did anyone have burning pain on abdominal skin after c section?

[strangerjo]

I've already posted my c section pains woes but have got no further with answers from health visitor, gp and hospital. I'm 3.5 weeks post c section and have superficial pain on my skin above the incision and on my abdomen. It feels like burning pain when clothes touch my skin. Painkillers aren't helping. Has anyone had this? If so what was the cause and how long did it take to go? Only positive stories please- I'm feeling miserable as it is! Cheers

[glueandstick]

Yes. Apparently it is the nerves that weren't quite severed being little shits and firing off all over the place.

It's bloody agony isn't it?

I'm at the same stage as you but it alternates from pain to just numb. I'm sorry I can't be more positive for you. I've had so many things happen afterwards that the pain/numbness is the least of my problems sadly. All in all an awful experience.

[HarlotBronte]

I did, particularly in an area not on the incision but some way above it on the right side. It was sporadic and not related to whether anything was touching the skin or not. Went away after a few weeks. Months later, I found out it was where my intestines are, and they move them out of the way for a section. So presumably the after effects of that. 24 days is still very soon afterwards for major abdominal surgery. I'd expect to see significant improvement within the next few weeks as things settle down. Nerves can be very funny little buggers.

[strangerjo]

Thank you. I don't think it's intestine related but something to do with the cut nerves?
Any idea if and whether it will go?

[HarlotBronte]

The nerve pain I had aside from the intestine stuff was gone after a few weeks. Baby is not long past one now and I certainly don't feel anything now and haven't for some time. Still some numbness but not pain, I think most people find the numbness lasts much longer. But we're all different. If you don't see any improvement I'd mention it at your six week check.

[thumb3lina]

I have this, I mentioned it at my 6 week check and its to do with nerves being cut. I'm 14 weeks post c-section now and its not any better, sorry It might be better for other people though, hopefully it won't last too long.

I wear knickers which go above the scar and wear dresses (with tights pulled up to my bra ) or leggings or jogging bottoms at home as everything else rubs it. When its really bad I put a sanitary towel over the scar to protect it from rubbing.

[strangerjo]

Oh man, I was hoping for positive stories.

[strangerjo]

If it's to do with cut nerves, why don't all c section mums experience this pain?

[Laquila]

Presumably because people heal at different speeds and experience pain in different ways. I had alternating burning pain and numbness for a good couple of months with my first EMCS, but have found recovery much quicker second time round (planned section.)

[HarlotBronte]

I thought mine was quite positive! The numbness is no problem at all, it's really not. I experience no issues at all from still being a bit numb 13 months post section. And people are so different, and not all sections are the same. Nerves aren't uniform amongst human beings, neither are pain tolerances. It's such early days yet. But it's hard, it really is, to recover from any kind of difficult birth or complication when you have a baby to worry about too. It's the toughest thing I've ever done.

[strangerjo]

HarlotBronte - yes yours was, thank you! It is so so difficult recovering and looking after a newborn - I was looking for hope! X

[glueandstick]

The numbness is really quite upsetting as it extends up the crease of my leg and into my hip area. I feel so alien.

Three weeks post section now and I'm planning to drive in the week. My back is in spasm most of the time which is quite painful but I seem to have blocked it out a lot.

It's just the numbness I can't deal with.

[FuzzyOwl]

It is to do with nerves but mine has completely gone now (9.5 months later) although the area still feels horribly numb when I touch it, but no pain at all.

[strangerjo]

Fuzzyowl- was it burning pain you experienced and how long did it take to go? I could tolerate numbness better than this pain.

[strangerjo]

Sootica - did yours go?

[strangerjo]

Sootica - thank you! Was your incision pain or more like mine with burning on the skin on the abdomen above the incision?did you get any butterfly sensations? Sorry for all the questions - c section pain plus anxiety and newborn is quite miserable.

[glueandstick]

I found the painkillers didn't touch nerve pain. But do try 2 paracetamol and 2 ibuprofen together.

Is anyone having ahem.... Bowel issues? I find myself not knowing I need the loo until it is really uncomfortable and an immediate issue. Literally have no inclination at all.

[mrsnoon]

Nerve pain, reduced me to tears on a few occasions and hurt more than any pains associated with the actual op. Happened a few times over the first couple of months but got less intense as time passed.

[strangerjo]

Sootica - thank you again. Codeine doesn't seem to help the nerve pain I have. Hopefully it goes soon x

[mineofuselessinformation]

I've never had a c-section, but had a nasty cut in the palm of my hand. I had a horrible sensation like being stung by nettles, and was told it was the nerves rejoining, and to massage it at least twice a day (doesn't matter what with, if anything at all ).
It was horrible while the nerves were still healing, but they did.

[strangerjo]

Mineofuselessinformation - thank you, that's interesting to know...out of interest how long did that take to go. I imagine it was awful what with how much we use our hands.

[cyinmin]

Hi all - I just wanted to share my experience, I had the same burning sensation post c-sect. My doctor suggested I take neurobion which is essentially vitamin Bs to help with the healing of the nerves. I started seeing (or rather 'feeling') the difference only after 2 weeks or so, the burning sensation reduced tremendously one morning. My only regret is not asking my doc about this earlier and that I had to put up with that weird pain for weeks. I'm now 9wks post natal and I no longer feel that burning feeling anymore and I can wear my bottoms with regular waistband. Only the occasional numbness on certain spots but that's ok by me.

I bought the vitamin OTC where I lived and was advised by the pharmacist that it is safe to take up to 3x daily which I did for the first 1 month, and the excess will simply be excreted from our body. I plan to reduce to 1x daily pretty soon as I'm also taking in food rich in Bs.

Perhaps you can also check with your doctor if they recommend the same?

[hopeful31yrs]

Its called neuropathic pain (nerve pain) and most cases improve believe it or not with regular massage or stimulus. It worsens if you try not to touch it so when the scar has healed over use some bio oil to massage the scar. Traditional pain killers help the inflammation - this pain originates in the nerves themselves and not down to inflammation so traditional analgesia doesn't help.