fairieswearboots
11-20-2003, 11:55 PM
Hi everyone!
I had my right foot surgery on Monday and my immediate post-op period has been horrible! I am just now feeling well enough to give a progress report. I am not surprised because I always have a very tough time immediately post-op. I was hoping this time would be different but as long as the surgery helps me in the end, it will all be worth it.
When I talked to the anesthesiologist right before the procedure I requested the MAC anesthesia since general anesthesia makes me so extremely nauseous. Unfortunately, because of the length of the procedure, he said he said he would have to use general or he could use spinal anesthesia. I never had spinal anesthesia and I was afraid to try it so I went with the general. He gave me various pre-op meds to help prevent post-op nausea. I think he said he he gave me zofran towards the end of the procedure and the nurse gave me more zofran in PACU. I woke up nauseated and in pain. I was also given phenergan in PACU for nausea and Dilaudid for pain after waking up. The Dilaudid helped the pain for awhile but I remained very nauseous. The anesthesiologist was very nice and seemed genuinely concerned and told my husband and I (in the PACU) that next time I could call the surgery center ahead of time and get a scopolomine patch to put on the night before surgery to help prevent nausea, I think I'll try that when I get my other foot done.
I get in the car and my husband couldn't even get out of the surgery center parking lot before I started heaving. I get home and proceed to spend the next 2 hours mainly in the bathroom heaving, heaving, heaving! Everytime I crawled into bed, after about 10 minutes, I would get extremely nauseous and have to head back to the bathroom. The pain started up again and I didn't dare try to take the percocet for awhile for fear of getting even more nauseated than I already was (if that were possible!). Things finally settled down late that evening, I was able to take the pain medicine and I slept OK that night.
I get up the next morning in pain and I take more pain medicine. I was doing OK until about noon when my 2nd toe started burning horribly. I took more pain medicine which helped all but that blasted 2nd toe! (I had several procedures done to my foot but the most to the 2nd toe.) This went on all day and all night and I finally got about 4 hours of sleep that 2nd night. Mind you, I was taking the pain medicine (max dose) around the clock and that 2nd toe kept burning, burning, burning! I called my doctor's office to see if it would be OK if I took some vioxx I already had and she said OK but to also keep taking the percocet. I got about 2 hours of pain relief and tried to lay down for a nap. The stupid toe starts burning again and I could not sleep so I call the office again and got a prescription for Ambien (sleeping pill). I took that and the percocet and got about 7 fairly good hours of sleep on night #3 (last night). I have only taken 1 sleeping pill in my life about 15 years ago when I was in the hospital for some other surgery and it helped me so much back then.
I got up this morning in pain and took more pain medicine and another vioxx and it helped. Today has been a much better day and I think I am over the hump now. The pain meds are helping much better today and I no longer feel psychotic from unrelenting pain and lack of sleep. I will have my 1st post-op visit in the morning. I am anxious to see what my foot looks like although I imagine it will not be a pretty site with all of those incisions and dried blood. But at least I will get to see how well my bones are lined up. My feet already look like roadmaps from all the previous surgeries. Well, it is getting late and I am getting very sleepy. I'll keep you posted on how tomorrow's post-op visit goes. Everyone take care and keep on healing!
I had my right foot surgery on Monday and my immediate post-op period has been horrible! I am just now feeling well enough to give a progress report. I am not surprised because I always have a very tough time immediately post-op. I was hoping this time would be different but as long as the surgery helps me in the end, it will all be worth it.
When I talked to the anesthesiologist right before the procedure I requested the MAC anesthesia since general anesthesia makes me so extremely nauseous. Unfortunately, because of the length of the procedure, he said he said he would have to use general or he could use spinal anesthesia. I never had spinal anesthesia and I was afraid to try it so I went with the general. He gave me various pre-op meds to help prevent post-op nausea. I think he said he he gave me zofran towards the end of the procedure and the nurse gave me more zofran in PACU. I woke up nauseated and in pain. I was also given phenergan in PACU for nausea and Dilaudid for pain after waking up. The Dilaudid helped the pain for awhile but I remained very nauseous. The anesthesiologist was very nice and seemed genuinely concerned and told my husband and I (in the PACU) that next time I could call the surgery center ahead of time and get a scopolomine patch to put on the night before surgery to help prevent nausea, I think I'll try that when I get my other foot done.
I get in the car and my husband couldn't even get out of the surgery center parking lot before I started heaving. I get home and proceed to spend the next 2 hours mainly in the bathroom heaving, heaving, heaving! Everytime I crawled into bed, after about 10 minutes, I would get extremely nauseous and have to head back to the bathroom. The pain started up again and I didn't dare try to take the percocet for awhile for fear of getting even more nauseated than I already was (if that were possible!). Things finally settled down late that evening, I was able to take the pain medicine and I slept OK that night.
I get up the next morning in pain and I take more pain medicine. I was doing OK until about noon when my 2nd toe started burning horribly. I took more pain medicine which helped all but that blasted 2nd toe! (I had several procedures done to my foot but the most to the 2nd toe.) This went on all day and all night and I finally got about 4 hours of sleep that 2nd night. Mind you, I was taking the pain medicine (max dose) around the clock and that 2nd toe kept burning, burning, burning! I called my doctor's office to see if it would be OK if I took some vioxx I already had and she said OK but to also keep taking the percocet. I got about 2 hours of pain relief and tried to lay down for a nap. The stupid toe starts burning again and I could not sleep so I call the office again and got a prescription for Ambien (sleeping pill). I took that and the percocet and got about 7 fairly good hours of sleep on night #3 (last night). I have only taken 1 sleeping pill in my life about 15 years ago when I was in the hospital for some other surgery and it helped me so much back then.
I got up this morning in pain and took more pain medicine and another vioxx and it helped. Today has been a much better day and I think I am over the hump now. The pain meds are helping much better today and I no longer feel psychotic from unrelenting pain and lack of sleep. I will have my 1st post-op visit in the morning. I am anxious to see what my foot looks like although I imagine it will not be a pretty site with all of those incisions and dried blood. But at least I will get to see how well my bones are lined up. My feet already look like roadmaps from all the previous surgeries. Well, it is getting late and I am getting very sleepy. I'll keep you posted on how tomorrow's post-op visit goes. Everyone take care and keep on healing!
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sianka
11-21-2003, 01:05 AM
I'm so sorry about what you are going thru. I know it's hard to deal with all the pain but hang in there. It will get better. I hope you feel better soon :wave:
snodove
11-21-2003, 07:10 AM
Hi,
Sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I hope you can get some pain relief and some sleep too. Polly
Sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I hope you can get some pain relief and some sleep too. Polly
Queeneev
11-21-2003, 08:55 AM
whew, I am exhausted just reading your post! Good for you, you are past the crappy part, it's all good from here on! I have already forgotten (much we forget the pain of childbirth?) how awful my first few days were. But I was not nearly as sick as you. You poor girl! On the bright side, don't you feel skinny? :bouncing:
You deserve a giant bowl of ice cream!
You deserve a giant bowl of ice cream!
Readabook
11-21-2003, 10:15 AM
Fairies-
I was terribly sick the first three days as well. Then it really does take a change for the better. I lost about 5 or 6 pounds, which I immediately gained back once I could start moving around and fending for myself again! Once you've been to the doctor your mind will be put at ease as well. The best thing is that it is over and will only get better.
I was terribly sick the first three days as well. Then it really does take a change for the better. I lost about 5 or 6 pounds, which I immediately gained back once I could start moving around and fending for myself again! Once you've been to the doctor your mind will be put at ease as well. The best thing is that it is over and will only get better.
supermom802
11-21-2003, 10:44 AM
fairies,
My heart goes out to you! I was very sick as well. I got on advil and lived with pain because I couldn't stand being nauseated. It really helped me to elevate my foot. My doctor said my foot must be above my heart every minute that I'm not using the bathroom. This went on for 8 weeks! It really helped though. Good luck. (I can use the computer with my foot elevated above my heart) Keep us posted.
My heart goes out to you! I was very sick as well. I got on advil and lived with pain because I couldn't stand being nauseated. It really helped me to elevate my foot. My doctor said my foot must be above my heart every minute that I'm not using the bathroom. This went on for 8 weeks! It really helped though. Good luck. (I can use the computer with my foot elevated above my heart) Keep us posted.
letsrun100
11-21-2003, 12:21 PM
fairieswearboots,
What an experience, I can't imagine going through that!! Last month when I had my foot surgery I opted for an epidural. For me, that's the only way to go. I still had a lot of pain when the epidural wore off, but I wasn't sick. I felt absolutely no pain or discomfort during the entire procedure, I was in there over three hours. If you're having one foot worked on, I wouldn't think it would take that long.
I decided to do the epidural because of this BB and some of the experiences I had read about. I had no problems with general anesthesia in 1989 when I had back surgery, but didn't want to take the chance.
(Edit: Oops, in case not everyone knows what an epidural is (as I understand it), it's a type of spinal block except the anesthesiologist has better control over how long the patient is numb. He told me that since I would be in surgery for three hours it would be better than a spinal. The epidural is sometimes given during childbirth (I'm sure all the women know about this), except that for my surgery I had a much stronger dose. I couldn't even feel my pelvic muscles let alone push.)
You might ask your doctor about it and do some research, but please consider it.
Best of luck in your recovery.
What an experience, I can't imagine going through that!! Last month when I had my foot surgery I opted for an epidural. For me, that's the only way to go. I still had a lot of pain when the epidural wore off, but I wasn't sick. I felt absolutely no pain or discomfort during the entire procedure, I was in there over three hours. If you're having one foot worked on, I wouldn't think it would take that long.
I decided to do the epidural because of this BB and some of the experiences I had read about. I had no problems with general anesthesia in 1989 when I had back surgery, but didn't want to take the chance.
(Edit: Oops, in case not everyone knows what an epidural is (as I understand it), it's a type of spinal block except the anesthesiologist has better control over how long the patient is numb. He told me that since I would be in surgery for three hours it would be better than a spinal. The epidural is sometimes given during childbirth (I'm sure all the women know about this), except that for my surgery I had a much stronger dose. I couldn't even feel my pelvic muscles let alone push.)
You might ask your doctor about it and do some research, but please consider it.
Best of luck in your recovery.
gypsy704
11-21-2003, 12:48 PM
Fairieswearboots,
I'm really sorry you've had such a hard time. I hope you'll start feeing better soon. I have problems with general anesthesia also. (nausea/vomiting). I had surgery 5 years ago and had a spinal for the first time to see if that would help prevent the nausea. It was great. I had some itching afterwards though. They usually give you versad or something, either before or after the Spinal so your pretty relaxed and remember very little. I only remember getting the spinal and being in recovery, nothing in between. Good Luck.
I'm really sorry you've had such a hard time. I hope you'll start feeing better soon. I have problems with general anesthesia also. (nausea/vomiting). I had surgery 5 years ago and had a spinal for the first time to see if that would help prevent the nausea. It was great. I had some itching afterwards though. They usually give you versad or something, either before or after the Spinal so your pretty relaxed and remember very little. I only remember getting the spinal and being in recovery, nothing in between. Good Luck.
Maya49
11-21-2003, 08:46 PM
Hi FAiries,
WOW....You deserve a big round of pampering, for sure!!
Hope you are truly doing better now....it can only get better for you!!
Feel better and let everyone wait and take care of YOU!!!
WOW....You deserve a big round of pampering, for sure!!
Hope you are truly doing better now....it can only get better for you!!
Feel better and let everyone wait and take care of YOU!!!
toetooshort
11-21-2003, 09:13 PM
Fairies-
I am so sorry to hear you have been so sick.
My report is good. The doctor said yesterday that I had as much bone growth in three weeks as he had expected in six. I quit lengthening tomorrow and start on the bone growth stimulator for 10 hours daily.
Hope to hear from you soon that you are doing better.
Judy
I am so sorry to hear you have been so sick.
My report is good. The doctor said yesterday that I had as much bone growth in three weeks as he had expected in six. I quit lengthening tomorrow and start on the bone growth stimulator for 10 hours daily.
Hope to hear from you soon that you are doing better.
Judy
fairieswearboots
11-21-2003, 09:56 PM
Thanks everyone!!!
Everyone who posts on this forum is so supportive and I really appreciate all the replies. It is so nice to have a place to share information about our surgical experiences - both good and bad. As much as I hate to hear of anyone needing foot surgery (since I know all too well what it is like), at least I know that I am not alone. My personal friends are supportive but none have needed foot surgery so being able to connect with others who have somehow makes it easier. We are all in different stages of healing but at least we know it WILL get better. Thanks again and take care everyone!
Everyone who posts on this forum is so supportive and I really appreciate all the replies. It is so nice to have a place to share information about our surgical experiences - both good and bad. As much as I hate to hear of anyone needing foot surgery (since I know all too well what it is like), at least I know that I am not alone. My personal friends are supportive but none have needed foot surgery so being able to connect with others who have somehow makes it easier. We are all in different stages of healing but at least we know it WILL get better. Thanks again and take care everyone!
fairieswearboots
11-21-2003, 10:31 PM
don't you feel skinny? You deserve a giant bowl of ice cream!
Hi Queeneev,
I vomited quite enough but unfortunately, not quite enough to feel skinny yet!!! I think I'll need to hold off on that bowl of ice cream!
Hi Queeneev,
I vomited quite enough but unfortunately, not quite enough to feel skinny yet!!! I think I'll need to hold off on that bowl of ice cream!
ashley.e.
11-21-2003, 10:48 PM
Fairies..
Sorry about your pain/nausea....I am having surgery next month. I know from experience that anesthesia makes me SICK so I'm having local w/ IV sedation. I hope you feel better..keep us posted.
Ashley
Sorry about your pain/nausea....I am having surgery next month. I know from experience that anesthesia makes me SICK so I'm having local w/ IV sedation. I hope you feel better..keep us posted.
Ashley
fairieswearboots
11-21-2003, 11:02 PM
fairies,
My heart goes out to you! I was very sick as well. I got on advil and lived with pain because I couldn't stand being nauseated. It really helped me to elevate my foot. My doctor said my foot must be above my heart every minute that I'm not using the bathroom. This went on for 8 weeks! It really helped though. Good luck. (I can use the computer with my foot elevated above my heart) Keep us posted.
Hi supermom802,
My pain is worse today than yesterday but not intolerable like it was a few days ago. I think it may be because I didn't take any Vioxx today. I only took the Vioxx for 2 days when the pain was super intense because studies have been done on rats (not that we are rats or anything!) but the studies indicate that NSAIDS such as Vioxx, Celebrex, Advil, etc. may impair bone healing so I don't want to take any chances with that. I took Advil in the past when I had other foot surgeries but I am going to avoid it this time. I don't think studies have been done on humans regarding this and I think it would be ethical to do so but because of the rat thing that I very recently became aware of, I just don't want to take any chances. I think some doctors are now discouraging the use of NSAIDS for awhile after bone surgery and some aren't. It is always something, isn't it? It is like you either take narcotic pain medicine and get nauseated or take NSAIDS and mabey the bones won't heal as well. It's just too bad we had foot problems in the 1st place.
I am also able to sit at my computer with my foot elevated and my ice machine on. Gee, what more could I ask for?! I hope things go well for you this time. It sounds like you had a really rough surgery. Take care and good luck with your recovery!
My heart goes out to you! I was very sick as well. I got on advil and lived with pain because I couldn't stand being nauseated. It really helped me to elevate my foot. My doctor said my foot must be above my heart every minute that I'm not using the bathroom. This went on for 8 weeks! It really helped though. Good luck. (I can use the computer with my foot elevated above my heart) Keep us posted.
Hi supermom802,
My pain is worse today than yesterday but not intolerable like it was a few days ago. I think it may be because I didn't take any Vioxx today. I only took the Vioxx for 2 days when the pain was super intense because studies have been done on rats (not that we are rats or anything!) but the studies indicate that NSAIDS such as Vioxx, Celebrex, Advil, etc. may impair bone healing so I don't want to take any chances with that. I took Advil in the past when I had other foot surgeries but I am going to avoid it this time. I don't think studies have been done on humans regarding this and I think it would be ethical to do so but because of the rat thing that I very recently became aware of, I just don't want to take any chances. I think some doctors are now discouraging the use of NSAIDS for awhile after bone surgery and some aren't. It is always something, isn't it? It is like you either take narcotic pain medicine and get nauseated or take NSAIDS and mabey the bones won't heal as well. It's just too bad we had foot problems in the 1st place.
I am also able to sit at my computer with my foot elevated and my ice machine on. Gee, what more could I ask for?! I hope things go well for you this time. It sounds like you had a really rough surgery. Take care and good luck with your recovery!
fairieswearboots
11-21-2003, 11:52 PM
[QUOTE=letsrun100]fairieswearboots,
Last month when I had my foot surgery I opted for an epidural. For me, that's the only way to go. I still had a lot of pain when the epidural wore off, but I wasn't sick. I felt absolutely no pain or discomfort during the entire procedure, I was in there over three hours. If you're having one foot worked on, I wouldn't think it would take that long.
Edit: Oops, in case not everyone knows what an epidural is (as I understand it), it's a type of spinal block except the anesthesiologist has better control over how long the patient is numb. He told me that since I would be in surgery for three hours it would be better than a spinal. The epidural is sometimes given during childbirth (I'm sure all the women know about this), except that for my surgery I had a much stronger dose. I couldn't even feel my pelvic muscles let alone push.)
You might ask your doctor about it and do some research, but please consider it.
Hi letsrun100,
WOW! - 3 hours is a long time for foot surgery. My previous foot surgeries only lasted for 1 to 1&1/2 hours but I had more repair work done this time and it took 2 hours. Unfortunately, I was unable to have children - otherwise, I probably would have had an epidural. (I don't do pain well!) Since I have never had an epidural, there is something about having a needle put into my back that really creeps me out but as I sit here thinking about it - with all I've had done to my feet, a needle in the back sounds more minor than it used to. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hearing from someone who had it done makes it seem less scary to me so now I think I will research it and reconsider.
Last month when I had my foot surgery I opted for an epidural. For me, that's the only way to go. I still had a lot of pain when the epidural wore off, but I wasn't sick. I felt absolutely no pain or discomfort during the entire procedure, I was in there over three hours. If you're having one foot worked on, I wouldn't think it would take that long.
Edit: Oops, in case not everyone knows what an epidural is (as I understand it), it's a type of spinal block except the anesthesiologist has better control over how long the patient is numb. He told me that since I would be in surgery for three hours it would be better than a spinal. The epidural is sometimes given during childbirth (I'm sure all the women know about this), except that for my surgery I had a much stronger dose. I couldn't even feel my pelvic muscles let alone push.)
You might ask your doctor about it and do some research, but please consider it.
Hi letsrun100,
WOW! - 3 hours is a long time for foot surgery. My previous foot surgeries only lasted for 1 to 1&1/2 hours but I had more repair work done this time and it took 2 hours. Unfortunately, I was unable to have children - otherwise, I probably would have had an epidural. (I don't do pain well!) Since I have never had an epidural, there is something about having a needle put into my back that really creeps me out but as I sit here thinking about it - with all I've had done to my feet, a needle in the back sounds more minor than it used to. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hearing from someone who had it done makes it seem less scary to me so now I think I will research it and reconsider.
fairieswearboots
11-22-2003, 12:13 AM
Fairieswearboots,
I'm really sorry you've had such a hard time. I hope you'll start feeing better soon. I have problems with general anesthesia also. (nausea/vomiting). I had surgery 5 years ago and had a spinal for the first time to see if that would help prevent the nausea. It was great. I had some itching afterwards though. They usually give you versad or something, either before or after the Spinal so your pretty relaxed and remember very little. I only remember getting the spinal and being in recovery, nothing in between. Good Luck.
Hi gypsy704,
Thanks for your reply. It sounds like you had good luck with a spinal also so that gives me even more reason to reconsider. It seems kind of silly to me now that I have let multiple surgeons cut up my bones and wire and screw them back together again yet I'm afraid of having spinal anesthesia. Fears are not always reasonable!
I'm really sorry you've had such a hard time. I hope you'll start feeing better soon. I have problems with general anesthesia also. (nausea/vomiting). I had surgery 5 years ago and had a spinal for the first time to see if that would help prevent the nausea. It was great. I had some itching afterwards though. They usually give you versad or something, either before or after the Spinal so your pretty relaxed and remember very little. I only remember getting the spinal and being in recovery, nothing in between. Good Luck.
Hi gypsy704,
Thanks for your reply. It sounds like you had good luck with a spinal also so that gives me even more reason to reconsider. It seems kind of silly to me now that I have let multiple surgeons cut up my bones and wire and screw them back together again yet I'm afraid of having spinal anesthesia. Fears are not always reasonable!
fairieswearboots
11-22-2003, 12:51 AM
Fairies-
I am so sorry to hear you have been so sick.
My report is good. The doctor said yesterday that I had as much bone growth in three weeks as he had expected in six. I quit lengthening tomorrow and start on the bone growth stimulator for 10 hours daily.
Hope to hear from you soon that you are doing better.
Judy
Hi toetooshort,
It sounds like you are making great progress! I guess now it is wait and see and hook up to your other gadget everyday. I had my dressings changed this morning and my foot looked rather wicked as I expected. Steri-strips all over the place covered with dried blood! My husband probably would have passed out if he had seen that. He gets rather queasy that way! Some swelling but not too bad. I have a pin sticking out of my 2nd and 3rd toes that will probably be removed 6 weeks after surgery. As long as the pins are in, my toes will remain straight and flat. I just hope they don't pop back up this time after the pins come out! I don't like having pins sticking out but as long as they are there, my toes will stay put. I am renting the roll-a-bout and I love it! It is so handy around the house! Take care and concentrate on that bone healing! I'll talk to you later!
I am so sorry to hear you have been so sick.
My report is good. The doctor said yesterday that I had as much bone growth in three weeks as he had expected in six. I quit lengthening tomorrow and start on the bone growth stimulator for 10 hours daily.
Hope to hear from you soon that you are doing better.
Judy
Hi toetooshort,
It sounds like you are making great progress! I guess now it is wait and see and hook up to your other gadget everyday. I had my dressings changed this morning and my foot looked rather wicked as I expected. Steri-strips all over the place covered with dried blood! My husband probably would have passed out if he had seen that. He gets rather queasy that way! Some swelling but not too bad. I have a pin sticking out of my 2nd and 3rd toes that will probably be removed 6 weeks after surgery. As long as the pins are in, my toes will remain straight and flat. I just hope they don't pop back up this time after the pins come out! I don't like having pins sticking out but as long as they are there, my toes will stay put. I am renting the roll-a-bout and I love it! It is so handy around the house! Take care and concentrate on that bone healing! I'll talk to you later!
Ronk0747
11-24-2003, 12:02 AM
Hi Fairieswearboots,
Sheesh! I'm sorry to hear about the horrible experience you went through!
My foot surgery took 7 hours! I had my surgery in September. Had a severely collapsed arch and a torn degenerated posterior tibial tendon. Had to have a tendon transplant and bone fusion to reconstruct the arch.
The anesthesia they gave me was a combination of an epidural and what they called a twi-light anesthesia (sedative and hypnotic). The hypnotic blocks your short term memory. Well, it certainly worked. The last thing I remember was it was around 1pm and the anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to just be groggy or if I wanted to be totally out. I told him I wanted to be OUT! He then gave me an injection.
The next thing I know, it's 9pm and I'm being wheeled into recovery! Had tubes through my nose into my lungs to keep the airway open since I have abstructive sleep apnea. Also had a splitting headache! The nurse in recovery gave me two tylenols with a couple sips of water. Bad idea on an empty stomach. I threw it right back up. They then gave me a drug via IV for nausea which worked effectively. I also had a patient controlled device for Morphine which I used as well as Percocet.
Pain management was OK until 2 days post-op when they pulled the Morphine out of me. The Percocet alone wasn't killing the pain so they gave me injections as well. The pain wasn't manageable the only pills until 4 days post-op. That's when I finally went home.
Well I am now almost 9 weeks post-op. Have to be non-weight bearing for another 3 weeks. Then I get my cast removed, get a removable boot and start weight bearing. I'm looking forward to being able to walk again after 3 months of being on crutches. :)
Best of luck on your recovery!
Ron
WOW! - 3 hours is a long time for foot surgery. My previous foot surgeries only lasted for 1 to 1&1/2 hours but I had more repair work done this time and it took 2 hours. Unfortunately, I was unable to have children - otherwise, I probably would have had an epidural. (I don't do pain well!) Since I have never had an epidural, there is something about having a needle put into my back that really creeps me out but as I sit here thinking about it - with all I've had done to my feet, a needle in the back sounds more minor than it used to. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hearing from someone who had it done makes it seem less scary to me so now I think I will research it and reconsider.[/QUOTE]
Sheesh! I'm sorry to hear about the horrible experience you went through!
My foot surgery took 7 hours! I had my surgery in September. Had a severely collapsed arch and a torn degenerated posterior tibial tendon. Had to have a tendon transplant and bone fusion to reconstruct the arch.
The anesthesia they gave me was a combination of an epidural and what they called a twi-light anesthesia (sedative and hypnotic). The hypnotic blocks your short term memory. Well, it certainly worked. The last thing I remember was it was around 1pm and the anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to just be groggy or if I wanted to be totally out. I told him I wanted to be OUT! He then gave me an injection.
The next thing I know, it's 9pm and I'm being wheeled into recovery! Had tubes through my nose into my lungs to keep the airway open since I have abstructive sleep apnea. Also had a splitting headache! The nurse in recovery gave me two tylenols with a couple sips of water. Bad idea on an empty stomach. I threw it right back up. They then gave me a drug via IV for nausea which worked effectively. I also had a patient controlled device for Morphine which I used as well as Percocet.
Pain management was OK until 2 days post-op when they pulled the Morphine out of me. The Percocet alone wasn't killing the pain so they gave me injections as well. The pain wasn't manageable the only pills until 4 days post-op. That's when I finally went home.
Well I am now almost 9 weeks post-op. Have to be non-weight bearing for another 3 weeks. Then I get my cast removed, get a removable boot and start weight bearing. I'm looking forward to being able to walk again after 3 months of being on crutches. :)
Best of luck on your recovery!
Ron
WOW! - 3 hours is a long time for foot surgery. My previous foot surgeries only lasted for 1 to 1&1/2 hours but I had more repair work done this time and it took 2 hours. Unfortunately, I was unable to have children - otherwise, I probably would have had an epidural. (I don't do pain well!) Since I have never had an epidural, there is something about having a needle put into my back that really creeps me out but as I sit here thinking about it - with all I've had done to my feet, a needle in the back sounds more minor than it used to. Thanks for sharing your experience. Hearing from someone who had it done makes it seem less scary to me so now I think I will research it and reconsider.[/QUOTE]
toetooshort
11-25-2003, 12:59 AM
Hi toetooshort,
It sounds like you are making great progress! I guess now it is wait and see and hook up to your other gadget everyday. I had my dressings changed this morning and my foot looked rather wicked as I expected. Steri-strips all over the place covered with dried blood! My husband probably would have passed out if he had seen that. He gets rather queasy that way! Some swelling but not too bad. I have a pin sticking out of my 2nd and 3rd toes that will probably be removed 6 weeks after surgery. As long as the pins are in, my toes will remain straight and flat. I just hope they don't pop back up this time after the pins come out! I don't like having pins sticking out but as long as they are there, my toes will stay put. I am renting the roll-a-bout and I love it! It is so handy around the house! Take care and concentrate on that bone healing! I'll talk to you later!
I'm out of school this week for Thanksgiving Holidays. My kids are coming and we'll celebrate Christmas with them this week. For Christmas my married kids will be with their respective in-laws. That means getting the house ready for Christmas. I'm able to do some but DH is having to do lots for me. It is frustrating to me to try to tell someone else how I want something done.
With the Roll-A-Bout I'm able to do some but I get overconfident and get myself into troublesome situations. So far I have been able to use the BGS for the 10 hours during the daytime. Seems my foot hurts more at night than any other time.
Glad to hear you are doing well. Keep me posted.
It sounds like you are making great progress! I guess now it is wait and see and hook up to your other gadget everyday. I had my dressings changed this morning and my foot looked rather wicked as I expected. Steri-strips all over the place covered with dried blood! My husband probably would have passed out if he had seen that. He gets rather queasy that way! Some swelling but not too bad. I have a pin sticking out of my 2nd and 3rd toes that will probably be removed 6 weeks after surgery. As long as the pins are in, my toes will remain straight and flat. I just hope they don't pop back up this time after the pins come out! I don't like having pins sticking out but as long as they are there, my toes will stay put. I am renting the roll-a-bout and I love it! It is so handy around the house! Take care and concentrate on that bone healing! I'll talk to you later!
I'm out of school this week for Thanksgiving Holidays. My kids are coming and we'll celebrate Christmas with them this week. For Christmas my married kids will be with their respective in-laws. That means getting the house ready for Christmas. I'm able to do some but DH is having to do lots for me. It is frustrating to me to try to tell someone else how I want something done.
With the Roll-A-Bout I'm able to do some but I get overconfident and get myself into troublesome situations. So far I have been able to use the BGS for the 10 hours during the daytime. Seems my foot hurts more at night than any other time.
Glad to hear you are doing well. Keep me posted.
cadewoman247
11-25-2003, 02:15 AM
I am not sure how to use this board but I was looking on the net for bunion surgery that has gone bad and I found this site. I had bunion surgery on my left foot on Jan. 17,03 and I am still in alot of pain. I am in a walking boot and have been in and out of cast,wheel chairs. Changed Dotors, and now he wants to put me back in a cast because I keep breaking my ankle it has been broke 4 times sense March. My Doctor now told me the there was to much bone taken out. The first doctor just laugh at me as if it was funny. I lost my job becuase of this and can not go get a new one and the doctor laughs. Sorry to hear that there are so many people that have had bad surgeries but I am glad that I am not alone anymore. I am tried of this now before my doctor does the recorrective surgery I have to go into a cast to heal the ankle and if it breaks again number 5 then he will do the surgery. That means I will be in a wheel chair for 3 to 4 months more. The first Doctor lied in his reports that I got from him and told me he will stand up in court and say he did it right, and I sign who said anything about court I just want to walk again. He wanted to do the recorrective surgery but would not tell me why and I didn't trust him anymore.
Thanks for listening
Thanks for listening
fairieswearboots
11-29-2003, 01:29 AM
[QUOTE=Ronk0747]Hi Fairieswearboots,
Sheesh! I'm sorry to hear about the horrible experience you went through!
My foot surgery took 7 hours! I had my surgery in September. Had a severely collapsed arch and a torn degenerated posterior tibial tendon. Had to have a tendon transplant and bone fusion to reconstruct the arch.
The anesthesia they gave me was a combination of an epidural and what they called a twi-light anesthesia (sedative and hypnotic). The hypnotic blocks your short term memory. Well, it certainly worked. The last thing I remember was it was around 1pm and the anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to just be groggy or if I wanted to be totally out. I told him I wanted to be OUT! He then gave me an injection.
The next thing I know, it's 9pm and I'm being wheeled into recovery! Had tubes through my nose into my lungs to keep the airway open since I have abstructive sleep apnea. Also had a splitting headache! The nurse in recovery gave me two tylenols with a couple sips of water. Bad idea on an empty stomach. I threw it right back up. They then gave me a drug via IV for nausea which worked effectively. I also had a patient controlled device for Morphine which I used as well as Percocet.
Pain management was OK until 2 days post-op when they pulled the Morphine out of me. The Percocet alone wasn't killing the pain so they gave me injections as well. The pain wasn't manageable the only pills until 4 days post-op. That's when I finally went home.
Well I am now almost 9 weeks post-op. Have to be non-weight bearing for another 3 weeks. Then I get my cast removed, get a removable boot and start weight bearing. I'm looking forward to being able to walk again after 3 months of being on crutches. :)
Best of luck on your recovery!
Ron
Hi Ronk0747,
If I was having surgery that was going to last 7 hours, I would want it to be scheduled to start 1st thing in the morning! Your immediate post-op recovery from that sounds like a nightmare as well. I was on a PCA pump with morphine once about 15 years ago when I was in the hospital for a totally different type of surgery. The pain control with that was excellent plus they were dripping in Dramamine along with it that totally prevented nausea. But, like you, when they pulled that PCA pump 2-3 days later in the afternoon before I was going to be discharged (in the morning) I had the same problem. Pain pills (Tylonel with codeine) wasn't helping the pain much - just messed up my head a lot. Then they tried injections which helped some but still pain and I couldn't fall asleep. Then, the nurse asked me if I wanted to try a sleeping pill and I said yes and she gave me Seconal. That knocked me out and I got a good night's sleep. I woke up in pain again but at least I got some much needed sleep that night!
I think they use Ambien a lot now for sleeping pills in the hospitals as well as prescription for home use. Despite the commercials on TV, the Ambien makes me very groggy when I wake up the next morning. It does help me sleep but not quite as strong as that Seconal was (which really knocked me for a loop)! I only took the Ambiem for a few nights during my immediate post-op period. I'll save the rest for my other foot surgery next year.
Good luck on your recovery. I bet you'll be very glad to get off crutches after 3 months! It gets old fast. I am only 11 days post-op now and it feels like I have been on crutches for a month already. Take care.
Sheesh! I'm sorry to hear about the horrible experience you went through!
My foot surgery took 7 hours! I had my surgery in September. Had a severely collapsed arch and a torn degenerated posterior tibial tendon. Had to have a tendon transplant and bone fusion to reconstruct the arch.
The anesthesia they gave me was a combination of an epidural and what they called a twi-light anesthesia (sedative and hypnotic). The hypnotic blocks your short term memory. Well, it certainly worked. The last thing I remember was it was around 1pm and the anesthesiologist asked me if I wanted to just be groggy or if I wanted to be totally out. I told him I wanted to be OUT! He then gave me an injection.
The next thing I know, it's 9pm and I'm being wheeled into recovery! Had tubes through my nose into my lungs to keep the airway open since I have abstructive sleep apnea. Also had a splitting headache! The nurse in recovery gave me two tylenols with a couple sips of water. Bad idea on an empty stomach. I threw it right back up. They then gave me a drug via IV for nausea which worked effectively. I also had a patient controlled device for Morphine which I used as well as Percocet.
Pain management was OK until 2 days post-op when they pulled the Morphine out of me. The Percocet alone wasn't killing the pain so they gave me injections as well. The pain wasn't manageable the only pills until 4 days post-op. That's when I finally went home.
Well I am now almost 9 weeks post-op. Have to be non-weight bearing for another 3 weeks. Then I get my cast removed, get a removable boot and start weight bearing. I'm looking forward to being able to walk again after 3 months of being on crutches. :)
Best of luck on your recovery!
Ron
Hi Ronk0747,
If I was having surgery that was going to last 7 hours, I would want it to be scheduled to start 1st thing in the morning! Your immediate post-op recovery from that sounds like a nightmare as well. I was on a PCA pump with morphine once about 15 years ago when I was in the hospital for a totally different type of surgery. The pain control with that was excellent plus they were dripping in Dramamine along with it that totally prevented nausea. But, like you, when they pulled that PCA pump 2-3 days later in the afternoon before I was going to be discharged (in the morning) I had the same problem. Pain pills (Tylonel with codeine) wasn't helping the pain much - just messed up my head a lot. Then they tried injections which helped some but still pain and I couldn't fall asleep. Then, the nurse asked me if I wanted to try a sleeping pill and I said yes and she gave me Seconal. That knocked me out and I got a good night's sleep. I woke up in pain again but at least I got some much needed sleep that night!
I think they use Ambien a lot now for sleeping pills in the hospitals as well as prescription for home use. Despite the commercials on TV, the Ambien makes me very groggy when I wake up the next morning. It does help me sleep but not quite as strong as that Seconal was (which really knocked me for a loop)! I only took the Ambiem for a few nights during my immediate post-op period. I'll save the rest for my other foot surgery next year.
Good luck on your recovery. I bet you'll be very glad to get off crutches after 3 months! It gets old fast. I am only 11 days post-op now and it feels like I have been on crutches for a month already. Take care.
fairieswearboots
11-29-2003, 02:34 AM
I'm out of school this week for Thanksgiving Holidays. My kids are coming and we'll celebrate Christmas with them this week. For Christmas my married kids will be with their respective in-laws. That means getting the house ready for Christmas. I'm able to do some but DH is having to do lots for me. It is frustrating to me to try to tell someone else how I want something done.
With the Roll-A-Bout I'm able to do some but I get overconfident and get myself into troublesome situations. So far I have been able to use the BGS for the 10 hours during the daytime. Seems my foot hurts more at night than any other time.
Glad to hear you are doing well. Keep me posted.
Hi toetooshort,
It sounds like you have had a very busy week (now that it is actually Saturday already!). I hope you have been having fun! I know what you mean about getting the house ready for Christmas. I am just going to skip the Christmas decorating this year. I feel like I could do so little right now. I have been having Christmas Eve dinner at my house the last few years but that just isn't going to happen this year. Someone else will have to take that on. I don't have children but I do have 3 brothers (one married with children) on my side of the family.
I usually decorate like crazy and a good friend of mine (who has a knack for decorating anyway) offered to put up my tree and decorate it for me. I am sure she would do a great job but I just want to skip it this year since I won't be hosting our traditional Christmas Eve dinner anyway. And just think, I won't have to put all that stuff away afterwards! I don't want DH to even try. He didn't do so hot with the grocery shopping a few days ago so I am going to go to the grocery store with him this weekend and use the wheelchair cart. That is actually a pain so mabey next time he will get it right! He IS a good guy though, really, and his heart was in the right place!
As far as foot pain goes, I was doing OK at night for awhile until the last 2 nights. Last night I awakened with terrible foot pain. I did not take any pain medicine and finally went back to sleep. This night (Friday night (now it is actually Saturday morning)) I went to bed early and drifted in an out for about 3 hours. Then I started having terrible foot pain which surprised me so I got up and took some pain medicine and decided to catch up with the message boards to take my mind off my foot. The medicine and diversion has helped and I am sleepy now so I will go back to bed soon and hopefully get through the rest of the night without further incident. I think it is healing pains because when most of your body is at rest, your body can concentrate its efforts on the healing forces that need to occur. That's what I think anyway.
Well, take care. Hope to hear from you soon!
With the Roll-A-Bout I'm able to do some but I get overconfident and get myself into troublesome situations. So far I have been able to use the BGS for the 10 hours during the daytime. Seems my foot hurts more at night than any other time.
Glad to hear you are doing well. Keep me posted.
Hi toetooshort,
It sounds like you have had a very busy week (now that it is actually Saturday already!). I hope you have been having fun! I know what you mean about getting the house ready for Christmas. I am just going to skip the Christmas decorating this year. I feel like I could do so little right now. I have been having Christmas Eve dinner at my house the last few years but that just isn't going to happen this year. Someone else will have to take that on. I don't have children but I do have 3 brothers (one married with children) on my side of the family.
I usually decorate like crazy and a good friend of mine (who has a knack for decorating anyway) offered to put up my tree and decorate it for me. I am sure she would do a great job but I just want to skip it this year since I won't be hosting our traditional Christmas Eve dinner anyway. And just think, I won't have to put all that stuff away afterwards! I don't want DH to even try. He didn't do so hot with the grocery shopping a few days ago so I am going to go to the grocery store with him this weekend and use the wheelchair cart. That is actually a pain so mabey next time he will get it right! He IS a good guy though, really, and his heart was in the right place!
As far as foot pain goes, I was doing OK at night for awhile until the last 2 nights. Last night I awakened with terrible foot pain. I did not take any pain medicine and finally went back to sleep. This night (Friday night (now it is actually Saturday morning)) I went to bed early and drifted in an out for about 3 hours. Then I started having terrible foot pain which surprised me so I got up and took some pain medicine and decided to catch up with the message boards to take my mind off my foot. The medicine and diversion has helped and I am sleepy now so I will go back to bed soon and hopefully get through the rest of the night without further incident. I think it is healing pains because when most of your body is at rest, your body can concentrate its efforts on the healing forces that need to occur. That's what I think anyway.
Well, take care. Hope to hear from you soon!
mom2chet
11-30-2003, 01:45 AM
Hi toetooshort,
It sounds like you have had a very busy week (now that it is actually Saturday already!). I hope you have been having fun! I know what you mean about getting the house ready for Christmas. I am just going to skip the Christmas decorating this year. I feel like I could do so little right now. I have been having Christmas Eve dinner at my house the last few years but that just isn't going to happen this year. Someone else will have to take that on. I don't have children but I do have 3 brothers (one married with children) on my side of the family.
I usually decorate like crazy and a good friend of mine (who has a knack for decorating anyway) offered to put up my tree and decorate it for me. I am sure she would do a great job but I just want to skip it this year since I won't be hosting our traditional Christmas Eve dinner anyway. And just think, I won't have to put all that stuff away afterwards! I don't want DH to even try. He didn't do so hot with the grocery shopping a few days ago so I am going to go to the grocery store with him this weekend and use the wheelchair cart. That is actually a pain so mabey next time he will get it right! He IS a good guy though, really, and his heart was in the right place!
As far as foot pain goes, I was doing OK at night for awhile until the last 2 nights. Last night I awakened with terrible foot pain. I did not take any pain medicine and finally went back to sleep. This night (Friday night (now it is actually Saturday morning)) I went to bed early and drifted in an out for about 3 hours. Then I started having terrible foot pain which surprised me so I got up and took some pain medicine and decided to catch up with the message boards to take my mind off my foot. The medicine and diversion has helped and I am sleepy now so I will go back to bed soon and hopefully get through the rest of the night without further incident. I think it is healing pains because when most of your body is at rest, your body can concentrate its efforts on the healing forces that need to occur. That's what I think anyway.
Well, take care. Hope to hear from you soon!
Good to hear from you. As you can see, they finally "unbanned" me. I have really enjoyed having my family here for the past few days and I am really ready for them to go home. The girls did a wonderful job with Thanksgiving dinner. It is hard to sit back and let others do what I normally do.
I slept last night but am awake tonight. Probably need to take a sleeping pill so that I can get in a few hours. Seems that too much activity makes it hard for me to sleep.
The girls and I went shopping with me in the Roll-A-Bout. Crowded stores and long lines were a little hard to deal with. I think that is why I am experiencing so much additional pain and swelling. Using the bone growth stimulator is a real pain. Sometime I have it on my body but it comes apart and then does no good at all. I am tired of this whole situation and a little angry that my first doctor did not realize that the screw did not stay in place after the first surgery a year ago on Monday until 7 weeks after the surgery. I think all of my problems could have been avoided if he had caught the problem earlier. I think I am rambling.
Hope you have a good day tomorrow.
As far as Christmas goes...it is over for my immediate family. My grandchildren and children all celebrated this week. My son and daughter will celebrate Christmas at their in-laws this year. My youngest son is going on our family cruise and that is his Christmas. DH did decorate outside but we are doing very little inside. It's just too hard when you can't do it yourself.
It sounds like you have had a very busy week (now that it is actually Saturday already!). I hope you have been having fun! I know what you mean about getting the house ready for Christmas. I am just going to skip the Christmas decorating this year. I feel like I could do so little right now. I have been having Christmas Eve dinner at my house the last few years but that just isn't going to happen this year. Someone else will have to take that on. I don't have children but I do have 3 brothers (one married with children) on my side of the family.
I usually decorate like crazy and a good friend of mine (who has a knack for decorating anyway) offered to put up my tree and decorate it for me. I am sure she would do a great job but I just want to skip it this year since I won't be hosting our traditional Christmas Eve dinner anyway. And just think, I won't have to put all that stuff away afterwards! I don't want DH to even try. He didn't do so hot with the grocery shopping a few days ago so I am going to go to the grocery store with him this weekend and use the wheelchair cart. That is actually a pain so mabey next time he will get it right! He IS a good guy though, really, and his heart was in the right place!
As far as foot pain goes, I was doing OK at night for awhile until the last 2 nights. Last night I awakened with terrible foot pain. I did not take any pain medicine and finally went back to sleep. This night (Friday night (now it is actually Saturday morning)) I went to bed early and drifted in an out for about 3 hours. Then I started having terrible foot pain which surprised me so I got up and took some pain medicine and decided to catch up with the message boards to take my mind off my foot. The medicine and diversion has helped and I am sleepy now so I will go back to bed soon and hopefully get through the rest of the night without further incident. I think it is healing pains because when most of your body is at rest, your body can concentrate its efforts on the healing forces that need to occur. That's what I think anyway.
Well, take care. Hope to hear from you soon!
Good to hear from you. As you can see, they finally "unbanned" me. I have really enjoyed having my family here for the past few days and I am really ready for them to go home. The girls did a wonderful job with Thanksgiving dinner. It is hard to sit back and let others do what I normally do.
I slept last night but am awake tonight. Probably need to take a sleeping pill so that I can get in a few hours. Seems that too much activity makes it hard for me to sleep.
The girls and I went shopping with me in the Roll-A-Bout. Crowded stores and long lines were a little hard to deal with. I think that is why I am experiencing so much additional pain and swelling. Using the bone growth stimulator is a real pain. Sometime I have it on my body but it comes apart and then does no good at all. I am tired of this whole situation and a little angry that my first doctor did not realize that the screw did not stay in place after the first surgery a year ago on Monday until 7 weeks after the surgery. I think all of my problems could have been avoided if he had caught the problem earlier. I think I am rambling.
Hope you have a good day tomorrow.
As far as Christmas goes...it is over for my immediate family. My grandchildren and children all celebrated this week. My son and daughter will celebrate Christmas at their in-laws this year. My youngest son is going on our family cruise and that is his Christmas. DH did decorate outside but we are doing very little inside. It's just too hard when you can't do it yourself.
mom2chet
11-30-2003, 01:49 AM
cadewoman247,
There are lots of us who have had bad experiences with bunion surgery. However, there are probably many more who have no complaints. My saga began a year ago. In a nutshell, my toe was shortened too much causing great pain at the second metatarsal. I have extended my toe over a centimeter using an external fixation device. I am working with a third doctor.
My first doctor said I had a neuroma when I complained of the pain and I sought a second and third opinion. If you doctor is laughing at your pain, find another one.
There are lots of us who have had bad experiences with bunion surgery. However, there are probably many more who have no complaints. My saga began a year ago. In a nutshell, my toe was shortened too much causing great pain at the second metatarsal. I have extended my toe over a centimeter using an external fixation device. I am working with a third doctor.
My first doctor said I had a neuroma when I complained of the pain and I sought a second and third opinion. If you doctor is laughing at your pain, find another one.