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How long does post-op pain last for?

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Posted 4/27/2013 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Obviously, it's going to vary massively depending on the type of operation, but in this case I'm talking about an open colectomy, stomach cut wide open, colon chopped out and bunged into a bin, kind of thing.

Had my operation on the 20th February, so about 9 weeks ago. Off all painkillers now. Is it normal to still be feeling stomach pain? It varies in intensity from not really being there at all to being quite noticeable, especially at night when I'm trying to sleep. My stoma seems to hurt then, as well; I cannot get into a properly comfortable sleeping position, because the stoma (or the muscle/tissue directly underneath it) is too painful to lie on directly or even semi-directly.

Normal or not? Does anyone know? Thanks...
Posted 4/27/2013 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I had my operation March 4 and still feel intermittent abdominal soreness, especially around the stoma site. I think some of it is due to the fact that I have started walking more and doing more so I'm probably stretching the area. And move was laparoscopic too! But if you are really concerned I would say give your surgeons office a call. I know they often don't have answers but at least if it's something really really concerning they will do something about it.
Posted 4/27/2013 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's normal, NCOT.

I had a residual aches/pains for a number of months after my surgery, especially at night - mostly a deep abdominal ache when I tried to sleep. I was only able to sleep on my back for the first 6-7 months. Gradually I was able to sleep on one side, then the other. I was never a stomach-sleeper so that has never been a problem.

I think activity during the day catches up with us at night when we try to settle down to rest/sleep. Extra strength Tylenol/paracetamol did help if I remembered to take it 30-40 minutes before I went to bed. If I waited to take the Tylenol until after the achiness set in, it did not work as well for me.
Posted 4/27/2013 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, folks. I don't think the pain is severe enough to merit contacting the surgeon's secretary. Got a surgical appointment in July, so if the pain has not got any better by then, I most certainly will bring it up with the surgeon.

@nenagirl, thanks, that is useful to know. Unfortunately I am a lifelong stomach sleeper, so I'm finding not to be able to lie on my stomach quite uncomfortable. I was about to say the pain has actually got worse, not better, recently, but I've just spent 5 days of hell detoxing off a powerful opiate painkiller, dur. So no surprise that the pain is worse, at least. I'm probably worrying too much as usual, but I genuinely have no idea about pain after surgery. The surgeon - when I saw her a couple of weeks ago - said I shouldn't need to be on strong painkillers anymore, but I wished I'd asked her about when does the pain go away completely, as in no trace of it left at all. Anyway, she recommended paracetamol, but I think that's a useless drug on its own. (Although I did take in conjunction with the oxycodone.)
I'll try the extra-strong stuff half an hour before bedtime, though - see if that makes a difference.

I do hope in a few months' time I will be able to sleep on my stomach again.
Posted 4/28/2013 2:13 AM (GMT 0)

NiceCupOfTea said...
Thanks, folks. I don't think the pain is severe enough to merit contacting the surgeon's secretary. Got a surgical appointment in July, so if the pain has not got any better by then, I most certainly will bring it up with the surgeon.

@nenagirl, thanks, that is useful to know. Unfortunately I am a lifelong stomach sleeper, so I'm finding not to be able to lie on my stomach quite uncomfortable. I was about to say the pain has actually got worse, not better, recently, but I've just spent 5 days of hell detoxing off a powerful opiate painkiller, dur. So no surprise that the pain is worse, at least. I'm probably worrying too much as usual, but I genuinely have no idea about pain after surgery. The surgeon - when I saw her a couple of weeks ago - said I shouldn't need to be on strong painkillers anymore, but I wished I'd asked her about when does the pain go away completely, as in no trace of it left at all. Anyway, she recommended paracetamol, but I think that's a useless drug on its own. (Although I did take in conjunction with the oxycodone.)
I'll try the extra-strong stuff half an hour before bedtime, though - see if that makes a difference.

I do hope in a few months' time I will be able to sleep on my stomach again.

Have you tried sleeping halfway between your side/stomach, propping with a soft pillow? I graduated to side-sleeping in increments. I am able to lay on my stomach/stoma without discomfort - but my back does not appreciate that position nono.

I was never a big fan of Tylenol, either - but I found it really did help, especially if I could stay ahead of the pain by taking it before it drove me crazy idea.

You've had a rough go of it dropping the pain meds (I'm not too sure I could be as strong as you've been under those circumstances). I can certainly understand your frustration with all you've been through - patience is not one of my virtues smilewinkgrin. Just try to take it day by day or even hour by hour, your body (and mind - a very important component that is often overlooked, IMO) is still adjusting/healing from the surgery. Don't be too hard on yourself.
Posted 4/28/2013 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I had pain for a good 6 months, not a horrible pain, just random twitches and such. And more so it was a pressure feeling. You shouldn't be having so much pain to need pain pills anymore though. If that's the case something might be wrong. Or you might being doing something that is irritating the area and not know it.
As for sleeping on your stomach you should be able to eventually.
Posted 4/28/2013 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
The pain definitely gets worse at night. It's hardly there now, but last night it really was fairly bad - a little bit worse and it would've been hard to ignore. I don't know, I think I'm just going to assume it's still post-op pain for now and wait a couple more months for it to get better.

@nena girl - I sleep on my side at the moment. On my left side, I can lie halfway between my side and stomach, but not on my right side. I'll try the propping up with a soft pillow tip, though, see if that helps. And the extra-strength paracetamol at night. Thank you for your kind words...

@summerstorm - My pain is more constant and achey than twitchy or crampy. I can relate to the pressure feeling, though, I had a lot of that with Crohn's. I don't absolutely need pain pills: the pain is certainly not unbearable or terrible. But I'll still try something at night time anyway.
Posted 4/28/2013 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Everything seems to be magnified at night it seems after being up and about all day.

Hubby was a stomach sleeper but as suggested above the trade off now is his "hugga pillow" as he calls it...it cushions him from in between side sleeper and stomach sleeper which he has found to be a good way to sleep.
Posted 4/28/2013 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Cheers, UC wife, I'll see if I can find a suitable pillow or cushion. The soreness is worse in the stoma location, so I'm hoping that will help.
Posted 4/28/2013 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi NCOT, do you have a lot of stomach noises during the night or gas? I suffered terribly from trapped gas/partial obstructions in the first 6 months and often ended up pacing my kitchen for an hour in the middle of the night sipping hot camomile tea. The hot drink and walking usually did the trick and freed the gas and I could go back to sleep. I noticed that I had this episodes when I had diary in the evening or ate particularly late. So I cut out late ice creams and yogurts for a few months and ate no later than 7.30 pm.
I also used to sleep on my belly before surgery and now sleep in a first aid recovery position, more or less on the belly but with one knee angulated to stop me rolling over. I also put a pillow under that knee as It somehow stops my hips hurting. Wake up one every night to empty my bag, don't really wake up fully any more, whereas I struggled going back to sleep in the beginning.
Hope you feel better soon.
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