severe back pain after surgery cant walk

[Kathysdaughter]

Hello all,

My mom is 67, diagnosed with rectal cancer, stage 3, April 2016. She had radiation and chemo with an additional drug trial chemo added during the 5 weeks, but had to stop treatments a bit early because of severe radiation burns. Doc said hes never seen burns that bad, thinks the drug trial chemo which was supposed to make it all work stronger together did its job and that's why it was so bad.

She had her surgery to remove the tumor, lymph nodes and do the colostomy (which is permanent because the tumor was so far down) last Wednesday. The problem I'm writing to ask about is she has extreme lower back pain when standing and attempting to walk. Today is Monday, 5 days after surgery, and she can barely walk to the door of her hospital room, using a walker/cane. She knows she needs to be walking to be able to go home but over the 5 days she's only made it into the hall twice and that's with sweating, shaking, nausea, heavy breathing, sitting in a chair to take a break.

The doc says this isn't normal and doesn't know what could be causing it. He said sometimes people get a sore lower back from the operating table but doesn't think it should be this bad. He's ordered a orthopedic surgeon consult to see what he says, maybe he'll order an MRI.

Has anyone experienced this? Any ideas on what it could be?

The PT says she's not safe to go home, she lives in an RV so she needs to get up and down steps to get in and out, and of course showering and dressing are needed which she can't do yet either. She says she'd recommend moving to a rehab but doc says wants the ortho to weigh in and see if they can find an answer first.

Any suggestions or advice is appreciated.
Thank you

[Ishtalady]

Every time I have surgery I have more pain in my back than anywhere else. I think it is a combo of being on the table and then laying on my back in a hospital bed. I normally sleep on my side. I have never been as bad as your mom and it seems like someone should be proactive in helping her.

Narcotics don't help my back, but Toridol does. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and works by reducing the hormones that cause inflammation and pain. It is only available in an iv and is used for moderate to severe pain. My surgeon uses it after most surgeries. If they haven't given it to your Mom I would insist they give it a try.

Hopefully the orthopedic doctor will keep at it until he figures out what is wrong. Sending good thoughts your way.

[Pita]

Also had Toradol when I was in the hospital last month having my LAR surgery, must have worked because I don't remember having any back pain. It is available as a pill, injection or IV. I have scoliosis and OA in my lower back so I definitely know what back pain is, I take a generic Celebrex daily now but had to stop it weeks prior to surgery and I used a small heating pad and it really helps a lot. Got mine on Amazon.

Prayers and hugs to you and your Mom...

[BeansMama]

I third asking about Toradol, it helped a lot with the pain when I was in the hospital after my surgeries. The one thing my surgeon did tell me was they can only give it for a limited time. I can't remember the reason, dang chemo brain, but I do remember that much.

Hopefully the orthopedic doc can figure out what is going on.

I will keep your mom in my thoughts and prayers.

[aja1121]

Yes, Toradol always helped my husband's post-op pain much better than the pain pump. I believe Toradol can hurt the kidneys if taken for too long.

[Kathysdaughter]

Thank you so much for your responses
But she has been getting toradol on schedule since the surgery. Also percocet as needed. The xrays and MRI came back with nothing wrong. The ortho said he sees some small swelling so the pain could be from that.
But todays update is more concerning. She's been vomiting all day. She gets waves of chills and flushed cheeks, then vomits.
Theyve taken blood, white cell count is not elevated. Checked urine, no results yet.
Doc has just ordered a CT with contrast (i dont know how she's going to drink contrast?) and then and NG tube afterwards. She's not happy about that part at all.
Doc will come back in the morning.
UGH. This sucks.
She is 6 days out from the surgery.

[Lee]

(i dont know how she's going to drink contrast?) and then and NG tube afterwards.

She will gt the contract via an IV. So sorry she is having these problems. Don't have any suggestions to offer. Butt your mom will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hope they can find the cause for her pain and vomiting.

Lee

[Pita]

Lee wrote
She will gt the contract via an IV

I had a CT on the 15th, yes you have to drink a cup of nasty stuff one hour before and then they hook up IV when you are in the CT room. Drink it fast!

Wondering if she's having an allergic reaction to any medication she's being give? Prayers they discover the problem and she feels normal again...

[BeansMama]

You don't always have to drink the contrast, I have had CT scans done both ways.

I hope they find the source of your mother's problems, it sounds like they may be thinking obstruction. Just a wild guess on my part though.

Keeping your mom in my prayers.

[Pita]

You don't always have to drink the contrast, I have had CT scans done both ways.

Hmm, interesting I've always had to drink, wonder why if you don't have to because it's a struggle to get it down it tastes so chalky. I'll ask at my next one and tell them Beans said no! Thanks...

[BeansMama]

You don't always have to drink the contrast, I have had CT scans done both ways.

Hmm, interesting I've always had to drink, wonder why if you don't have to because it's a struggle to get it down it tastes so chalky. I'll ask at my next one and tell them Beans said no! Thanks...

I think it depends on where you have it done lol. I agree that stuff is gross. So sorry you have to drink it for this one.

[dmondgirl]

Did they check to see if she has an internal leakage? My fiance developed a backpain by the tailbone 2 days after surgery...surgeon ordered a scan and right away they saw a small leakage...they put a drainage and that relieved the pain.