Left Shoulder Pain Explained

[HAL380 0]

I had my pre-op visit with the anathesiologist. One of the things we talked about was the Left Shoulder Pain. Here is his explaination, (paraphrased)

"CO2 gas is used to expand the abdominal cavity so the surgeon can "see" inside. When the surgery is finished they try to remove the gas, but not all of it gets out. When you sit up, the remainging gas as a bubble rises to the highest part of the abdomin. That happens to be just under the diaphram on the left side. Since we never really feel pain from the diaphram, when the diaphram is irritated by the gas bubble it sends a "message" to the brain saying, "I have pain". But since the brain is not used to receiving "Pain" messages from the diaphram, the brain thinks the pain is in the left shoulder, and hence we feel pain in the left shoulder."

As I said -- this is how it was explained to me by the Dr. Seems to make some kind of sense.

Take care and have a great evening

Hal

[JOYCE13 0]

Thank you now I don't have to ask this question.

[someuser 0]

But since the brain is not used to receiving "Pain" messages from the diaphram, the brain thinks the pain is in the left shoulder, and hence we feel pain in the left shoulder."

Stupid brain! Thanks for that great information.:bored:

[elcee 3,343]

Which is the reason why things such as Gas X won't work, because the gas is not in your stomach!

[KateTheGreat 0]

Oh wow, that makes sense. Thanks!!!