Post-Surgical pain... Still?

I have had some really bad luck this past month! It started with having a laparoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis, and ended with major complications from that surgery... I had to have an emergency laparotomy, in which they removed 2 tennis ball sized blood clots and 5 cups of free blood from my abdomen. I also had an abdominal drain inserted for the week that I was in the hospital that drained more blood from my abdomen. I also had a blood transfusion, and was severely dehydrated when I first went back into the hospital for my second surgery. I am now concerned that I seem to be in moderate to severe pain, with different pain medications working for a little while, and then ceasing to work. Is it normal to still have pain, nearly a month after the surgery was performed? I have had to ask my doctor for different pain meds, and he called in Darvocet for me... and that has begun to stop working. I am afraid if I call and ask for something else, they will look at me like I am a junkie, which I am definitely not! Can anyone tell me when I can expect some relief? Or can anyone offer any suggestions? When can I expect to finally be out of this pain?

[swampcritter]

Is there any way you could see another doctor who could independently examine you, possibly doing some imaging, and make certain there aren't any unknown problems with the surgery?

Also, did you overexert yourself after surgery? You could have torn something, even in simple movements like walking.

Did the operation involve stitching your bowels? Because that requires a huge amount of skill to do really well, and the tissue is very delicate.

[sammie02]

Well, this week was my first week back at work since June 3, the day of my first surgery. I guess that I may have over exerted myself, maybe.
I did just call my doctor, and made an appointment for tomorrow morning. My concerns are that the pain just seems to want to stick around a lot longer than I was hoping it would! And no, the laparotomy surgery I went throught was to remove the blood and clots from my abdomen, so there was no stitching of the bowels.(The incision is the same as when they do a vertical c-section, and is about 5-6 inches long, if that makes a difference) But the pain has been prominent since the 1st surgery (June 3), and is not getting any better. Do you know if that is normal for this kind of surgery? I just want to know if I am still within the recovery stage, or if I should brace myself for another surgery.

[sandee1818]

Anytime you have surgery you have to allow your body to recover from it. take it easy and make sure the doctor understands that your in pain and need to find out why and treat it.
I hope your feeling better soon. Let us know how your doctor appt goes:)

[Tuckamore]

Hi Sammie,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry to hear about the pain and surgeries you have experienced recently. Abdominal surgery (5 inch long incision) is traumatic to your system. It can take some time to recover from the procedure. Your body has undergone a lot in a short time. However that said, you should be feeling better than you did pre-op at this point.

I hope you'll share with us how your appointment went with your physician. Darvocet contains Darvon and acetaminophen (Usually it is Darvocet N 50 or N 100)  is an extremely weak pain reliever that also contains acetaminophen (tylenol). Many believe that a prescription dose of Ibuprofen (Advil) is equal to or more often greater than the pain relieving effects of Darvon.

I hope you will keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
Tuck

[sammie02]

Well, my doctor's appointment went as well as I could have hoped! My doctor explained that he went further to each side with internal incisions, and that is the reason I am still having pain that extends past the external scar. My body is working overtime healing and the internal stitches shift (I guess!) as they heal. I guess it is just taking me a liitle longer than I expected to feel better! I was taken off of the Darvocet, and put back on a stronger pain medicine, and I find myself using it a little less often. I am just a stubborn brat :), and I want to heal fast and be back to normal... and I am probably pushing myself way too fast. I am still realizing that this was a MAJOR surgery, and not just a boo-boo. Guess I am still working at wrapping my mind around the whole thing!

[Tuckamore]

Hi Sam,

I'm glad to hear that you have better pain relief. And you are correct, sometimes we just want to hurry and return to "normal." We are inpatient.

I hope you heal quickly and are having less pain. I hope you'll keep in touch and let us know how you are recovering. I'll look forward to your updates.

Peace,
Tuck

[sammie02]

Well, it has been 2 months since my first surgery, and I can finally say that I am feeling almost back to normal! I was feeling so much better this weekend, I was able to head up north to Prescott for a day trip to get out of the heat in Phoenix! It was WONDERFUL! Although I am still a little sore along my incision, that is the only thing that is bothering me. Now I just have to get myself back on the treadmill (!) to lose some of the weight I have gained not being able to be as active as I usually am!
Thank you all for your support... You are the greatest!

[Tuckamore]

Hi Sammie,

Thank you so much for your update. It sounds like you had a wonderful day trip. I am happy for you.

I am glad that you have healed well and are well on your way to complete recovery. We are always impatient to return to our normal self post-op or post-injury. I think that is what speeds most of us on to recovery.

Again it was good to hear from you and to hear a happy ending. Don't forget us, we are here if you need us.

Warm Regards,
Tuck