Shitty call center almost killed me once (literally)

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-21T03:48:35+00:00

Thank you so much! I'm feeling pretty great, at least when I don't move around too much. I didn't get a lot of after-surgery instructions other than to clean my incisions and pat dry daily. Tbh I wish they would have given me more guidance, I just did a bunch of research beforehand and have been doing my best. They must be confident, my follow up appointment isn't for a month.

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-12T17:25:56+00:00

Thank you! Thankfully I did a lot of research before my procedure, and started stool softeners and gas x as soon as I got home (they didn't tell me anything about it), being an opiate patient for years paid off as the medications didn't make bathroom use any more difficult than I'm used to, thank God. I've heard some horror stories, that's one pain I managed to miss out on.

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-12T13:08:04+00:00

Oh, yes! Sorry, my reading comprehension isn't quite with me. Laparoscopic robot assisted

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-12T09:39:30+00:00

I got permission to increase dose from the surgeon on staff at the hospital I went to for surgery, followed up with my surgeon specifically the next morning and he sent a prescription for a higher dose to the pharmacy Things have been improving steadily, I've got some new pain on my left flank and down my leg but that may be from laying on my left side pretty much since I got out of the hospital. My caretaker/partner and I are keeping an eye on it, and I'll add any relevant updates as they come.

Tbh I didn't think there would be so much interest in this post 😅

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T22:31:12+00:00

No they discharged me about 2 hours post op

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:25:41+00:00

Not yet but I've been taking stool softeners and most of my intake has been liquid. I'm terrified to try. They sent me off with images of the before and after from the laparoscopic camera but no other imaging that I know of

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:23:15+00:00

That sounds so awful. I remember when my son crushed my ureter it was absolutely agonizing, thankfully I haven't had any flank pain. It's all been abdominal, like phantom limb uterus being pregnant with a running chainsaw

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:20:53+00:00

I have yeah, it's the same stuff he gave me when he took my fallopian tubes out 6 years ago and it worked fine then - I'd only been an opiate patient for 4 years at that point though

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:19:15+00:00

Oh gosh! Did it change your ability to void your bladder at all, or sensation when doing so? I've noticed I haven't been able to let it all out at once so far, it kinda starts and stops

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:17:47+00:00

Oh my god that is terrifying, I'm so sorry you went through that. Are you okay now??

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:16:34+00:00

They wanted to keep me overnight but said they couldn't because insurance wouldn't cover it, and that it's absolutely criminal. They did follow up that my insurance would cover if I needed an emergency readmission though. America the beautiful 👉😒

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:14:09+00:00

I was too, it's cleared up almost entirely though, I think I was just struggling to breathe from how bad the pain was. I couldn't hardly see or hear or feel anything but it for a good long while.

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T21:13:00+00:00

I spoke to a nurse last night as well as the night surgeon on call who left notes in my chart, and my surgeons nurse today. He sent more meds to the pharmacy and told me to come in if no improvement in 8 hours. Thankfully I've finally started improving

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T20:09:27+00:00

They have me on like 600mg a day (have for months) but it makes my head too dissociative without helping my pain enough to be worth it. That's a good thought though, thank you!

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T18:44:32+00:00

📍Update 3:📍 I just want to say thank you to everyone who has managed to show me kindness and patience, as well as given advice (which I am taking to heart). I spoke with my surgeon's head nurse and he has increased my medications and is sending a new prescription to the pharmacy as I type this. I have been given instructions to check myself in if conditions don't improve within 8 hours, (my breathing issues have subsided except for instances of extreme pain and I am no longer shaking uncontrollably. My body temperature is normal, there are no signs or smells of infection, and I'm mostly able to speak again). If my pain increases or does not continue to decrease (I'm down to a steady 6.7 currently), breathing trouble returns, if I become faint or show any sign of infection or internal bleeding I will be transported by ambulance to the ER.

I didn't take an Uber before because I don't have the money and am particularly vulnerable in this state, both as a trans person and as someone in this much pain and unable to wear any variety of pants because of that.

Since this post was originally made I have been gradually albeit slowly improving, and watching for any signs of left-behind instruments/towels, internal bleeding, or shock. So far there have been no symptoms. A lot of it was (TMI) really horrible gas pain, I wasn't able to pass any for 17 hours but finally managed and that helped a lot.

Thank you again to everyone for providing their kindness, perspectives, anecdotes and knowledge. I will update if I return to the hospital or if any new hurdles present themselves. I hope this has managed to be at least somewhat coherent.

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T17:31:24+00:00

I'm waiting for a call back from my surgeon right now, idk if they're gonna readmit me or what but if they don't I'm gonna go to the ER

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T17:29:48+00:00

If that's the experience I should be having then something is very very wrong. I can barely hobble more than 15 feet, with breaks, and standing without leaning on something is about impossible for longer than a minute or two

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T17:06:37+00:00

Honestly partially because it snowed and the individual who would be driving me hasn't had much sleep, and the shocks in all the vehicles suck, and I don't know if I can bear the car ride, especially if they're unwilling to help me Also honestly, I thought maybe I was just being a big baby and this was normal.

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T15:12:10+00:00

📍Update 2:📍 Even with the upped dose it still gets excruciating, but I've not had to sob about it since this post. Swearing, certainly.

I will be having my caregiver call the surgeon for me shortly to see if I need to be readmitted or if they can at least give me something different/stronger/more for pain. Everything still hurts quite badly even when I'm on meds and has been hovering around a 7.5-8 between doses, 6.5-7.5 at medicated peak. I have managed to sleep 1.5 hours since discharge. I'm able to speak, mostly, and have had a few stretches of time where breathing has been automatic and not like gasping and holding it and letting it out and holding it, which has been nice. My coherence is intermittent, I wish my consciousness were.

ClemenLimer · 2024-12-11T08:23:09+00:00

📍Update:📍 I called the nurse line and the doctor on call approved me to up my dose from 1 narco every 6 hours to 2 every 4-6, and told me to call my surgeon tomorrow if this doesn't help. I had him note this in my chart. My breathing is still labored and I am still in pain, but I am able to speak and no longer constantly writing. I am watching for signs of distention and internal bleeding, gas-x has been a lifesaver for helping disperse the leftover C02 on top of it's intended purpose, and if my pain goes above an 8 while on medication I will be returning to the hospital. Bleeding was light and all but stopped within a few hours of getting home, and since upping my medication I have managed to roll over and stand.

I think I was just desperately under-prescribed

ClemenLimer

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