Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Briarrose update

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #46
    Shell, by law, your doctor can call in a three-day supply of pain meds, but a script for any amount over that must be mailed or picked up in person. I was on Oxycontin for over 7 months -- believe me, I needed it -- and renewing my prescription was a lot easier when I "hired" a pain management specialist to oversee the whole pain-meds process. Ask your surgeon or your primary care doc for a referral to one in your area.

    I was on long-acting Oxy and short-acting Percocet, and I withdrew from the Percocet first. Then after a couple more months on the long-acting Oxy, I withdrew from that. By the time I went off the Oxy I was physically dependent and had a few uncomfortable days, but it was definitely manageable.

    I had never taken narcotics before and have a lot of respect for them now. I could NOT have functioned without them.
    Chris
    A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
    Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
    Post-op curve: 12 degrees
    Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

    Comment


    • #47
      Hi

      I take a Rx (suppository) drug named Phenergan when I have to. It is for navsea and vomiting, and you don't have to worry about vomiting it up. Be sure to ask Dr. and pharmacist (2 opinions!) about drug interactions before you take any? Couldn't remember Activia the other day but wife swears by it.
      Our best to you,
      Chris

      Comment


      • #48
        Originally posted by myachingback
        I take a Rx (suppository) drug named Phenergan when I have to. It is for navsea and vomiting, and you don't have to worry about vomiting it up. ...
        Thanks for mentioning this, Chris. Shell, an added bonus is Phenergan makes you sleeeeeeeeeeepy. I bet you could use some good rest about now ...

        Geish's way of dealing with keeping stuff down is really good too ... just teeny snacks (a few bites) here and there. Be sure to keep a food (and especially liquid) diary so you know exactly what you're able to hold down each day. It's tough to know what your net intake actually is when you don't really know how much you took in that "stuck".

        My mom had a SEVERE stomach virus last year, and I was actually keeping track of "1 grape", "2 oz. ginger ale", "1/2 Pedialyte popsicle" (BTW, these are not bad tasting at all, and can help boost your electrolytes and overall fluid intake) so I'd kind of be able to gauge when she needed to go to the hospital due to dehydration risk.

        Hang in there, sweetheart. Hopefully all this will be a distant memory before you know it!

        Regards,
        Pam
        Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
        AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


        41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
        Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
        Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


        VIEW MY X-RAYS
        EMAIL ME

        Comment


        • #49
          Thanks for to everyone for the pain medicine suggestions. I'm on Vicodin now and it's working well except all I want to do is sleep. How much did you sleep after the surgery? I feel like I sleep 12 to 14 hours a day!

          I now able to keep food down too and my appetite has increased a little. Thanks for the popsicle suggestion, Pam. That was a great idea and I love popsicles!

          I guess I'm doing pretty well. My only real problem now is the constipation from the meds. I'm hoping Vicodin will be a little better than Percocet. I'm going for x-rays in a few hours and I'm excited about seeing them. I'll try to post them sometime this week.

          Shell
          Chemist, 30

          1998- 18 degrees
          2003- 33 degrees
          2005- 37 degrees
          2006- 44 degrees
          May 2007- 47 degrees
          December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

          Surgery May 27, 2008
          Fused T1 to L2
          Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

          Comment


          • #50
            Originally posted by briarrose
            ... all I want to do is sleep. How much did you sleep after the surgery? I feel like I sleep 12 to 14 hours a day!
            I think I took a solid 2 day nap when I came home, Shell. Listen to your body right now, and if it says "Hey, you ... SLEEP!", it means it.

            Seriously, everything else will wait. I know you're anxious to start on recovery, but you've been through a LOT. Your body needs food, fluids and lots of quality rest right now.

            It may not feel like you're doing much, but recovery starts with a LOT of "doing nothing".

            Regards,
            Pam
            Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
            AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


            41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
            Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
            Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


            VIEW MY X-RAYS
            EMAIL ME

            Comment


            • #51
              It's kind of weird but I don't think I napped at all or slept more than 8 hours at night after surgery until about week 4-5 post op. I think as I increased my activity my need for sleep increased. I wasn't cleared to do more than short walks for about a month. I wasn't allowed to get on the treadmill and as it was the middle of winter here I wasn't going out on the icy roads or even my icy driveway. Now 6 months post op I still nap! Even something as simple as going to the grocery store takes a lot out of me as I usually have to go by myself and buying groceries is a lot of work! Stay strong Shell!
              Alicia
              Geish
              47 years old, dx at 13
              +30* to the right, +60* to the left, +30* to the right
              Surgery 12-13-07 - fusion from T4 to sacrum.


              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=267 Pre surgery
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...tachmentid=268 Post surgery
              http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/DSC01091.jpg Xray from the side
              http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...1089-1-1-1.jpg Xray from the back

              Comment


              • #52
                Originally posted by Geish
                Now 6 months post op I still nap!
                Guilty. Me too - LOL!
                Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
                AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


                41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
                Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
                Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


                VIEW MY X-RAYS
                EMAIL ME

                Comment


                • #53
                  Shell,

                  Don't worry about sleeping too much! Just remember that when you are awake try to move around the house some. I would walk a big circle through the dining room, hall, living room, kitchen. Don't worry if you have to lay down and take another nap after walking around the rooms a few times. Anything that you do right down helps to keep you from getting to stiff. Just remember that your body right now is working overtime trying to heal itself and to adjust to their new positions. So even if you aren't doing anything physically on the outside, the inside is working 24/7!!! I take Colace everyday to help with the issues of constipation due to the meds. Just keep telling yourself to take it easy, move when you can, and rest whenever you feel that you need to!
                  Theresa

                  April 8 & 12, 2004 - Anterior/Posterior surgery 15 hours & 7 hours
                  Thorasic - 79 degree down to 22
                  Lumbar - 44 degree down to 18
                  Fused T2 to sacrum
                  June 2, 2005 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @L3 7 hours
                  MAY 21, 2007 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @ L2, extended the fusion to S2 and added pelvic instrumentation 9 hours

                  FUSED T2 - SACRUM 2

                  Comment


                  • #54
                    It's good to know that sleeping a lot is normal. I feel like such a bum though. I'm used to keeping busy (cleaning, cooking, working, studying) but now I'm home all the time not contributing much. I should enjoy this freedom while it lasts .

                    Today has been a good day. I'm up and walking around a lot and have more energy than I've had since the surgery. I'm having one issue with my arm and it seems to be related to an IV. My arm hurts really bad from the elbow up to my fingers whenever I move it, touch or try to grab onto something. Has anyone else had this problem? I guessing it has something to do with a nerve that was hit. I'll see my doctor on Monday so I'll ask him about it.

                    Shell
                    Chemist, 30

                    1998- 18 degrees
                    2003- 33 degrees
                    2005- 37 degrees
                    2006- 44 degrees
                    May 2007- 47 degrees
                    December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

                    Surgery May 27, 2008
                    Fused T1 to L2
                    Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

                    Comment


                    • #55
                      Just wanted to let everyone know that I passed out again today. I was home by myself and was taking a shower (I won't be doing this by myself for awhile) and started to feel really nauseous. I quickly finished my shower and sat down feeling horrible. The next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor of my bathroom in a very twisted position. It took me a long time to get up but I managed. I called my husband and he came home from work early to spend the day with me. I called my surgeon and he said to go to the ER if my pain was too bad. Thankfully, it was only really bad for about 2 hours so I didn't go to the ER. I don't understand why this happened again. The next time I feel like that again, I'm going to lay down on the floor so I don't fall!

                      Shell
                      Chemist, 30

                      1998- 18 degrees
                      2003- 33 degrees
                      2005- 37 degrees
                      2006- 44 degrees
                      May 2007- 47 degrees
                      December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

                      Surgery May 27, 2008
                      Fused T1 to L2
                      Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

                      Comment


                      • #56
                        Shell, I'm going to yell at you for a second ...

                        WHAT THE *HELL* ARE YOU THINKING SHOWERING BY YOURSELF?!!?

                        Yes, I did it early - maybe at 2 weeks - but I had no other option (like waiting for my non-existent husband to get home from work - you CAN and SHOULD) and had not even come CLOSE to a history of passing out.

                        There's something going on with the consciousness loss (over-exertion, not enough food, blood loss, electrolyte imbalance, meds ... SOMETHING.). Demand your doctor figure it out. IMMEDIATELY.

                        This is NOT what you should be experiencing.

                        In the meantime, stop pushing yourself. You're obviously not ready to return to normal activity if you're waking up on the floor.

                        Regards,
                        Pam
                        Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
                        AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


                        41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
                        Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
                        Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


                        VIEW MY X-RAYS
                        EMAIL ME

                        Comment


                        • #57
                          Shell,

                          I didn't shower by myself for a while after I came home. It was too exhausting!!! When I did shower, I did it sitting down. By time I was done it was straight back in the bed for a 2 hour nap!! I would have someone else blow dry my hair. You must remember, even the simply things are a hugh job for you right now!!! If I did one thing for the day (ex: shower or fix and eat my own lunch) that was all I did!!!! This is a very looooooooonnnnnnggggggg and sllllllllllooooooooowwwwwwww recovery!!!!!!!! Please try to remember this and attempt to do only one thing a day for right now. I turned my air conditioner down and stayed in bed. Every couple of hours get up and move a round and fix a snack. Just crackers with peanut butter on them will help. Please take it easy and rest!!!!!!!
                          Theresa

                          April 8 & 12, 2004 - Anterior/Posterior surgery 15 hours & 7 hours
                          Thorasic - 79 degree down to 22
                          Lumbar - 44 degree down to 18
                          Fused T2 to sacrum
                          June 2, 2005 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @L3 7 hours
                          MAY 21, 2007 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @ L2, extended the fusion to S2 and added pelvic instrumentation 9 hours

                          FUSED T2 - SACRUM 2

                          Comment


                          • #58
                            Take it easy!

                            They said it well, Shell. This is a time to let your mind know that your body has to take it really s-l-o-w, little baby steps, as you recover. I, too, had to rest after taking a shower, even when using a shower seat. It totally exhausted me. And I didn't try anything much when no one was home with me for awhile... just like Theresa said. Hold back a little and be content with the ability to putter around and do little things. Soon you'll be stronger and more able to do some things that are a little bit more challenging-- but even then, don't try them when you're by yourself. (Like, when I first started walking outside, I walked with my husband, next I only did it when my husband was home, but he didn't need to walk with me... then I advanced a little to the point where I'd walk when he wasn't home, but his work is 1/4 mile away, and I would let him know when I started my walk, and when I got back inside-- and how long I planned to walk... just in case he didn't hear from me. It was a long time till I dropped all of that and walked without telling anyone. Actually, sometimes I still leave a note.)

                            Yes, it does sound like you need to discuss this with your doctor. It might be that you are getting up too quickly-- and sometimes a good hot shower or bath can zap you, so don't make it too hot. Please be careful-- and let us know how it's going. Hugs, Susie

                            PS--that's a good plan you made, -- to lie down if you feel faint. Hopefully it won't be needed...
                            71 and plugging along... but having some problems
                            2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
                            5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
                            Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

                            Corrected to 15°
                            CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
                            10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

                            Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

                            Comment


                            • #59
                              Exhaustion after shower ....

                              Yeah, I'll never forget that first shower I took at 2 weeks post-op ... I'm not sure I've ever been SO tired. I did wash my hair (I couldn't stand it like it was on more minute!), but by the time I was done, I really WAS done ... and didn't even have the energy to dry it.

                              The next week, I was feeling a lot more energetic (I'd been training for the 5K, and think I was up to walking 1.5 miles). My neighbors were still watching my dog, and I decided to treat them to dinner at a nearby restaurant in appreciation. I needed a shower AND hair drying - and I mistakenly thought "no problem!".

                              By the time I got done drying my hair, I was in a clammy sweat and white as a sheet. It COMPLETELY zapped me. I'd planned to even curl my hair, and that quickly lost importance.

                              Who would have thought with all the walking I was doing that a simple shower and hair drying would have that effect? I certainly didn't, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Oh ... and I forgot to mention, I also showered sitting down. I never bought a bath seat ... my tub was deep and wide enough I was able to use my heavy duty kitchen utility step stool, and sit on the top step. Pretty redneck, but it worked very well!

                              Shell, I hope you know I was only yelling at you because the thought of you falling by yourself like that scared the sh** outta me. The thought of you hurting yourself after all you've been through, and having to start again from square one is something I'm sure no one here - including you - wants to see happen.

                              I know you want to hurry up and be well, but you can't push yourself so hard you cause yourself to LOSE progress. Please talk to your surgeon and work with him to find out why you're passing out: It may be something simple, but it's certainly a sign something is NOT right.

                              Do you realize how lucky you were you *didn't* really hurt yourself? Not only could you have damaged your fusion, you could have cracked your head open, broken a limb, cut yourself badly ... and had to lie there until your husband got home if you were unconscious - or simply too hurt to make it to the phone.

                              Promise no more solo showers - or anything that risky - for a while until you identify and remedy this?

                              Regards,
                              Pam
                              Last edited by txmarinemom; 06-15-2008, 08:45 AM.
                              Fusion is NOT the end of the world.
                              AIDS Walk Houston 2008 5K @ 33 days post op!


                              41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
                              Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
                              Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston


                              VIEW MY X-RAYS
                              EMAIL ME

                              Comment


                              • #60
                                I went to see my surgeon yesterday and we both think I passed out from the combination of Vicodin and trying to do too much. Now I'm back on Percocet and I don't have that dizzy hazy feeling anymore. My surgeon said that he's never had any of his patients pass out. I always have strange health problems and I almost feel like a burden to him at this point. He said my incision looks great and is healing really well. He measured my curve at 15 degrees. He originally thought it was smaller but 15 is still great! My shoulders are still uneven but I'm going to try to work on that in a month or so. I had that side shift to the right before which is now gone, but now I'm kind of shifted to the left. I hope this goes away.

                                Pam - No need to feel bad about yelling at me. I needed to hear it. I'm impatient and extremely indepedent. Passing out was a wake up call that I need to take it easy and stop rushing my recovery. I am very fortunate as I could have ended up really hurt.

                                Theresa - Thanks for your concern and for sharing your experience. I've really cut back on the amount I do a day. I was taking showers standing up but since I passed out, I decided to use the shower seat my grandmother let me borrow.

                                Susie - My mom had mentioned that hot showers aren't good if you aren't feeling well. The water was hot, but I didn't feel like squatting to change the temperature. That definitely could have contributed to my passing out. I'm trying to take it easy and learn patience. It's hard!

                                Thanks again ladies!

                                Shell
                                Chemist, 30

                                1998- 18 degrees
                                2003- 33 degrees
                                2005- 37 degrees
                                2006- 44 degrees
                                May 2007- 47 degrees
                                December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

                                Surgery May 27, 2008
                                Fused T1 to L2
                                Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X