Home from Surgery

[Jennanurse]

Well I had my decompression surgery on April 26th it went well Doctor said "textbook" case and I have noticed some improvements just in 7 days mostly the dizziness and the fullness in my head feeling is better. I did not get a pain pump I am allergic to morphine so I got dilaudid via IV I can't remember how often but I was still in alot of pain. I was sent home with percocet and valium try to rotate them but I am still in alot of pain. How long does the surgical pain last for some of you that have had the surgery. I am doing my neck excersises and ice and heat but I seems no matter what I do I'm always in pain... I am soooo tired and nod off constantly I am trying to take it easy but it seems if I sleep for 2 hours or more when I wake up the pain is so awful and I am so stiff I can barely move my neck. I really thought I had a high pain tolerance. I have had 3 children c-sections multiple surgeries and usually end up with most of the pain prescriptions left and have to flush them...My incision looks good no redness minor swelling no drainage no temp..I am assuming this is normal any suggestions?? I am almost afraid to sleep because of the pain I wake up to :( Thank you all so much!!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Many times the instant relief we feel is due in part to the drugs used for surgery...it is important to keep on  top of the pain by taking ur pain meds at a scheduled time...u will get some pain that returns as u heal this is typical....but if u feel u may pass out, u should call ur Dr as something else may be going on.....

U r only 4 weeks post op and u r cooking a meal?...U may be doing too much too soon and that could be the reason for all ur issues ....u need to allow urself to heal.

[sgw1990]

IIT's  been 4 weks today since I had my Chiari Decompression surgery and I am a little concerned. My headaches disappeared shortly after I had the staples removed and I was feeling almost normal for about 2 weeks, now I have been getting headaches again and pain meds arent workinng. It's been about a week and nothings improving..should I be calling my NS? Also, I was making dinner the other night and all of a sudden black dots were clouding my vision , i felt  like i was going to pass out, should i be concerned about this also?

[linnielou232]

I hope your feeling better today.  I was in the same sisuation as you 2 yrs ago and it is difficult to deal with pain everyday.  Just think of everyday is a closer day of feeling better.  Just take one day at a time.  This forum helped me so much with the day's of pain to help me realize after having surgery we think all will be as good as we were before we started having issues with pain, but it doesn't happen this way as hard as it is to accept this.  Every day will be a better day, but I agree with everyone above.  Stay on top of your pain meds because it does take twice as long to get them in your symptem.  Better days ahead my friend.
Linda :)

[HoTtMaMa_SuNnI]

where r u having surgery? where are you from? I go in to see the neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN on May 14th! I cant wait to see what my options are... I have been in so much pain with migraines & the pressure in my head getting worse as days pass. Let us know how the surgery goes.. as i will as well (If i have it.. which i hope I do)

[selmaS]

  it is minute to minute, hour to hour,.....and one step at a time, and b4 u know it u will be looking back at ur post op anniversaries,.....

if we look at too large a pic we can sometimes get overwhelmed....start as small as possible and build from there : )

U should have been able to contact ur Dr over the weekend and he could call ur pharmacy with the RX....I do know with some meds tho u have to walk the rx in as they do not take a fax or call in bcuz of the type med it is....

But there should have been a way for ur Dr to get u the meds u needed when u needed them....I just can not believe u only got a few days worth and no rx for more.....

[Jennanurse]

I am going to call doc on Monday..I hope he says my GP can medicate me because I am 4 hours from him and can't wait for him to mail me a script (he is 4 hours away) I am definetly more stiff on one side what is weird is it the opposite side that hurt as much before surgery. Also everytime I feel any wetness even if its a drop I have my hubby looking with flashlight. I am terrified of a leak or rejecting patch because now I am more afraid of this surgery then before I had it...I know its only about 10 days post-op so I am going to hurt be tired isn't it strange though that my NS thought I would be able to go without meds at this point?? Thank you for info..I keep telling myself week by week month by month like I have read..but the pain is day after day ya know?

[Sheri817]

I feel for you, as I had my surgery 2 months ago and I am still on the pain meds every 4 hrs. I too always thought of myself as having a high tolerance for pain..3 kids all natural and several minor surgeries, and been living with chronic back pain(bulging discs) for 10 yrs..but nothing compared to the pain you have after this surgery! First of all, call your doc and tell him you need more pain meds asap..he will give them to you! I really didn't start to feel any relief until about the 3rd week and then it very slowly started to get better. I'm sorry to say that some of the pain you will have to tolerate because the meds just can't take it all away. I still keep ice packs wrapped around my neck almost all the time...it really helps! But, as everyone else keeps telling you, make sure you take the pain pills exactly every 4 hrs to keep the pain tolerable. And, yes, you will sleep alot for the first few weeks. I still have alot of pain, but it is tolerable unless you do too much which i am guilty of. Try to take it easy and do things very slowly and gradually it will get better. It hurts me to think of anyone going thru this as I know first hand what it is like. Take care and I will be praying for you! If you need to vent, this is the place and everyone is awesome! I know this forum was a life saver for me and still is!

Sheri

[selmaS]

  Call ur Dr...I had a larger supply of meds post op.....do not let ur meds run out.

[Jennanurse]

My doc only gave me enough pain meds for 5 day?? Is that normal I sure am not ready to come off the meds..I feel almost as bad as my first days home...I am currently on percocet 2 every 4 hours and valium twice daily..I try to only take 1 because I am afraid of running out but sometimes its just too much and I have to take the 2 even with that there are times the pain is barely tolerable..I am doing my neck excersises constantly if I don't I feel worse and much more stiff and i am drinking plenty of fluids. Also I sleep constantly but do walk around when up..Don't mean to sound like I am shooting down all ya'll's ideas but I am just at my wits end here..Any other ideas? Also what should I take when I am out of meds which will be this weekend..Thank you all again!!

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Sorry u have to have this surgery, and on ur birthday too....but, we can offer info and support : )

Start a new thread with ur questions.

[Marybz]

I'm also 7 weeks post-op.  I still have a lot of pain.  My NS combined 2 surgeries, as he said he was back there so he might as well do it.  He did a laminoplasty C5-C7.  Monday I was still sobbing with pain, but the last two days have been better.  I still have fatigue.  I was supposed to return to work next Monday, but that is not happening.  I am a RN and do heavy lifting.  My NS ordered PT, hot packs and ultrasound treatments.  They couldn't fit me in until next week.  I do my neck exercises, that Selma had posted a while ago.  I take Advil intermittantly with the Vicodin, helps with inflammation. I finally gave up on doing too much. Rest as much as possible.  I like ice as it shocks me and takes my mind off the pain.  

[AnnieDear]

I'm 7 weeks post-op today and still have some pain in my head and neck. It took about 5 weeks to start feeling better at all - and that was after I saw my doctor and he switched my medications. I was on dilaudid & percocet (rotate) and he gave me vicodin and valium instead. The difference has been tremendous. I know it is is rough! I also have 3 kids - all natural, no meds. And 2 previous back surgeries. I thought I had a high pain tolerance ;)  My NS said that different types of pain are interpreted and tolerated differently by our bodies, so maybe this type of pain is something I'm a sissy at, and that's ok! So take it easy, make sure to do your stretches (gentle - stop if it hurts!), walk a little every day, and slowly but surely you'll notice you start to feel better. And don't be afraid to ask for different medications. If they're not working for you, they're not working for you. It took me 5 weeks to get up the nerve, and then I called the doctor crying. Good luck!

[Sexybare]

Def glad to hear you are ok. Like selma said take your painmeds as perscribed every so many hours it says to. If you wait it will take them longer to work. For now keep them in your system. Keep drinking lots of water too. Welcome back and good luck. Keep us updated.

[irislita]

Great u r thru.hoping u have a good revovery.

[Kimkuhm]

Im due to have the surgery on may 21 which crummy enough is also my birthday. I gotta say I expect alot of pain but its still really scary to hear you say that much pain.

[selmaS]

  Hi ! Welcome Back...so glad to hear from u and get an update : )

The best thing for pain is to take ur pain meds on time...wake up to take them and keep on top of that and in front of the pain other wise it is hard to control....and u will sleep alot at this point, but try to walk when u can, and continue with those neck exercises.

Take things slow : )