Managing Chronic Pain: Home Strategies Before Surgery
I'm a 31-year-old female navigating chronic abdominal and pelvic discomfort, and I need some guidance on how to cope effectively at home. To provide some background, my struggles with intense pelvic and abdominal pain date back several years. In my twenties, I underwent two surgeries to remove endometriosis, which offered temporary relief. Eventually, my gynecologist and I considered a hysterectomy prudent due to my ongoing health complications. In January 2021, I had a hysterectomy along with a left oophorectomy. For nearly four years, I enjoyed a pain-free existence until the onset of severe pain at the start of August this year. At that time, I experienced debilitating pelvic pain rated at a 10 out of 10. A visit to the emergency room led to abdominal and pelvic CT scans, as well as a transvaginal ultrasound, all of which indicated the recurrence of endometriosis. A consultation with a gynecologic surgeon revealed his concern that my intestines might be stuck to the pelvic floor, contributing to my suffering. I've scheduled surgery on the 17th to address these complications. Recently, I was referred to a pain management clinic, where they prescribed me a small supply of hydrocodone for the week while instructing me to avoid my usual oxycodone and tramadol medications that my gynecologist had prescribed. Unfortunately, they also informed me that I would need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist due to a history of previous suicide attempts before any additional prescriptions could be provided. Currently, I'm seeking advice on how to manage my pain effectively at home until my upcoming surgery. I'm overwhelmed by the discomfort, feeling utterly drained and spending excessive time sleeping. With only two hydrocodone pills left and restrictions on my other medications, I am hopeful for tips to alleviate my pain at home, understanding that the ER environment is unlikely to offer much assistance as it did previously.
Answers (1)
9/7/2025, 12:20:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing struggles with chronic abdominal and pelvic pain. Managing such pain can be challenging, especially when you're preparing for surgery. Here are some strategies you could try at home to help alleviate your discomfort until your upcoming surgery.
Main Points:
- Focus on Pain Relief Techniques: Utilization of heat therapy and relaxation techniques.
- Maintain a Balanced Diet: Eating anti-inflammatory foods to support overall health.
- Gentle Physical Activity: Engaging in light movements to prevent stiffness.
- Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Techniques to help manage pain perception.
Explanation:
Your history with endometriosis and abdominal pain can lead to significant discomfort, especially as you wait for surgical intervention. While it's natural to rely on pain medications, there are various holistic approaches to help manage pain at home. These methods may not eliminate your pain but can offer some relief while you prepare for your surgery.
Prioritized Next Steps:
-
Heat Therapy:
- Apply a heating pad or warm compress to your abdomen or pelvis for 20 minutes at a time. The warmth can help relax muscles and reduce pain.
-
Hydration and Nutrition:
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods into your diet, such as leafy greens, fatty fish (like salmon), nuts, and berries. These foods can help with inflammation, which may ease your pain.
-
Gentle Movement:
- Engage in gentle activities such as walking, stretching, or yoga. Aim for short walks throughout the day. Gentle movements can help maintain mobility and prevent stiffness without overexerting yourself.
-
Pain Management Techniques:
- Consider practicing mindfulness or deep-breathing exercises. Techniques like guided imagery or progressive muscle relaxation might help reduce your stress and shift your focus away from pain. Apps or online resources can guide you through these exercises.
-
Optimize Your Rest:
- While it's important to rest, balancing periods of rest with low-energy activities you enjoy can be beneficial. This balance can help combat the feeling of drain and depression.
-
Keep a Pain Diary:
- Document your pain levels, triggers, and what methods provide relief. This information can be valuable for your upcoming consultation with the pain management clinic.
Support:
Feeling overwhelmed is completely understandable, especially with your recent challenges. Remember, you're not alone in this; reach out to supportive friends or family when needed. If your pain becomes more severe or unmanageable, consider returning to your healthcare provider or the ER for advice. They may offer other resources or modifications to your pain management plan.
I hope these suggestions help ease your discomfort as you prepare for your upcoming surgery. Let me know if you would like to discuss anything in more detail.
Related Questions
Enduring Chronic Chest Discomfort for 3.5 Years - Seeking Solutions
For the past 3.5 years, I have been grappling with persistent chest pain. This all began after a significant health crisis I experienced four years ago, just two weeks following a booster vaccination. Please refrain from discussing vaccine politics; the event dramatically altered my life. The incident occurred while I was performing calisthenics in December 2021, at which point I was in excellent physical shape. Four months later, in March 2022, I believed I was recovering. I resumed my training, only to encounter a severe relapse—marking a turning point in my health journey. This episode kicked off my **chest pain and a severe dry cough** that persisted for four months, coinciding with the onset of ME/CFS symptoms (like group intolerance, overwhelming brain fog, extreme fatigue, POTS, post-exertional malaise, and a Bell's palsy-like experience). It took me quite some time to comprehend my condition despite dismissing several symptoms initially. During that period, my exhaustion was intrinsically linked to my chest pain; any overexertion left me waking up at night with sensations akin to my heart missing beats while lying on my side. I also experienced a burning sensation in my chest. Nowadays, I lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle, spending around 90% of my time at home, yet I have seen some improvements. The chest pain remains, albeit less severe, but I am hesitant to engage in long walks as they previously exacerbated my discomfort and brought on cramping sensations alongside irregular heartbeats. I sense that overcoming this chest pain could be crucial to my recovery. I have explored various treatments, and I will summarize my experiences in bullet points. * A 39-year-old male residing in Germany, working as an engineer with a PhD in physics. I have a pre-existing condition of asthma, but it does not require medication. * Summer 2021: Post-second Moderna vaccination, I felt a **bloated sensation in my heart** and experienced darkened vision for three days, but thankfully, no chest pain at that time. I unknowingly developed histamine intolerance and suffered my significant health crash two weeks after the third dose. * 2021-2022: I did not receive any treatment initially, as both my doctors and I were unaware of my condition. Tests revealed elevated **Borrelia IgM, IgG**, and **EBV IgG** levels. Delving deeper, I discovered the presence of **GPCR-Autoantibodies** (both in terms of abnormal levels and function) and **ACE2 antibodies**. I was ultimately diagnosed with **PostVac syndrome** and **ME/CFS**, alongside **HLA-B27**. I began treating my histamine intolerance but noted very low ATP and concerning lactate/pyruvate values. My chest pain began alongside the dry cough in March 2022. Later that spring, I contracted COVID-19, which aggravated both my chest pain and cognitive fog. * 2022: Relevant tests indicated significant **Borrelia LTT** results, although a neurologist concluded it was not Lyme disease. Short courses of cyclosporine provided minimal relief from crash severity. A four-week regime of doxycycline substantially improved my daily fatigue and mental clarity, but my neurologist insisted it wasn't Lyme-related. In the summer of 2022, I underwent **seven immunoadsorptions** targeting GPCR AAbs, which provided immediate relief from brain fog after the first treatment. Following a mild COVID infection post-third immunoadsorption, I paused for two and a half weeks before continuing. A major crash occurred after my seventh treatment, resulting in persistent tinnitus. Brief relief from my chest pain followed the immunoadsorptions but only lasted a few weeks. Attempting to increase daily activities led to a resurgence in irregular heartbeats at night. I also developed **low-key HPV**, which diminished my sexual activity, compounding the fatigue and chest pain issues. GPCR AABs resurfaced weeks after the last immunoadsorption. * **Seven HELP Apheresis sessions** at the end of 2022 to early 2023 revealed significant **micro-clots**, likely contributing to my cold, painful legs. Notably, a regimen of three blood thinners offered more improvement than the HELP procedures. * 2023-2024: A year spent on **triple antibiotics**, managed by a Lyme specialist, has been transformative. Conditions like burning sensations in my brain, memory problems, and POTS have significantly improved, particularly when taking hot showers, and I've no longer been bothered by cold, painful legs. I later started taking Valaciclovir due to a significant positive CMV Elispot. During a period when I experienced lower CMV Elispot values, I was pain-free for two weeks—though this could have been coincidental, the reliability of Elispots remains uncertain. Additionally, I have been diagnosed with **glaucoma** in both eyes, though it has yet to affect my vision. The antibiotics did not relieve my chest pain. * 2025-present: I have discontinued antibiotics and am now focusing on regular infusions of Vitamin C, Lysine, and Glutathione. At the beginning of the year, I recorded significant EBV saliva replication. CMV Elispot and CMV LTT tests remain substantially positive, leading me to question whether false positives are related to autoimmune issues. Trusting Elispots poses a dilemma for me. * Other diagnostics include: Cardio MRI (1.5T), Cardio CT, Cardio Echo, gastroscopy, lung CT (noting a shrinking thymus), and tests for Troponin and CRP—all of which yielded no alarming results. A 3D Cardio ECQ reading was mildly suspicious once while orthopedic evaluations appeared benign. * Current medications include 4mg Guanfacine (ongoing for two years), Ketotifen, and bi-weekly infusions of Vitamin C and Lysine. Previously, I also trialed Colchicine and Sartans, which did not impact my chest pain. I have accumulated a wealth of test results and would be happy to share them upon request. The expenditures on treatments and diagnostics have been considerable. I never anticipated my chest pain would persist for such an extended period. My goal is to regain my health, yet I find myself at a loss regarding the next steps. Could the discomfort stem from slight, ongoing inflammation of GPCRs—potentially warranting immunosuppressive therapy? Alternatively, might the issue be structural despite prior orthopedic evaluations? I worry that increasing my physical activity may intensify my chest pain or provoke another severe episode, potentially hindering my recovery efforts. I welcome any suggestions or recommendations, particularly individuals who specialize in these matters. **Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy account!**
Excessive Sweating Concerns
At the age of 59, I'm a Caucasian man, standing five feet eight inches tall and weighing around 170 pounds. Residing in northern New Jersey, I've noticed a significant increase in my perspiration levels compared to the past. My job involves lawn care, and with this summer being particularly hot and humid, I find myself drenched to the point of being able to wring out my shirts. To cope, I now carry an additional shirt and towel for my work. I also indulge in cigars a few times each week and occasionally smoke cannabis. Should I be worried about this excessive sweating?
What Could Be Causing This Constant Pulsating Sensation?
I'm a 32-year-old woman weighing 135 kg, having lost 20 kg unintentionally. My medical history includes the following conditions: • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) • Asthma • Sleep Apnea • Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST) • Autism Currently, I am on several medications: 100 mg of Seroquel, medication for asthma, 60 mg of Duloxetine, Ozempic, Diltiazem 180 mg, and Nexium. For the past six months, I've been experiencing a rhythmic pulsation in my upper abdomen, neck, and collarbone region (not simultaneously), which resembles a heartbeat. This sensation persists until I fall asleep. Upon waking, it may not return for the first half of the day, but as hours go by, it gradually reappears and continues until I sleep again. I have consulted my physician numerous times about this issue, and he attributes it to my IST. Unfortunately, the IST medication does not alleviate the pulsating. While I do experience heart racing and palpitations due to the IST, this additional sensation feels like an entirely different issue. I've undergone various medical tests, including blood tests, ECGs, a heart monitor, ultrasounds, and X-rays, all of which have returned normal results except for a slightly elevated heart rate and palpitations associated with IST. This abnormal abdominal pulsation is driving me to the edge. I cannot tolerate it any longer. I attempted to do an elimination process by discontinuing each medication for a few days to see if it would stop the pulsations; however, none of the medications made a difference, so I have resumed taking them. Is there anyone out there who might have advice or suggestions? I am desperate for a solution and cannot continue living with this discomfort!
Struggling with Persistent Gas: Seeking Solutions
At 42 years old, I've been grappling with intensely uncomfortable trapped air and gas since November 2023. Despite multiple consultations with my primary care physician and a gastroenterologist, I've found no relief. I've undergone a series of tests, including blood work, a colonoscopy, and an endoscopy, yet the search for answers continues. Here’s a rundown of my current medications and their purposes: - Cabergoline 0.5mg three times a week for a pituitary adenoma, which I started in October 2022. - Suboxone 2mg daily to manage opioid dependence, taken since March 2021. - Vyvanse 30mg on weekdays for ADHD, initiated in July 2024. - Bupropion 100mg daily for depression linked to my ongoing issues with trapped gas, which I find exacerbates my mood. - Linzess 145mg as necessary to alleviate constipation caused by the trapped air. - Testosterone Cypionate 50mg/ml every other day (200mg weekly) to address low testosterone stemming from my pituitary condition. This gas has become a constant companion; I go to bed feeling its presence and wake up to it again. I’m active, typically walking 7,000 to 10,000 steps a day. Weighing 215 pounds at a height of 6 feet, my overall health is fairly decent, although I recognize my diet could improve. I do not consume alcohol or illicit drugs but do vape nicotine more often than I probably should. In my quest for relief, I’ve explored various remedies: peppermint oil, ginger tea, fennel seeds, and staying hydrated, aiming for a gallon of water daily. I’ve tried enemas to relieve the gas, though it rarely fully resolves the issue. Modifying my eating habits by chewing slowly, avoiding straws, and practicing deep relaxation techniques sometimes helps, especially in softening my stomach, which generally remains quiet unless I consciously try to relax it. Probiotics are also a daily addition to my regimen. Despite these efforts, the gas returns persistently after fleeting moments of relief, making me feel like a different person. The discomfort is palpable, as I can feel and hear the large bubbles trapped inside me, yet they won’t pass naturally. I often have to force it out or use an enema tip to find some release. I’m reaching out for insights on potential causes or remedies that might ease my situation. Notably, I've gradually reduced my Suboxone dosage from 12mg to 2mg over the past eight months without any changes in my symptoms. I appreciate your time and any suggestions you may have.
Intense Quad and Knee Discomfort When Transitioning Positions
Greetings everyone, I’m a 26-year-old man in generally good health. Approximately a week ago, I sustained a direct impact to my thigh—a collision between my knee and quad. After the incident, I visited the emergency room, where the attending physician diagnosed me with a bone and muscle bruise. Initially, I found it extremely painful to walk on the day of the injury; however, as time has passed, much of that discomfort has diminished. Still, some pain persists, which has not shown signs of improvement over the past few days. What strikes me as unusual is the pattern of the pain: - I experience no discomfort when walking or when standing for extended durations. - The pain only surfaces when I rise after sitting or lying down, as well as when I shift positions while in bed. - These transitions cause a sharp, throbbing sensation that lasts around 10 to 20 seconds before gradually subsiding, after which I feel perfectly fine while upright. - My sleep is frequently interrupted since any movement of my legs triggers an increase in pain. - Bending my knee beyond roughly 90 degrees consistently results in discomfort. - The mild tingling I have felt seems to be just a result of keeping my legs elevated on pillows; it is not persistent. Now on Day 8 post-injury, the pain levels remain consistent with what I experienced on Day 4, when the sharp surges began. Once I am on my feet and moving, I feel like my usual self; however, those moments of transition can be quite excruciating. I have a few questions: 1. Does my recovery trajectory seem typical for a quad contusion or hematoma? 2. Is it concerning that my knee’s range of motion appears to have declined compared to a few days ago? 3. What steps should I take regarding further medical consultation? I appreciate any advice or insights you might have!