Can you still get incision site pain 9 months after a liver transplant

Posted by mshellmayo @mshellmayo, Jul 30 8:57am

Hello,

In the past week, I have noticed some occasional sharp pains around the incision site of my live transplant that happened in October. 2023. They don't last long, but they happen intermittently. They remind me of the pains I had three months or so after when the nerves were forming connections again. Is it normal to have it again 9 months after the transplant? Has anyone else experienced this?

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@mshellmayo, Congratulations on your almost first year with your liver transplant! I had a liver and kidney transplant in 2009, and I did have some pains near my kidney scar site after I began exercising at the gym, and I pushed myself harder than I should have for a beginner. I did, however , bring it the attention of nurse or doctor at my appointment and was advised the pain/discomfort in that situation was a normal effect of over-doing it. The remedy was to slow down. Wow - was I ever relieved to be assured that my kidney was okay!

I located some discussions where you can join the conversation with others with some scar/incision pains:
- Anyone had a problem with scar tissue post liver transplant?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-transplant-plastic-surgery/
- Liver transplant - Let's support each other
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/liver-support-group/?pg=143
@nrbecerril introduces the topic of belly pain, scar tissue, muscles healing on pg 143, and @katebw, @gaylea1, @bogietopar, @sg3 and others are engaged in related conversation for a while.

@mshellmayo, In order to be completely safe about your liver, I think that you should ask your team about the return of the pains. Do you have a patient portal to contact your coordinator?

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Like many others I have numbness across my scar line on my stomach and my right side. My right side though actually became painful at the scar site. I ended up having surgery to repair two large hernias. Since then I've Bern in constant pain along the scar line with the additional scar. I've been on gabapentin and even went to a pain clinic for several rounds of cortisone shots. It has eased up and now I get the occassional spasm of pain but not the constant nagging pain I had before. I'm now almost 6 years post.

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I am 2.5years post transplant. Still have vast numb areas and often get stabbing pain which can double you over but it goes relatively quickly now and other than feeling a little tender I have no other symptoms.

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@janni1

I am 2.5years post transplant. Still have vast numb areas and often get stabbing pain which can double you over but it goes relatively quickly now and other than feeling a little tender I have no other symptoms.

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I too am 2.5 years out after whole liver transplant and get random stabbing pains. They are brief enough and infrequent enough (once or twice a month) that I just live with them.
I measure my 2.5 years post transplant life against the diagnosis that I had only 2 months to live with my bile duct cancer. Doing that, I find stabbing pains of little concern given the life I have been given.
I hope this helps. Barbara

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Good morning
I'm 2 mos shy of my 4 year anniversary of a full liver transplant, and I still "feel" my incision. It's more of an uncomfortable feeling now. It never seems to let me forget It's there. I'm not a medical professional, but I am somewhat of an expert (hahahahaha) it does get better. And I say it's better than the alternative. 🙏🤗🇨🇦

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@footballmum

Good morning
I'm 2 mos shy of my 4 year anniversary of a full liver transplant, and I still "feel" my incision. It's more of an uncomfortable feeling now. It never seems to let me forget It's there. I'm not a medical professional, but I am somewhat of an expert (hahahahaha) it does get better. And I say it's better than the alternative. 🙏🤗🇨🇦

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@footballmum, You are an Expert by Experience! Your experience and the experience of each and everyone on Connect is so-o-o valuable because they provides the opportunity to share how we get thru daily issues that pop up.
You reminded me of something that I have learned: Under garments and some waist bands can cause me discomfort when they rub over areas of my transplant. Even after 15 years, I need to get rid of updated items that I purchase (donate to thrift shop) items that "rub me the wrong way' after I tried to enjoy wearing them.

I bet you are looking forward to celebration/honring your 4 year transplant anniversary! Do you need ideas?
- Happy "Transplantiversary"!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/happy-transplantiversary/
- Snapshots of hope: Life on the other side of transplant.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/snapshots-of-hope-life-on-the-other-side-of-transplant/
Do you have any special plans for that day?

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Hello Rosemary
I know exactly what you're saying. I can no longer wear certain clothes that have buttons. The moment they touch my incision line I get like tingling and then pain. I thought I was the only one. I'm sure glad I found this connection, and so thankful that it's not just for Americans or Mayo Clinic patients.
🇨🇦🙏

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