6 days post op

Is this normal?  Should I be experiencing so much pain when swallowing liquids?

What is causing this pain?

How long will I have to put up with this?

I was prescribed Oxycotin tablets; cut one in half and swallowed it. The pain in my chest was so bad while it was going down that I almost passed out.  

Can I crush the Oxycotin tablets in water or crush them in apple sauce?

Please help; I am scared and desperate because I don't want to consume anything due to the pain it causes and I am becoming dehydrated.  

PPIs stopped working months before.

I had a hiertal hernia repaired and a fundoplication.

Good luck in your Nissen; I hope that all goes well.

Welcome to the Healing Well Wrapped Club! The first few days are the toughest, and after that the first two weeks are the toughest...take it a day at a time.

Although your outsides don't seem to have gone through much--just 5 little slits, your insides have gone through a lot.  You've had major surgery, and your stomach has been stretched and wrapped, then stitched, around your esophagus.  It's been through a lot.  At Day 6 you're still experiencing surgical pain.

Your wrap site is swelling, and no doubt the swelling is pulling on stitches.  This swelling with continue to increase until it hits peak somewhere around 14 days.  Then you're on the way toward gradual improvement.  There are some rough days in the first 14, and those of us who've been through it know what you're dealing with.

Hang in there...it gets better!

Here's a link to my recovery journal during the first 19 days.  While every recovery is unique, it'll show another person's post-Nissen experience: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Of course, if you're ever really concerned about your pain, or worried there might be something wrong give your surgeon's office a call.  That's what they get paid the big bucks for!  I remember calling mine more than once...

Take care,

Denise

Unfortunately your surgeon's lack of concern over the recovery is not the exception, but seems to be the rule.  I don't think anyone posting here has been properly prepared by their surgeon.  I suspect that situation would be improved if our surgeons had actually experienced the recovery.

The only way to prepare for this surgery is to research it yourself.  This forum is an amazing resource.  I found it shortly before my surgery.  The people here at that time (3 years ago) provided me with lots of great information, and helped me find the courage to move forward with having the surgery.  Once I was on the other side, they provided support and lots of great advice.

I'm glad you've found us.  You're definitely in the right place.

Keep asking questions!

Denise

PS--are you taking your pain medication regularly?  Be sure to do that.  Crush it and mix it with something that is easy to swallow (be sure it's not time-release).  Liquid is the easiest, so if you could get that it would be best.  For some reason these surgeons who insist that we stay on liquids post surgery think we should be able to swallow large pills.  That doesn't even make sense.  Good luck!

Post Edited (dencha) : 1/29/2012 9:38:36 AM (GMT-7)