Barely coping

Hello all,
Had my surgery on the 12th TAH,BSO, felt fine after the surgery, had a great night in hospital with my PCA pump. Came home last night and have been having these incredible gas pains, up to my shoulders, my back, under my diaphragm. Walking eases the pain a bit, but I feel so tired, all I want to do is sleep. Am on Lortab 5mg, they do not seem to be helping a whole lot. The pain is much worse when I am lying down, any suggestions? And how long before this will feel better?
Feeling a little on the edge
Moni

Hi Moni,

I, too, was in a great deal of pain actually the first few days after I returned home from the hospital, but my hospital stay was 2 nights. I can tell you that I did an awful lot of sleeping those first few days, too, so I would encourage you to listen to your body and sleep when it tells you to sleep. A lot of good healing takes place while sleeping.

One thing that may not be helping is sitting at the computer. Your surgical site is extremely tender and bending at the waist can exacerbate that, causing even more pain. It may take a bit to find comfortable lying positions.

You could give your doc's office a call to let them know about your symptoms so they can make a decision on whether to change your meds. I think they tend to be cautious with pain meds, however, because it's important that your body's signals (e.g., pain) communicate to you so you keep in mind to take it easy.

Ask your doc about over-the-counter remedies for the gas. More than likely, it could be okay for you to take something for it. While lying down, try to gently change positions to 'encourage' that gas to move in the right direction. Avoid gassy food/drink -- especially carbonated drinks.

I hope you find that each day gets a little better; try to relax and take good care of your healing self.

Big healing s,

i had gas pains for a few days after the surgery. Mine was mainly in my right shoulder. Everytime I would lay down it felt like my shoulder was being crushed in a vice. I also had the pains settle under my rib cage in the right side. What worked best for me was rocking in the rocking chair while I was up. And at night I would prop my whole right side up on a body pillow. It moved the gas around enough that I could sleep.

If you have a recliner, make that your "nest" for the next couple of days instead of trying to lay down. I'm sure you know that what you're feeling is the gas they use to puff up your abdomen so they can see better in there. Some are able to get most of it out, and some don't or can't.

Yes walking helps and if you have someone who can give you gentle backrubs working from lower back upwards, it can help.....the key is gentle. Most of the time the gas is gone in two to three days.

Hope you feel better soon. Good for you for walking too! It does help the gas, the bm issue, the circulation, just everything and as tired as you think you are, your body isn't so the walking helps with that too!
hugs
K

Hiya Moni Sorry to hear your feeling so awful hun...here are a few tips I learned while at home...get some GasX...works wonders to get that awful gas pain out...1-2 tablets at a time ....PILLOWS..lots of pillows are great under your head and shoulders, and under your feet or knees...and moving around (SLOW) walking helps get the gas moving...while it might not feel to good, it helps..some others may not agree, but I found comfort in a nice COLD can of coke, to help burp alot!! lol...I believe in the power of a GREAT burp, ahhhh its almost like heaven, if ya cant gas your way outta it ......take your pain meds every 4-6 hrs as recommended....I stayed on top of mine every 3-4 hrs actually before I felt uncomfortable. AND SLEEP>>>SLEEP>>SLEEP....its all I did the first week, all day and night, with getting up every so often to potty and maybe wander for a min, but straight back to bed. I think that totaly helped me in my recovery.
Feel better soon sweety. Mil

It is daylight and everything seems a lot better. Got 3 hours of sleep sitting up on a chaise. Took some Ibuprofen and walked just a little bit. Thank you for all your tips.
Many hugs
Moni

hey moni, glad to hear your feeling better. please take gas-x pills and stool softeners, together they will help move things alot quicker. for me the gas pains made everything feel worse! once you've got a handle on that i promise you'll be a happier sister!! continue to go for brief and slow walks and don't despair. i'm nearing the end of my second week and although i am still in pain and still am having bowel problems i do feel better. you will too!!
Godspeed!!

Moni -

I remember that pain. I found 2 things that helped.

1. Gas-X and peppermint tea help. I was surprised they even help with the shoulder pain.

2. lying down and getting on my left side.

A bad as it is while it lasts, thankfully the gas pains do fade after a couple days. The abdominal gas does last longer.

I found if I forgot to take my Gas-X, I really paid for it. Try to stay ahead of your pain where you can and focus on a week out, when you will be feeling better.

Julie