Question:
Anyone had lingering pain in the back around the kidneys at 4-5 months post op?

I've been having pain here and there since newly post op. First it was a cramping pain along with pain in kidney area. My liver function was high, but that is back to normal now. They were giving me vicodin for the post op pain and the ER doc. said that was causing some of the pain so he put me on percocet. (that was at about 1 month post op) For the past week or two I have been either having cramping pain or high mid back pain or incredable hip pain. The pain in my hips feels like I have been riding a bike for 8 hours. I figure the cramping is probably withdrawl since I'm trying to get off of the percocet because I've been on it for so long. I am guessing that the hip pain is from my weight being redistributed.Since I'm down 70lbs. But the high mid back pain has got me worried. I went to the doctor yesterday and he did a urine on me. Said I don't have a kidney infection. Hurts more on the left side than the right. It's a burning(like a burning back ache but not on the spine)ache. Anyone got a clue? Also, anyone else get dependant on the pain killers and how did you get off of them?    — [Anonymous] (posted on December 22, 2001)


December 22, 2001
That is the type of pain I had when I had gall bladder disease.. Do you still have your gall bladder? It sounds like your doctor is checking out the pain for you with the UA. Have them check your gall bladder if you still have it..
   — [Anonymous]

December 22, 2001
I don't think it is your gallbladder as your gallbladder is located on the right side, not the left. I am guessing (as a Massage Therapist) you are using muscles in your back that you aren't used to using. Are you doing more excercise now? Are you finding yourself more active and therefore doing more bending and lifting? Before I had surgery I had constant, chronic low back pain... but since having surgery, the pain has moved up to the mid back, between the ribs on either side of the spine. Somedays it hurts worse on the right and other days it hurts worse on the left. But I know what is causing mine... I never walked before the surgery (except when I had to get somewhere) and now I am walking three times a week and riding a recumbant bike 3 times a week. I am using these muscles for the first time in a very long time and they are letting me know it!!! Today I "spring cleaned" my room and completely cleaned out and re-arranged my walk in closet... tonight I can hardly move as my back hurts like crazy... but I know what it is from and so I will go and lay on my heating pad, rub some Tiger Balm into the area and relax. By morning I will be much better. If the pain continues for you or gets worse, go back to your doctor and ask to see a urologist as you could have a kidney stone rolling around in there. I have had those too and they come on as being dull aches in the mid back (closer to the side than to the spine) and they can roll around for months before deciding to come out. Hopefully it is just strained muscles and nothing worse. As for the dependancy on pain killers, I can't help you there... I have never had the experience, but if I hear anything helpful I will pass it along. Take care!!!
   — Kellie Jo B.

December 22, 2001
I had this kind of pain before wls and went to the Dr. saying that I must of had a kidney infection or such, urine came back clear. Less than a week later I was in the hospital emergency room being schedule for removal of my steghorn kidney stone, that is a stone that is very large and basically takes up the inside of the kidney. The pain was usually after I had emptied my bladder and then is was constant until I had it romoved. I contacted my Dr. about the oversight and they said they had just checked for blood in my urine and it showed none. Needless to say I changed Dr.s, they should listen more to their patients. Forming kidney stones is suppossed to be kind of common after wls, at least that is what my surgeon said.
   — Lisa J.




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