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Post by meridon on Apr 19, 2019 11:08:18 GMT
Hi Peas,
So I had my gallbladder out on Monday and it was done laparoscopically with one incision. I knew to expect some referred pain from the gas they use to inflate the abdomen. I've had several other laparoscopic procedures for endo before as well as a hysterectomy a few years ago. But it's now FRIDAY and I'm desperate.
I'm not sleeping. I can't get comfortable and sleep for more than maybe 2 hours at a stretch. I've done everything I know to do: walking a lot, avoiding fiber and hard to digest foods, taking GasX and activated charcoal and stool softener, drinking hot tea, massage, heating pad, yoga, you name it. And I'm still having a ton of pain in my shoulder and neck. I'll call the nurse when their office opens, but I just had another night with very little sleep and feel terrible.
Is there anything else I can do besides just continue the above and wait it out?
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Apr 19, 2019 11:46:07 GMT
Walk.
When I had mine last year at this time, I walked around the hospital a lot.
I had no gas pains after that.
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smcast
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,374 
Location: MN
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Post by smcast on Apr 19, 2019 12:17:45 GMT
Avoid straws and keep walking. When lying down, try on your left side with a heating pad. That may help relax bowel and allow for better gas escape.
The shoulder strap pain is hard. That could take up to a couple weeks to subside.
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,153
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Apr 19, 2019 12:28:47 GMT
Only thing you didn't mention was walking so i'd walk, walk, walk. Make sure you are staying hydrated also, drink plenty of water.
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Post by meridon on Apr 19, 2019 12:33:31 GMT
Oh, there's been LOTS of walking...it was first on the list above! That's why I'm so frustrated--I'm doing literally everything I know of to do and everything that's worked before and I'm still beyond miserable because it's like the gas builds up while I sleep and wakes me up and I'm getting very little sleep. I was planning to go back to work on Monday, but now I don't know if that's realistic or not if I can't get some sleep!
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Post by Really Red on Apr 19, 2019 13:30:16 GMT
I am sending sympathy. I had that surgery once about 20 years ago and I still remember the pain. It took three days to get rid of and walking and hot pads were my friend.
I am so sorry!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 19, 2019 14:04:25 GMT
I’m so sorry you’re in so much pain! I had mine out a month ago and took GasX the minute I got home and had no issues. I just wanted to send you my sympathy and hope you are able to get some relief quickly.  |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Apr 19, 2019 14:17:31 GMT
ICE!!! ice your shoulder area. esp around the clavicle area. I've become the ice queen on here. Really though, it does the trick in only a few uses.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Apr 19, 2019 16:27:29 GMT
Do you recover from this by farting a lot? I really have no idea. It sounds so painful!
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stittsygirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,590
Location: In the leaves and rain.
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Post by stittsygirl on Apr 19, 2019 16:35:20 GMT
While you likely have excess gas in your stomach/bowels, which is common post-surgery, the excess gas that causes most of the shoulder-strap pain after a laparoscopic surgery is actually in your abdominal cavity, not in your GI system. Some people have it more severely than others (it was the worst pain I had after having my gallbladder removed), and it really just has to dissipate on its own. Moving does help though.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 8, 2024 2:13:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2019 16:36:17 GMT
Gentle massage?
Walking should help.
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Post by nlwilkins on Apr 19, 2019 16:40:38 GMT
bumping ride in car?
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Post by mellyw on Apr 19, 2019 17:28:50 GMT
While you likely have excess gas in your stomach/bowels, which is common post-surgery, the excess gas that causes most of the shoulder-strap pain after a laparoscopic surgery is actually in your abdominal cavity, not in your GI system. Some people have it more severely than others (it was the worst pain I had after having my gallbladder removed), and it really just has to dissipate on its own. Moving does help though. This. I’m so sorry, “gas bubbles” sounds so innocuous doesn’t it? Almost cute, like a baby gets. Like you, I’ve had numerous abdominal surgeries. I had my appendix out in December, and holy hell, those bubbles in my shoulder area were terrible. Like stittsygirl, that was the worst pain from that surgery. And while I was ready for them, because they are always bad for me, I wasn’t ready for the true pain they caused this time. They also took about a week to finish with me, it was terribly frustrating. I hope the nurse may have a suggestion not mentioned here that will help. |
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Post by tkdmom on Apr 19, 2019 17:35:47 GMT
Simethecone or Gas X then sit in a rocking chair and rock away. Walking. Lying on your left side with a heating pad. Lying on your belly.
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