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Post-Splenectomy

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Itsnotme
Itsnotme

I'm a Thalassemia major Patient and due to iron overload and other issues my spleen became enormous.It was 23cms and about 1800gram when they removed it on May 04 2019.

Now it's been a while and my incision is healing and looks perfectly fine but a couple days ago I started having this weird feeling under my left ribcage ,with every breath sort of like rattling or bubbling the way it happens when you have a congested chest.The next day it started hurting so much that I couldn't even stand straight or lie down on my back and couldn't lie on my left side because it hurt so much.I took some pain meds,they helped a bit but now it's been two more days and it still hurts when I burp or sneeze,so bad.Does anyone know why it's happening? I'm scared.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Wheelo
    Wheelo Itsnotme

    Posted

    Firstly as your surgery was so recent I would be straight back with my doctor if I were you. However, I had my spleen removed almost 20 years ago and still suffer with the pain similar to what you describe, particularly after I exercise - not immediately, the next day or so. I'm not in constant pain, but on bad days it's like a claw grabbing me constantly and it can be very wearing - I also get ridiculous gurgling noises on the bad days. I've had x-rays, abdominal scans and ultrasound but they have not detected anything - so I'm not worried but the pain is very real. I have found that a mild laxative helps in reducing the duration of the pain. It's definitely the worst impact that the splenectomy has had on me.

    You should read up about adhesions and how they can cause impact like you describe.

    Best of Luck

    Dave

  • jackiea1048
    jackiea1048 Itsnotme

    Posted

    I had mine out to try and stop my autoimmune hemolytic anemia ....didnt work, but all I had was a little discomfort for awhile and have been fine ever since and I was 69 when I had it done. I would call my doctor (the one that did the surgery) and tell him right away because everybody is different and you shouldnt have to live with this!

  • Itsnotme
    Itsnotme

    Posted

    Thanks for the reply. I'm at the hospital right now.They did an Ultrasound and found a little fluid collection in my splenic bed.They wanted to drain it but my Liver is in the way and they didn't want to risk damaging it so they're giving me broad spectrum antibiotics intravenous to see if it helps since it's about a 100 ml. I'm kind of freaking out right now.

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