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Last night into this morning - worst experience of my life!!!!!

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  • Last night into this morning - worst experience of my life!!!!!

    Hi all-

    I have recently been doing good but just wanted to share a huge set back I had with you have the past 2 nights. Thank goodness it is over right now...that is the only reason I am able to type on this forum today. Today is Wednesday, but on Monday night I started have a sharp, shooting pain about 2 inches away from my belly buttom on the left side. Everytime I sneezed or even breathed hard I would get a shooting pain in this part of my stomach. Monday night when I log rolled into my bed I screamed so loud that i woke the kids up. Since the pain was on my left side I ruled out appendixitis. So bascially I just did shallow breathing all day but was very concerned. My kids and the sitter where with me all day so I didn't want to show my kids I was in that much pain. So Monday night around 11pm I could barely breathe. I was taking short little breaths. I send my husband out to get Gas -X and Mint milk of magnesia. Well he came back with them and I took them. the only think it made me do was pass gas a little. Before I took that medicine I was passing gas. I just realized on Monday night that the last time I went #2 was on Friday afternoon and before that it was just in the hospital 2 or 3 times. So I never ever went to bed Monday night into Tuesday morning. I told my husband to call 911. As soon as he has about to do that the visiting nurse that comes to my house called and told my husband to get a Fleet Enema instead of going to my local hospital and that she would be at my house in an hour. When the nurse got there, I was in so much pain I was screaming and panting. She ended up giving me the enema...needless to say it worked and I exploded (sorry if this is too much info!!!!). My whole body now feels so week and my back hurts today because I was sitting on the toilet all last night and never went to sleep. I'm worried that I hurt the rods or screws by pushing all night. I was in so much pain and it was so scary it was one of those moments I thought I was going to die. Has anyone every experienced anything like this 2 weeks after surgery. My stomach feels alot better but I still have that pinch a little to the left of my belly bottom. It is a small little pinch, not as sharp as last night. All I have to tell everyone here is that the gas/bloating pain is worse than the back surgery itself!!!!

    Love to hear any similar stories you may have. Thanks! I am feeling more upbeat now.

    JenM
    Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
    Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
    Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
    Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
    31 year old mother of 2 young kids

  • #2
    Hi Jen...

    Sorry you had such rough night. It's not at all uncommon. The narcotics you're taking are very constipating. You might even have had an ileus. Here's an article that might help you manage it a little better going forward:

    http://www.scribd.com/doc/7873073/Ma...d-Constipation

    Hang in there. It will get better. Spend the next few days taking it easy, and I suspect your back pain will return to a more manageable level.

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment


    • #3
      Jen, I had similar, but not as severe. I was so constipated my first few days home I was sure I busted my fusion. I pushed so hard. Nothing like it ever before. But back was all fine, problems. Hang in there, it does get better!
      Shari - 55 years old
      Pre-Surgery 62 degree thorasic curve with shifting.
      Post op 13 degree curve.
      Successful surgery 4/15/10, T3-L2 fused.
      2nd surgery to reopen incision 10" to diagnose infection, 5/18/10
      Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI - the late Dr. Harry Herkowitz
      www.scoliosisthejourney.com

      Comment


      • #4
        I guess this is one of the reasons it's good to build up core muscles - dead serious. I already have trouble emptying my bowels due to cord damage. After my second colonoscopy for severe rectal bleeding (it appeared to be from constipation and "megacolon" - did not sense the need to evacuate because of the nerve damage), the GI specialist running the show, told me I'd have to clean myself as needed. Said that's what all pts with spinal cord damage have to do. I'll let you imagine what that meant.

        One reason I'm planning to load up on laxatives even though that has it's own very special drawbacks for those of us with damage to the nerves governing the perineal region.

        While we're at it, I recommend Miralax (mentioned it in another thread today). It's adds water to the stool, preventing it from drying out too much in transit as opiates make it do by slowing the motility. More expensive but you may find as I have, that it is easier to work with. I was SO sorry when it became available OTC as it costs me (net) much more now than when it was a prescription.

        Much sympathy! Gas pains CAN feel just like a knife. Seems so unfair they're regarded sort of humorously (but NOT by those who've had them!). Just imagine why colicky babies are crying!
        Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
        Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
        main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
        Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

        Comment


        • #5
          Jen, I'm so sorry for the scary couple of days, especially when you didn't know what it was. I was just about to post to your last entry and let you know how happy I am for you that the surgery has worked out so well, but I'm just including it in this post. You're really on the recovery roller coaster. I haven't had the surgery yet, but I had 2 c-sections and very constipated and I remember they wouldn't let me out of the hospital until I went to the bathroom, but they didn't let me know how often I should be going at home or when to be concerned. Hopefully now that you know what's going on it'll be smoother sailing. Thanks for sharing and don't worry about "too much" information, these are the things that are good to know and you don't always hear about. Hope you keep feeling better.
          Debra
          Age 45
          Pre - surgery Thoracic 69, Lumbar 48
          Post-surgery Thoracic 37, Lumbar 39 (unfused)
          Fused T4-T12
          Milwaukee braced, 11 years old to 15 yo
          Surgery Sept. 1st, 2010 Dr. Boachie

          Comment


          • #6
            Oh yikes, Jen. Sometimes I think the constipation is worse than the surgery. I didn't go for 9 days. (I suspect because they had me eating from the day after surgery - wouldn't recommend it.) I had two enemas, nothing happened. My friend brought in some chewy stuff made of figs and other things and I didn't read the instructions, I just ate. After all the stuff the hospital was giving me from day 1 to prevent constipation, this was the only thing that worked. Three hours later, like you, I damn near exploded.

            My rods were fine!
            Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
            Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
            T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
            Osteotomies and Laminectomies
            Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

            Comment


            • #7
              Thank you, Linda for the article! Just want to point out that Miralax which I mentioned is polyethylene glycol which the article incorrectly states is only available by prescription. Checking dates, it looks like this article was written in 2005 so MAYBE there are advances from then (I hope, I hope).

              As for me, based on this article, I think I will try adding some "propulsives" too, especially as it states they are not addictive - that is, no tolerance develops (which can happen with other laxatives).

              Do NOT want to end up in the ER again with severe lower right-sided pain, and given an ultrasound. This happened once, only to lead to me being pronounced constipated. Luckily, my insurance paid for everything or it could have been doubly unpleasant. As it is, my kids haven't let me live it down.
              Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
              Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
              main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
              Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

              Comment


              • #8
                I took Mag Citrate mon night and went all night long. My stomach doesn't hurt because of the narcotics. However, after going all night, i was so achy, hot and cold. so I beefed up on fluids last night and am doing ok, then today It an gonna drink prune juice because my belly is still firm and ethiopianlike. Hope you are felling better! janet
                Last edited by jsully; 06-22-2010, 11:07 PM. Reason: spelling
                36 year young cardiac RN
                old curve C 29, T 70, L 50
                new curve C 7, T 23, L 20
                Surgery June 11, UCH, Dr. Cronen T2-L5, posterior
                Revision December 20 L5-S1 with pelvic fixation
                and Osteotomy to L3 at Tampa General Hospital

                Comment


                • #9
                  Jen
                  Oh boy! Opoid constipation seems to happen quite often here on the forum.
                  Everytime a group goes into surgery, somebody posts. I guess that’s why I had "Magnesium Citrate" in my sig for some time....

                  Try some pedialyte or gatorade to restore electrolytes. It will make you feel better. A bottle or two of Mag Citrate oral solution on your shelf is a good thing to have. Its sold at the pharmacy, over the counter.

                  Linda
                  Thx for the great article. Its worth starting a thread, and should be mandatory reading for people having surgery...or anyone who takes meds.

                  I have always said that one should go every day to make it easy. I was going every day, and still ended up in trouble.... It was 24 hours, and I knew I was in trouble. I thought I was going to die.

                  I even tried Castor oil. Mussolini used to kill his political prisoners with it!
                  Ed
                  49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                  Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                  ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                  Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                  Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                  My x-rays
                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thank you all so much for the suppport and sharing your stories. It is now 2:29 on the east coast. I haven't even been to bed yet. Around midnight I got that sharp shooting pain again and couldn't stop screaming. I very as my 5 year old seems scared to death of me. When I first got home From the hospital he used to give me hugs and kisses. Now the past 2 nights it seems like he's scared. Anyway, the gas
                    backup was so bad tonight I thought I was going to die. All I could think about was being so sad and scared to die at 31. I wanted to wake my kids up at 1am and tell them I love them "just in case" if I were to die. I mean the pain was that unbearable. I think my husband just thought the paineds were making me crazy. I don't think he understands the constipation issue as a result of the surgery. Anyway, to make a long story short, I drank a bottle of Gatorade and finally my stomach started making crazy sounds and I exploded literally for like a half hour. I've never been so happy on my life!!!! The past two days have been so horrible. How come the surgeon doesn't tell u how bad this is? If I wasn't for the forum,I wouldn't have known. There is some good news to this story if u can believe it. After I went to the bathroom, I stepped on the scale and lost another 6 pounds, which makes it a total of 10 pounds today. That's how backed up and gummed up I was.

                    Thanks again for your replies. You are all like family to me and Im so happy and lucky to have my friends .

                    Hope that is the end of the bathroom for the night!

                    And Linda, thanks for the article. I'll read it tomorrow.

                    Jen m
                    Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
                    Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
                    Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
                    Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
                    31 year old mother of 2 young kids

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      my goodness Jen, you sure have had a rough time of it. I was sent home on stool softeners (colace I think) and miralax. I'm thinking that's why I had no problem. Are you using these? After I stopped that, I switched to my high-fiber diet plus prune juice every morning and I was fine.
                      __________________________________________
                      Debbe - 50 yrs old

                      Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                      Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                      Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                      Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                      Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                      Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                      Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by JenM View Post
                        The past two days have been so horrible. How come the surgeon doesn't tell u how bad this is? If I wasn't for the forum,I wouldn't have known...And Linda, thanks for the article. I'll read it tomorrow.

                        Jen m
                        Jen, to refer to your question about surgeons, Linda's article highlights that doctors prescribing narcotics SHOULD do more to help patients manage the resulting constipation. Considering how painful the surgery is, there's really no excuse for the numbers of patients reporting that their pain from gas and constipation was worse than the surgical pain! And to think that part is largely avoidable!

                        I feel very strongly, based on this forum, that doctors should do a MUCH better job all around at educating patients about narcotics. The withdrawal effects should be discussed too, especially the resulting depression which for most goes with the territory. If people know to expect it and that's it's "only chemical" (and temporary) they will feel far less despair.

                        This goes in spades for patients who are mothers of young children as their moods and pain are so osmotically transferred to their kids. Depression, euphoria (and ups and downs for those taking short-acting pain meds and trying to space them out) , side effects of constipation (potentially very serous, as your story plainly illustrates) and more - all need to be discussed with a plan of action before the patient goes home!!

                        So sorry this was not part of your educational arsenal! It seems that poor opioid education is a major failing in many otherwise excellent surgical practices. Who WAS your surgeon, BTW? Your story should be clipped and forwarded to the SRS as required reading for members. Being slipshod in this seemingly trivial (but NOT) area causes so much needless suffering for the whole family!
                        Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
                        Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
                        main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
                        Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'm sorry you are going through this, Jen. We are all so different -- I didn't go for 9 days, but aside from some bloating, I never had abdominal pain. I finally "went" after the rehab nurse gave me a suppository.

                          If your pain returns, you probably should go see your primary care doc....just to be safe. If it's an ileus, you will need some help with settling down.
                          Chris
                          A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
                          Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
                          Post-op curve: 12 degrees
                          Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Back-out View Post
                            I feel very strongly, based on this forum, that doctors should do a MUCH better job all around at educating patients about narcotics.
                            I doubt that will happen when many surgeons aren't even restricting all food/drink until gut sounds are heard while still in the hospital. We had a thread about how curious this is because it's completely avoidable. No food/drink until gut sounds was strictly enforced by our surgeon and neither kid had any bloating/discomfort whatsoever because of it. It's proven.

                            This goes in spades for patients who are mothers of young children as their moods and pain are so osmotically transferred to their kids. Depression, euphoria (and ups and downs for those taking short-acting pain meds and trying to space them out) , side effects of constipation (potentially very serous, as your story plainly illustrates) and more - all need to be discussed with a plan of action before the patient goes home!!
                            In general, I think many kids are off narcotics within several days to a few weeks. So I don't think the issue is as prominent as in the adult crowd where longer term narcotics usage seems to be the norm and seems to require a plan for the ensuing constipation.
                            Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                            No island of sanity.

                            Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                            Answer: Medicine


                            "We are all African."

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hi debbe-
                              I was given colace to take 3 times a day and then senna (which is a laxative) to take 2 times a day,and 2 pills each time. And I can't believe this is still happening! Can someone explain what a paralytic illeus is?

                              Thanks,
                              jenm
                              Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
                              Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
                              Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
                              Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
                              31 year old mother of 2 young kids

                              Comment

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