Question:
Gas pain or something else?

I know I hate when people post about pain when in reality they should be on the phone with their surgeon or on the way to the ER but I don't want to go to the ER just to be told it's gas. So I'm posting to get everyone's opinion.<p>First, I am 4 months post-op, open RNY. The pain started last night at 8:30, I was just finishing some herb shrimp and a piece of string cheese. It was radiating from hip to hip across my lower belly (hanging apron). Thinking that it was just gas, although I have never experience this type of pain in this area, I took 2 chewable GasX. I fell asleep on my couch and woke up at 11:30 still in pain, I took a pain pill I had left over from surgery and went to bed. During the night I still had pain and I passed gas 3-4 times. <p>This morning I woke up with the pain and called my mom to get her RN opinion. She told me to walk. I was scared to eat anything so I had a CIB for breakfast and went outside to walk and get my mail. It hurts to stand up or bend over. I had a bowel movement over an hour ago and the pain is still there, it's not better or worse...so I'm really wondering if it's gas or something else, but I no idea what else it could be. I do have an incisional hernia but it's not that low, it seems unchanged. I have no fever...I do feel a little lightheaded. <p>Any advice??? If it doesn't get better soon I will go to the ER I just want to make sure I've tried all I can to make it better before I go.    — Sarahlicious (posted on August 9, 2003)

August 9, 2003
Sarah-I'm not sure but it sounds to me like you really need to go to the ER. Please keep us posted as to what is going on with you. Take care and I hope and pray everything is ok. Michelle
   — Michelle M.

August 9, 2003
You're right it could be gas. But there are many, many other things it could be too! Could be hernia, gall bladder or many other things, but you won't know if you don't do something. Get yourself to your doctor or the ER. If you're waited this long and the pain hasn't let up, it is time to do something.
   — Cathy S.

August 9, 2003
Sarah, Don't take any chance, I thought I had gas and ending up having a colapsed lung and almost 2 liters of fluid in my chest. Go to the ER and be happy if it is just gas. At least you will be on the safe side. Please let us know how you are doing, I am going to worry. Hugs. Barbara
   — barbara M.

August 9, 2003
Um... this may sound strange, but could you be pregnant?? That's what it felt like to me at first... pain from hip to hip across my abdomen. It still feels that way somewhat... I am extremely sensitive to my body, and feel everything deeply. Unless you don't have the equipment any more... you might want to check that too!! Good Luck!
   — Sharon m. B.

August 9, 2003
I had very similar symptoms when I had a gallbladder attack. The only thing I found that helped the pain was heat and pressure just under my ribcage. Anything greasy or carbonated set it off. I was rushed to the emergency room by my DH at 6am, and was in surgery by 9:30.Not meaning to scare you, but if I had waited 2 hrs longer according to the surgon, it would have ruptured. Anytime you have pain like that and it won't go away, you need to go to the ER. It could just be gas, but it could also be something more serious. I would prefer to be embarassed by gas than risk having something seriously wrong with me.
   — mellyhudel

August 10, 2003
*UPDATE*<P>I forgot to mention in the original post that my gallbladder was removed during my RYN, I am on Depo and am not sexually active, so I could not be pregnant.<p>I began to run a fever of 100.7 so I went to the ER last night and they drew blood, took x-ray's, urine sample, and did a pelvic examine. The doctor thinks the pain might be associated with my left ovary, it had been mentioned that my heavy, irregular periods were due to PCOS, but I was never told I definetely had it. The doctor said it most likely wasn't my appendix since the most painful area is on the left and the appendix is on the right. And he didn't think it was serious enough to rush me to the OR, which is fine with me because this was not the hospital where I had my RNY, this was my small local hospital, I was not able to drive 2 hours to get to my WLS hospital. <p>I was sent home, I told the Dr. that I had enough pain meds and didn't need a new prescription (bet they don't hear that often). So I came home in as much pain as I went, I am suppose to follow up with my PCP or OB/GYN within 2 days.<p>I took a pain pill at midnight when I went to bed and at 3am I woke up and was still in pain, so the pain pills are working so good.<p>I feel like I did after surgery, laying still is o.k. but to move hurts.
   — Sarahlicious