Frustrated !

Most of you know my story and know this has not been an smooth journey for me, but it has all been worth it.  Since August I have had a pain in my left side that is was very tender to even shower water over it.  Dr. Peters refered me to Dr. Swier for some nerve stuff.  After a couple of appointment, the pain has definately changed, as the point that was point tender is not nearly as sensative, but still hurts if pushed on (as in if I wear a belt that hits on that area it is amazingly uncomfortable.)  I had to use an abdominal binder to run for a while and then in November was able to just get away with some spandex.  I had a CT scan which showed nothing, but the pain is still there and it seems to be getting worse in that it hurts ALL the time some days.  It feels almost like a pulled muscle that is going on for several months.  I called today to make sure that CHRIAS has received the MRI as I was sure it would show something and had heard nothing (I had it done the end of Dec.). 

Anyway, I got a call back this afternoon that everything looked okay on the MRI.  I am trying so hard to stay positive, but I have taken Lortab 3 times today to try to get comfortable.  (I have taken Lortab since April of last year).  Some days I can go with nothing and other days like this I am waiting on the 6th hour and may only make it the 4th or 5th.  Dr. Peters is hoping it will just go away along with the nausea I still have.  So I saw him in December and said to come back in a few months; therefore, I have an appointment in March.  Unfortunately, I can not figure out anything that makes it better or worse (what I eat, my activity level, how I sleep, etc)  There are many nights where I can't sleep at all as I am just uncomfortable.

The problem is that I can't stop crying tonight as I am soooo frustrated.  i am not sorry for my RNY I am just frustrated that I do not feel like everyone else and nothing is showing up on an MRI or anything.  After all that I went through last winter I am more frustrated and depressed now than I was all last winter with a PICC line and feeding tube and numerous infections.  I think it is because I always saw an end to that stuff, but this left side pain seems like it will be here for life. 

I am not sure why I posted here, as there is nothing any of you can do.  I guess I was hoping talking about it might make is seem better in some sick way. 

Hope things are going well for all of you and you have survived our "snowy" winter.

 Hey there I'm sorry you're going through this. You and I are in the same boat. Albeit our pains are different, yet they are still unexplained.. How eerie that my surgery was just a few days after yours and here we are almost 18 months later with problems. 

Read my thread on this page about my continued problems. Hang in there! You look great! I know the pain sucks believe me. But just think of how much weight you lost. Dr. Peters will figure it out. Everyone at Chrias is wonderful. Hang in there!

Sorry to hear about all of your problems.  Hopefully you will get better with time, or they will suggest something in the future that will alleviate your pain.  Don't apologize for posting.  Wish there was more we could do, but for now I'll keep you in my prayers and and hope for the best.
Rob

Amy you are the my Hero. You are such a trooper. To be in constant pain is just a horrible thought.  I feel soooo bad that you are going through this. I pray the Dr's will find the source of the problem and eliminate it so you can move on. If you ever need to be cheered up, email me and I'll send you my number. I can't take your pain away, but I can listen.  

Maybe you need a little get away. Winter is depressing for some people. Last snow day I got on my computer and traded in my time share towards a cruise. Now I have something to work towards and look forward to. I know its tough but try to stay positive and focused. You are doing so good in so many ways.
((HUGS)) Elissa

Elissa, thanks so much!  I do pretty well in ignoring it, but recently I feel like the "light at the end of the tunnel" is gone.  I was really hoping for something on the MRI! Thanks for all your support and everything you do for all of us!

WOW Amy I am so sorry for what you are going through...My surgery is on Thurs at St. Francis with Dr. Peters....should I tell him to get off his duff and figure out what's wrong with you???? LOL j/k

Hugs and wow please keep us updated...that would surely put me near 6ft under...

LOL!  I actually have an appointment today eventhough I know he is not going to be able to do anything.  I have a feeling we are looking at another exploratory, but neither one of us want to do it while I am in school as I don't do well with surgery and honestly shouldn't miss more days!

Good Luck with your surgery!  You will do great!

Just thought I would update.....of course, we are pretty sure that inside is beautiful b/c it always is during an exploratory (usually an adhesion or two), but not enought to create the pain I am having.  The surgeons have all talked and feel comfident that it is something in the  GI as Dr. Peters has already revised the Y to make it larger.  So....I am going to see a GI specialist for meds (I have been on Bentyl in the pasted, but Peters said there are so many GI meds and he would feel better with me heading to a specialist).  Anyway, the thought is that the feeling on digestion (which somehow I have developed) triggers my brain to register as pain.   He is not too sure, but we are going to try the GI thing.  He also asked me to go to another facility (Hopins, etc.) to see if they can see anything or have a fresh idea or discuss an idea he had that I am not ready to discuss.  Then back to Peters in May to asess where we are....if not wonderful he will do an exploratory right after school so that I can still have my plastics in July. I am back to Pheneregan for nausea (and the drowsiness has returned - I forget how long that lasted before Pheneregan did not have that effect), pain meds, and Loranzapam so I can sleep at night!

Thank you all for your support.  I have a "Carrot" again and feel that maybe just maybe this is not how it will be for life!  Hope all is going well with you!

Hang in there!  It's great you can project such a positive outlook with everyhting you've got going on.  Look forward to good news down the road.
Rob

 Good luck getting into Hopkins. They wouldn't take me when Dr. Irgau suggested it. I ended up at Temple. 

I went to my GI Dr to as a shot in the dark thinking maybe he could have some insit to add to the conversation since Dr. Irgau was stumped. It was pretty worthless. His suggestion was going on the probiotic called ALLI. Hopefully you have better results. Dr. Peters put me on Bentyl before too, but it doesn't prevent my pain from happening and it doesn't ease it once it has happened. 

I thought maybe my pain could be something GI related which was totally unrelated to my RNY. The GI doctor didn't even feel it worthy of doing a colonoscopu. I took all my surgery reports, lab tests, diagnositc tests everything. He looked it all over and suggested the probiotic. LOL 

Anyway good luck you, my unexplained pain buddy!