Post surgery: how to cough without pain...

[Crohnsmomof3]

Looking for advice. I had a TI resection this past Friday. I am still in the hospital, hoping to go home in a day or two. I had about 100 cm of diseased and strictured small bowel removed. They removed two different segments. It was laparoscopic.

My question is this. I got a tickle in my throat this afternoon. When I started coughing (or really trying to cough), was in so much pain I was in tears. I am doing the breathing exercise thing and used a pillow to brace myself. But seriously, I thought it would be easier to just die. It was so painful.

Any advice, besides a pillow. Thanks all.

 

[valleysangel92]

Hey there

I'm sorry you're in pain , unfortunately coughing is going to hurt whatever you do, and since you need to clear your lungs from the anesthetic, you can't really avoid it.. I found making sure that my back was supported well by the bed helped, and instead of the pillow I was using a folded up blanket. I was told to press my pca every time I coughed while I could.

Other than that , make sure you breathe through the pain as much as you can, supporting the muscles is important to reduce hernia risk. It will get easier, but it takes time.

 

[David Abe's]

Looking for advice. I had a TI resection this past Friday. I am still in the hospital, hoping to go home in a day or two. I had about 100 cm of diseased and strictured small bowel removed. They removed two different segments. It was laparoscopic.

My question is this. I got a tickle in my throat this afternoon. When I started coughing (or really trying to cough), was in so much pain I was in tears. I am doing the breathing exercise thing and used a pillow to brace myself. But seriously, I thought it would be easier to just die. It was so painful.

Any advice, besides a pillow. Thanks all.

May sound silly this bit worked for me on 3 ops I have had, if u can turn over face down on the bed, but a pillow under your stomach so your led on it, then put your face into another pillow face down, as your sort of restricted it reduces the intensity o the cough, so you pretty much cough into a pillow

 

[Jennifer]

Besides cough suppressants and drinking fluids periodically to keep your throat lubricated I'm not sure what else would help. I started to vomit after I woke up after surgery so I know how painful it can be. Hope it stops soon. :hug: