as four of his very large fists. Gee, maybe we mere patients aren't totally stupid!

[New Hope 37]

If something hurts, please follow up on it. You don't know how long it will be before you'll actually get relief. Everything seems in slow motion when you're seeking help. The PCP visit, referral, Specialist, referral, authorization, treatment --- aah! frustrating!

[leatha_g 4]

Originally posted by New Hope

Leatha, didn't you have some bad bruising on your abdomen following your last surgery?

Yes ma'am. On the LEFT side. lol