To go back to the hospital because I’m in so much pain

[Tofeelupset]

Sorry to write another thread on this I just need some opinions on what to do and my old thread has died down.

I had my gallbladder out on Thursday, it was keyhole but they had to cut through two layers of scar tissue due to previous surgeries to remove my large bowel (inflammatory bowel disease).

I woke up in so much pain I was crying and was on strong pain relief for 6 hours which became dangerous when it severely slowed my breathing so they had to stop it.

They sent me home with cocodamol but the pain has been so bad, I can barely walk and it is agony just to lie down.

I have been given some tramadol instead but it’s not touching the sides. In fact it’s not doing anything.

I’m just not sure what to do or whether this is normal.

The pain is so so bad and I’m not sure what to do. Would I be unreasonable to go back to the hospital if it doesn’t calm down by the morning? Will they even do anything if I’ve already got tramadol? My mum has said I just need to deal with it but I’m not coping with it at all!

Call 101 for advice and support. Sorry you're in so much pain - but no one here can help, talk to the professionals.

Sorry @Luckingfovely posted in desperation but you’re right. I’ll give them a call, thank you

You need to go back you should not be in this much pain x

Ring 111
You may have an infection

Sending you a hug

You live in a modern country that spends millions on healthcare, no one should be in pain, especially after surgery. Do not just put up with it. Is there someone who can advocate for you?

The gas they use to inflate your abdomen can cause a lot of pain for a time after the surgery until it goes away.

Have they given you a number for the ward? You should be able to ring & speak to someone. What kind of pain is it? If it is the gas pain in your shoulders, get some rennie deflatine & drink peppermint tea, if it is bruising & soreness get some arnica tablets, they help bring the bruising out & make it clear up quicker.

Have you had oramorph? You need to keep on with paracetamol, they are first line painkillers so keep on with the co-codamol, can you take anti inflammatory tablets like Ibuprofen or Naproxen? If you can then take them 2 hours after the co-codamol, set a reminder on your phone & take them regularly, if you get no relief then you need something like dihydracodeine & the next step is oramorph. Ring 111 & ask to speak to a doctor or have you someone who could take you to A & E? Have you checked your wounds to see if there is any infection? Do you have a temperature or fever?

I recently had a c section and was sent home with a bottle of oramorph (a form of morphine). With this I was told paracetamol and ibuprofen but never at the same time as each other and 4-6 hours apart of each medicine so my I took a pain relief every two hours for the first six days after surgery. Ie;
midnight - oramorph
2am - paracetamol
4am - ibuprofen
6am - oramorph
8am - paracetamol
10am - ibuprofen
and so on

as you can see, each pain relief medication was six hours apart which meant I was reaching the max dose per 24 hour period so worked perfectly. I had no pain whatsoever doing it this way. Ensure alarms are set and name the alarms (if on iPhone). This helps in the middle of the night and write it all out too.
Every two hours means you’ll get close enough to REM sleep so sleep isn’t too disturbed and also sleep during the day when you can to help healing from major surgery. The body is working hard to repair.
hope this helps, make sure you get that oramorph or something close to. Good luck x

That's awful and doesn't sound normal, definitely call the hospital or your GP for an emergency appointment.

Blimey, I'm guessing you are not in the UK? Diclofenac is the most I was offered after csection.

Hope you have managed to get some help op.

They did give me a number for the ward but only allowed to call until 8pm on the day of the surgery (Thursday). I was up most of the night and can’t even stand up straight so I’m thinking of calling 111 for some advice this morning because not even tramadol is working for me.

And the pain genuinely feels like I’ve been stabbed in the side of my upper abdomen. It’s mainly that area that is hurting.

Blimey, I'm guessing you are not in the UK? Diclofenac is the most I was offered after csection.

I had a c section abroad with ds and didn't get anything when I came home. Just took paracetamol and ibuprofen! Tbf the pin was managed this way though!

OP have you tried windeeze and lactulose? I had a hysterectomy on Tuesday and I got the worse discomfort and pain from the carbon dioxide they used to blow up my stomach!

Ive also been using a heat wrap (not on my laparoscopic scars as I'm worried about making them bleed) but on my upper back.

But absolutely alongside this you should be calling. Also check your discharge notes. I have been given open access to my surgeon for 3 months so you may have a direct number to call.

That's exactly the pain I had and it was the wind!!! Windeeze helped and after I walked around burping continuously for an hour 😳🤷‍♀️🤣

I’d ring the ward and then 111 if the ward can’t help. Following surgery a few years ago I rang the ward and they told me to go back whereas I don’t know if 111 would do that or they’d ask you to go to a and e

I tried the ward yesterday and they told me to call the GP and said it was too late for them to help. On hold to 111 now...

Yes go back, I posted on your other thread but I developed pancreas problems post gallbladder removal. You need bloods. Go to A&E

I don't think you should be in that much pain, give 111 a call

I had mine out in October , I only needed paracetamol and ibuprofen afterwards

So I'd think there something not quite right if the tramadol isn't helping

I hope you get some help. I can’t believe they discharged you in so much pain and then refuse to help after a certain time. That is terrible service. You poor thing.

Whilst I think OP should get seen again, modern healthcare has not removed pain and suffering. This is part of the problem, total misperception of what is possible/that every person or situation is the same. Sometimes pain is inevitable. Pain relief has short and long term risks.

Pain could be a sign that there is a problem OP and you need to get checked out.

It could be wind, but it could be pancreatitis which is a recognised risk of gall bladder surgery. Sadly the ward can't help otherwise they wouldn't have time to care for the other patients. I imagine 111 will send you to A&E. Have you had your bowels open?
Hope you get some relief soon.

111 managed to get me an appointment at A&E so I’m here waiting to be seen now. Hopefully won’t be too long but it is very busy, busier than I thought it would be for a Saturday morning!!

Good luck OP. I hope they can prescribe you something stronger and check for signs of infection. I'm sorry you've had such a horrible time.

Thank you - just an update I’ve been triaged and my heart rate was 186. I’ve had an ECG and they’ve done bloods and cultures as think I might have an infection.