[upjo]

I hope somebody can help. I had keyhole kidney surgery(abdominal incisions) to fix narrowing of ureter which was causing my kidney to swell with urine and be painful. After surgery everything is fixed according to tests(renal scan, ultrasound) but I am still having constant flank pain, it radiates to right abdomen and sometimes back.

It has been constant since surgery 4 months ago. My urologist says everything is fixed and pain is in my head. Before he had said it could be injured nerves, tissues healing and when I asked for referral to neurologist, he refused. I want to know how can I tell if its nerves or pain from my kidney. My surgery was done away from flank, on abdomen, so if its injured nerves why it would hurt in flank most of time? Also the pain(dull aching) is like very deep, so I feel it might be kidney.
Is there any test or definite way to tell if pain is not from my nerves? Will a neurologist be able to diagnose abdominal, flank nerves? I just don't want this chronic pain forever, I feel crippled already I'm only 25. I hope someone can offer their insight, thanks.

[February]

I have an upper right quadrant pain on and off. After doing lots of tests to rule other things out it was diagnosed as Abdominal Wall Pain. While it is achy and a nuisance it is not a serious problem. It has stayed about the same intensity, never worsening so it is not progressive. It does get better when I do core conditioning. Yoga is really good. As the muscles surrounding the spot get stronger the achy gets weaker.

[Kitt]

Welcome upjo.

[upjo]

I thought about abdominal wall pain, but my pain sometimes radiates to the back, so that's why I doubt its abdominal wall pain. Also I tried the abdominal wall pain test (on my own) where you tense the abdominal muscles to see if pain increases and mine didn't so Im not sure.
My pain also has stayed the same, I was thinking it would get better, now I guess this is chronic now. My concern is nerve pain because they usually never heal after 3-4 months time

[February]

When I said on and off I meant months at a time and then it would go away. I have a weak core which causes my abdominal wall pain. There are many causes though. I was given a local anesthetic and the pain went away for almost 5 hours. I knew then it must be it. I think it is a possibility that pain could spread to your back from posture because of the pain. I know I have my hand on it and slouch toward that side too much sometimes. Maybe you can ask for an anesthetic and see if it helps. It's a shot. I have read that 2 treatments gets rid of the majority. I would try the exercises too. But even if it is nerve pain, nerves heal. It may just take more time.

[upjo]

Thanks, I will try excercises even though I feel its not muscular because Im aching regardless of any activity, sitting, standing, walking I can't relate pain level to anything, its just there constantly. Also I feel heavy on the affected side. I tried taking neurontin(supposed to help nerve pain), and I still feel the achiness so I guess maybe it isn't nerve related. I wish there is definite way to tell.
I have ct scan in a week or so and then seeing three different urologists, I hope one of them can clear for me. If not, then I guess pain managment for injections, nerve blocks etc to narrow down pain source.

[jenng]

Hi Upjo,

I have similar, undiagnosed pain in my abdomen, but I had a L5-S1 fusion last Sept. This weird pain spans my whole abdomen and feels like I've done 100 sit-ups (I haven't!) I first noticed it 4-5 months post surgery. It comes and goes, and sometimes my abdominal area is sensitive to touch. Makes me think nerve pain. My neurologist said that cutting through muscle and small nerves in the back could cause nerve pain elsewhere. That's essentially what CRPS is, but I'm not going down that road yet.

I've done upper and lower GI studies to make sure everything internally is OK. I've also picked up constipation as a new symptom--not present before surgery. That's a whole different thread, though!

I also know that my core muscles are very weak. I'm thinking I need to restart PT and this time be better about doing it every day. Probably for the rest of my life!

Nerve healing can continue after 3-4 months. I've been told that I may see changes in my nerve damage to my foot 18 months-2 years out. There are supplements to help support nerve growth and healing--do a search and look for MrsD.

So, no answers for you really, but know you aren't alone. Good advice about trying the injections to see if it's abdominal wall pain. I may try that as well.

[mrsD]

You might try rubbing in some magnesium
lotion into your affected area.

Inflammation reduces blood flow and
Magnesium would help open that up.
Mag is also an NMDA pain receptor antagonist
and reduces nerve signals for pain.

Morton Epsom Lotion is inexpensive and
Available at Walmart and Walgreen's and
Online at Amazon.com

This is worth a try and once a day application
usually works for most people.