2010 Disabled List

[Glenn]

Not sure how I missed this! Here's to hoping things heal up OK Greg.

 

[bvibert]

Well, everything was going great until about Tuesday. That's when I started to feel a periodic intense burning in the area of the hernia repair. Sitting and lying down pretty much alleviates it entirely. It mostly affects me when standing or if I bend over, or twist suddenly. Saw the surgeon yesterday and he said everything looks great. Incisions are pretty much healed and he says the repair itself is strong and intact. He basically said that recovery from a hernia repair is rather painful and that most people who work in construction for example haven't gone back to work yet. I returned to my desk job last week and by mid-week of last week I felt pretty good.

I looked around online and came across all sorts of horror stories about people being in chronic pain after hernia repairs, mesh that gets infected, etc. I had to stop looking because obviously most of what people post out there are problems, not success stories. One thing I came across is the concept of nerve regeneration which can have similar burning/pinching type pain. I guess for being 3 1/2 weeks out, it would be appropriate to start feeling something like that. It's just odd because it's more painful, and more debilitating (have to sit a lot) than what I experienced earlier in the recovery period, even when I was still stapled up. I was pretty active over the weekend (light yardwork, housework) so maybe I stimulated the nerves and they are just figuring themselves out?

Anyway, anyone else that has had any sort of open surgery experience a burning/pulling/pinching feeling like this 3-4 weeks out from their surgery?

Dood, don't push it, let it all heal up nice nice! There's gonna be bumps to rip before you know it!

 

[PomfretPlunge]

I tore my left Achilles tendon in 2006 and had it repaired. The repair operation sensitized the nerve down the back of my leg. Even light pressure on the stitch scar would cause pinching and burning much like you describe. It felt like a sudden pinch or horsefly bite.

The nerve sensitivity wore off slowly over about 1 year. In the 2007 ski season I was doing mostly cross-country and I had to cut out the back of my cross-country skiboot to prevent pressure on the nerve. But at the same time downhill skiboots were fine. The downhill boot didn't press on the scar nub, so I could ski downhill fine. By 10-12 mos., the pain was fully gone and has not come back.

Get Well, Greg!
Plunge

 

[Beetlenut]

Wow Greg, man that sucks! The nerve thing can come back at any time after about 3-4 weeks. I still get little twinges after almost two years. One thing you might consider, is an acupuncturist. After a surgery, you usually end up with an energy block from the disruption of the blood flow and the invasive nature of the surgery. A few sessions can restore the energy flow to the affected area, and aid in quicker healing. I guess the summer just flew by. Hope you're back on your feet soon.

 

[Greg]

Didn't take any pain medication yesterday, but have tried Advil and Tylenol today which has taken the edge off a bit. Still uncomfortable at times, but I can deal with this. Thanks for the PM, sky. Reassuring. I'm sure this will go away, but the sudden onset of it after feeling pretty good was aggravating. I'm not a good patient, mentally. I was bumming big time in the hospital and for a while afterward so this minor setback bummed me out.

 

[Lostone]

Wow Greg! Sorry to hear of this. I had a hernia when I first moved up. (Think I got it while moving.) We tried the orthoscopic the next April. (After ski season.)

Didn't work.

Did the real surgery the next April. (Dr knew I was a ski bum.)


He was happy with it, but, altho none of the swelling is there, the hard place where the patch is, is hard, and often hurts, with the right movement.

Be careful to do the stretching of the area, as you recover. Thinking I might not have done as much as I should have. And take it slow! (I might also have started hiking too soon.)

Good luck!

 

[Hawkshot99]

August 21 I crashed my motorcycle on the way to work. Broke my wrist in the crash.
Got it put in a cast

Also rashed my knee pretty good.

That was through my riding pants and armor!

I am supposed to get the cast off Sept. 27!

Working ski sales with this thing sucks.

 

[bvibert]

August 21 I crashed my motorcycle on the way to work. Broke my wrist in the crash.
Got it put in a cast

Also rashed my knee pretty good.

That was through my riding pants and armor!

I am supposed to get the cast off Sept. 27!

Working ski sales with this thing sucks.

That doesn't sound good, glad it wasn't worse! Bet you can't wait to get that thing off.

 

[Hawkshot99]

That doesn't sound good, glad it wasn't worse! Bet you can't wait to get that thing off.

Like you would not believe.

 

[Glenn]

Hang in their Hawk. At least the case comes of before the snow flies.

 

[drjeff]

Didn't take any pain medication yesterday, but have tried Advil and Tylenol today which has taken the edge off a bit. Still uncomfortable at times, but I can deal with this. Thanks for the PM, sky. Reassuring. I'm sure this will go away, but the sudden onset of it after feeling pretty good was aggravating. I'm not a good patient, mentally. I was bumming big time in the hospital and for a while afterward so this minor setback bummed me out.

As much as it's tough for many active folks to do, the most important thing that you can do, especially when healing from invasive abdominal surgery is to listen to your doc's and take it easy for however long they say. There's a bunch of layers of muscle tissue that run pretty much in perpendicular directions that overlay your abdominal cavity, and those layers of muscle fibers need time (and lack of activity - and remember just the muscles motions associated with regular breathing are already causing those muscles to expand and contract) to fully heal. Just because you feel better after a week or two doesn't mean that those muscle fibers have fully healed/reconnected.


So just sit back now and rest. and before you know it Greg, you'll be ripping bump lines painfree!

 

[Greg]

Didn't take any pain medication yesterday, but have tried Advil and Tylenol today which has taken the edge off a bit. Still uncomfortable at times, but I can deal with this. Thanks for the PM, sky. Reassuring. I'm sure this will go away, but the sudden onset of it after feeling pretty good was aggravating. I'm not a good patient, mentally. I was bumming big time in the hospital and for a while afterward so this minor setback bummed me out.

Well, it took a full seven weeks, but I'm basically pain-free from the hernia/resection op. I had a middle back pain condition while sleeping spring up the past few weeks, but that's beginning to subside. I think it was a result of jumping back into almost normal activity too quickly after being basically sedentary (for me) for so long. I think I'm going to give it a few more weeks before hopping on the mountain bike for a few mellow rides, but I should be good to go for ski season!

 

[powhunter]

Outstanding man!! Glad your back in the game!

steveo

 

[bvibert]

Well, it took a full seven weeks, but I'm basically pain-free from the hernia/resection op. I had a middle back pain condition while sleeping spring up the past few weeks, but that's beginning to subside. I think it was a result of jumping back into almost normal activity too quickly after being basically sedentary (for me) for so long. I think I'm going to give it a few more weeks before hopping on the mountain bike for a few mellow rides, but I should be good to go for ski season!

Great news! See ya on the bike soon...

 

[severine]

Yay, Greg!!!!

 

[marcski]

Nice. Health....one can never take it for granted!

Glad you're feeling better...

 

[Glenn]

Good deal Greg.

 

[bigbog]

Good news Greg....

 

[Warp Daddy]

Glad to hear that things have improved --BE patient , Be POSITIVE and focus on WHAT you CAN Do, not what you CAN"T do -- that really helps -- I KNOW Greg .

Heal well my man !

 

[hammer]

Pulled a calf at a workout last night during warm-up exercises. Felt a twinge going up stairs at home before leaving for the workout but thought it would be OK once I warmed up...guess I was wrong.

Can hobble around this morning but it's quite painful. Ugh.