Pain after stoma surgery

Hi Moira

I'm in the same boat as you. Just got out of hospital after a stoma op. Plus major rectal excavations.

With a little time the pain will ease and pass. Just consider it a necessary cost of your treatment. Pain for gain.

Buy a body pillow ...basically a 6 ft giant banana..so you can sleep in a comfortable position at night. I find the 30 or so metal staples of more bother than anything but they are just a short term nuisance.

Opiate tablets at night work wonders and I take them then.

Focus on eating plenty of protein and getting a good nights rest.

Hi Moira

This is major surgery. Ive been through it and would say to take the painkillers and dont try to be brave! The rear end wound will take some time but you WILL get there.

This is a journey, but each day your amazing body is working to repair a large cut. Dont be worried if it leaks a bit, mine did for around 4 weeks and I had to use mattress protectors, but its only the fluid that the body makes to repair and replace damaged tissue.

Stay strong, be positive, you'll look back soon and know its all been worth it

Many thanks for all of that, Anthony. I was discharged with just paracetamol and a ‘breakthrough’ pain drug, which I can only take 3 x daily if needed. I don’t have any staples fortunately. Is your stoma behaving itself? 
moira 

Thanks, Eddie. Your message has given me a lot of reassurance I’ve read some of your poems - fantastic. 
How long was it until you could sit? I’m not yet noticing any improvement in my rear end pain levels (surgery 9 days ago).

moira 

Hi Moira

I was given an opiate based thingy called dihyrocodeine 30mg. They work. Get some if the pain killers you have don't do it for you

Oppo of mine was 9  or so days ago as well so quite sympatico.

My stoma is ok. Will get smaller as the bruising subsides but not a friend just yet. Willl take a few months to bed in.

Back on Capox in the new year ho hum. Got to be done as the liver mets are having a party during this break from chemo. The devils grow at 20 per cent compound per month.

I potter about to the max every day but stop at that point. The most important thing is for you to get some good quality sleep and plan meals.

Good luck and best wishes.

Hi Anthony and thanks. I’ve got a phone number for post op queries and I’ll ask for stronger painkillers tomorrow. I’m also expecting to go back on chemo as the scans showed lymph node involvement. 
how many days post op are you?

best, Moira 

Hi Moira

Operatiom was on the 16th late pm.so 10 days ago..itd a rocky road but hopefully we will get a few years relatively free of the beast.

Hi Moira

I spent around 4 weeks lay on a sofa albeit, able to walk and climb stairs (carefully) I starting sitting on a cushion and didnt drive until week 7 ish, and then only a short distance.

I stopped leaking after about 4-5 weeks i think

Take your time, your body will let you know. 

Good luck

Took mine almost 6 weeks to heal,so patience is a virtue

i Was leant a blow up cushion which was great.donuts are definately a big no no.

I drove after the suggested 6 weeks.they say if you can do an emergency stop comfortably.I still told my insurance just to be safe

All the best

Kath

Cant comment on painkillers as I didnt have any .My op was by a single port laparoscopy so no stitches apart from my rear end.

Thanks Anthony. I ended up back at the hospital as temperature was high, I couldn’t pee and the pain was awful. I’ve got catheter back in for a couple of weeks and they gave me a codeine based painkiller. Oh, and laxatives!  They let me home but the pain is at a level today I can see me having to go back again …… the joys!