I'm miserable

KayleighsMommy · 07-04-2008, 05:45 PM

First off... I want to apologize.....I don't want to be one of those doom and gloom nothing good to ever say kind of people (and normally, I'm not)

But I have to say this surgery has not been too kind to me yet (though I know I am a bit different case than most)

I am now 8 days post op and still in a LOT of pain. I am still having gas pain (though my surgeon insists it is not gas.. that it is the band I feel) Many people have told me they have the exact type of pain (mid breastbone, spreading up and out) and my surgeon told me that is NOT gas...though people think it is. I am sucking down GasX like crazy anyway, it is helping marginally.

My other major issue is itching....I had 9 incisions, and each one of them has a nasty dark red rash around it from the tape. The tape did not start bugging me until 6 days postop, and the doctor took it off the next day (yesterday) The itching is so intense it is actually painful....I am doing all I can NOT to itch...as well as using different topical agents on it (hydrocortizone cream as well as aloe vera w/lidocaine) I just have to be careful not to open up an incision.

I started mushies yesterday too....I was happy about that, since I was Hungry but of course, now I am having trouble getting in my 3 meals, 3 protein drinks and 64 oz of water <sigh> I just can't win. This difficulty is not because of restriction (I don't feel any) It's more a time issue...just not enough hours in the day.

I can say I am not unhappy I did the surgery....I am trying to look at all these things as just what I need to go through on the way to a better, heathier me.

snuffy65 · 07-04-2008, 05:50 PM

Sorry your having such a rough time. I guess everything you have mention is pretty normal. The only unormal thing is that your experiencing all of those symptoms.

I guess the only question I have is if your hungry all the time and have no restriction couldn't you eat more or are things going down too slowly?

flowers · 07-04-2008, 05:51 PM

If you cant stop yourself from itching, maybe you can put something like gauze over the incisions so you dont accidently scratch it?

As far as worrying you arent eating enough, thats the last thing I would be worrying about unless you are feeling faint. I used to eat worse, unbalanced, maybe have 2 ears of corn and call it dinner and my sugar levels would go nuts. How much worse can it be what you are now eating? Even a month of not eating enough, wouldnt affect your health unless you are really not getting enough protein and your iron levels are depleted or whatever.

HeatherO · 07-04-2008, 05:56 PM

Hang in there . . . this uncomfortable part will not last very long.

9 incisions seems like a lot. Most of us only have 5 or 6. It doesn't help to have extra places that itch.

I found out that I am allergic to most bandages and tape after surgery. They were giving me itching and discomfort as well.

I had to stop using traditional bandages and went to a liquid bandage for some (I think it was called new skin) and I also was able to find bandages with cloth on the inside and the tape portion looked like plastic wrap. I was not allergic to this other bandage but it still irritated my skin. I found the best thing for me was air. After a shower, I would let my incisions air dry while I read a book or watched tv in my bedroom.

If your wounds are closed and there is no drainage, perhaps you just need to leave them a little open because of the rash. Do you have some undershirts or t-shirts you don't care about? If the wounds are closed, perhaps a clean, loose shirt that wont be hurt by any topical cream might be the most comfortable way to allow your rashes to go away.

snuffy65 · 07-04-2008, 05:57 PM

one more thing. 3 meals + 3 protein shakes?

That seems a bit much. After two weeks post op I was told to only drink a shake if I wasn't getting enough protein in by the end of the day.

SkinnieMinnie · 07-04-2008, 07:44 PM

So sorry your feeling bad. I'm 8 days out as well and still suffering terribly with the gas pains. They lay me out at least twice a day. I "vomited" (retched would be a better term since I have nothing in my stomach) from them today.

How about Benadryl for the itchy incisions?

I wish you the best... I'm hoping I made the right choice too.

lhildebrant · 07-04-2008, 09:01 PM

I too was experiencing the pains in the chest area (mid breast area spreading up and out). In fact it was so bad I went to the ER. After spending the night for observation and many tests, it was determined to be Acid Reflux with spasms in my esophagus. I was given some medication for the acid reflux and everything cleared up. (I am 14 days post op).

For the itching .... When I get mesquito bites that itch, I used stick deodorant (any brand) on the bite and the itching disappears. Might work for the incision if it doesn't cause any infection.

KayleighsMommy · 07-05-2008, 04:19 PM

Thanks for the kind words. I guess the eating thing is just that I don't feel there are enough hours in the day to get all my food/protein/liquids down. I guess I just have to start getting up earlier ;)

KayleighsMommy · 07-05-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatherO

Hang in there . . . this uncomfortable part will not last very long.

9 incisions seems like a lot. Most of us only have 5 or 6. It doesn't help to have extra places that itch.

I found out that I am allergic to most bandages and tape after surgery. They were giving me itching and discomfort as well.

I had to stop using traditional bandages and went to a liquid bandage for some (I think it was called new skin) and I also was able to find bandages with cloth on the inside and the tape portion looked like plastic wrap. I was not allergic to this other bandage but it still irritated my skin. I found the best thing for me was air. After a shower, I would let my incisions air dry while I read a book or watched tv in my bedroom.

If your wounds are closed and there is no drainage, perhaps you just need to leave them a little open because of the rash. Do you have some undershirts or t-shirts you don't care about? If the wounds are closed, perhaps a clean, loose shirt that wont be hurt by any topical cream might be the most comfortable way to allow your rashes to go away.

Heather,

Thanks, I am hoping it will not last much longer. My biggest problem (rash-wise, at least) is that it is spreading!!! Every one of these 9 (I had a hernia repair, after a couple of previous repairs...they had to do more incisions to try not to hit mesh ) incisions has a rash around it...also my right boob developed a rash from even touching the top of the tape. Now my left one is getting a rash too.

Every once in a while, I can lay flat on my back so nothing is touching anything, and feel fairly itch-less.....but then this terrible gas (or not) pain starts all over again.

I guess the surgeon told me the truth when he told me I was going to have a harder go of this because of the hernia repair

KayleighsMommy · 07-05-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnieMinnie

So sorry your feeling bad. I'm 8 days out as well and still suffering terribly with the gas pains. They lay me out at least twice a day. I "vomited" (retched would be a better term since I have nothing in my stomach) from them today.

How about Benadryl for the itchy incisions?

I wish you the best... I'm hoping I made the right choice too.

Skinnie...

Ouch. I am hoping you are feeling better now. My biggest fear is that the surgeon insists this is NOT gas pain, that it is the band causing the pain. I am concerned if that is the case it will not go away.

julie

greyhoundmom · 07-05-2008, 07:47 PM

hi there! hang in there - it will get better! i had a hernia repair too and the spreading pain from my breast bone left right thru to my back and it was horrible. i have had GERD for years and am on protonix. the surgeon switched me to chewable prevaids after surgery and that did not work out at all - not strong enough. back on protonix - much better. papaya enzymes (from GNC or a vitamin store) helps with the acid reflux too. liquid malox helps too in that it's quick relief.

my dr. used skin glue. so no rash for me but i feel for you. i had poison ivy that caused a 'secondary rash' all over my upper body once and was on 2 weeks of prednisone to get it under control. i was just plain miserable. and i didn't have surgery on top of that to deal with like you do!

'this too shall pass'. hope you are feeling better soon! i'm 3.5 weeks out and it for 2 solid weeks i was saying 'what on earth did i do?'. now i'm on the fence - not sure i recommend it yet but not sure i wouldn't recommend it either! so it gets better..

there have been other posts out here on itching and allergic reactions - maybe you can search on itch or allergy and get more advice on that part? benedryl - as someone mentioned here - was said to be a big help.

JennyVA · 07-06-2008, 07:35 AM

if you haven't already tried this for the gas - walk walk walk!

i am 13 days post-op and the first couple of days the gas was driving me crazy. my doctor and one of the nurses at the hospital said walk - even though you won't feel like it.

i made my friend drive me to the mall (for the air conditioning) and we walked the mall. i felt like an idiot: i looked like a bag lady in my sweats and no make-up/hair; i had my hand on my side because it just felt better; i couldn't walk fast and i ignored my friend's jabbering because i was so uncomfortable.

for two days i walked as much as possible. (my dog loved it too) the gas started moving and passing out and i felt like a million bucks. the incision and port pain was nothing once that got out.

so i say- WALK! (good luck

)

Bandme08 · 07-06-2008, 07:45 AM

In regards to the itching- many people cannot stand any type of adhesive- they are really allergic to the new adhesives they put in the glue for tape. They can leave a really nasty mark and bruise behind, even take skin with it!
#2- Itching could also be a sign of healing!! My insicions itched like CRAZY from the time I was 1 week post up, and itched for about a week and a half. I just scratched with a washcloth, around the insicions, and never ,ever directly on them. It felt so much better! Just remember, this too shall pass (just like the gass.....)

Susie519 · 07-06-2008, 05:34 PM

Hi There,

I'd like to start off by saying hello to everyone. This is my first time visiting this site and therefore, this is also my first post.

After I had my banding in March of 2006, I experienced terrible pain in
my breast bone area that spread across both sides of my chest, but mostly on my right side. My doctor had me go through several tests, until I was finally diagnosed with a condition called "costochronditis" which is an inflammation of the chest wall lining. Sometimes this is mistaken for a heart attack. It can be caused by trauma to the area or perhaps if you've just recently had a virus. I was prescribed with an anti-inflammatory medication, however that didn't help. After about 10 days, my doctor gave me an injection of cortisone and within about 24 hours my pain was gone. Every once in awhile, I'll start to feel a little bit of the pain and I'll immediately start taking advil for a few days and rest a bit
and then I'll feel fine.

I hope this information helps. Feel better soon.

Susie519

Quote:

Originally Posted by KayleighsMommy

First off... I want to apologize.....I don't want to be one of those doom and gloom nothing good to ever say kind of people (and normally, I'm not)

But I have to say this surgery has not been too kind to me yet (though I know I am a bit different case than most)

I am now 8 days post op and still in a LOT of pain. I am still having gas pain (though my surgeon insists it is not gas.. that it is the band I feel) Many people have told me they have the exact type of pain (mid breastbone, spreading up and out) and my surgeon told me that is NOT gas...though people think it is. I am sucking down GasX like crazy anyway, it is helping marginally.

My other major issue is itching....I had 9 incisions, and each one of them has a nasty dark red rash around it from the tape. The tape did not start bugging me until 6 days postop, and the doctor took it off the next day (yesterday) The itching is so intense it is actually painful....I am doing all I can NOT to itch...as well as using different topical agents on it (hydrocortizone cream as well as aloe vera w/lidocaine) I just have to be careful not to open up an incision.

I started mushies yesterday too....I was happy about that, since I was Hungry but of course, now I am having trouble getting in my 3 meals, 3 protein drinks and 64 oz of water <sigh> I just can't win. This difficulty is not because of restriction (I don't feel any) It's more a time issue...just not enough hours in the day.

I can say I am not unhappy I did the surgery....I am trying to look at all these things as just what I need to go through on the way to a better, heathier me.

new2me · 07-09-2008, 11:17 AM

you may have 2 things going on.. Itching is actually a normal sign and side effect of healing.. if it itches it means its healing.. with the rashes it sounds like on top of the itching from healing there is an allergic reaction. I wouldnt put anything on the wounds.. it could cause infection.. gently wash with soap and water.. make sure you rinse really well.. and then pat dry with clean paper towel. make sure its really dry.. I had problems with my incision from my c-section and that is what my surgen recommended and it helped it heal faster. I just kept a bunch of clean wash cloths in my shower, bar soap and a roll of paper towel and washed it like 2 times a day.

I'm miserable

I'm miserable

Breastbone Pain