So I'm 5.5 months post-op and I still have pain in my pelvis like it's sore, and sometimes to the left of the stoma it feels like tiny needle pricks even if there are no leaks. I still use the heating pad a lot because gas is still a tiny bit painful too. Not excruciating, but it's uncomfortable, and the pain goes away when the gas comes out. It hurts in the mesentery part (my right side, think obliques), and the only reason I know about that is because I went to the ER a while back for pain and they told me it was the mesentery. LOL. I get pain there sometimes when output is thick. Additionally, I might have a hernia; sometimes there is pain where the bulge is, but since my insurance denied my request to see the surgeon who did the colostomy (it was an ER visit, so out of network), I have to wait to see someone in my network now, and it's until the end of Jan. So until then, I was wondering if anyone experienced intermittent pain this far out after surgery and what pain did you have or still sometimes get? My PCP told me to go to the ER if other symptoms arise, and I will if necessary, but right now I feel like I'm good since the pain is not excruciating nor constant. I can eat, don't get nauseous, and the stoma is working, and probably some of this is normal for my particular circumstance. I had an abscess from diverticulitis and needed open surgery to clean me out. Thirty days later, the dang thing came back with a vengeance, and I had 3 abscesses that burst, which then resulted in another clean-out, C. diff, and a colostomy. Most of the pain comes when I stand up from sitting or from sitting when laying down. Anyone else have post-op pain this far out from surgery?
Gas bubbles can be uncomfortable. My hip cramps up still since surgery. 🤷♂️
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Hello MoeMoe.
Thanks for sharing your story of pain as it is so good to know that other people have similar problems.
I have had my stoma for many years, but still, my own pains are frequent and variable.
Recently the pains were intense and reminiscent of my heart attack, so I duly went to A&E to have it checked out. Their conclusions were that it was gut related and therefore not serious enough for further concern!
I tend to treat these things as 'natural' occurrences as most of the world's humans suffer with gut problems of one sort or another. It seems that we don't need a stoma to kick start this sort of problem.
My own pains have been put down to:
Blockages
Gas
Hiatus hernia
Peristomal hernia
lazy gut
prolapses.
It seems that almost anything can create a pain in the gut so, when I feel that the pains might be something not yet identified, I tend to get them checked out.
This way, I at least know what I'm dealing with, even if the pain doesn't go away.
Best wishes
Bill
Learn what you need to know to help you recover fast, and avoid some common food issues.
Sorry for your pain and problems with insurance. I would push your insurance as far as you can. Look for a patient advocate that should be part of the insurance company. The gas can hurt, especially with a parastomal hernia; it bothers me a lot. I have serious back issues along with pelvic floor dysfunction; now that is what really hurts for me. Right now, it's like a burning cigarette stuck in my anus. I am 2+ years since my ostomy surgery and still have painful stoma experiences, with not many doctors that will treat a male with pelvic floor dysfunction. I take MiraLAX at least 2x a day to keep my stool loose; otherwise, it would get too thick. But see if there is a patient advocate you can talk to because the ER is just full of sick people.
Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister
