Diagnosed with chronic pain after kidney stone surgery

Hello, I'm posting this to see if there's anyone out there whose been through a situation like this. I'm hoping to get some insight on the problem... Well here goes.

I'm a 22 year old female. I've had kidney stones in the past, but last year I had to get surgery to remove a 7 mm stone. I had many many stones in my kidneys so I had two more surgeries in the same year. I have two 2 mm stones left waiting to pass.

Ever since the first surgery I've been in pain on my right side. It's achy/ crampy, sometimes almost itchy? Or like someone poking me. After a year of tests- all said I was healthy, nothing wrong with kidney function, etc., my urologist diagnosed me with chronic pain. They said that durning the first surgery something was touched wrong? And that my nerves keep firing pain signals even though there's
No reason for pain.

Now I'm on a lot of medications as well as medications for depression.
I've been on the wait list for a pain specialist for almost a year (here in Canada).

I'm not looking to blame anyone, I'm really hoping to get some insight/ advice. I can't be the only person with this!

Thank you!

-B.

Hi Bee and welcome to the CP forum. Unfortunately we see way too many people with nerve pain after surgery. Whenever the human body is entered by an invasive procedure that risk is there and being able to hold anyone responsible usually is not. The body contains nerve cells and nerve pathways throughout its entirety and they cannot be seen with the naked eye only distinguished under microscopic conditions and those surgical procedures are site specific such as entering the brain or spinal column. Even skin contains thousands of nerve cells. There are some major nerve pathways such as the sciatic and cranial nerves that surgeon's know exist and know that location and avoid the area if possible but nerves supplying organs are impossible to avoid just like the initial incision to enter the body. Cutting anywhere in the anatomy is going to severe nerve cells and how those attempt to heal or reconnect is where some people experience issues. Nerve pain from a surgical procedure is far more common than you think and as soon as people start posting here you will see many left with residual nerve pain following a surgical procedure. There's always that risk. Sometimes the nerve will eventually heal itself to its ability and this can take years and sometimes the cells never get it right when attempting to reattach and pain is what you have.

As for responsibility,well there was likely no way your surgeon could have anticipated this nor avoided it unless of course he just went in and hacked away and that would have to be proven. Malpractice is based on negligence and determined by prudence and if he followed surgical protocol,met with standards of care and used sound judgement then his peers will determine he carries no fault.

It's unfortunate that this happened to you at such a young age and just as preventing nerve damage is difficult so is treating it but with the development of meds specifically for nerve pain many have found some relief.