Pain after CoolSculpting, but nothing including Gabapentin and Benadryl seem to help, any suggestions?

Question

I had Cool Sculpting completed last Friday, January 7, 2017 & have been so uncomfortable and in such pain. The explanations of others who have posted that it feels like broken glass in your belly is spot on. I haven't been able to workout, I am sleep deprived and just miserable. I called the location where I had this done and they called in a RX for Gabapentin. I too am taking extra strength Tylenol and Benadryl. NOTHING helps. Any suggestions?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a Doctor to determine the cause of your pain and the appropriate treatment. This pain can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications and neurontin. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Phillip Dauwe, MD · Answer

I am very sorry to hear that you are having this unrelenting pain after your procedure. The way you describe the pain seems like neuropathic pain, which is pain created by irritated nerves. This is not common, but certainly one of the reported adverse effects of the treatment. Gabapentin is a medication that stabilizes your peripheral nerves and reduces this neuropathic pain. It can sometimes take a few weeks for the medication to take full effect. In the meantime, I would advise you to seek additional advice from your treating physician or pain management specialist.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I do find that Gabapentin normally works well for the pain that some people experience after CoolSculpting to the abdomen.  The dosage is variable and can be adjusted if needed.  It is possible that your dose is too low.  I would check back with the physician who treated you and see if your dose can be altered.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear about your pain and discomfort post Coolsculpting. I suggest returning to your treating physician to be evaluated in person to make sure there are no other factors that may be causing your discomfort. The doctor can then possibly adjust the dose of Gabapentin based on his/her findings. Best of Luck!

Edward Stokes, MD · Answer

What you are describing is called late onset pain, and does occasionally occur post treatment with CoolSculpting.  Generally, this discomfort is experienced after treating the lower abdomen with the CoolMax applicator. The level of discomfort varies from person to person, usually starts about 7 days post treatment and last from 3 to 5 days.  For some, it may last longer, but rarely ever lasts more than 2 weeks.  You did the right thing checking in with your provider and getting a Rx. 
Some clients also alternate ice and heat, use topical Arnica gel, and/or wear compression garments to keep the area from jiggling.  My experience is that is takes a while for Gabapentin to take full effect, so hang in there.  One thing I can tell you from vast experience with CoolSculpting patients who have experienced this pain is that they ultimately say that the results were worth it.

Shamim Shakibai, MD · Answer

Dear mwerner8,
Looks like you're experiencing delayed onset pain after coolsculpting. This is, not typical but common enough where we see it from time to time. Gabapentin treats neuropathic pain (pain due to nerves) and does take some time to kick in. I would encourage you to follow up with your treating physician. Ibuprofen or advil may also help, but be sure that you don't have any contraindications to these medications. Your treating doctor would be able to tell you.
Good luck and best wishes,
Shamim

Michelle Ellern, DO · Answer

Gabapentin takes time to reach its full effect.  However, if you are still having significant pain I would follow up with your treating physician.

Sachit Shah, MD · Answer

We prescribe gabapentin on the day of the treatment and advise the patient to start the gabapentin as soon as the pain starts. this way the person gets on top of the pain quickly. The other way we find to reduce the pain is to use the newer Coolsculpting Advantage and Advantage plus probes. However, i would make sure you get reviewed by the MD at your treatment centre. We review all our patients at the one week stage. 
Best Wishes

Robert G. Aycock, MD, FACS · Answer

For this late onset pain, Gabapentin has worked well for our patients. You do not have relief instantly once you start taking it. It's a process and in the meantime you should follow up with your doctor on the Gabapentin dosage and maybe Ambien to help you sleep.

Paul Pietro, MD · Answer

Hello mwerner8,Thank you for sharing your question and I'm sorry to hear you are having such a tough time post CoolSculpting. It would be best to return to the location where you had the procedure done and be evaluated in person to assure there are no other factors that may be leading to this level of discomfort. This would also allow for possible dose adjustments with the Gabapentin based on the findings.

Pain after CoolSculpting, but nothing including Gabapentin and Benadryl seem to help, any suggestions?

Answers (13)

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