Question:

  This depends on how good your doctor is at getting all the gas out. When I had my lap last year, I had one brief minute of shoulder pain, but that was it.  I kept expecting more because of what I had been told, but there simply wasn’t any. Sue Ann

Response:

Kim, Not much you can do about the CO2 pain. Activety works the best if anything, or just rubbing where it hurts in the shoulder.  Been doing some reading about reflexology lately. There are different points on the body, hands, and feet that are receptors for just about every body function and organ. You may want to look up the pain reflex. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful. Good Luck Lisa

Response:

Kim, I found that the best thing for me was a heating pad or a hot water bottle. I always get the "gas bubble" pain (I’m a lap vet, 6 so far). Hope that helps, Kim W.

Response:

I found that staying on your back in bed really helps.  With my first two laps, I did not do that and was up and about WAY sooner than I should have been… and I had pretty intense shoulder pain.  With my last three laps, I have stayed on my back as long as possible and it really helped. good luck! wendy. — |                                                                 | |                                       Wendy Vogt                | |    _/         _/            _/        CORYPHAEUS SOFTWARE, INC. | |  _/               _/      _/            Suite 31                | |                                       Phone:(408) 395-4537      | |     http://www.coryphaeus.com         Fax:(408) 395-6351        | |                                                                 |

Response:

Hi Kim–         Yep, you can get some pretty intense shoulder pain following a lap!  I have to laugh when I think of what one of the pre-op nurses told me to do (this was before my first lap)–she said to get on all fours, lower my upper body down on the bed and stick my butt up in the air, that this would help the gas rise out of my body.  Well, when I tried to do this, I found I couldn’t even roll on my side, much less get on all fours!  Sure, it sounds like it makes sense, but with four incisions, lots of pain and lots of percocet–I don’t think so!!         I did hear of another remedy that may be easier to do: lie on your left side and gently pat (or have someone else pat) your right side; this supposedly helps your colon (?) absorb and expel the gas.  You may also want to stay away from gas-inducing and greasy foods as well.         Feel free to e-mail with any questions–I’m an "old pro"!         Best of luck,         Demelza @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ : I was diagnosed with severe endo 4/95 during an emergency laparotomy, did : a 6 month course of Synarel, and am now scheduled for my first laparoscopy : to clean up the extensive re-growth. I’ve heard many times about the : shoulder pain from the CO2 and wondering if anyone has any tips to make it : a little more tolerable. : Thanks!!! Kim

Response:

I was diagnosed with severe endo 4/95 during an emergency laparotomy, did a 6 month course of Synarel, and am now scheduled for my first laparoscopy to clean up the extensive re-growth. I’ve heard many times about the shoulder pain from the CO2 and wondering if anyone has any tips to make it a little more tolerable. Thanks!!! Kim

Response:

Regarding the CO2 discomfort – just stay in bed, if you can.  I was told many people think it will help the CO2 get out of their system by standing up, but that it just worsens the pain. Carissa

Response:

I didn’t have any shoulder pain after my first Lap/Hysteroscopy on May 9th and only a very little after my second on July 5.  I know some do have quite a bit of pain but I didn’t.  As you can see, I have had quite a bit of recent experience with Laps.  If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Jamelin Indianapolis

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