MS and Surgical Procedures

[Ojibajo]

I was just wondering if any of you have had an surgical procedures and if you can tell me if having MS has created any complications in the procedure or in your recovery.

I am having a minor procedure next Friday and major surgery in late May or early June. I've never really had any surgery or hospitalization. Other than having MS, I have always been relatively healthy.

[Ojibajo]

I didn't eat any pudding because I didn't want to mess with dairy. I'm lactose intolerant as it is (I can take the lact-aid pills), but when I am nauseated dairy tends to make things worse for me so I avoid it.

The tummy stuff seems to have calmed down quite a bit. Yesterday and today went pretty well. I had some mild discomfort today and took two Motrin, but have put in full work days every day this week.

[SarahL2491]

it is common to have reactions to what they put you under with.  I once had a cousin who thought his wife was trying to kidnap him when he got home from the hospital after back surgery, they had to pry him out of the car!

another had her hair literally falling out for about 3 months!  the stuff can have wierd effects on you, even more so when they mix it with other things!  Why its so important to tell them everything you take, right down to vitamins and herbs.......

it doesn't sound like MS to me.  sometimes the position you are placed in affects you.  My DH c/o his hip still hurts from a procedure where he was "out" for awhile.

[jmp77]

I am browsing looking for some info and found this thread. It doesnt look like anyone reported a flare or MS symptoms.

Long story short: nearly 20 years ago I was told I had MS, probably. Nothing else happened for a long while. About 5 years later, i had to have a hysterectomy. I had completely forgotten about the possible MS until morning of surgery. I made certain to tell the anesthesioligist, and some other medical person because now I was afraid that 'withholding' medical info could be a problem. Not to worry.

After the surgery, I had numbness in legs and arms. I was also crying non-stop. Not really with it. Admittedly, I have had several 'not typical' reactions to anesthesia (wisdom teeth removal, otheres) but never this numbness. I had to look at the floor to place my feet when they began to walk me after surgery.

I recall (much of this time is a blur) that another anesthesiologist came to exam me. Had the pricking with needles tests, etc. It was weird. Could have been just a very odd, drawn out medication reaction....but now i am again being DX with MS....so it does make me wonder if the after surgery was some sort of flare of MS. It wasnt fun, whatever it was.

[twopack]

Would pudding work for you?  Just thinking a little protein might help with healing.  It doesn't always agree with people though.

Glad you got through this one and hope your healing progresses so you'll be ready to face that big one when the time comes.

[Ojibajo]

Yep, I've been eating A LOT of Jell-O!

The started me on a clear liquid diet. I stayed an extra night in the hospital because I wasn't keeping that down at first. I went back to work yesterday. It went okay. I'm still having tummy issues, but the day wasn't too bad. We'll see how today goes.

I've been sticking with broth, bananas, Jell-O, toast, stuff like that.

[SarahL2491]

darn no pizza?  oh well, how about latte?  
did they suggest soft liquids at first, then soft foods (jello, pudding, etc. even jello water is a good substitute, have endured lots of that.

glad to hear you are back home and doing ok.  Ok enough to grumble! (grin)
sending good wishes and hugs

[Ojibajo]

First procedure was last Friday. The procedure as far as I know went well, but the recovery was a little rougher than expected. I don't think that any of it was MS related at all.

Stayed in the hospital an extra night because I couldn't keep fluids down. (I was on a clear liquid diet.)

The first few days home were pretty rough. (Pain and tummy issues.) The pain subsided before the tummy issues.

Still dealing a little with tummy issues, but it's much improved. Just keeping the diet pretty basic, so no pizza or deluxe nachos for awhile. ;)

[HVAC]

I am almost 50 and due find with surgery.

Alex

[SarahL2491]

Well, just know that you have our support and we wish you the best.  We will be thinking of you and praying that you come thru with flying colors!  I hope, too, that your MS symptoms are held at bay by whatever power watches over you and us!  Keep us posted as you recover.

[Ojibajo]

That's just what I read in the literature available for this particular procedure. Unfortunately there is not a lot available. The procedure itself isn't done a lot and the reason that I am having it done there are only about 100 cases recorded in literature, so there's not a lot out there.

[zoefromsussex]

I haven't have any operations since my diagnosis but was very interested in this post as my dermatologist decided against surgery for my hyperhydrosis as he said he was concerned it might excerbate my ms

[essdipity]

I wouldn't generalize about age and recovery time. There are so many factors, and everyone is different.

And hey, I'm *old*. Only a few here older.

ess

[Ojibajo]

Cool! The major surgery that I am having is kind of rare so I don't have a lot of info to go off of. It sounds like the younger people bounce back faster and the older once take longer and I am smack in the middle. I am hoping the I will have the results of the younger crowd. Trying to work out and drop some pounds before hand in hopes that will work in my favor. I don't really want to give up my entire summer to recovery,

[HVAC]

I have had many surgeries even a 9 hour one last year and in my case very little problems with the MS. I came through each faster than most folks. I was up and walking the next day after my big abdominal surgery. I was in the hospital ten days but that was because of the surgery. They even did a second separate procedure on me the next day.

Alex

[Ojibajo]

Thanks Ess!

[essdipity]

I have had 3 surgeries requiring general anesthesia since diagnosis. No MS effects whatever. That seems to be the experience of many others here, though a few have had negative effects.

If you're curious, use the Search this Community box for more responses.

ess