Really messed up 8 weeks LNF post-op

I thought I was ready to return to work in a limited capacity. I am an interior painter and just didn’t realize how much energy I would need for even a short day. I got the go-ahead from doctor’s office to return to work and feel my way along. I still had chest pain (I’m 68) and was told this pain is normal for my stage of healing at doctor’s office and not to worry about it, but the only thing that takes the edge off the pain is Norco and Xanax!

I worked 6 ‘short’ days from Aug. 18th through Aug. 25th and it was a mistake. Each day, it took every ounce of energy I had and I didn’t realize it until I got home. I could do nothing but REST. I had the right foods with me and made sure to eat and take a break when I felt I needed it.

So, the past 5 days have been total misery for me. I’ve not been able to completely get off the narcotic pain meds yet and had to call in for a refill the LAST I can get). I was down to 2 during 24 hours. I’m now back to 3. I’ve re-implemented my 10lb. lifting restriction, am paying attention to backing off any ‘bending’, and am still working on my diet. What I can and can’t eat (still mostly a mushy diet). During my work days, I didn’t do my daily walks at all, so that didn’t help either.

This has depressed me so much as I’ve gone backwards and I feel I’ve injured my wrap and will this ever get better????

It would help to hear of others that have had set-backs after 8 weeks + post-op. I was plagued with GERD chest pain for years before the surgery and it just seems like it will never end.

Linda Sue,
I'm so sorry to hear you've hit a bump in the road. I think you're doing what you can by resting and watching your diet right now. Will you stay out of work for a while again?
about 3 weeks after my surgery and the first time I ventured out to a social event (a picnic) I reached from the front to the back seat of the car to get something back there and absent-mindedly really stretched hard until I felt a little "snap" in my mid-section and thought "What the heck are you thinking...?" It hurt! Of course I was afraid I had damaged my wrap but was told that as fragile as you feel it really takes a lot to hurt anything. It took a few weeks but the pain subsided and there was no harm done. I hope that turns out to be the case for you, too. Call your doc and see what he says and then REST as best you can.
Peg

Linda Sue:

Sorry to hear that you are still suffering - does your doctor feel that it's normal that you still need pain meds throughout the day? Does he have a suggestion when your script runs out? I really don't think you have injured your wrap, you have been careful and I agree that it would take a lot to do damage to it. I remember when I went back to work after 2 months, it was really difficult - I was exhausted, and that feeling did not go away immediately. I was tired for months, but I was prepared for that. I think I told you that I didn't need pain meds after 2 days - but then again, I'm probably a freak of nature. Have you tried taking liquid tylenol, are you do for a follow-up with your surgeon or maybe you need to schedule another one. Otherwise, are you feeling good - any reflux? I would stay with the mushy diet until things improve for you - no use irritating your stomach in addition to everything else.

Don't be discouraged - things will get better!

Sharon

Theres a pain medication we have here in NZ called Mersyndol, it has codiene in it so it is still an opoid but you can get it OTC (again, in NZ) and I find that its way more effective than panadol or panadiene.

If you can wean yourself off the hard painkillers, maybe try halving your dose if you can, and take tylenol along side it, thats probably for the best because thos types of painkillers are VERY addictive and prolonged use can cause other problems like rebound pain, which is apparently worse than the pain you are trying to stop, and withdrawal when you stop it.

Have you tried any non-medication approaches? The recovery process can get quit upsetting at times and if you are a bit more on edge you might be quite tense and that wont help the pain at all, one thing that has been my savior at times when even the really strong painkillers aren't working is really focusing on my breathing. To do this I lie down flat as this is the position which is least painful, close my eyes, sometimes put a damp wash cloth on them. Then I focus really hard on breathing in slowly through my nose, pushing out my diaphragm, holding for a second then exhaling through my mouth. You need to really give it your undivided attention, and I wont claim its a miracle painkiller but it helps you to cope with it better and thats the key during recovery, aim to get the pain to a bearable level rather than trying to eliminate it entirely, its not a perfect solution but recovery takes time, and you will find pain coming and going even months down the track so being able to cope with a certain level of pain means less dependence on painkillers.

Keep your chin up, its tough but you did it for a good reason and ultimately the positives will outweigh the negatives but in the short term things will be worse before they get better but its not always going to be bad. Just focus on each day, sometimes trying to look or plan too far ahead just makes you more depressed.

I should note though that I haven't had the LNF, but did recently have a cholecystectomy.

Any surgeries in the abdominal cavity are major ones, even though you only have a few small incisions, and it takes time for all the scar tissue to form and for things to settle down. Especially at this early stage its easy to over do things when you are feeling good, but its important to slow down, if you do feel good enjoy it but don't change your routine - give it a few days and see if you are still feeling good then maybe try taking on a little bit more.

jenagade, you make some excellent suggestions, especially the 'breathing' that can be a natural relaxant, and I will put them to use.

I DO want to get off the narcotic pain meds as I agree that they may 'turn on me' and I certainly don't need that. I've made a copy of your post and I will put your ideas to work THANK YOU!

Sharon Z, yes the fatigue is a major set-back, isn't it? I can do an hour or two of very 'light duty' work, even around the house, and them I'm totally EXHAUSTED. It has been hard for me to slow down, but having these set-backs is WORSE, so I'm going to 'cool it' BIG TIME. I'm so glad you checked out good. I'm still having appetite issues, as well, but I'm not too concerned about that. My meals are small, frequent and mostly boring but that's what's needed now. My stomach doesn't like very much variety at this point.

I really appreciate the support and encouragement I find here. You are ALL helping me so much!

Happy to help Linda Sue, I dont have experience with LNF like some of the others but I am a few months post-op from a gallbladder removal so to a certain degree I can sympathise.

I hope some of those techniques help you with the pain and that you continue on to recover well and can get back to a normal life soon :)

Thank you michiganmom, jenagade & Sharon Z,
I appreciate your support and encouragement. My biggest concern is still needing narcotic pain meds for the crushing chest pain. I'm taking it real easy and if I don't get some relief within another week, I will be back in touch with doctor's office.

I can handle some pain, but what I get is unbearable without the Norco. It's the worst after a full nights' sleep. Go figure?

Are you sleeping with your bed flat? Or do you have it angled up from before your surgery, because if thats the case that could be the problem at night.

It sounds like it might be best to see the doctor again.