frustrated at 4 weeks

I am very frustrated! I had a SAH on July 19th , and I have something weird going on. My right side (incision and swelling) are sooooo much better, almost as it was before, no pain, nothing, BUT my left side still hurts so bad and is swollen and it still feels like something is rolling around in there. I went back to the doctor after just one week because of this left side pain and swelling and she said the "retractor" (holds your incision open while they do surgery) probably made me a little sore because she had a hard time getting my uterus through the incision, so it was pulled a little tight. Is this normal to still have this feeling after 4 weeks,? I hate to keep bothering my dr. but I could be so much better if this would resolve. Any ideas would be appreciated !

Honey that's what the Dr is here for! They would rather get a call that is "nothing" than have you wait for something that can be fixed sooner. It's OK to call with whatever you need. Especially pain and swelling that doesn't go away with rest. Hang in there and let us know how you are

thank you for the encouragement! I just called the dr. and have an appointment today !! maybe we can get to the bottom of this and I can move forward .

I hope the doctor finds what is causing your left-side pain.

I had pain on my left side and had some tests run to see if there was a hematoma or infection. In my case, they couldn't find what was causing my pain and said that it should get better with time.

Please let us know how your doctor appointment went!

Noni

Hang in there and don't be afraid to call the DR; that is what they are there for. I had an SAH on 6/27/06. After staples were removed, the incision opened so much that I had to pack it and had a home care nurse to the house to do this, too. It is almost closed and I only have to cover it with a bandage now.

My incision goes navel almost to public bone. It is numb on one side and sometimes itchy. DR says incision will be revising itself over the next year; may look the way it does today next year.

They had a hard time removing the uterus because it was SO large. My surgery started out be a laproscopic procedure but they quickly realized it was not coming that way.

I cannot believe how far I have come since leaving the Castle. I hope you are feeling better and getting the answers you need from your DR.

Hey , I am back from Dr. I am very glad I went. He said the intense burning pain in my left side is a nerve, and he tried to mash on my stomach to find the "hot spot" he couldn't find it and I didn't feel it. Anyway , he said if he found it that he could put a shot of ???? in it to help numb it until it has time to heal (2 to 3 months) and he also said that if I could pin point it, then to mark it with ink and come back he would put a shot in it.(once a week) OK the weird part is -I go to a group of doctors and so I haven't seen this one until today, and he said something I have never heard, and please don't do it unless your doctor tells you to. He told me to massage around my scar every night in the bath , and to apply as much pressure as I could stand. His reason was, as the incision heals it gets tight and by massaging it , it would stretch it out and soften up any scar tissue. He did it while I was there, but I didn't really feel it because I am still so numb there, so how much is too much pressure?? Have any of you ever heard of this?? He also seems to feel a little bit different about some things than the dr. that actually did my surgery, he wants me outside and walking, but she said just to rest and heal and a little walking around inside the house. Now I wonder which is best, because I have heard that too much too soon, will slow down the healing process, and that means swelly belly even longer!! thanks for all of your words of encouragement! sorry I am so longwinded!!

Nervous41,

Just hang in there Sweetie. Week 4 was the hardest week for me.

This too shall pass.