Ouch!

[Dave]

I had a (LAR) preformed just over two weeks ago. They removed 6inches of colon right at the rectum, maybe some of the rectum to. I didn’t get an ostomy. The problem is that I can’t even think of sitting down, without eating a couple of vicodin, all I can do is walk around or lay down. Can someone give me a rough idea, about how long this pain is going to require medication to control? Is this much pain normal?
Hurtin for certain,
Dave

[NICK THE BRIT]

Alright Dave, i remember it well.

I would say maybe after a month, things will ease, and you should be a bit more comfortable. But they say 3 months for the body to heal which is about right.

hang in there mate, things will improve.

Nick

[LA8]

Hi, Dave - Nick is absolutely right - and by two months you'll have forgotten about the problem. Your symptoms may be a pain in the butt (pun intended) but they're perfectly normal. Hang in there!!

[eitter]

Dave,

I had a rectal recsection and "feel" your pain! I was given a temp Ileostomy though.

I live on percocet's even today, my surgery was in October. I had radiatin prior to, did you? I was given the news by my colorectal suregon that I may have cronic pain in the rectal area for the rest of my life because of the radiation, I am praying for that not to be true. At first the pain was awful and yes to be comfortable today I have to take pain meds, but it is not unbearable.

Here is something that helps a lot and even helps cut down on pain meds. A Heating pad, it is my best friend. When you want to sit and watch TV or even lie in bed, but a heating pad under your tush and you will feel no pain. Try it! Let me know what you think, I bet it helps. I also but a pillow on all the chairs I sit on, I tried a doughnut, but that did not work as well.

Keep me posted!

God Bless,

[eitter]

Hey Dave, me again!

I just went to your website....I think my idea of the heating pad will work wonders for you and if so you owe me a windsurfing lesson. LOL

[Dave]

Thanks, Me Mates from across the pond,
That’s a welcome response; I just needed to know this pain is normal (and I’m a big sissy). It will be a lot easier to deal with that way. I’ve tried to get the good wife to kiss it, to make it feel better, but with little luck.
That was wonderful, ask a question at 4am, eat a Vicodan, go lay down for a few hours, wake up with an answer, (got to love the different time zones) you guys are great.

There is light at the end of the tunnel,
Dave

[Dave]

Thanks Eitter,
I’ll cross off the donut, and add the heating pad to my list of must haves.
Now I usually take showers, I don’t have time for baths, however I must admit, yesterday while it was quite around here, I slid into my wife’s big old bathtub…. Oh baby! I’m talking about a painless state of euphoria that will give you Goosebumps. Then 20 minutes later, ding-dong, all hell broke loose, Oh well it was sweet while it lasted. I’m going to make it back into that tub today!
Yes I did have Chemo-radiation prior to surgery, and my radiation oncologist also prescribed percocet to me. I only took a couple of them, I was busy, they made me dizzy, I had things to do, (Like make preparations for the time that I’m taking off now) I guess I’ll break them out when I need back up
You my certainly have that windsurfing lesson, just let me know when your coming to town.
Hoping chronic pain are not permanent words in our vocabularies,

Dave

[lucky1]

I am 5 weeks postpartum LAR. The heating pad works wonders. I just started using it a few days ago. Ibuprofen helps my discomfort. I am wondering how I can go back to work next week when I feel this uncomfortable. I can't use a heating pad there. Thanks for the advice!