Re: Nerve damage - Shoulder Pain? LONG

[Guest guest]

Joy,

I'm so sorry to hear that your post-op pain has gotten worse. It's horrible when the pain is so bad that you can't even sleep. Are you going to call TCC again or see your local doctor for testing to see what it might be?

Concerned,

Jan from Northern KY

[Guest guest]

Joy,

I still get shoulder pain when i eat to much. Since they raised my stomach some...it interfers with my diapghram. Which yes well cause shoulder pain. There is only so much room in your chest cavity and when i eat to much it fills up and puts pressure on my diapghram which like i said creates the shoulder pain. I sometimes can't tell when i'm full, which does create problems at times...Mine will usually subside within an hour or so. But i had pain from the air trapped in my chest, even though i had a chest tube to help let some of it out.

in IndianaJoy <q.t@...> wrote:

Aw you guys.....I had a terrible day yesterday. As I had weaned myself off the narcotic (liquid Roxicodone) as of last weekend (1+ week post op) so I could drive and because it seemed un-necessary, I was still taking 600mg Ibuprofen every 6 hours as needed. I began to notice a sharp stabbing pain (unlike the gas bubbly pain) in my left shoulder, continuing to worsen, coming in waves, as this last week progressed. Maybe it was because I was more active, but it was just as bad at night - or worse! By yesterday morning it had reached a level that the ibuprofen didn't even soften it in the slightest. I called TCC and they said it was just the gas, not to worry, take motrin and call them Monday if it was still bothering me and they would get me in on Wed.I don't think they

understood that I couldn't sleep and the level of pain. I called my internist and she said that pain in the shoulder that is untouched by medication sounds like Gall Bladder and to get to the hospital for tests. The hospital Dr.'s confirmed that any gasses from the surgery would have left my body within 48 hours. I also made sure to tell them that I don't mind pain that is getting better...but pains that get increasingly WORSE worry me. Nine (9) hours later after x-ray, cat scan, blood test, EKG....they said that if the pain had been in my other shoulder (right) then it would be likely Gall Bladder and not unusual for after surgery. But, at least they didn't find any infection or anything life-threatening (ie. blood clots etc). They said that pains in the diaphram send their pain reacting sensors to the shoulder ....so more than likely a nerve had been damaged during the surgery. The nerves

heal themselves very slowly at the rate of 1"/month. I was given a prescription of Lortab 10/500 - supposedly one of the strongest pain killers available and whe I got home it didn't even touch the pain. They said I could still take the 600mg ibuprofen which I did. My husband was reading on the internet that a shot of wine would intensify the effects of the Lortab...so even though I am NOT a drinker, I downed a bit. After 4 hours I took som liquid Roxycodone....and finally about 3am the pain began to back off. I know this has been TOO LONG and I apologize - but has anyone suffered this. It is a huge setback for me.Joy

[Guest guest]

wrote:

I still get shoulder pain when i eat to much. Since they raised my

stomach some...it interfers with my diapghram. Which yes well cause

shoulder pain. There is only so much room in your chest cavity and

when i eat to much it fills up and puts pressure on my diapghram

which like i said creates the shoulder pain. I sometimes can't tell

when i'm full, which does create problems at times...Mine will

usually subside within an hour or so. But i had pain from the air

trapped in my chest, even though i had a chest tube to help let some

of it out.

I had only had a light breakfast when I went into the hospital.

Gosh, I was so hungry by the time I got out that I actually broke ALL

the rules and had the McMeal #1....Big Mac combo! By the way, had NO

trouble eating (yeah)! But, stomoch content didn't effect the pain.

Good idea though.

Joy

[Guest guest]

Mmmmmm well we are all different....just give it some time....maybe it will subside soon. Joy <q.t@...> wrote:

wrote: I still get shoulder pain when i eat to much. Since they raised my stomach some...it interfers with my diapghram. Which yes well cause shoulder pain. There is only so much room in your chest cavity and when i eat to much it fills up and puts pressure on my diapghram which like i said creates the shoulder pain. I sometimes can't tell when i'm full, which does create problems at times...Mine will usually subside within an hour or so. But i had pain from the air trapped in my chest, even though i had a chest tube to help let some of it out. I had only had a light breakfast when I went into the hospital. Gosh, I was so hungry by the time I got out that I actually broke ALL the rules and had the McMeal #1....Big Mac combo! By the way, had NO trouble eating

(yeah)! But, stomoch content didn't effect the pain. Good idea though.Joy