Question:
In pain, will this get easier?
I went for lap rny on 2/29/03 and came out with open rny. It appears my liver was "in the way." Needless to say, I have pains that are unmentionable! I had pulmonary effusion and my right (what feels like arm) is aching so bad I can lay down. My prescripiton (I live 2.5 hours away from my surgeon) made me dump last night and I hadn't had anything ALL NIGHT long until the surgeons office opened. Then it took them four hours to call in Children's Tylenol and said that is all I am getting. I have to constantly go up and down stairs to get to and from the bathroom (like 13 stairs). I am in pain, my staples feel like they are leaking, I can't sleep, my breath is nasty. Tell me please when this is going to be easier. PLease give your expert advice. — Marcy G. (posted on May 5, 2003)
May 5, 2003
Marcy, I think you meant to say 4/29 and not 2/29 for your surgery date?
Your profile indicated that surgery was the end of April. If thats the
case then you are such a new pre-op, just a week out of surgery and it is
understandable that you are having a rough time. It does get better as
time goes by, however, you should not have to be in pain. Bug your doctors
office again, and again until you get some relief- if your prescription
made you dump, they should have an alternative for you, but know that you
will eventually feel better. Just remember to stay hydrated if nothing
else. Hang in there..a few months from now, you will look back on this as a
distant memory.
— Cindy R.
May 5, 2003
Marcy, if Cindy was right and you're just a week out- this is pretty normal
and you will get better. If you really had surgery in Feb, then I'd call
your doc. But ASSUMING you had surgery a week ago- it's going to take time
to heal and feel better. I felt miserable the first few weeks, in so much
pain, including gas pains, my incisions hurt, I felt horrible. But everyday
my mom kept telling me "it will get better- and in a few months it
will be worth it" And it's true. It does get better- so hang in
there! In the meantime- is the tylenol really helping you? I was on
percocet for a few weeks afterwards b/c the pain was intolerable- so don't
be scared to ask for something stronger, you have afterall had your insides
rearranged! Next week the pain will be a bit duller and the following week
it will probably just soreness and aches. Goodluck to you!
— Lezlie Y.
May 5, 2003
One week post op open RNY you should have been discharged with some type of
narcotic i.e., codeine or vicodin at the very least. Talk to the nurse and
give her your pain level on a scale of one to ten and ten being the
highest. They should at least give you the equivalent to what you were
discharged with. I can't take Vicodin but I can take Tylenol with codeine
#3. If you don't get an acceptable response from the nurse ask to speak
with the surgeon directly and don't take no for an answer. I've been a
surgery nurse for more than 30 years both on the hospital floor and in the
clinic. You should not be suffering so. It does get better but you will
get better faster if you weren't in so much pain.
If you must climb and descend 13 stairs each time you have to go to the
bathroom wouldn't it be better to stay downstairs until you get stronger?
Just a thought. Please feel free to email me. It does get better alot
better I promise. You are in my prayers.
— Rebecca L.
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