Sharp Stabbing Pains 2.5 Weeks Post Partial Nephrectomy

misterace

Hello all,

On 7/15, I had what would be considered a "heroic" partial nephrectomy (lapropscopic/roboic). They were able to save 65% of my kidney, but they basically has to slice off the entire 35% of my kidney (including the collecting system), to make sure they got the entire tumor. I had a lot bleeding during/after the operation and lost 7 units of blood. After receiving 3 units via transfusion, I began to feel better and went home after a 6-day stay. 

 

I have been managing my pain with 1500-2000mg tylenol per day (opoids were causing too miuch consitpation and a lot of pain), which has been fine so far. I have yet to be able to be able to sleep in my bed because it hurts too much to lie flat. I have been sleeping in a recliner since getting home from the hospital 2 weeks ago. 

 

I attempted to give it a go the other night, but since then (2 days), I have a very very sharp stabbing pain in my right kidney where the partial took place. The pain sometimes stings and shoots up to my neck shoulder. 

 

Did anyone else experience these sharp stabbing pains in the affected kidney 3+ weeks post-op? If anyone can chime in with some advice, it would be appreciated. 

 

Thank you,

donna_lee

Post Surgical pain

I slept in my recliner for about a week, then had to have an upside-down box (pop crate with a board on it) as a boost to sit on the bed.  Sometimes my hubby had to lift my legs to get me into bed.  Then slept with a pillow under my knees.

A Lap surgery is less invasive, But...they still have to cut thru many layers, i.e. skin, omentum, peritinineal sack surrounding the organs, move and clamp of vessels and nerves to the kidney, move and explore the cavitly around the kidney; and then reverse the process and suture things back together.  If you haven't seen the surgeon for your post op check yet, ask him/her about it.  If not, then make a call and check with his assistant or nurse.

Acetominophen is the drug of choice as it is processed by the liver.  NO-NO to any Non-Steroidal Antiinflamitories Drugs(NSAID), as they are processed out of the body by the kidney(ies.)

No one has every said surgery was easy, which you are finding out.  Three weeks is not a very long time.  Six days in the hospital times 3 is only 18 days = the time it would take for a normal athlete to recover any strength lost during time off.  Don't be hard on yourself.

I had 3 lengthy open surgeries and have recovered each time.

Hugs,

donna_lee

 

stub1969

I had those

But my situation was a little different.  I started to do too much too soon.  I just backed off and did a better job of listening to the recommendations from my doctor.  

As Donna said, you are in the early stages of recovery.  Your body went through a terrible trauma.  Doctors cut, pushed, moved, clamped, cut some more, stitched/stapled, burned pulled stuff out and sewed you back up.  Give yourself a little time.  It will get better and eventually you'll notice the ability to do a little more each day. 

Disclaimer---IF the pain persists for several days, or if you just are really concerned..then call your doctor. 

Good luck!

Stub   

AliceB1950

Have you been walking during

Have you been walking during the day? It's the best way to get your muscles healing and working, which cuts down on the pain.

misterace

donna_lee said:

Post Surgical pain

I slept in my recliner for about a week, then had to have an upside-down box (pop crate with a board on it) as a boost to sit on the bed.  Sometimes my hubby had to lift my legs to get me into bed.  Then slept with a pillow under my knees.

A Lap surgery is less invasive, But...they still have to cut thru many layers, i.e. skin, omentum, peritinineal sack surrounding the organs, move and clamp of vessels and nerves to the kidney, move and explore the cavitly around the kidney; and then reverse the process and suture things back together.  If you haven't seen the surgeon for your post op check yet, ask him/her about it.  If not, then make a call and check with his assistant or nurse.

Acetominophen is the drug of choice as it is processed by the liver.  NO-NO to any Non-Steroidal Antiinflamitories Drugs(NSAID), as they are processed out of the body by the kidney(ies.)

No one has every said surgery was easy, which you are finding out.  Three weeks is not a very long time.  Six days in the hospital times 3 is only 18 days = the time it would take for a normal athlete to recover any strength lost during time off.  Don't be hard on yourself.

I had 3 lengthy open surgeries and have recovered each time.

Hugs,

donna_lee

 

Thank you

Thank you Donna. I will try to keep being patient. I may have over-exerted myself and pulled a muscle. If it doesn't go away by the weekend, I'll go see my Dr. 

misterace

stub1969 said:

I had those

But my situation was a little different.  I started to do too much too soon.  I just backed off and did a better job of listening to the recommendations from my doctor.  

As Donna said, you are in the early stages of recovery.  Your body went through a terrible trauma.  Doctors cut, pushed, moved, clamped, cut some more, stitched/stapled, burned pulled stuff out and sewed you back up.  Give yourself a little time.  It will get better and eventually you'll notice the ability to do a little more each day. 

Disclaimer---IF the pain persists for several days, or if you just are really concerned..then call your doctor. 

Good luck!

Stub   

Thanks Stub

Yes. I think I may have pushed myself a little too hard and may have pulled a muscle. 

 

Thanks for you response. 

misterace

AliceB1950 said:

Have you been walking during

Have you been walking during the day? It's the best way to get your muscles healing and working, which cuts down on the pain.

Hi Alice

Yes, thank you. 

I was doing quite well and was hitting 2 miles a day with an average pace of 22min a mile. 

With the setback I am back to 1 mile a day at 30min/mile. 

Maybe I pushed too hard with trying to walk a lot, faster, trying to cook etc. 

I'll be more patient. 

donna_lee

I think you got it...

Too much too soon.  I'm sure it made you feel emotionally, and briefly, physically better.  I repeat, take it easy and all best wishes for an even and steady recovery.

Hugs, donna_lee