Fraalan - how's it going

[baywatcher]

As I write I guess you've had 48 hours since the surgery and I'm sure you aren't going to be online for a while. But I hope that things went well and that you'll be back with us soon. We're all thinking of you and sending virtual hugs. Nancy

[Fraalan]

Turns out I am A-typical and my chances of being pain free were 60%
well IT seeems I will be in the 40% category.
I know there is plenty of swelling to go down as I am 5 days post op, but the dr's say most successes are known within a few days of surgery.
My ear feels like it is underwater and my sharp pains are going thru my ear instead of my upper teeth. (much worse) The doctor reccomended acupuncture, and I find it disapointing and comical to come from such a distinguished hospital. Now I have had 4 or so blips on the left upper teeth and it isn't welcome. Gonna try to read and struggle thru the holidays and reasses.
I read somewhere about alcohol being a major trigger, so I have decided to quit. Is there a good book or read ?

Thank you nancy.

[ella138]

I know there is plenty of swelling to go down as I am 5 days post op, but the dr's say most successes are known within a few days of surgery.


Glad you're home and on the mend. About this thing they are telling you that most successes are know within a few days of surgery. That is often not the case at all!!! I woke up with pain in my top and bottom teeth, just like before my surgery. I remember so clearly how terribly upset I was when I woke up in ICU and they gave me something to eat (cereal) and ZAP :eek:. I cried. The pains continued for 3 months! Eventually they stopped and for now anyway, the ordeal is over. No pain, no meds. I'm not the only one who had this reaction. Kathy (bobcat) did too! TN pain for 3 months before it subsided. As for the ear thing..that is perfectly normal too. It often feels like its under water for a little while. That should clear up in a few weeks. I'm not saying the surgeon is not right in his diagnosis, all I'm saying is everyone is different and you can't paint each patient with the same brush. You will heal in your own sweet time and don't be so quick to write off this surgery as a failure. It's way to early for that! Give yourself the permission to rest and heal. You deserve it and need it.

[MarleneW]

Fraalan,
I had a very plugged up ear too after my 2nd MVD. The first time my doctor told them to lay me on my side that the MVD was done on immediatly after surgery and this didn't happen. I have talked to some others also who say this was so for them. But the 2nd time they didn't do it until after I was awake for a while and my ear was very plugged. My GP gave me some guaifenesin and it took about a week and it worked pretty well.

Take it easy for a while and I will be praying that you heal well and like Ella said how you feel now isn't how you will continue to feel. Continue to have positive thoughts.

Marlene

[Artist1]

I hope this finds you feeling better each day. Ella is right, time will tell. I had an MVD in July, and continued to have attacks for about 4 weeks. I remember going down on my meds, than going back up and crying because I had the same agonizing pains that I had pre-surgery. Every day got a little better. I also was diagnosed with atypical, and my surgeon gave me 65%. I can tell you that I no longer have any of the pains I had back then and am off the meds. I also had the underwater feeling in my ear and that subsided about 3 weeks after surgery. The best thing to do is be kind to yourself. Take it easy,listen to your body and get lots of rest.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Take care,

Kellie

[Fraalan]

I thank everyone.
Hopefully Thanksgiving or Christmas will be PF
Continuing the Carbazimine is going to be the tough part.
My eyes have to focus as well as my brain.
It seemed like I was making embarrasing mistakes everyday.

Can I get a consensus on when to return to work?
I should be off pain meds tomorrow, or just pop em after a 1/2 day of work.
I was thinking 2 or 3 hours a day for the rest of the week and try full time next week. Nice thing is my commute is 5 minutes during rush hour.

[Fizzbw]

Hiya,

I had my 3rd MVD on Monday pm!

The important thing to do is give yourself time - you have had major surgery, I think people go back to work to soon - try not to! Rest! Rest. Don't bend down for several weeks that's very unplesant to do!

I find flat diet coke is very useful for the pain - it diminishes the pain from the brain and the low csf and I think it also helps my anesthesia dolerosa. The nerve has been gigged around and can take several months to calm down - so don't be too scared by pain now. But please - my first one failed and I think a lot of that wasn't helped by a large shock I had when I went back to work - they made me redundant - I sometimes think that if I had taken it easier and not had the shock it would have been a better outcome. Maybe, maybe not.

I haven't even been to see my horses yet - they tell me it will be the New year before I am allowed to ride - depends when I can get my hat on of course!! But this time - I'm going to be very sensible and cautious - it's gonna be the last MVD I have and I want to do everything I can to give it the best chance of working! The TN pain is less, but still there but I'm not so concerned yet.

Oh, and take the amino acid L-Lysine - it helps the nerve to re-generate and mend.

Hugs

Niki ***

[baywatcher]

You've heard from the "experts" - these are the real experts, they've been there and can tell you more than your doctor. I can't add much except to emphasize that you DO NOT WANT TO DO TOO MUCH TOO SOON. No kidding. Take this seriously. I think Ella may be the speediest, she was back to work in three weeks. But while the enforced idleness may drive you crazy, just roll with it - think of all the hours you've wasted in traffic, in line, in airports - all to no particular goal. In this case you have a lot riding on it, on healing and being able to go on with a productive life. And don't be overly concerned that you didn't have instant cure. It sounds like the odds are rather against that. Check in with us and keep us posted, we do care and you never know how many good hints you will pick up. Nancy

[ella138]

I went back after 3 weeks, but my doc thought I could go back much earlier. He said some of his patients go back after 10 days or so. I think he is nuts. I have a very quiet desk job with lots of very caring co-workers who would not let me over do it even if I made the slightest move to so much as pick up a paper clip. Even with this ease back to work I was tired. I felt good though, but I truly was tired. It did help me regain my strength too.
If you don't push yourself just the tiniest bit, you won't get stronger. This is even true for a bout with the flu. Anytime you are knocked on you back for any length of time, you need to build up slowly back to where you started. Go for a short walk, take someone with you at first. You will see how you feel and really only you can make the decision of when to go back. Driving is tough because it hurts to turn your head to check the cars blind spots. It pulls on the incision.
Everyone heals at a different pace and everyone's surgery has it's own set of complications, some bigger than others. Don't let anyone push you into going back to work or into staying home either. Be smart, be sensible and be honest with yourself. No need to be a hero. I think going back to work part time is an excellent idea. Trust me, you will be tired for a while, but as you pass small hurdles, you feel really good, like you're moving forward.

[Fraalan]

If you don't push yourself just the tiniest bit, you won't get stronger.

good words of wisdom.

I have a desk job when I want to. so I will strool in around 10 and bail out while everyone is at lunch.

[Jane]

I am sure that you will have good days and bad days -- and that as time goes on the good days will outnumber the not-so-good days. I don't think any journey is ever a simple straight line, much as we might like it to be. Pain ---> Surgery ---> No Pain. Should be simple. But I think not in reality. Oh well. Life is messy as we all know all too well. But you ARE on the way to recovery and that is marvelous. Take it slow and listen to YOUR body (not the statistical body). One of the surgeons I saw said he tells people they can't go back to work for 6-12 weeks!! Be good to yourself.

jane

[EE03]

Fraalan - I'm sending lots of positive vibes your way and I hope that things improve on your end. Take it easy and give it time.

Take care, Ellena

[JeanC]

Fraalan, I'm just wondering if your surgery was endoscopic...? I could see maybe going back that quickly in that case - quicker recovery, I believe. But I know Jannetta is not a fan and since these guys seem to be colleagues, I would be surprised. In which case I'd give myself a few weeks before going back for even a couple hours a day - others who've gone back so quickly set themselves back a bit. But if endoscopic ... don't know that we've had anybody here who's had one so you would be the first and can let us know how it goes for you.

Let your body be your guide (as well as the wealth of experience here) and best to you!

Jean

[irishchick]

Hi Fraalan, I went back to work in 6 weeks ( I have a job that required continuous standing/sometime lifting up to 50 lbs). My TN took 6 months to go away, but it did eventually, and I am off all meds. Take it easy, don't rush yourself or you will set yourself back.
Karen

[Fraalan]

Endoscopic is believe yes.
The drilled a 3 cm hole behind my ear.
Then added a plate.
Stress got hgh today so my head started thumping.
and my upper tooth started to ache. scariest feeling I have ever had.
and of course I had to get something shipped out as promised.
So that kept me another hour as I was dreaming of a cold compress on the back of my neck.
It was a 6-7 hour day and it should be a 5 hour day IMO.

But Remember I am self employed, or did I tell you this.

BIG FACTOR

The ship will sink for sure without me. reputations sink fast these days.

I find myself getting the sweats for some reason, maybe from the blood clot from surgery (Upper arm) Thinners aren't for winners.

[EE03]

Gosh, Fralaan, the ship will float. Any chance of getting a stand in captain?
Take care of yourself and try to take it real easy.

Big hugs to you too! Ellena

[baywatcher]

Geez, Fraalan, you've got the toughest boss in the world! Slave driver. Been there - but remember, when the hole gets too deep quit digging. Too bad about the extra complications, never took blood thinners but can imagine they come with downsides (what doesn't?). Speedy recovery - Nancy

[Fraalan]

I took the day off today. I mistakingly took 2x the dosage of thinners last night. Nice to be with the family today.

[EE03]

Fraalan,

I hope that someone warned you to eat bannanas while on blood thinners for the potassium. Otherwise you'll cramp every which way and look like a pretzel that failed inspection! Anyway, if they didn't , ask your doc. My Dad has a lot of problems wiht muscle cramps before going on them and the doc told him to do so, and if not, then take a supplement.
Cheers & take care, Ellena