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How long does it take for the collarbone/shoulder pain to go away post Nissen with laproscope?

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Posted 9/21/2010 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
I've been using the little blowing machine from the hospital, walking every day and trying to get rid of the effects from the gas the surgeon used to inflate my stomach to see everything inside during surgery. All of it is gone except under my left collarbone and it aches so badly like a severe toothache. I've tried everything and don't know what else to do. Have tried heat, ice, massage, deep breathing, stretching - nothing. It's keeping me from sleeping and I started back to work today - this is post-op day 13 and it's driving me nuts. It aches so badly I just want to cry. Any suggestions? I mentioned to the Dr when he looked at my incision today and he really didn't say anything. This is totally driving me crazy as I can't escape this pain. I'm tempted to go to my chiro and see if an adjustment might help.
Posted 9/21/2010 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Nothing you do is going to get rid of the gas pain. Well, maybe a little slow walking will make it feel better. But it will go away as soon as the body absorbs the gas. Did they give you any pain killers?

Do keep on with the breathing machine as long as they tell you to! It's normal for the lungs to collapse partly from air getting above the diaphragm when they close a hernia or take down the esophagus and mess about in the mediastinum.

I don't know why they just look at the incisions and decide we are fine.

Stay away from chiro for now at least. You could have more damage done if they are not familiar with the surgery. You have some unhealed internal stitching and should not be doing any real exercising. I wouldn't be doing any massage or serious stretching yet either.

Take it easy for now. Let your body heal itself. This is a major operation and you should expect several months recuparation. Follow your doctor's orders for exercise, diet, pain meds ...
Posted 9/21/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Catlady3-
I had that really bad the second time round and the best thing I found was malox antacid chewables believe it or not. I gave it a shot and the pain went away in about 30 minutes. I was going nuts for days and that's all that made it it stop. Not even pain meds touched it.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/21/2010 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Catlady,
Only some opiate drugs that I had left over from a really bad lung infection would touch that pain for me. Sadly all you can do is wait for it to go away.
Posted 9/22/2010 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Bill - I did try the antacid but unfortunately I didn't have any luck - had talked the the medical assistant at my surgeon's office and she said it was from air trapped under the diaphragm. I know what's causing it but wanted to know how to get past the pain. I had it on both sides at first but I even took at nap when my husband got home, I was in such misery. Plus I feel I've gone back to work too soon. I spent more time in the bathroom than at my desk (sorry TMI). I'm working only 4 hours a day but after 2 hours, I'm totally in pain. Dr. gave me Percocet but don't want to get hooked on them or depend on them so am trying to rely on Advil instead but it's not cutting it. The MA told me to talk to the Dr. on Friday when I see him again if this pain doesn't improve. I don't know what he can do but this is almost worse than the post-op pain.
Posted 9/22/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
It's a shame they can't stick a needle in and deflat you. Ssssssssssssss. aaaaahhh. :)
I wish I could help.
Posted 9/23/2010 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
I certainly wish something could be done - have had a heating pad on my shoulder all night it hurts so bad - I can hardly sleep at night it's bothering me so badly and working during the day it's really distracting me - I sure hope this goes away soon. The MA advised me to take Advil which I am but it's not touching the pain and hate to take Percocet very often.
Posted 9/23/2010 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
I had it bad too. Every breath or movement was an awful stabbing burning pain. I never found anything that helped, just wait it out. Mine took a few weeks to completely go away.
Posted 9/27/2010 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear you are in so much pain.  I was also and remember it well.  Mine lasted a month so I stayed on my pain meds they gave at the hospital.  See if you can stay on your pain meds which won't take it away but will make it more bearable for you.

Gerd11

Posted 9/28/2010 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
It's finally going away a little bit but cold weather makes it much worse - went to an 8 hour long MEGA concert on Saturday - was an outdoor concert in Denver - used to be Fiddler's Green. By 10pm was freezing and collarbone pain was like the worst toothache! Heat makes it much better - tried walking today around the building but noticed my stomach muscles are so sore can't walk fast like I did before I left for surgery! Wow, can't wait till I get back to normal! Not a patient person at all but it's getting slowly better!
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