8 days post op bowel resection

[Zeppy321]

Hello everyone I had a small bowel resection and part of my colon removed eight days ago. I think I am healing pretty well my surgery was done laparoscopic and the incisions seem to be healing nicely , they were closed with surgical glue . I have a few questions though one is I have a rash all around the back of my neck I think it is a heat rash as I am getting night sweats. Has anyone else gotten this and what have you used on this type of rash? Also I am having some back pain because I can only sleep on my back. I would love to be able to sleep on my side again if anyone has had this type of surgery about how long until you were able to sleep on your side or stomach ? Also I was wondering how long anyone who's had bowel surgery has had to be on pain medication ? I am still in a fair amount of pain. Also I am so tired I could sleep 20 hours a day is this normal ? And on average when did your fatigue start to subside ? If you could answer any of these questions even one I would greatly appreciate it thank you !

 

[nogutsnoglory]

The back pain, extreme fatigue is normal. You had trauma and now can't move muc. Your body is healing.

The rash is probably from being in the same position and sweating but I don't know.

 

[UnXmas]

Fatigue and pain may well last several weeks, but should be gradually improving all the time. What painkillers are you on?

What's stopping you sleeping on your side or stomach? Pain?

I'm not sure about the rash. Can you give a few more details (what does it look like, does it itch, etc.)?

You're still in the early stages of recovery, things should get a lot better but you need to give it a bit more time.

 

[2thFairy]

I used a feather pillow smushed up to support my ouchies to gradually get back to sleeping on my side.

 

[afidz]

I think it took me a few months to be able to sleep on my side again, but I think my situation was a little extreme so it's hard to say if that was normal or not.
As for the pain, everyone is different. I found that if I was on higher doses of pain meds I would sweat a lot more and even developed a fever. My doctor and I decided to lower the dose and increase the frequency and that helped me a lot. I get really itchy when I sweat and develop rashes too.
If your tired, sleep. Your body is trying to repair itself from something very traumatic, it takes a lot of energy to heal. The further you get from surgery the better you will feel.

 

[The Real MC]

When it didn't hurt I slept on my side during post-op. I asked for extra pillow for the side which really helped. I had staples on the incisions and had to be careful that they didn't catch on the robe.

Your body has some major healing ahead and you will be fatigued for some weeks. Don't rely too much on painkillers, the less you rely on them the sooner you will be discharged. Try to withstand the pain. If it is too much you can ask for morphine.

Any nausea, fever, chills - call the staff. I felt nauseated and paged the nurse right away, then I vomited while they were there (luckily they were ready). CT scan found a blockage, common problem following abdominal surgery. Do not wait.

Be careful sneezing or coughing, the abdomen will really hurt. Once you are released common things like sitting up from bed or a chair will be difficult because the abdominal muscles are not yet healed. Don't try to drive until the doctor allows you to. Walking stairs will be hard and getting up from the floor will be a challenge, you'll need something to support while pushing yourself up with your arms.

Once I was discharged I used very few painkiller pills. Only took them when I needed them, and only in the first week at home. I do have a higher tolerance for pain than most people though.

I napped a lot during my eight week recovery away from work. The less you use the torn muscles in your abdomen, the quicker they can heal and won't re-tear the muscles. Plan meals or snacks with high protein, it will help the muscles to heal (that's what weightlifters do).

That's just the early recovery.

Once I went back to work I still had occasional mobility issues and couldn't walk normal. It was about six months before my walking was back to normal. FWIW, my company sent my on a business trip to South Africa (years before ebola) a month after my return and I didn't have any problem. The doctor did not mention any travel restrictions.

 

[hawkeye]

I had open surgery last year and did not experience the back pain or night sweats. It was a few months before I slept on my front or side, but I generally sleep on my back.

I was sent home with a script for pain meds. and got it filled, but only had to take a couple of tablets, any pain or discomfort was managed with acetaminophen (they took away the pain pump on the fourth day following surgery and switched me to acetaminophen). The pain from the surgery wasn't as bad as I expected - the post-surgery obstruction was the worst.

I had an afternoon nap each day for about 3 or 4 weeks after I was discharged (so for about 5 to 6 weeks after surgery).

I went back to work full time 8 weeks after surgery.

 

[Zeppy321]

Fatigue and pain may well last several weeks, but should be gradually improving all the time. What painkillers are you on?

What's stopping you sleeping on your side or stomach? Pain?

I'm not sure about the rash. Can you give a few more details (what does it look like, does it itch, etc.)?

You're still in the early stages of recovery, things should get a lot better but you need to give it a bit more time.

Hi unxmas , I'm on a painkiller called oxycodone 5 mg one for mild pain two for moderate pain 3 for severe pain every four hours as needed and 1000 mg of Tylenol a day . I've been taking two of the oxycodone about every six hours or so. Yes it is pain that is keeping me from sleeping on my side. It's an inner pain like a soreness that only lets me sleep on my back. The rash is Slightly itchy and very bumpy and scaly feeling. Thank you for responding I'm guessing I just need some more time to heal. But I never know what's normal or not with this disease

 

[Zeppy321]

I think it took me a few months to be able to sleep on my side again, but I think my situation was a little extreme so it's hard to say if that was normal or not.
As for the pain, everyone is different. I found that if I was on higher doses of pain meds I would sweat a lot more and even developed a fever. My doctor and I decided to lower the dose and increase the frequency and that helped me a lot. I get really itchy when I sweat and develop rashes too.
If your tired, sleep. Your body is trying to repair itself from something very traumatic, it takes a lot of energy to heal. The further you get from surgery the better you will feel.

Thank you I will talk to my doctor about taking the lowest dose of pain medicine more frequently ! that's great advice

 

[Zeppy321]

When it didn't hurt I slept on my side during post-op. I asked for extra pillow for the side which really helped. I had staples on the incisions and had to be careful that they didn't catch on the robe.

Your body has some major healing ahead and you will be fatigued for some weeks. Don't rely too much on painkillers, the less you rely on them the sooner you will be discharged. Try to withstand the pain. If it is too much you can ask for morphine.

Any nausea, fever, chills - call the staff. I felt nauseated and paged the nurse right away, then I vomited while they were there (luckily they were ready). CT scan found a blockage, common problem following abdominal surgery. Do not wait.

Be careful sneezing or coughing, the abdomen will really hurt. Once you are released common things like sitting up from bed or a chair will be difficult because the abdominal muscles are not yet healed. Don't try to drive until the doctor allows you to. Walking stairs will be hard and getting up from the floor will be a challenge, you'll need something to support while pushing yourself up with your arms.

Once I was discharged I used very few painkiller pills. Only took them when I needed them, and only in the first week at home. I do have a higher tolerance for pain than most people though.

I napped a lot during my eight week recovery away from work. The less you use the torn muscles in your abdomen, the quicker they can heal and won't re-tear the muscles. Plan meals or snacks with high protein, it will help the muscles to heal (that's what weightlifters do).

That's just the early recovery.

Once I went back to work I still had occasional mobility issues and couldn't walk normal. It was about six months before my walking was back to normal. FWIW, my company sent my on a business trip to South Africa (years before ebola) a month after my return and I didn't have any problem. The doctor did not mention any travel restrictions.

Thank you for your advice you must be a very strong person not need any painkillers and to have an obstruction- I am so glad I didn't get an obstruction after surgery I would not have been strong enough.

 

[hawkeye]

I was on 1000 mg of Tylenol 4 times a day for a couple of weeks after surgery and after the obstruction

 

[ronroush7]

Didn't seem like I was on pain med for a long time.

 

[UnXmas]

Hi Zeppy, I'd assumed you were already out of hospital and home, though I think The Real MC suggested you're still in hospital. I'm going to continue assuming you're home, but if you're not, obviously ask a nurse to check your rash and advise on pain.

The painkillers you're on are pretty strong, but I wouldn't have said it's abnormal for you to still be in pain despite taking them this soon after surgery. Don't think you're not strong just because you need painkillers - you've been through a lot physically and emotionally; physical pain tires us emotionally as well, and I know how it feels to just want to be comfortable and sleep well for once. The painkillers you're on can lead to tolerance however, which means they become less effective over time.

It might be a good idea to see your doctor just for a check-up. Not necessarily your surgeon or a specialist, just your GP (I'm not sure of the names where you are - maybe family doctor?). They could have a look at the rash and make sure you're on a good plan for pain relief. If you need to be on painkillers for a while, a few more weeks at least, they may be able to prescribe some that don't have the tolerance problem. They're usually not as strong, but as you heal and your pain decreases, you will probably be able to come off the ones you're taking currently.

Cushions and hot water bottles may help you sleep. The warmth of hot water bottles helps your muscles relax, though if you're getting night sweats that may not be what you want. You may want to check your temperature regularly. Fevers are pretty common after major surgery. They're often not serious but, again, it may be something you want to check with a doctor if it is high.

My last surgery I was on painkillers for a few weeks, however, I take painkillers regularly anyway, so although I stopped the extra, stronger ones then, when I did stop I was not without pain relief entirely. And to be honest I'd have stayed on longer if the doctors had let me, even though I knew I'd risk addiction if I'd stayed on them much longer. I have had major surgeries in the past where I just wasn't allowed pain relief, for various reasons. It took quite a few weeks before I was comfortable enough to sleep well. It's always worse at night and I look as the first night I sleep well as a milestone in recovery. If you're having trouble with pain, you could also ask your doctor for something to help you sleep through the pain rather than just targeting the pain itself; I've found that to be a very effective approach.

 

[yellowamc]

Back pain i remember wasnt to bad for to long they had to open me rite up but i was able to kind of aleep on my side with a pillow in about 4 days but everyone is diff. Hope you get to feeling better

 

[Zeppy321]

I was on 1000 mg of Tylenol 4 times a day for a couple of weeks after surgery and after the obstruction

Really they told me I could only take 1000 mg of Tylenol a day without damaging my liver which really stinks cause I think the Tylenol works a lot better with the oxycodone !

 

[Zeppy321]

Hi Zeppy, I'd assumed you were already out of hospital and home, though I think The Real MC suggested you're still in hospital. I'm going to continue assuming you're home, but if you're not, obviously ask a nurse to check your rash and advise on pain.

The painkillers you're on are pretty strong, but I wouldn't have said it's abnormal for you to still be in pain despite taking them this soon after surgery. Don't think you're not strong just because you need painkillers - you've been through a lot physically and emotionally; physical pain tires us emotionally as well, and I know how it feels to just want to be comfortable and sleep well for once. The painkillers you're on can lead to tolerance however, which means they become less effective over time.

It might be a good idea to see your doctor just for a check-up. Not necessarily your surgeon or a specialist, just your GP (I'm not sure of the names where you are - maybe family doctor?). They could have a look at the rash and make sure you're on a good plan for pain relief. If you need to be on painkillers for a while, a few more weeks at least, they may be able to prescribe some that don't have the tolerance problem. They're usually not as strong, but as you heal and your pain decreases, you will probably be able to come off the ones you're taking currently.

Cushions and hot water bottles may help you sleep. The warmth of hot water bottles helps your muscles relax, though if you're getting night sweats that may not be what you want. You may want to check your temperature regularly. Fevers are pretty common after major surgery. They're often not serious but, again, it may be something you want to check with a doctor if it is high.

My last surgery I was on painkillers for a few weeks, however, I take painkillers regularly anyway, so although I stopped the extra, stronger ones then, when I did stop I was not without pain relief entirely. And to be honest I'd have stayed on longer if the doctors had let me, even though I knew I'd risk addiction if I'd stayed on them much longer. I have had major surgeries in the past where I just wasn't allowed pain relief, for various reasons. It took quite a few weeks before I was comfortable enough to sleep well. It's always worse at night and I look as the first night I sleep well as a milestone in recovery. If you're having trouble with pain, you could also ask your doctor for something to help you sleep through the pain rather than just targeting the pain itself; I've found that to be a very effective approach.

Hello again Unxmas,
Yes I am at home. My GP does prescribed me Percocet 7.5 3 times a day. I was told to stop taking those and just take the oxycodone. I have been on and off pain meds for the last 4 to 5 years and have built up quite a tolerance because none of the Crohn's medications were working for me I had a lot of obstructions and flare ups . This was a new hospital I had the surgery at it was a specialist I had only met once before and they were extremely mad at me the day after surgery that what they were giving me wasn't controlling my pain . I told them all about my pain management concerns before the surgery yet they told me I needed to speak to the psychologist because if I couldn't get off the pain medication the day after surgery I must be a drug addict ! It wasn't a pleasant experience at all. I'm hoping that the surgery has removed all the active Crohn's and I will not need to stay on pain medication but I just don't know that at this time yet. Thank you for your response I am seeing my surgeon this Friday and hopefully my GP next week I will let you know what they have to say.

 

[UnXmas]

How could they expect anyone to not want painkillers right after a surgery like that?

It sounds like you've had enough experience of painkillers to know their problems. It seems to me that some doctors get suspicious about addictive pain meds, and they may well have good reasons to be, not just people who've wanted the meds to get high or whatever, but because the doctors don't want to be responsible for getting someone physically dependent on them. Though that doesn't excuse them denying them when needed or for treating every patient as if they have an addiction - and even with patients who are addicted should be treated professionally; addiction is in many ways a medical problem and should be treated as such.

I'm sorry you've had to deal with this whilst you're supposed to be healing. Hopefully when you have healed your pain will be gone - or at least significantly improved. Good luck for your appointments.

 

[Zeppy321]

Turns out I have some sort of infection a bile leak . I am having fever and pain and tired and weakness. Has anyone had a bile leak after bowel resection and about how long does that take to clear up because it's been about a week and a half now and I'm not feeling any better.