Question:
Does the pain and misery ever stop?
I have been unable to sleep very well since surgery. I am sweating my ass off then very cold then hot then it hurts to move period.I am always thirtsty and in pain. I am pissed at the world, Always in pain. The vicadens do not seem to help. I eat the vicadinis two at a time and still hurt. Is this going to get ay better or should I just shoot myself this morning and save myself some pain//Richard — Richard T. (posted on March 25, 2001)
March 24, 2001
Richard, you don't mention how far out you are, but if it's immediately
post-op, it's probably normal. If you are two months post-op, that could be
a real problem. Have you contacted your surgeon? My goodness, there is no
reason to be in such pain. If the vicodin is not working, there are plenty
of other pain meds to try. Please, call your surgeon about this ASAP. It's
normal to have some pain, but not such excrutiating pain if you are on the
proper pain meds. Don't suffer in silence or be a martyr, you will heal
much faster and better if your pain is relieved. Good luck.
— Maria H.
March 24, 2001
Richard have you told your doctor that you are having this much pain? I was
no longer in pain 2 weeks out and I was able to sleep through the night
about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. The only time I had chills and sweats was
when I came down with an infection in my abdomen after surgery. I had open
surgery so I do not know what exactly is the norm for lap patients. Hope
you are feeling better soon. And NO dont shoot yourself. God Bless.
— Pam S.
March 25, 2001
Richard, I went to your profile and it said you were only 6 days post op. I
don't know how hold your profile is but what kind of pain are you
experiencing and what type of surgery you had. I had open rny and although
I did freeze/sweat at first I had no excruciating pain, just soreness and
felt like I had done 1,000 situps. This is normal but real pain like
shooting, hot, throbbing, pain is not normal and you should call your
doctor at once. If there is no medical problem, perhaps he could try
another pain medicine. I took OXYFAST and it alleviated what pain I
had at home. It is a concentrated liquid and very potent so be careful. I
am happier than I have ever been in my life and have only lost 55 lbs so
far. I am 4 mos post op and it started getting better at about 8 wks post
op. I noticed a change in my energy level and each day has gotten better.
Don't shoot yourself because your life is going to be sweet! Hang in
there but check with your doctor about the pain. God bless you.
— Marilyn C.
March 25, 2001
Im sorry to hear you are suffering .. my surgery was open from mid boobs to
navel .... 5 1/2 hours surgery and alot of work done ... the doctor left me
with 1 oz pouch and removed about 2 feet of small intestine...
my surgery date was 2/9/01 so Im about 6 weeks out give or take a day or
so...
I couldnt sleep in a bed or even lie flat .. I sweated constantly and
prayed that I could feel cold .. it finally happened 2 weeks out - my
internal thermometer was broken hot and cold .. drove my husband wild.
couldnt eat anything very well ... everything hurt and I threw up many
things even water ....
I wish I could gulp cold water or a cold drink I missed that so much.
My ribs hurt and if I didnt have diarrea I had constipation.
Standing up straight took time and I was light headed from not eating and
being dehydrated.
The only pain killer I took was extra strength Tylenol the Hydracodone the
dr gave me made me sicker.
But it GETS BETTER believe me
I dont feel bad much now only when I stop drinking ... I keep a glass of
tea or water going all the time ....
I can eat now .... and not throw up ......
advice ???? Well ... just stick to the plan and if there are more serious
problems call your dr ..... hang in there
each day is usually better at your stage sometimes you may have a bad day
... my bad days now are because I did something I wasnt supposed to ....
Hang in there ...... sleep as much as possible in a chair or anywhere you
can ...... take your suppliments and try to drink your protein drink it
will give you strength ...
I will keep you in my prayers
Suzie
— Suzie O.
March 25, 2001
Richard, I took a look at your profile and it said your surgery date was
just over a month ago. That kind of pain is not normal for being over 4
weeks post op. Usually people get better at that mark not get worse. PLEASE
CALL YOUR SURGEON ASAP!! The hot and cold sweats may be indicative of a
fever which could mean you have an infection somewhere. What you are
describing does not sound like normal aches and pains from surgery,
especially if you are over 4 weeks post op. Please call your surgeon TODAY,
if you can't get ahold of them, go to the ER. Better safe than sorry. Good
luck and God bless. Please give us an update soon.
— Stephanie D.
March 25, 2001
Some people had "your" type of pain two weeks post-op. You're
still having it 5 weeks post-op. Maybe there's nothing wrong with that.
That's just the way you're body is. I'm sure a few people stopped needing
heavy-duty stuff within the first week.But you got some medical practices
that have nurse practitioners (spit) that rely on "established pain
protocols" that have to be followed. I needed roxicet refilled after
two weeks post-op but couldn't get it refilled, because I
"shouldn't" need it any more and I ought to be weaning myself off
pain meds. All I wanted was to be able to sleep at leat 4 hours a night
without waking up in pain. Reassurances that surgeons and their staff are
up on the latest in individualized pain management to minimize discomfort
is just empty rhetoric. But hey, it sure sounds good on paper. Pain
management is an oxymoron.
— [Anonymous]
March 25, 2001
Richard, Please call your Doctor. I had Lap RNY on January 15th and did not
experience any of the pain you are having at a month out. I got the sweats
only when I either ate something wrong or too fast. Please let us know
what the doctor says. And hang in there it does get better.
— marlene R.
March 25, 2001
Richard, When I read your post it made me cry. I do not know what your
going through, but can understand the pain/frustration/hopelessness you
might be feeling. I was released from the hospital on Tuesday, but returned
on Wednesday at 6am due to pain, nausea, etc... I was having a bad reaction
to the pain mediation they gave me. I was readmitted to the hospital and
stayed two days till they found a medicine that I could tolerate. Please
see your doctor. He will determine if you need to change your medication.
My world changed from why did I do this to yes, I can do this. Hope this
helps.
— Maurine S.
March 25, 2001
call your doctor ask for liquid vicoden ( Loratab)
i have tried both the pills and liquid and the liquid is much better
my best advice would be to get out of the house and walk
each and every day..trust me it really helps
take a big gulp of liquid vicoden and then start those boots a walking
I noticed when i tried the pills that i got little relief
Maybe it was because of the pills not disolving fast enough
who knows but the Loratab I loved ...its a narcotic
and easy to get hooked on so whean your self off as soon as you can
It really does get easier...week 6 seems to be a turning point
easier to sleep and do most activities
good luck
hang in there
Kathy
-69 (11-1-00)
Open RNY distal
— Kathleen M.
March 25, 2001
You didn't say if you're hurting on the outside, like muscles, incision or
in the innards, like nausea, clutching pain, burning in the pouch. Also,
you didn't specify if you are able to get your fluids in and pain is
better/worse/the same. And if things come OUT in due course? It's always
possible that there is an adhesion that acts like a strap being gradually
tightened where it ought not to be, rather like a tie-down holding a hunk
of intestine down and slowly tightening down, which would mean pain when
you got enough of a flow going in that intestine to make it
"thicker". Or a bowel obstruction. Or just a kink. I am
assuming you've reported this to your doc? Still, you may need to insist
and see if you can be very specific about what kind of pain, so they don't
think you're just tired of being "sore". It doesn't sound that
way to us, as you can see. Just see if you can define the type, the when,
the how long after eating/drinking and be very specific when you call first
thing tomorrow morning, OK?
— vitalady
March 25, 2001
I was in misery for about a month, pain when I moved, couldn't sleep,
depressed, etc. Just totally miserable!! It does get better, I know this
probably doesn't help much but hang in there, it does get better.
— Deania W.
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