ribs are so painful

[Bernadette]

I am never without pain in my left ribs, sometimes its really sore. I lie on that side at night as its more comfortable so wake up in pain. Is this it now, over 4 years since surgery. How does everyone else do who has the shark bite surgery..

[monty]

Hi,

I have the same surgical scar on the left side, sometimes I find it uncomfortable when I lay on that side and it feels tingly to touch, it is painful if i accidentally knock my side.

I've always put this down to nerve damage with having such a large scar.

Although I would never describe it is really painful just uncomfortable.

I'm 12 years post surgery and the situation has never really improved over that time period

Hope this helps you.

Monty.

[Bernadette in reply to monty]

Thank you Monty, I suppose it is something we have to live with.

[Hidden]

Hi Bernadette

Oh yes, I identify with this!

Four years on for me too, and nearly constant discomfort on my left side. Fortunately rarely pain, just mild to medium discomfort. Not helped by a stitch sinus and two excision operations at one of the chest drain sites also in that area!

I'm often seen walking around clutching my side apparently!

John

[Bernadette in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for reply John, yes I am often seen clutching my side, and you are right it is constant discomfort, and if any small children are hurtling around me, I always put a protective hand over my ribs, although when I touch them the whole area is numb.

[patchworker]

Hello Bernadette,

I'm three years post op. and my ribs ache all the time, but on my right side. I didn't realize some people had their op on the left side!

Jane

[Bernadette in reply to patchworker]

I don't know why that is Jane, that some are left and some are right...

[medway]

I get some sharp jabs under the ribs which I put down to the titanium clips used to join the new 'plumbing'! I was told the clips will heal over but there must be some sharp corners. I've no doubt that the stretching of scar tissue is a factor also.

ps merendino interpositon op is both sides, Right across. A small penalty to pay for no reflux. See merendino interposition on here for T1 cancer only.

[Bernadette in reply to medway]

Will look that up Medway..thanks.

[pferries31]

Hello. I can sympathise with this problem. I haveconstant discomfort on my left side. I am being referred to a chest clinic as x-ray shows fluid still around my lung. I am 6 months post op. God I hope this isn't something else we have to live with. I am unable to lie on my left side as the pains travels up my face and down my arm. There is a part of my rib that clicks when I push it and ime constantly holding onto my left side. God do the problems ever end. X

[Bernadette in reply to pferries31]

I am sorry to hear this, I think you may have a worse problem than me, as I can now cope with the discomfort, it is true it was more painful in the first year and you are only six months post op, I only have the pain in my ribs but you have it elsewhere, I hope the problem can be sorted.

[yorkshirerose]

It does get better, and I recall something my surgeon said to me right at the beginning.

'You will have many problems as you recover, some will disappear, other you will learn to accommodate'

And he's right we do learn how to accommodate and live with the up's and down's of recovery

Best wishes to all

[Hidden]

I believe that the surgery can involve breaking/cutting rib(s) to enable them to obtain access to the bits of the body that need the surgery. There may also be some nerve damage. And perhaps the nerves do transmit the pain to other unexpected arts of the body. Patients do complain about this lingering pain, and for many it does get better over time, and I think that the shifting of weight around the rib cage (eg posture during sleeping) can 'stretch' the affected part and thereby cause the pain. I suspect that it does not help that one anticipates the pain and perhaps involuntarily tenses the muscles?

Whether this process of stretching, along with deeper breathing and progressively improving exercise, helps the problem in the long term I am not sure (I would like to think it might), but I can entirely sympathise with 'cradling' that part. Improvement can be a long, slow thing.

[Bernadette]

I was wondering if it would be beneficial to join some exercise class, I did try one but it was all too fast for me, I would prefer gentle stretching, anyone got any ideas?

[chris_usa]

Although I had a different point of entry (tranhiatal esophagectomy), I too have bone pain that is worsened by pressure. ie My left hip hurts a lot more with standing, and my left hip, back, and belly hurt a lot more when I try to lay on that side.

I have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Although typically osteoporosis doesn't cause pain, some other bone conditions such as osteomalacia can cause bone pain.

It may be that it isn't the incision causing the problem, but bone or nerve issues with the ribs or diaphragm. If your nutrition was compromised by the surgery or your condition, it may be worthwhile to have things like Vitamin D or bone density checked.

I have found that there is little critical thinking by GPs with surgeries such as ours. It is mostly an if/then mode of thinking that doesn't take into account the complexity of our situations.

I have found that Tai Chi for back patients via DVD is a good light exercise and stretching regimen that is self-guided and at your own pace.

[Bernadette in reply to chris_usa]

Thanks Chris, I will try for Tai Chi..I am already on vitD

[patchworker]

Tai Chi is a very good idea, I used to do Tai Chi years ago, we all worked at our own pace, but helped by our teacher, It's gentle exercise, and really interesting and good for your brain!

Unfortunately our class was moved, and I can't get to the new venue easily, or I'd still be doing it. Do try it.

[Bernadette in reply to patchworker]

a friend of mine in Kenilworth does this every week, I must look up classes near me. Thanks

[SteveJ]

Hi Bernadette

I too like you have the left hand side shark bite. I am almost six years post op now and gave up ages ago trying to sleep on my side. I go to bed at night and lie on my back and stay like that all night, I dont move, but i have just got used to it. To pferries31, Ialso had the click in my ribs every time I coughed it felt like my ribs popping out. It did go after a couple of years though. At least we are all still here, that's the main thing.

Kind Regards

Steve

[patchworker in reply to SteveJ]

Hello Steve and Bernadette,

I have to sleep propped up. If I lie too flat I get reflux, and inhale stomach acid, which is very painful and frightening, and makes me cough for hours.

After that had happened a few times, I learned not to move in my sleep!

[SteveJ in reply to patchworker]

Hi Patchworker

Yes I have had the same thing happen to me quite a few times. Inhaling stomach acid as you say is no fun at all and it does make you cough for ages. I found pasta meals with tomato sauce the biggest culprit.So yes I agree with you,if you can lie down and stay there--lol.

Kind Regards

Steve

[gutlesswonder in reply to SteveJ]

My (cheerful ) understanding of this is that it is the cause of more more deaths that anything else--due to aspiration pneumonia .

On a Friday I was listed for a Lobectomy (removal of part of the Lung ) the following Monday .

However I had a particularly sadistic (God Bless her) Physio who put me through the Cystic Fibrosis routine during most of Saturday and Sunday.

Miraculously the lung was cleared and the surgeon left knife in hand but frustrated by an empty operating table !

The way to avoid both this and reflux is to raise the head of the bed.

If you sleep propped up on pillows or with a raised mattress almost invariably you will slip down and/or sideways---with the result that the chest is compressed ,the intestines folded/squeezed and rib pressure increased unequally.

Think of an inclined plane and hydraulics.

Place blocks under the two legs to raise the whole frame end by not less than six (6) inches. Suitable blocks can be purchased or are easily fabricated.

Then you will be able to sleep flat ,stretched out and even if you turn onto a side the head/throat will still be the highest point.

[Bernadette]

thanks Steve, start on my back but seem to roll over in my sleep..