Pain continuing 6 months after surgery

march15
march15 Member Posts: 12
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had my the right side of my colon removed and part of the transverse colon removed in march 2010. I still have pain on my right side, and what is really strange is that it is worse when I am laying down and roll over but fine when I am standing up. I haven't figured up how to sleep standing up, co this is ruining my nights. My cancer markers so far are fine and the Dr. is suggesting another CT scan. I hate more radiation so am hoping for other ideas. Has anyone else had this kind of problem? Thanks

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Tests
    Guess what you are saying isn't quite normal but adhesions can be a big problem. Anytime you have surgery you get them. Not saying that it is this, but it could be. Getting a CT scan could be a good idea if you haven't one in six months or so. Sorry, but unfortunately more radiation is part of scanning you for problems. Hope you get an answer to your problem soon.

    Kim
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #3
    Yes
    Hi and welcome to our group. Glad to have you but sorry for the reason you are here ( if that makes any sense?)

    One year ago I had my right colon removed. I could only sleep in one position for many, many months after the surgery, which was on my right side with a small pillow tucked under my side/tummy to keep things in position ( I assume ). When I would accidentally turn over on my left side it felt like gravity was pulling my guts out.I don't really know when it happened but I find that I can now sleep in all positions, so I guess in my case it was a matter of healing.

    Best wishes to you.

    -Pat
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #5
    Hi
    Welcome to the group. I'm sorry you are still having pain and especially when you are trying to get comfortable and sleep. I don't know what the problem may be but, a CT might show something that could get you some help. I hope you are feeling better soon.
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #6
    Lori-S said:

    Hi
    Welcome to the group. I'm sorry you are still having pain and especially when you are trying to get comfortable and sleep. I don't know what the problem may be but, a CT might show something that could get you some help. I hope you are feeling better soon.

    bump

    bump
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #7
    bump
    bump
  • lizzydavis
    lizzydavis Member Posts: 893
    #8
    Kathleen808 said:

    bump
    bump

    Sleeping in a recliner helped me.
    Sleeping in a recliner helped me so much. I just put a comforter on top of me and I was off to sleep. It is worth a try. Check with your doctor too. Hang in there. Mine got better with time (but after 6 months).

    Lizzy Davis
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #9
    Adhesions caused problems for me for many many months
    and are doing so again since my most recent surgery in June. After my surgery in July of 2007, lying on my stomach caused pain for probably close to a year. Certain movements and positions caused problems, but not so severe that I couldn't find a position to be comfortable in.

    Better to be safe than sorry and be checked out, but know that your innards have been scarred, and adhesions are rampant in abdominal surgery.
  • march15
    march15 Member Posts: 12
    #10
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Tests
    Guess what you are saying isn't quite normal but adhesions can be a big problem. Anytime you have surgery you get them. Not saying that it is this, but it could be. Getting a CT scan could be a good idea if you haven't one in six months or so. Sorry, but unfortunately more radiation is part of scanning you for problems. Hope you get an answer to your problem soon.

    Kim

    Thanks for answering. I'm
    Thanks for answering. I'm new to this site, seems like a good place:)
  • march15
    march15 Member Posts: 12
    #11
    Jaylo969 said:

    Yes
    Hi and welcome to our group. Glad to have you but sorry for the reason you are here ( if that makes any sense?)

    One year ago I had my right colon removed. I could only sleep in one position for many, many months after the surgery, which was on my right side with a small pillow tucked under my side/tummy to keep things in position ( I assume ). When I would accidentally turn over on my left side it felt like gravity was pulling my guts out.I don't really know when it happened but I find that I can now sleep in all positions, so I guess in my case it was a matter of healing.

    Best wishes to you.

    -Pat

    Thanks, that sound so
    Thanks, that sound so hopefull! I am so sick of being sick......guess many of us have that feeling.
  • march15
    march15 Member Posts: 12
    #12
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Wow, 12 scans..guess I'm
    Wow, 12 scans..guess I'm behind a bit in the glow department. I see the Dr. next week to have my cancer markers checked. My incission is a 6 inch long addition to my belly button, which just cracks my 21 mo. old granddaughter up. She always wants to show people my belly when you ask her where hers is. At least it makes somebody happy:) That is the site of most of my pain. Thanks
  • march15
    march15 Member Posts: 12
    #13
    Lori-S said:

    Hi
    Welcome to the group. I'm sorry you are still having pain and especially when you are trying to get comfortable and sleep. I don't know what the problem may be but, a CT might show something that could get you some help. I hope you are feeling better soon.

    Thanks for answering. I'm
    Thanks for answering. I'm still working out how to use this site. It took me all this time just to figure out how to get back to this site.
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #14
    abrub said:

    Adhesions caused problems for me for many many months
    and are doing so again since my most recent surgery in June. After my surgery in July of 2007, lying on my stomach caused pain for probably close to a year. Certain movements and positions caused problems, but not so severe that I couldn't find a position to be comfortable in.

    Better to be safe than sorry and be checked out, but know that your innards have been scarred, and adhesions are rampant in abdominal surgery.

    hey march , I've been operated one year ago and
    still painful in my right side but going better!
    Hope it's been helpful !
  • march15
    march15 Member Posts: 12
    #15
    lizzydavis said:

    Sleeping in a recliner helped me.
    Sleeping in a recliner helped me so much. I just put a comforter on top of me and I was off to sleep. It is worth a try. Check with your doctor too. Hang in there. Mine got better with time (but after 6 months).

    Lizzy Davis

    Thanks
    I can sleep in my recliner (during TV shows!) I just want to be "normal" again. Whatever that is! How are you now? Pam
  • march15
    march15 Member Posts: 12
    #16
    abrub said:

    Adhesions caused problems for me for many many months
    and are doing so again since my most recent surgery in June. After my surgery in July of 2007, lying on my stomach caused pain for probably close to a year. Certain movements and positions caused problems, but not so severe that I couldn't find a position to be comfortable in.

    Better to be safe than sorry and be checked out, but know that your innards have been scarred, and adhesions are rampant in abdominal surgery.

    Rampant adhesions
    That sounds like a good name for a horror show. Thanks for answering Pam
  • march15
    march15 Member Posts: 12
    #17
    pepebcn said:

    hey march , I've been operated one year ago and
    still painful in my right side but going better!
    Hope it's been helpful !

    Pain
    I did find one thing that seems to help. Sounds silly, but it is better if I wear shapewear, aka a girdle to sleep in. It seems to hold things in place. It isn't really tight anymore since I lost weight (the only good side to this whole cancer thing!) Pam
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #18
    march15 said:

    Pain
    I did find one thing that seems to help. Sounds silly, but it is better if I wear shapewear, aka a girdle to sleep in. It seems to hold things in place. It isn't really tight anymore since I lost weight (the only good side to this whole cancer thing!) Pam

    I only recently stopped wearing shapewear at night...
    it certainly helped me, and I still occasionally wear it if I'm particularly sore. Dam*ed adhesions are painful!
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    #19
    march15 said:

    Rampant adhesions
    That sounds like a good name for a horror show. Thanks for answering Pam

    Pam
    If the shaper is helping it might also be a hernia and the shapewear is holding it back in place where it belongs. It really could be either a hernia or adhesions or even both.
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #20
    I have had the surgery twice
    I have had the surgery twice on the Transverse colon. (3 Years a part.) Walking helped me. The better physical condition the easier it was for me to go to sleep. At first it was a couple of blocks. Now 4 months after my second surgery, I walk a mile in the morning and 1.5 in the evening. I feel better and am healing much faster then after my first surgery.

    Find something that works for you. After the first surgery I did not think about activity much because of the pain. The doc told me to get active asap after the second surgery and that was great advice!

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