Of course it started the day after my surgeon released me from care. I understand the gas pain after surgery from them inflating your abdominal cavity, but it's been 9 wks now. It also seems very different..more like spasms. My PCP sent me to OB/GYN because of the pain & absess, but OB/GYN said she didn't see or feel anything that concerned her. I had a hysterectomy 11yrs ago, so she said it wasn't a gynecological problem. PCP suggested bland diet because may have been intestinal spasms from 20 days of sulfa antibiotics..it hasn't changed.

I just wonder if it's part of the healing process because they took out the old valve/catheter & replaced them with new ones..I had tender spots in my abdomen no where near incision sites that surgeon wasn't concerned about & I'm doing 1000x better, so not sure whether I should wait or move onto colon/rectal specialist, which was OB/GYN recommendation..suggestions?

When the catheter came loose in my abdomen I had surgery to fix it and it happened again the next day, so they had to fix it again. After that I started to bloat and had abdominal pains like you describe, they measured my abdomen everyday, and found that it was expanding by 11cm a day.

At first they thought I had a twisted bowel or something, but after an abdominal scan they said thatbecause of being starved for surgery and then having surgery in my abdomen, it had upset my bowel and triggered IBS, which I do suffer from. It did settle down after about a week. I don't know if that is what you have, but maybe you could explore if it is IBS that's been triggered.

I'm sure that's what PCP is thinking..she suggested bland diet to calm things down, but it's so hard. My abdomen just feels sore and extended all the time..guess I'll have to follow up w/ her again =P

I spoke w/ nurse at surgeon's office today. She said it sounds like I overdid it and need to take it easy for a few days. It started the day after my last appt, so maybe driving six hours for exam and shopping were too much six weeks post-op..lol. That was a few weeks ago though. I've been meeting friends for dinner and doing a little shopping after work, but totally just resting on the weekends..not sure overdoing it fits at this point. Maybe between that and fall it was enough to agitate things and prolong healing.?? I swear I wasn't such a sensitive worrier prior to IIH..I hate how paranoid I am about every little symptom now. I'm supposed to call back if it isn't better by next week..she said they'll do an x-ray to make sure there isn't fluid build up or something else. At least the headaches/spinal pain are gone and my surgeon seems to understand IIH!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything settles down for you, and DON'T go overdoing things you naughty woman! I know what you mean though about being sensitive to everything, everytime I get an ache around my shunt area or feel really off I'm wondering if I've got an infection. As sensible as we are, things are always at the back fo your mind, the trick is to rule out the obvious first, which I know is easier said than done.

Thanks Heidi, even if you did call me naughty..LOL