Extended Post Operative Pain

I was sent to the VA hospital in Pittsburgh from Louisville to have my Prostate removed via the Robotic procedure, in Aug. 2006.  When I awoke had a very intense pain radiating from the area where the Prostate was removed.  I would describe it as a intense Dull Ache and it hurts 24 hours a day.  I have seen little or no improvement in 3 months  I'm in a bad spot because the doctors here in Louisville were obviously not present during the operation and are not familiar with the procedure.  The doctors in Pittsburgh say they have no idea.  If anyone has experienced this I would greatly appreciate any information.  Also, my operation took over 9 hours.  Everything I read indicated that it was a 5 or 6 hour procedure.  If I could here from a few patients on how long their operation lasted.  Thank You. 

hi Rock50. I'm sorry to hear you are still having pain. I think you should bug the doctors until they find out what's going on....or find a new doctor. Jeff had the open surgery (RRP) and was in the operating room for 4 hours. but that can be very different for various reasons. I hope you find relief soon. kat

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Husband Jeff 56 years old
diagnosed July 27, 2006
PSA 6.5
2 positive areas in biopsy, Gleason 3+3=6
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy August 30, 2006
pathology report - all clear - cancer gone
1st post-surgery PSA test 0.1
no more pads Oct 12, 2006

Hey Rock:

Hang in there.  We all had some pain down there after surgery.  It's just taking your pain a little longer to subside.

Time for surgery varies due to procedure and surgeon.  The rob/lap generally takes longer than the open surgery.  For example, my open surgery took one hour, which was the average time for the surgeon I selected.  Another guy who had the robotic the day after me at the same facility was in the OR for a good bit longer.

 

Rock,

Rock - Our robotic took nearly two hours. Had residual pain for several weeks in the scrotum and up. Also had a preexisting hernia that contributed to the pain. I know one of the regulars here (Spinbiscuit) also dealt with double hernias and pain. That's one possibility to check out - as sometimes hernias are caused by trauma during surgery (a common thing, not incompetence), and they can also cause that dull ache.

When husb. was dealing with the early pain, our surgeon prescribed a heavy-duty antibiotic along with two different pain/sleeping meds - those really seemed to help.

Good luck.

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Husband age 65

Rock,

Having the aching in the perineum area for three months does sound a little long. I am almost four weeks post op and I have the aching a few times a day but it goes away. If it last a little longer then 10 or 15 minutes I take a couple of Advil and that does the trick. I was told by my surgeon to expect to have this for up to two months although most of his patients have it only four to six weeks. I have read the experiences of others where it has lasted as long as six months. Walking helps me with the aching so if you can get in a good 15 to 30 minute walk a day and see if that does not help.

Tamu

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Diagnosed 7/6/06

Thanks to all of you.  I'm just wondering if they could have damaged a nerve?  Please remember I have no doctor, both Pittsburgh and Louisville VA Urologist refuse to treat me.  Thanks Again.

Rock

Hi Rock

What is the possibility of you seeing another urologist in Louisville? It seems that someone should be able to do something to help. How is the rest of your recovery going (incontinence, sexual function, etc.) Are you seeing improvement in those areas?

bec

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husband Jeff 45 years old, diagnosed 8/25/06
PSA 2.1, 2 of 12 samples at 3% & 4%, involving 1 side of prostate
Gleason 3+3=6 in both samples
laparoscopic radical prost. 10/17/06
cancer in both sides of prostate, positive in one area of margin
first PSA in 1/2007

VA was authorizing a private Urologist because no one in the system would treat me. They only allowed a few visits. I cannot afford a private urologist, no private insurance. When I swore into the Army during Vietnam they told me I would never have to worry about medical care the rest of my life. Like an idiot I took them at their word. I've just developed a Hernia at one of the probe sites. Gi doc says it must be repaired immediately because the opening is so small if the intestines get through it I may not be able to push them back. Really the other things you initially worry about are fine. It's just the pain from the site is 24/7. I'm just worried they damaged a nerve and I am going to have to live with this.
Thanks for all your concerns
Rock