Pain in my left side...

[RickKiem]

Hey Guys and Gals,

I need your opinions as to whether this is something to be worried about or if this is just another wonderful "side" effect of the surgery.

For about 5 weeks after surgery I had some effusion in my right side that was giving me some discomfort. It was always in the same place and just like the doctor said it slowly went away.

Well, starting about 4-5 days ago I started having sorta the same feeling in my right side. It has slowly gotten worse over the past few days. It feels kinda bubbly like the effusion did but the pain pulsates in intensity along with my heart beat. It hurts worse if I try to lay on my left side. It is less intense but present when lying down but not on my left side. It does not hurt at all and I don't feel it at all when sitting or standing. I did feel the right side effusion at all times.

Has anyone had some effusion reappear after 7 weeks post op?? Could the fluid have migrated to my left side? If you think this is a matter of concern, in your opinion could I wait until next week to try and see the Dr.?

Thanks for helping..

Rick

 

[Ross]

As one who is seems to always battle effusion of some sort, I can say that yes, this sounds like a build up of fluid again only on the opposite side. Can it wait? Maybe, but it can get very bad very quick too. Your best off getting ahold of the Doc asap.

 

[bvdr]

Hi Rick,

Sorry that you are having this problem. I had a small pleural effusion on my right side that began bothering me about 2 or 3 weeks out of surgery but that is the side that I had the heartport on and the rib removed and wired back into place so it was hard to determine what pain was from what. I never had any pain on the left side whatsoever.

Since many times an effusion comes from inflammation I would think it is very possible that you may have developed some effusion in another area but I don't think the original has migrated over.

When you say it feels kinda "Bubbly", do you mean it can be felt with your fingers, when you very gently touch the area, and that it feels like bubble wrap? If so it could be what is referred to as "crepitus" and you need to get it checked. (?new term for you to google on?) (It is also called sub-cutaneous emphysema)

Of course, if the pain continues to get worse, or if you have increased shortness of breath or fever definitely get it checked right away. If not, your other plan seems reasonable.

If you have stopped your deep breathing exercises, I would again start them regularily to keep those lungs inflating.

It may be muscular-skeletal pain if the "pulsating" is like throbbing but other causes would need to be ruled out.
I had to use a heating pad for a few weeks at night against my rib cage to obtain relief. I also used quite a few of the pain pills I was given post-op. to help me get comfortable enough to sleep.

Please let us know how you do and any information you find out okay Rick? I hope you feel better soon.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Rick-

I think you should call your doctor and have him palpate your abdomen to see just where this pain is located. There are other organs besides the lungs and heart that can hurt. So call and get an expert opinion on just what this is.

Joe has had issues with his spleen, and on the other side his liver and gallbladder.

I really hate trying to guess at these things, especially when it concerns Joe. There are many complicated things.

It might turn out to be nothing. I hope so, but do find out, and don't let it go. See the doctor when it's hurting.

Let us know.

 

[hensylee]

Rick - you don't really need us to tell you what to do in this instance - so go.......then tell us what it was.

 

[RickKiem]

Thanks everyone,

I can't feel anything with my fingers, it is mainly when I breath that I get that wierd bubbly feeling but not really in my lungs but more in my side right at the bottom of my ribs.

I hate to go to the ER now as it is not something that is overwhelming, I am just a little concerned as to why I might be having fluid build up now. If it gets worse I will go have it checked out this weekend. If it doesn't get any worse I will put it off till next week. Dr.'s are so hard to get a hold of with the holidays.

Thanks again,

Rick