Getting to "normal" post RPLND

[Manny]

I had a question regarding how long it takes to get back to "normal" post a RPLND procedure. I just completed 3 months since the operation. I have been back at work for the last 2 months and can do most things - but still don't quite feel all of "it" is quite there.

I dont feel any pain most of the day - but when I get into bed I have trouble sleeping. I feel incision pain and it takes me a while to knock off. Occasionally, I feel like something just "moved" in my stomach - I don't mean gas - I literally mean it feels like my internals moved. Maybe I am going crazy!

Anyway, I thought I would reach out and ask what experiences you all may have had.

[dadmo]

Manoj:
Jason complained about tightness along the incision and it took a few months of stretching at the gym before that feeling went away. One of the stranger things he talked about was his insides moving around. One day he chased a cat from under a bird feeder and he stopped short after about 20 feet. He said he could certainly fell his intestines sloshing around. That feeling took quite a while to go away.

This is when everyone will know I'm not a doctor but here's the explanation I was given for that. The intestines are held in place by some form of sticky membrane. When they replace them after the RPLND they are not in the same configuration as when they took them out. Eventually everything will find it's way back where it belongs and then the membrane will regrow to hold everything in place.

[Already Bald]

This is when everyone will know I'm not a doctor but here's the explanation I was given for that. The intestine are held in place by some for of sticky membrane. When they replace them after the RPLND they are not in the same configuration as when they took them out. Eventually everything will find it's way back where it belongs and then the membrane will regrow to hold everything in place.

How about that?
I did not know that, but I felt a little of that as well.

As for RPLND recovery- I think my lower back pain was the worst, the incision was not as bad as my IO incision.
I did have nauesua a few months out, and the retro...
Other than that- if anything still bothers you Manny, you should call Dr. Sheinfeld.

[Fish]

Manny,

It can take some time, and everything does not always return to the normal position. Most of the time this is not a problem, but adhesions, or attachemts of structures in the wrong place, can occur after abdominal surgery. Again, usually these are not a problem other than cuasing some strange feelings. On my abdominal CT's, the radiologist usually notes "post surgical changes".

That being said, if you experience pain that persists or recurrs, or any evidence of incisional hernias - soft bumps along the incision when straining - you definitely need to call your doc.

[Manny]

Bill, Joe, Fish - thanks for your thoughts. They help a lot. I thought it was bizarre when my intestines just moved - my wife told me it was the wine going to my head.

I will see Dr S. for my monthly check on Thursday next week and I will discuss this with him as well. It is not bothersome enough that I felt I had to see him immediately.

take care.

[Amy]

It sounds like it is normal for some "abnormal" feelings following RPLND, but for how long? My son had his surgery in April of 2007 and since then has been having digestive discomfort after eating. He hasn't lost weight -- has gained quite a bit. It almost sounds like he has the symptoms of IBS, and I wondered if it could be caused by the RPLND. Anyone had similar experiences?

[Fish]

Amy,

20 years post RPLND, I still get some wierd sensations, occasionally, but I also had the incision reopened to repair multiple hernias and have had an open gall bladder removal, soooo, I might not be the best judge.

Certainly any persistant discomfort should be evaluated by a doctor. It could be something, as you say, like IBS and totally unrelated to the surgery. Is it related to any particular foods or does it seem to happen with all foods? Are you talking uncomfortable sensations or diarrhea?

I'm assuming your son is having follow ups, I would just mention it to the doc and see what he/she thinks, or if it's really bad, call the office and ask about it.

[Amy]

Thanks for your response Fish. He just had follow-ups with both his oncologist and urologist (surgeon). When he mentioned it to the oncologist she recommended he try immodium. He didn't tell the urologist about it, although he would probably be the one to ask. I'll try to get him to bring it up at his next visit or even see his primary care physician about it.

[spinsta]

Hey bud - I felt not-100% for about 4-5 months, to be perfectly honest. Even though they tell you you can get back to normal after 3 months, I still had incision pain and tightness for about 4-5 months.