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543028 tn?1282428826

Pain ... Help

I am almost three months post op from complete resection of stage 1C serous borderline tumors.
They did the whole operation (TAH/BSO, omentum, lymph nodes including para aortic and peritoneal washings
which were positive for malignancy) I had a verical midline incision.
At present I am not having any symptoms and have been recovering pretty good until today when I sneezed.
Instantly I had a stabbing pain about two cms to the left of my belly button all the way down to the pelvis.
It's a 6 on a 1 - 10 scale not relieved with ibuprofen.  No  other distressing symptoms including nausea/vomitting
or frequent diarrhea, blood i stool, etc.
Sitting BP was 133/88 i have persistent hypertension and this is the lowest my BP has been in a year
resting pulse was 112 .. no sob or chest pains ... of course there is sweating but it is likely menopause related
I can't bend down to pick up a pencil (whereas I have been enjoying excellent flexibility post op) I cant lift anything without exaggerating the pain (whereas before I had worked up to 30 lbs) even changing from reclining to sitting hurts

My gyn/onc is 3.5 hours away as well as my PCP's after hours facility and I live in the boonies
I am debating my next move with this new hell ... anybody been throg this before and what did you end up
doing for it ?? Any help is supremely appreciated
love to you always
sharon
13 Responses
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408163 tn?1242949501
Sharon,
Just checking on you, wondering how you are doing. I hope all is well. Let me know what is going on.
Love ya
Laney
Helpful - 0
329994 tn?1301663248
Sharon,
How are you doing? Did you ever get back to the doctor?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
No I think I was on Amitriptyline a tricyclic antidepressant. The dosage was different though than for depression and apparently it works differently if you have it and are not actually depressed (different chemical levels and pathways in your brain or something). I am not sure how it would work if you are already on antidepressants or depressed due to the whole OVCA situation....
I was told that next would be either Neurontin or Lyrica if that didn't work but that these were more expensive (I was in the UK so got the cheapest option first which did the trick).
There is some basic information at the following wikipedia link on neuropathic (nerve) pain and I am sure there is some other more technical and 'official' websites that would go into more detail but I thought this looked a good summary (with no sales pitch like other websites may have).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropathy#Treatments_for_neuropathic_pain

Sharon - let us know how you go. I agree with one of the other comment, that sometimes Drs seem to assume that "Your a cancer patient, pain comes with the territory" but don't take this. You should be able to find something that helps. I hope you get some relief soon. Bron
Helpful - 0
429647 tn?1249753429
Sorry, was the med you were on called Neurotin
Helpful - 0
429647 tn?1249753429
Ozbron, was in neurotin
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think I was on a different class as opiates were not helping but I can't remember what it was. I think particular tricyclic antridepressents, anticonvulsants and new drugs like neurontin/lyrica may also work.
I was told that nerves repair slowly so the pain may take a bit to fully resolve but you should see relief and notice it improving. You shouldn't live in pain. It will limit your movement and can impact healing from the surgery.
You may also be able to see a pain specialist (depending on where you live, insurance coverage etc).
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah, try opioid pain medication in the morphine class...I know dilaudid was the only thing that worked for my mom.  Or there is also fentanyl patches.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had a similar situation. Was improving then twisted getting out of a car and wham - intense pain that no pain meds helped with. Left me crying in frustration.
It was nerve pain. There is specific pain meds that are affective for nerve pain. I had immediate relief an hour after switching to the new pill after over a week of pain. I would ask your nurse about this option. Bron
Helpful - 0
543028 tn?1282428826
No local swelling/discoloration, it is not hot and it is not pulsing
it just hurts a great deal and remains constant if I dont move at all
just sitting up makes it worse ... its like I ripped something perhaps ??
I was very VERY disappointed because, eventhough i had alot of problems,
I was recovering relatively well ... I did have pain from adhesions but no where
near this severity
I am pretty sure I won't need chemo (the last pathologist is reviewing my
slides and I will have an answer the end of this week or the beginning of
next week) ...  I thankfully have no port atm

ibuprofen is not even touching the pain and yes I do believe they need to
reevaluate their pain protocols ... I got sent home with 45 vicodin with no refills
I called the nurse after I ran out and was told that they do not reorder narcotics
and to take my ibuprofen ... after a few weeks I was feeling better until yesterday

I do have a call into the nurse again and hopefully they can call me soon
TY for your replies
Love
sharon
Helpful - 0
429647 tn?1249753429
Sounds like I had the same type of surgery as you, DX with 1c.  I did continue to have adhesion pain, but nothing like you just said.  Is there any swelling or discoloration to that area, does it feel hot to touch.  I would see your primary as soon as possible or go to emergency if pain becomes too much if you have SOB chest pain, bloody stool.  rest, ice area and take ibuprofen, don't move in any way that it would cause you pain. I am a nurse but I feel that you need to have this looked at since it sounds like you strained something in there.  Do you have ports for chemo.  Let me know how you are doing.   Kerry
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My only words of advice...you do not have to be in pain.  For some reason, doctors still treat cancer patients pain like they do anyone elses...un-efficiently.  The ACS and NCI both state that no cancer patient should be in pain...there are many, many, many options and combinations to reduce your pain.  Insist on it or demand a pain specialist to control it.  Everything from patches, pills, and even infusion (PCA machines) can be used at *any* stage of your treatment or post-op.

There are things you can do to releive adhesions (and such)...I think some recommend using exercise balls...but these are good questions for the rest of the ladies here who have experienced it.  But the big point is to demand from your health care team a resolution to this either by pain control, therapy, or both.  You are entitled.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Dear Sharon.Please check your PM.
Hugs,Sunes.
Helpful - 0
543028 tn?1282428826
... ALSO ...
I have had adhesion pain and this feels much more severe
thanks again
Helpful - 0
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