Never thought I would want MORE pain, but... (just venting)

Today is the second day in a row that I have come home early because of pain in my belly.  The problem is that it is too much to allow me to concentrate to work (IT stuff during the day) but, since one vicodin makes it bearable, it is not severe enough to go to the ER for the exploratory surgery!   (The second surgeon -- the one who will do the surgery -- defined "severe" pain as something that one 5/500 vicodin wouldn't make reasonably comfortable.)  SO I end up coming home, atking one vicodin, and feeling better enough that I cannot claim "severe" pain.  

I know it is only a matter of time... I have been fighting with this intermittent nonsense for over a year... but it is frustrating to have pain bit have ENOUGH pain.  I want to be sure that when I DO go in it really IS severe pain because I really want him to be able to see whatever is going on (and am afraid that anything less than severe pain will show him nothing)... and I have several social activities between now and the end of the month that having surgery would screw up (so NOT having it in the next 2 weeks would be "better")... but this is annoying (to both me and my boss).

Ok, venting/*****ing over.

Lora

Do you have an idea what is going on?  Could it be gallbladder?  I am sorry you are having pain, I hope you feel better soon.

My gallbladder is already gone.  He thinks it might be an internal hernia or some situation where adhesions are interfering with the intestinal peristalsis...

Lora

I'm sorry . That sucks. I hope it all just resolves itself and you can enjoy your upcoming activities and not even need a surgery. Good luck and keep us posted on how you're doing.

Take care,

 I'm sorry you are having pain!  

My nephew is going through something similar. He is 8 years post-op and is experiencing reflux and a bloating pain in his belly. He's been in for an endoscopy and other tests but they can't figure out what it is.

It sucks not knowing what it is so you can get some relief.

The surgeon's threshold for "enough" pain seems awfully high to me.  If you can't function, it's enough.  Sounds like you've already gotten a 2nd opinion... maybe you need a 3rd.

Feel better,
Laura

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

At least you know the "guidelines" the doctor wants before he will perform surgery.

So...... your next step is to do some real soul searching. Do you REALLY think the only way you are going to find relief is through a possible diagnosis that exploratory surgery will bring?  I have been in your shoes and my answer was a definitive and loud YES. I found out I had a severe case of endometriosis. It is something only diagnosed through surgery.

Maybe, when you are ready and prepared for surgery, you can go in and exaggerate your pain. I know it's a little unethical, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  Water works never hurt either.

I wish you the best of luck! 
HUGS

i dont remember previous posts BUT could it be stones???
Can you take something stronger like percocets?? or go to ER and ask for dilaudid? 

 

The one vicodin makes it bearable (and, when I get really annoyed with it, two makes it go away completely (or at least makes me sleep so I don't notice it!)).  His point in having me wait until I need more than one vicodin to make it bearable is that, because during the times that it gets really bad even a second Vicodin doesn't completely address it... so he wants me to be in "full on" mode before we do surgery to increase the chances of finding the problem.  I can take 2 of the vicodin (rather than something stronger)... I'm just frustrated that it's not a no pain versus pain situation right now (whihc is how it usually is)... it's a "how MUCH pain" situation.

Lora

I would become a wuss and say that 1 pill wasn't enough, How are they going to judge your pain other than what you tell them.