So how painful is a transplant anyway? Well, frankly, that depends.
I’m going to start this off by saying my threshold for pain is pretty high. I’m not trying to be braggy here. Is that even a thing? Bragging about pain? Geez, I hope not. It never used to be, but I think in part to all of the procedures and things related to my transplant, my threshold grew.
How Painful is Pre Transplant?
Leading up to your transplant you can expect general pain or discomfort concerning your underlying condition that is requiring you to get this transplant in the first place.
Aside from that, you will likely have numerous blood draws, IVs, general poking and prodding in the areas that are bothering you the most, central lines, PICC lines, drains, catheterizations, and procedures. And we haven’t even started talking about surgical pain.
Preparation Helps
I don’t tell you these things to scare you, I promise. I just think that sometimes people do a little better when we know what we’re up against. And you’re here reading about what to expect, so I’d have to assume that’s how you are too.
Many things caused me overall discomfort (enlarged spleen, edema, and ascites to name a few). However, there were also times where I had to work through some pretty significant pain pre-transplant.
One time I can think of specifically, I received a paracentesis and, even though I had been given a local anesthetic, it hurt like crazy.
How to Cope with the Pain
Let me back up a little bit. I met a very dear friend of mine in the hospital very early on. She was waiting for (and has since received) a heart transplant and she gave me this tip. She said to try focusing on a spot on the wall and concentrate on your breathing.
OK, OK, so I know that sounds a little woo-woo, but it works! I would pick a spot on the wall and hone in on that puppy. Then, I would focus on taking good breaths SLOWLY in and out. Inhale 1-2-3-4-5; exhale 1-2-3-4-5.
So back to that paracentesis. Doing this little exercise my friend told me about did a couple of things for me. One, it kept me distracted by focusing visually, and second, it kept me from holding my breath or hyperventilating. Which I have been known to do in the past.
How Painful is a Transplant? Really?
Alright, so let’s have some real talk here. Transplant surgery is going to be painful, no matter what organ is transplanted. I’m not even going to lie. It hurts. A lot. It’s a big surgery, so that is to be expected.
Initially, you will be on IV pain medication and probably have one of those pain buttons in hand to hit when you are really feeling it. Don’t worry, the machine is regulated so that you can’t overdo this. Eventually, you will move on to oral pain medication in the hospital and after you go home too.
Chances are, this will be some type of narcotic. While it’s very effective, it’s also not something you will be taking long term and it will be monitored closely. For me, I was able to wean off the prescription pain medication after about four weeks (only taking it at night to keep me comfortable while I slept). After that, I was able to manage on Extra Strength Acetaminophen (like Tylenol) and then nothing at all after about six weeks.
How Painful is it Later?
One of the things I had a much harder time with after I got home was back pain. Whoa, momma! That was a doozy! Liver transplant surgery is done through the abdomen, so your ab muscles aren’t helping to support your spine in keeping you upright. It’s not surprising that some people tend to have back spasms. My team prescribed me some muscle relaxers and that did the trick.
I’m not a fan of feeling loopy or groggy from medications, so I wanted to wean off everything as quickly as possible. That caused me a couple of snags initially. I would try to hold out until I needed the pain meds (like overdue by 30 minutes) and then I would be behind the pain. My advice to you is to take the meds when they are due (usually about every 4-6 hours) for the first couple of weeks. Once you get behind the pain, it is very hard to get back.
Discomfort Outside of the Obvious
One other thing. You will be visited in the hospital by nurses who will nag you about getting up to sit in a chair or go for a walk. We love you nurses and couldn’t do it without you! This starts early. Like day 2 early. You will most likely not want to do this because frankly, it hurts.
Getting up and moving around is good though for many reasons. It helps your body’s circulation. When you lay in a bed for hours upon hours and days upon days, your likelihood of developing a blood clot or other complications goes up. Second, remember that back pain I told you about? Moving and walking helps strengthen everything up again so you can avoid or get rid of that pain sooner rather than later. Finally, it helps keep things, you know, moving.
The overall concern for your bowel movements does not end with a transplant. No siree it doesn’t! When you have been under anesthesia, your gut takes a little nap. It needs some help waking up and, you guessed it, sitting up and walking does that very thing. The first BM will be a long time coming but then, rejoice!! There it is! And guess what? You are not going to be leaving the hospital until you do, so you might as well get up and go. Pardon the pun.
It’ll Stop Hurting Once the Pain Goes Away
How long you’ll be in pain and the severity of that pain will differ with each person, but it does eventually go away. Sorry, we are individuals and that kind of stuff just can’t be predicted.
Like most things difficult things in life, each day gets a little better. Before you know it you’ve recovered and you’re ready to take on the world. Or at least a trip to the mailbox.
