Hi All...I am in my eigth week of recovery and I think that Ive posted about this before but it has not gone away and in fact its getting worse. I have had swelling in my abdomen since the beginning which I'm told is totally normal. However, with that swelling I have internal swelling my "guts" swell and by the end of the day I look six months pregnant and my insides are numb and painful. Has anyone else gone thru this? Ive already gone to the surgeon about this and he told me to put more time between me and the surgery but its really bothering me its painful and weird. Any comments? Thanks guys!!
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That seems like a bit long to have so much swelling, and I can't remember anyone describing their insides being numb. Are you constipated?
--LIndaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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No Im not. Im only taking Vicodine as needed also. It is so uncomfortable and weird. My insides are killing me. I am calling the doctor tommorrow because I know he's in on Thursdays and will let you know what he says. I am so upset. I've been doing so well and now this.Sarahcant
Surgery March 15
Dr. Errico NYU
Fused T-3 to S-1
an inch and change taller
nice and straight
49 years old (yikes)
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You might want to also talk to your primary care physician. Orthopaedic surgeons aren't necessarily all that skilled when it comes to non-bone issues.
I hope you'll post whatever you learn.Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Hey Linda I called the surgeon today and they said to go to a gastro guy which I am doing tommorrow. Will keep you posted. Thanks for the advice, of course you were right!Sarahcant
Surgery March 15
Dr. Errico NYU
Fused T-3 to S-1
an inch and change taller
nice and straight
49 years old (yikes)
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update
So the gastro guy thinks that it might be gas trapped. I cant drink anything with bubbles and I need to take gasx 4x a day. If Im not better by monday he wants me to go for a cat scan. He said that my numbness was external not internal but I do have some swelling on the right lower intestines. I agree with you Coldbricks I think that this is just one of those things that will take time. Im not a youngster like you, but I am doing so well that this is really bringing me down. I cant wear anything with a waist I look preggers! Oh well in the scheme of things I'll take this complication instead of anything else. Thanks for all of your comments. Happy Mothers day to all of the moms on the forum!Sarahcant
Surgery March 15
Dr. Errico NYU
Fused T-3 to S-1
an inch and change taller
nice and straight
49 years old (yikes)
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I had swelling that lasted into my 8th and 9th week post-op. I also had trouble with gas, stomach swelling and pain while on the Vicodin. I got off it around the same time, and I immediately started feeling better and my stomach swelling went away. That medicine can do a number on you, even if you're only taking it once a day. I took one the other day after really over-doing it, and the next day my stomach was in knots, pain, and slightly swollen. I thought to myself good lord, I was taking it every 4 hours at one point! no wonder I felt so miserable on that stuff!
good thing to be seeing a dr though, hopefully it will get better!Rebecca
Age: 28
Dx w/ scoli @ age 12 S curves T-40* L-42*
wore night bending brace as teenager
Curves changed to 50's plus or minus
herniated disc L2-3, Discectomy October 2007
fusion L2-3 November 2008
Revision L2-3 Fusion, Removal of hardware August 2009
Curves measuring 52 T&L September 2010
Fused T4-L4, all posterior December 27th 2010
gained almost two inches in height
Before and After Exterior
Before and After X-rays
My blog: http://herscoliosisjourney.blogspot.com/
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Sarahcant... Any change in symptoms?
--LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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update
Hi Linda I ended up have a catscan and it was normal. So the doctor put me on Floristor to help get my "gut" back to normal. I noticed that when I eat sugar or carbs I totally blow up. I saw Dr. Errico on Thursday and he told me not to gain any weight because it puts so much pressure on the back. So my feeling is that if I watch my diet and do what Im told I'll be ok. (easier said than done) Thanks for your concern, will keep you posted with any changes. How are you feeling?
SarahSarahcant
Surgery March 15
Dr. Errico NYU
Fused T-3 to S-1
an inch and change taller
nice and straight
49 years old (yikes)
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Hi Sarah...
Glad that it appears everything is OK.
I'm doing well. I still have some issues (limited sitting tolerance, for example), but I'm getting close to returning to work. I've been doing in to work for about 1/2 day every week, plus working a day or so at home. I'm waiting for a sit/stand workstation to be installed. Once that's done, I'll go back to work at least part-time. Can't wait!!
Regards,
LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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