How long it takes to feel pain free after nephrectomy

Sorry....stupid auto correct...it's supposed to say I had a nephrectomy NOT appendectomy.x 

I  can relate to all of that. All of the sensations wore off over the next 6 months except the skin numbness about the size of a saucer and the physical fatigue. I was 50 and had a right partial Dec 15.

Hi Moogy, having read your novel I hope I can offer some words of advice. Firstly STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP. You've undergone major surgery and as good as the human body is it takes time to heal and that time depends on how damaged it is. You're already aware of nerve pain which you alone can deal with in the knowledge that in the fullness of time it will get better or failing that your body will adapt to deal with it. You asked about getting back to normal to which there is no answer other than you might have to accept that you now have a new normal. Regarding your pain I suggest you visit your GP to discuss a course of action to get some relieve but whatever you do don't take any painkillers, especially ibrufen (aka Nurofen) without medical advice. Last but not least that chances of reoccurrence. As my Urologist told me back in 2007 your chances of developing an unrelated cancer haven't changed, i.e. you still have a 30% chance. As regards to metastatic spread, well, as I know only too well that is in that hands of the gods. The one bit of good news is that for the next five years you will have regular visits to the Urology clinic and you will be on first name terms with the radiographers so if anything does occur it'll be jumped on immediately. Sorry if this reply wasn't what you wanted to hear but I've been where you are and eleven years down the line even with metastatic spread I'm still here alive and kicking. One last think, stop worrying about what might happen in the future and concentrate on the present, I'm sure, just like me, you've got a good team behind you. King regards Phil 

Hi Phil

Thanks for replying, and your words of wisdom, lol. My kids and family always tell me I'm my worst critic! I've always been pessimistic... my glass is always half empty...that way, if there's anything good that happens, then it's a bonus! Cancer is a word I never thought I'd hear, and it scares me to the core...but ur right...I can't predict the future. This is my third major surgery in 5 years (previous 2 were to remove parts of bowel due to crohns), so I do know it gets better, but being older takes its toll on your body more. I was taking oramorph, but stopped it last week, as felt the pain wasn't severe enough. I'm not allowed ibuprofen anyway, as having crohns it does the opposite to my bowel. So gp has kept me on tramadol (which I was on before surgery due to lower back arthritic pain) and paracetamol. The pain I can cope with i guess, it's just my mental attitude and impatience...I want to get on the floor with my granddaughter and play, but not quite there yet.

But ur right...I'm going to stop beating myself up, and try and not worry to much about the future. Hopefully I'll see my urologist soon, but he is a good surgeon but not good at all with letting u know what's going on..it's like he wants u out his room...even after surgery he was like 'couldn't save half, so took it all as was bleeding too much. Any questions?' , that was it! I've had to converse more with the cancer nurse, who is fab.

Anyway Phil, thanks again for replying as its much aappreciated. Life begins at 50 i suppose, lol x

Thanks for ur reply Cellogirl 45...the numbness I don't like at all, but it's something I'll get used to. I thought it was maybe as the anaesthetist gave me a spinal prior to surgery, but as I was in surgery 5-6 hours, it had worn off by the time I'd woken. My daughter had a spinal with her c-section, and she said she can't feel parts of her tummy. I'm guessing it's due to all the nerve damage. x

AHi there, I had a full radical nephrectomy last August losing my right kidney and also had a renal vein scrape in a long and complicated operation. I spent several days post "op" in high dependantcy followed by a week on the general renal ward. Prior to my operation I had several laser operations on my left kidney that contained several large kidney stones before my right kidney that was engulfed by a large tumour could be removed. This all took place over a whirlwind 7 week period last Summer after I started urinating blood and the care and attention I received at the University Hospital of Wales was second to none with no complaints at all apart from my major operation being cancelled 3 times due to staffing level problems. I still suffer some minor outbreaks of pain internally at my operation site but generally it doesn't bother me that much. I have no feeling at all below my operation scar on my abdomen which runs from near my sternum down almost to my right hip. Before being released from hospital my consultant told me I was so lucky as the Cancer was totally removed in one go with my kidney. He used the words "you've dodged a bullet here" and to go and live a normal life much to myself and my family's relief. I had my first post "op" scans last month and have follow up consultations later this month. When I received the bad news I had to cancel our Summer holiday and following my release from hospital I was desperate to get away and take a late Summer break which I did in October. I was so weak in Cyprus that walking anywhere over a short distance was very hard and I often had to sit down and rest when out and about in the heat during the day. Overall we had a lovely fortnight but it was definately to soon after such major surgery (just 7 weeks after). I'm a 60 year old male and very overweight but I always make the effort physically and was a very active sportsman in my younger years. Overall I'm pretty good at the moment but the worst thing about my treatment last year was being left with Paresthetica Meralgia a condition effecting both my upper outer thighs. It's loss of feeling coupled with pain on the surface of the upper outer thighs a result of compression of the lateral femoral nerve during my laser operations for kidney stones. Basically a tiny camera and laser combined were fed up through my urinary tract into my kidney. I was then manhandled on the operating table to line up the laser with the individual stones in order to break them down. Unfortunately some cases as mine suffer compression of the lateral femural nerve that controls feeling only. I was told this can take up to and over 6 months to right itself but up until now it's as bad as ever. I try not to take any painkillers during the daytime but at night I take tramadol and Ibrufen or paracetamol together which relieves the symptoms overnight. I know the later part of my reply has nothing to do with this thread but I mentioned it for the benefit of other that might be suffering this. I hope you recover as well as I appear to have and that we both live well for many years to come, good luck to you. Take your time as you always need to walk before you can run, just remember this and take your own time, you've nobody to please only yourself. It's a long road to recovery but you'll get there eventually !!!!

Thanks for the reply mondeo, it's appreciated.

Wow! It sounds like you've had a really tough time with your kidney problems! Especially when they've been dealing with the kidney stones. I'm not at all surprised its took u longer to feel well! I'm just going to take it one day at a time I think, and hope at my 6 week check up that my urologist can shed a bit more light on my situation...I doubt it though as I know a couple of others who haven't been told much at all from him, or what the next steps are! But I'm a wee bit gobby, and WILL make sure he tells me what happens next! 

I have 2 grown kids, and lots of older sisters, and a brother, who i can rely on, and have been an amazing support to me..and I know will continue to be there if needed. So I know I'll be ok.

Thanks again and hope your health continues to improve. x

Hi moggy 68, 

Make the most of your cancer nurse, s/he'll be an invaluable source of info n  support.

Like one of the previous respondents, I'm still here -  14 years  and several mets on - and yes, I'm a glass half empty person too !