Question:
Could this be a pulled muscle?

I have been experiencing some pain under my right breast (sometimes the left side as well but to a lesser extent) when I inhale. Feels sort of like a pulled muscle but I'm not sure. Has anyone else experienced this and what would relieve it? I'm 10 days post op open rny. Thanks!!    — Stephanie D. (posted on January 1, 2001)

January 1, 2001
Stephanie, your situation sounds very similar to what I experienced on my eighth day post-op. That morning, I was feeling SO MUCH better that I overexerted myself during my morning exercise (and my surgeon and I assume I somehow dislodged one of my drainage tubes). By that evening, I was in moderate pain in my lower left chest area. By the next morning, it was worse, and particularly when I tried to breathe deeply. My surgeon urged me to go to the Emergency Room. Finally on his third phone call, I agreed to go. It turns out I had developed pneumonia (in addition to an infection around that dislodged tube). I'm not saying that I think you are developing pneumonia, because I'm not a doctor - I'm just telling you what I encountered with the same symptom (and at a similar time-frame) as you. Based on my experience, I would encourage you to contact your surgeon, and see what he/she thinks. Good luck. Kevin
   — meilankev

January 1, 2001
Stephanie, at 9 days post-op I had terrible pain just below my right breast underneath the ribcage. I still had a JP drain in and it turned out I had dislodged it during a coughing fit. When they removed the drain, the pain lessened immediately, but I still have residual pain, much like a pulled muscle when I take a deep breath. I am now 21 days out and it is much better. It has been a little better every day, so I would say if you still have a drain, have the doc check it out. If the drain has been removed already, you may be experiencing soreness due to aggrivation from the drain. It will probably get better as the days go by. If you don't notice improvement within a few days, make sure you let your surgeon know you have pain. Good luck! Maria
   — Maria H.

January 2, 2001
I had a very similar pain and it was very intense that lasted for a couple of weeks. My dr's office explained that as your nerves are growing back together, it is finally letting your body feel the pain that has been there all along. In my case it go a little better each day, and by 4-5 weeks I was pain free. Good luck!
   — tlg6056

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