Stabbing pain in shoulder

[tqtena 0]

Hi

My surgery was Sept 8. I started having these stabbing pains on top of my left shoulder on Sept 13th, they just won't stop. They start mid morning and last all day. The only thing that helps is laying down. My surgeon said it was gas, but it should have gone away already so he told me to try gas x. It's not working. Has anyone else had this problem? HELP!

[SuzanneG 1]

I had it for a quite a while. I was told that it was an irritated diaphram (is that the right word?). Anyway, the pain gets referred to your left shoulder. Crazy. Take heart, it'll go away eventually.

[MissBS 3]

When my shoulder hurts, the extra strength Gas-X strips help. I've also found that peppermint tea helps me. Good luck. I hope you find something that works for you or that the pain just goes away!!! Becky

[HeatherO 7]

I had the pain between one to four weeks out. It was stabbing occasionally and at its worse felt like a horse kicked me in the neck/shoulder. It wasn't gas, it was an irritated diaphram and gas-x did nothing for it. Tylenol also did nothing for it.

I had a hernia repair during surgery, and those who have had it seem to complain about the long term neck/shoulder pain more often. Did you have a hernia repair?

Massage helps. Hot baths where you have your shoulder and neck in the Water and your belly with the incisions above Water also helped. Unfortunately, everything I did to combat the issue would just take it from stabbing horribly to fairly uncomfortable. Bear with it, it does go away.

[JulesJAC24 0]

I actually thought this pain was worse than the pain immediately after surgery! I called my surgeon's office in a panic because I thought something was wrong. The nurse told me that it was the leftover carbon dioxide that they use to inflate my belly for surgery. She advised breathing deeply at least several times per hour (she advised while I was watching TV to breathe deeply during the commercials). Whether that was the actual cause or not, the breathing seemed to help and it went away after a couple of days.

Best of luck - this was not fun!

[llokiegirl 0]

Since surgery on 8/14, I have had intermittent pain under my left shoulder blade. Then it intensified to the point that it was running down my arm and into my hand. It kept me awake at night and sometimes my hand feels numb or it tingles like when it's been numb and is "waking up."

I talked with my surgeon who did an xray to confirm there were no problems with the band. He referred me to my PCP, who prescribed a muscle relaxer.

It was MUCH better for a few days and then I had my first fill yesterday. After drinking a Protein drink, it was back!

Just for reassurance, neither my surgeon or my PCP seem overly concerned. I'll call my PCP in a few days if it doesn't get better.

[AirKuhl 1]

The band, or at least the upper part of your stomach is rubbing against a nerve located on your diaphragm. This causes a phantom sensation of pain in your left shoulder. This is pretty common. I have found that things that relieve the pressure on the diaphragm help, even just standing up soldier straight for a few seconds. Or sit up really straight in your chair if you tend to slouch.

For me, it's only noticeable after I eat a lot. I actually hope it stays, because when I get a quick twinge up there it's like an early warning signal to stop eating.

[Lisa B 0]

The band, or at least the upper part of your stomach is rubbing against a nerve located on your diaphragm. This causes a phantom sensation of pain in your left shoulder. This is pretty common. I have found that things that relieve the pressure on the diaphragm help, even just standing up soldier straight for a few seconds. Or sit up really straight in your chair if you tend to slouch.

For me, it's only noticeable after I eat a lot. I actually hope it stays, because when I get a quick twinge up there it's like an early warning signal to stop eating.

This makes a lot of sense. I get that phantom pain in my left shoulder occasionally and I'm nearly two months out - I have to believe all the CO2 from surgery is gone by now. :smile2: It does seem to follow a large meal (or what I now call a large meal - 10 wheat thins and 3 TB of hummus!).

Thanks AirKuhl, for the explanation!

[speck 1]

I had to real bad also.

My life saver was the heating pad. And I walked a lot.

[Redhead1 0]

HI

I had my surgery 3 months a go. I'm a nurse and help with lap bands, so I knew exactly what to expect. I had left shoulder pain immediately in recovery room. I had a hiatal hernia repair. The shoulder pain was the worst post op compared to incsion area. I and the doctors I work with have decided it is from the diaphram and the area that the band sits, it is either up against the diaphram or occasionally rubs against it and it is referring pain. I continue to get it and it isn't as bad, there is nothing they can do unless readjust band. Ibuprofen helps and heat pack. After I get a fill immediately hurts. It is not as painful, but I still have it. My doctor said eventually it will get better, and I just suck it up and deal with it. At first I posted it and didn't get many replies, most everyone said it was from CO2, but not the case with me. It will get easier. Good LUck.

Redhead

[llokiegirl 0]

It certainly helps to know that others are having similar issues. Thanks for the information and support,

Lori