Dutchgirl
08-29-2006, 03:17 AM
Hi everyone, sorry it took me a few days, but it’s been a little challenging. Last Tuesday I went in at 6:00 AM for an ACDF surgery on C5/6. Waiting outside the surgery room (on a hospital bed) while they prepared for the surgery was the hardest. I’ll admit it, I cried! I was petrified. :eek: The anesthesiologist came out, and talked to me in the hallway, and asked me if I felt better now that he had talked to me about everything? I told him that I felt like getting up, and running out of the hospital in my beautiful hospital gown with my silver hat that they made me wear. He said that someone actually did that once, and was running down the street with their gown flapping open hee hee, that’s funny. Once I was in the surgery room I told them that they should at least hang some nice pictures up or something, and make it more cheery…. The anesthesiologist put my IV in (which I didn’t feel at all), and put some medication in it, and after that…I can’t remember a thing. The surgery was 3 hours. When I finally woke up in my room, I had a lot of discomfort. They gave me morphine, and 2 percocets, and a valium. I could’ve sworn that I saw chocolate floating? I also told my husband that our cat looks like a monkey, and a few other wacky things. Usually I can take one pain killer, and it will knock me out for the rest of the day, so this was a lot of pain meds for me.
The next day they sent me home, and I was feeling pretty good. Definitely hard to swallow stuff, but other than that I felt good. The ride home was really hard, and I started to feel nauseated. Once I was home I sat up in my bed, and was planning on watching a movie, but I kept on getting more and more nauseated. I tried to throw up, but quickly realized that that would not feel real good. Unfortunately I threw up anyways, and pretty much for 7 hours straight, until I could not take it anymore. :( I did not have any pain meds in me anymore, and I was completely miserable. Hunched over, and with puke bucket in hand my hubby took me back to the hospital. They gave me another IV (which was hard to do, because I was so dehydrated), and gave me meds for nausea, and different pain meds. I’m pretty sure that it was all the pain meds, that made me so sick.
I have been feeling better during the day, but I think that I over did it, and I am now hurting pretty bad. My shoulder radiates with pain up to my ear? Is it normal to be so sore? I was considering going back to work this week, but now I’m not so sure. How much is too much? It’s really hard to sleep comfortably! I usually take a valium, and that helps.
Sorry have to quit typing for tonight, cause it is making me more sore…
~Annette
The next day they sent me home, and I was feeling pretty good. Definitely hard to swallow stuff, but other than that I felt good. The ride home was really hard, and I started to feel nauseated. Once I was home I sat up in my bed, and was planning on watching a movie, but I kept on getting more and more nauseated. I tried to throw up, but quickly realized that that would not feel real good. Unfortunately I threw up anyways, and pretty much for 7 hours straight, until I could not take it anymore. :( I did not have any pain meds in me anymore, and I was completely miserable. Hunched over, and with puke bucket in hand my hubby took me back to the hospital. They gave me another IV (which was hard to do, because I was so dehydrated), and gave me meds for nausea, and different pain meds. I’m pretty sure that it was all the pain meds, that made me so sick.
I have been feeling better during the day, but I think that I over did it, and I am now hurting pretty bad. My shoulder radiates with pain up to my ear? Is it normal to be so sore? I was considering going back to work this week, but now I’m not so sure. How much is too much? It’s really hard to sleep comfortably! I usually take a valium, and that helps.
Sorry have to quit typing for tonight, cause it is making me more sore…
~Annette
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ThoreauFan
08-29-2006, 05:23 AM
Rest, rest, and then rest some more.
Don't even worry about work right now.
Don't even worry about work right now.
dennisgb
08-29-2006, 12:01 PM
NO WORK!
Stop even thinking about it. Take care of yourself first!
You docs should have restricted you from working.
They also should restrict you from thinking about it!
Stop even thinking about it. Take care of yourself first!
You docs should have restricted you from working.
They also should restrict you from thinking about it!
Kissa
08-29-2006, 01:18 PM
I'm sorry to hear you had such a hard time the first few days. I would bet that the reason you got so sick was from the morphine. Individuals who are not narcotic tolerant often end up getting quite sick from morphine. It does stay in your system for more than just a few hours. I'm glad your husband took you back to the hospital.
Are you on any pain medications now? If so be sure you take them as scheduled, getting to the pain before it gets out of control is really the key. If you aren't please call your doctor and have him prescribe something. You should not be without basic pain control.
While I was not working when I had my surgery done, I do know several who were. Most individuals are off work for up to 6 weeks. Are you able to do that? Do you have short term disability available to your or is the company large enough to allow you to use FMLA?
I found that my surgical pain subsided about two weeks post op. The thing is I would over do things because I felt good from the pain meds which would put me in a loop of more severe pain. As others said please rest and let your hubby take care of you! Let him spoil you, you deserve it. Even though you were only in the hospital 24 hours it doesn't make it any less of a serious surgery!
It is normal to be sore. Please use ice for 20 minutes every hour if needed. Do not use heat unless directed by your doctor because it can induce swelling. You just had major surgery, you WILL be sore for a while! And when you start therapy you'll find new pains cropping up so please do rush things and expect to feel 100% right away. Most of what you feel now isn't from your cervical problem but from the actual proceedure itself. You will get better though!
I think for me it took 2 or so weeks before I could even spend a half an hour at the pc. I didn't start doing light housework for probably 4 weeks because it just simply wore me out too quickly.
You aren't a super human, many of us have been through this too and we know it does take at least a few weeks before you feel remotely human.
good luck and again, please get some rest!!
Barb
Are you on any pain medications now? If so be sure you take them as scheduled, getting to the pain before it gets out of control is really the key. If you aren't please call your doctor and have him prescribe something. You should not be without basic pain control.
While I was not working when I had my surgery done, I do know several who were. Most individuals are off work for up to 6 weeks. Are you able to do that? Do you have short term disability available to your or is the company large enough to allow you to use FMLA?
I found that my surgical pain subsided about two weeks post op. The thing is I would over do things because I felt good from the pain meds which would put me in a loop of more severe pain. As others said please rest and let your hubby take care of you! Let him spoil you, you deserve it. Even though you were only in the hospital 24 hours it doesn't make it any less of a serious surgery!
It is normal to be sore. Please use ice for 20 minutes every hour if needed. Do not use heat unless directed by your doctor because it can induce swelling. You just had major surgery, you WILL be sore for a while! And when you start therapy you'll find new pains cropping up so please do rush things and expect to feel 100% right away. Most of what you feel now isn't from your cervical problem but from the actual proceedure itself. You will get better though!
I think for me it took 2 or so weeks before I could even spend a half an hour at the pc. I didn't start doing light housework for probably 4 weeks because it just simply wore me out too quickly.
You aren't a super human, many of us have been through this too and we know it does take at least a few weeks before you feel remotely human.
good luck and again, please get some rest!!
Barb
neckpatient
08-29-2006, 02:27 PM
Welcome home and get lots of rest - work will always be there, as will the dirty dishes, house work and laundry, the world won't come to an end if you if you take your time and let them sit. You should take care of yourself.
NAPPSIE
08-29-2006, 03:03 PM
So happy to hear from you:) I had female surgery last fall....and sorry to say I was sick to my stomach for 2 weeks following the morphine. So, that does take a while for some of us. But, they have to use it! I don't personally think work should be on your mind at all. Simply rest until you can go a few hours without thinking of pain, then you'll be ready. I can't believe you're already considering it. Your health must come first. TAKE CARE!!!!!:wave:
NYD
08-29-2006, 06:26 PM
Hello. I just had my C5/6 done on Aug 14th. I too almost ran from THAT room outside the OR. It's amazing that we can put our lives in other's hands like that. Don't be a hero, REST. It is so easy to fall into that trap. I feel pretty good at two weeks, but I am not working until after 6 weeks.
Good luck. :)
Cameron
Good luck. :)
Cameron
SpineAZ
08-29-2006, 09:36 PM
Annette:
If the pain medications continue to cause nausea (if that was the problem) your doctor may be able to provide medication for the nausea. I also found that eating at least one slice of bread before each medication and that helped a lot.
I'm sure that part of your pain is from the throwing up. You were definetly using neck, shoulder and arm muscles as you heaved (sorry, but it's true) so give it a few days to see if that specific pain subsides.
Karin
ACDF C5-7
5/18/06
If the pain medications continue to cause nausea (if that was the problem) your doctor may be able to provide medication for the nausea. I also found that eating at least one slice of bread before each medication and that helped a lot.
I'm sure that part of your pain is from the throwing up. You were definetly using neck, shoulder and arm muscles as you heaved (sorry, but it's true) so give it a few days to see if that specific pain subsides.
Karin
ACDF C5-7
5/18/06
mthu2189
08-29-2006, 09:58 PM
Hello Annette from sunny australia,
Whatever you do, do not return to work early, at least six weeks rest of you, and don't be tempted to bend over and unpack that dishwasher!!!:eek: as most of us with the cute little neck scare have done in the past. I went bck to work after 5 weeks and have nothing but trouble since. Do your body a favour and CHILL OUT:D
I was really sick from the pain medication too, couldn't have morphine, but that gave me pethadine, (just as bad) couldn't stop spewing!!!! hours!!!!!:dizzy:
Take care of you
Monica:wave:
Whatever you do, do not return to work early, at least six weeks rest of you, and don't be tempted to bend over and unpack that dishwasher!!!:eek: as most of us with the cute little neck scare have done in the past. I went bck to work after 5 weeks and have nothing but trouble since. Do your body a favour and CHILL OUT:D
I was really sick from the pain medication too, couldn't have morphine, but that gave me pethadine, (just as bad) couldn't stop spewing!!!! hours!!!!!:dizzy:
Take care of you
Monica:wave:
Dutchgirl
08-30-2006, 05:38 AM
Thanks for all the sweet replies! I love this website, because I always learn something new. I didn't even think that because I threw up for so many hours that I would be even more sore, but that does make sense. It's weird, because during the day the pain is tolerable, and I can swallow food pretty well, but at night the pain gets really bad, and I can barely swallow water. I suppose that's normal.... Why does it hurt so bad if you bend over?
The reason I thought about going back to work so soon is because of financial reasons. I have 5 teenage sons living at home still, and I don't want to make things hard for everyone. I am on FMLA, but only have about 4 vacation days that I could use, since we accrue vacation time with every paycheck. Also my doc said that I would only need to be out for 7-10 days (is it supposed to be longer?), but I am definitely not going to back this week. I will not go back while I still have a lot of pain, because my job requires 8 hours of typing, and that will aggrevate it more.
I am not using much pain meds, because I have a real hard time with them, but I will take 1, and a Valium before I go to bed.
Wow I really had no idea how frustrating this would be. It's funny.. sometimes I will watch people mow the lawn or do pull-ups at the gym, and I just want to tell them to be careful, and have good posture, and so on.... so that they do not end up with a screwed up neck.
Thanks and bless all of you! :angel:
The reason I thought about going back to work so soon is because of financial reasons. I have 5 teenage sons living at home still, and I don't want to make things hard for everyone. I am on FMLA, but only have about 4 vacation days that I could use, since we accrue vacation time with every paycheck. Also my doc said that I would only need to be out for 7-10 days (is it supposed to be longer?), but I am definitely not going to back this week. I will not go back while I still have a lot of pain, because my job requires 8 hours of typing, and that will aggrevate it more.
I am not using much pain meds, because I have a real hard time with them, but I will take 1, and a Valium before I go to bed.
Wow I really had no idea how frustrating this would be. It's funny.. sometimes I will watch people mow the lawn or do pull-ups at the gym, and I just want to tell them to be careful, and have good posture, and so on.... so that they do not end up with a screwed up neck.
Thanks and bless all of you! :angel:
dennisgb
08-30-2006, 11:25 AM
I was out of work for 6 weeks and only went back half days for two.
I can't even imagine how you could go back in 7-10 days. I think your body will make you pay for it if you do. I don't know how you will be able to drive that soon. Honestly, I think it's crazy to even try.
On the sore throat, did you have BMP (bone growth hormone)?
It causes increased swelling, and can make the throat worse than normal.
I can't even imagine how you could go back in 7-10 days. I think your body will make you pay for it if you do. I don't know how you will be able to drive that soon. Honestly, I think it's crazy to even try.
On the sore throat, did you have BMP (bone growth hormone)?
It causes increased swelling, and can make the throat worse than normal.
ember919
08-30-2006, 12:24 PM
Good grief, you've got FIVE teenage sons at home and you don't want to "make things hard for everyone"?!?
That is very sweet, but if there were ever a time to kick back and be selfish, this is it. You should have everyone in the house worrying about YOU and how you feel. Put them all to work waiting on you hand and foot.
OK, I'm one to talk, as I made dinner for my husband the night I came home from the hospital, but, y'know, hindsight and all that.
The most important thing to you right now is rest, rest, rest and more rest. Everything hurts more at night because it's all pooped from your activities throughout the day. Things hurt when you bend over because you're stressing the very parts that have just been operated on. Give them lots of rest and time to heal. General rule of thumb - if it hurts, don't do it.
I hate to think how awful throwing up must have been right after surgery. Yikes. You poor thing.
Perhaps you could ask your doctor about another pain medication like Darvocet or Ultracet?
I think - and maybe others will comment? - the general consensus on a reasonable time out of work is about six weeks. I'd really like to give a knock to all the surgeons who tell patients they should have no problem going back to work right away, or that they'll be up and around just fine in a week or two. It gives patients an unrealistic expectation, and all too many times I see people feeling guilty or ashamed because they can't meet that expectation.
Keep in mind that you just went through a major surgery. That little scar may fool you into thinking otherwise, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Respect your body. Respect your pain. And hopefully you and all the others with recent surgeries will be feeling better soon.
That is very sweet, but if there were ever a time to kick back and be selfish, this is it. You should have everyone in the house worrying about YOU and how you feel. Put them all to work waiting on you hand and foot.
OK, I'm one to talk, as I made dinner for my husband the night I came home from the hospital, but, y'know, hindsight and all that.
The most important thing to you right now is rest, rest, rest and more rest. Everything hurts more at night because it's all pooped from your activities throughout the day. Things hurt when you bend over because you're stressing the very parts that have just been operated on. Give them lots of rest and time to heal. General rule of thumb - if it hurts, don't do it.
I hate to think how awful throwing up must have been right after surgery. Yikes. You poor thing.
Perhaps you could ask your doctor about another pain medication like Darvocet or Ultracet?
I think - and maybe others will comment? - the general consensus on a reasonable time out of work is about six weeks. I'd really like to give a knock to all the surgeons who tell patients they should have no problem going back to work right away, or that they'll be up and around just fine in a week or two. It gives patients an unrealistic expectation, and all too many times I see people feeling guilty or ashamed because they can't meet that expectation.
Keep in mind that you just went through a major surgery. That little scar may fool you into thinking otherwise, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Respect your body. Respect your pain. And hopefully you and all the others with recent surgeries will be feeling better soon.
Kissa
08-30-2006, 02:21 PM
I agree with Ember, your sons should be taking care of you and the house, period. I have two sons who are now adults but during my surgeries they've always taken care of me, even when they were just young boys barely into their teens.
I think 4-6 weeks is a resonable amount of time before returning to work. Sometimes we have to consider our health over finances. Does your company not offer short term disability? If you are on FMLA they must have at least 100 employees and you have to have been there at least a year to even qualify. I'd think that a company of that size would have STD. At least if they did you'd be able to offset some income that way.
I think that by going back to work early would impede your healing, especially since you are a heavy typer. It took me a few weeks before I could even sit at the pc for any reasonable amount of time so I can't imagine you sitting there for 8 hours straight!
I hope you get to feeling better soon
I think 4-6 weeks is a resonable amount of time before returning to work. Sometimes we have to consider our health over finances. Does your company not offer short term disability? If you are on FMLA they must have at least 100 employees and you have to have been there at least a year to even qualify. I'd think that a company of that size would have STD. At least if they did you'd be able to offset some income that way.
I think that by going back to work early would impede your healing, especially since you are a heavy typer. It took me a few weeks before I could even sit at the pc for any reasonable amount of time so I can't imagine you sitting there for 8 hours straight!
I hope you get to feeling better soon
Dutchgirl
08-30-2006, 04:12 PM
I was out of work for 6 weeks and only went back half days for two.
I can't even imagine how you could go back in 7-10 days. I think your body will make you pay for it if you do. I don't know how you will be able to drive that soon. Honestly, I think it's crazy to even try.
On the sore throat, did you have BMP (bone growth hormone)?
It causes increased swelling, and can make the throat worse than normal.
Hi Dennis,
Did you have several levels done? My neurosurgeon said that since it is one level C5/6 that you can go back to normal life faster. I'm not sure about the bone growth hormone? Is that something they usually do with donor bone?
~Annette
I can't even imagine how you could go back in 7-10 days. I think your body will make you pay for it if you do. I don't know how you will be able to drive that soon. Honestly, I think it's crazy to even try.
On the sore throat, did you have BMP (bone growth hormone)?
It causes increased swelling, and can make the throat worse than normal.
Hi Dennis,
Did you have several levels done? My neurosurgeon said that since it is one level C5/6 that you can go back to normal life faster. I'm not sure about the bone growth hormone? Is that something they usually do with donor bone?
~Annette
dennisgb
08-30-2006, 06:20 PM
If you go out and find other posts by me, you will find a lot of ranting and raving about this. It has to do with our "fast" society. Everyone wants quick answers, quick results...blah, blah, blah. the doctors want to have happy patients, so they tell them what they want to hear.
I totally disagree with this. Do you feel like you could go back to work? Are you wearing a collar? How will you drive? And how will you turn your head to see oncoming traffic? And what was that crunch I heard? I would never, ever do it that quick.
I don't believe it's possible to go back that fast...and, I don't think it's a good idea either. The healing process takes up to a year. It takes a good 4-6 weeks for the fusion to start.
One level, two levels, doesn't make any difference. The surgery, and recovery is the same. I just have a plate that has six screws instead of four.
I guarantee you will have a set back if you go back that soon. You need to do a search on here about recovery time and work. You will find very few people who attempted to go back as quick as you are talking about...a few tried at 2 weeks and they suffered. 95% of people were out 4-6 weeks.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!
SLOW DOWN!!!
You will thank me someday for yelling at you:)
You doc would have had to tell you he was using BMP.
I totally disagree with this. Do you feel like you could go back to work? Are you wearing a collar? How will you drive? And how will you turn your head to see oncoming traffic? And what was that crunch I heard? I would never, ever do it that quick.
I don't believe it's possible to go back that fast...and, I don't think it's a good idea either. The healing process takes up to a year. It takes a good 4-6 weeks for the fusion to start.
One level, two levels, doesn't make any difference. The surgery, and recovery is the same. I just have a plate that has six screws instead of four.
I guarantee you will have a set back if you go back that soon. You need to do a search on here about recovery time and work. You will find very few people who attempted to go back as quick as you are talking about...a few tried at 2 weeks and they suffered. 95% of people were out 4-6 weeks.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!
SLOW DOWN!!!
You will thank me someday for yelling at you:)
You doc would have had to tell you he was using BMP.
sunshine221
08-30-2006, 11:31 PM
I own my own small business. I went back after about three weeks and in the 5th week I was begging my husband to let me stay home another week. Since he was driving I didnt have too much of a choice but I did have a couch to lie down on for part of the day.
I agree - 4-6 weeks!!! (even if one level - your body still needs to heal)
I agree - 4-6 weeks!!! (even if one level - your body still needs to heal)
Dutchgirl
08-31-2006, 02:38 AM
If you go out and find other posts by me, you will find a lot of ranting and raving about this. It has to do with our "fast" society. Everyone wants quick answers, quick results...blah, blah, blah. the doctors want to have happy patients, so they tell them what they want to hear.
I totally disagree with this. Do you feel like you could go back to work? Are you wearing a collar? How will you drive? And how will you turn your head to see oncoming traffic? And what was that crunch I heard? I would never, ever do it that quick.
I don't believe it's possible to go back that fast...and, I don't think it's a good idea either. The healing process takes up to a year. It takes a good 4-6 weeks for the fusion to start.
One level, two levels, doesn't make any difference. The surgery, and recovery is the same. I just have a plate that has six screws instead of four.
I guarantee you will have a set back if you go back that soon. You need to do a search on here about recovery time and work. You will find very few people who attempted to go back as quick as you are talking about...a few tried at 2 weeks and they suffered. 95% of people were out 4-6 weeks.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!
SLOW DOWN!!!
You will thank me someday for yelling at you:)
You doc would have had to tell you he was using BMP.
Wow, thanks Dennis. I just had no idea. You are so right it has a lot to do with our faster society. You can have heart surgery now, and be out of the hospital the next day. I wish that I would've stayed another night, then maybe they could've caught my nausea, and it wouldn't have turned into such a nightmare. They pretty much ripped me out of bed right after the surgery, and made me walk, and I can't believe how quickly they got my papers together to check me out. Makes you feel real good! What the H*#@! have I been paying medical insurance for all these years? Well don't get me started on that one, because it will make my blood boil!
Thanks for yelling at me, and please always do if I need it, because I am a stubborn mule! My husband yelled at me today too, and made me take a pain killer while he was watching me. I really don't know how I would deal with all of this if you guys were not here.
I actually do not have a collar, but some days I wish that I did. I wish that I could put my arm in one of those sling things, because it helps to take the pressure of.
Thanks!!!!!! :D
I totally disagree with this. Do you feel like you could go back to work? Are you wearing a collar? How will you drive? And how will you turn your head to see oncoming traffic? And what was that crunch I heard? I would never, ever do it that quick.
I don't believe it's possible to go back that fast...and, I don't think it's a good idea either. The healing process takes up to a year. It takes a good 4-6 weeks for the fusion to start.
One level, two levels, doesn't make any difference. The surgery, and recovery is the same. I just have a plate that has six screws instead of four.
I guarantee you will have a set back if you go back that soon. You need to do a search on here about recovery time and work. You will find very few people who attempted to go back as quick as you are talking about...a few tried at 2 weeks and they suffered. 95% of people were out 4-6 weeks.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!!
SLOW DOWN!!!
You will thank me someday for yelling at you:)
You doc would have had to tell you he was using BMP.
Wow, thanks Dennis. I just had no idea. You are so right it has a lot to do with our faster society. You can have heart surgery now, and be out of the hospital the next day. I wish that I would've stayed another night, then maybe they could've caught my nausea, and it wouldn't have turned into such a nightmare. They pretty much ripped me out of bed right after the surgery, and made me walk, and I can't believe how quickly they got my papers together to check me out. Makes you feel real good! What the H*#@! have I been paying medical insurance for all these years? Well don't get me started on that one, because it will make my blood boil!
Thanks for yelling at me, and please always do if I need it, because I am a stubborn mule! My husband yelled at me today too, and made me take a pain killer while he was watching me. I really don't know how I would deal with all of this if you guys were not here.
I actually do not have a collar, but some days I wish that I did. I wish that I could put my arm in one of those sling things, because it helps to take the pressure of.
Thanks!!!!!! :D
Dutchgirl
08-31-2006, 02:47 AM
Good grief, you've got FIVE teenage sons at home and you don't want to "make things hard for everyone"?!?
That is very sweet, but if there were ever a time to kick back and be selfish, this is it. You should have everyone in the house worrying about YOU and how you feel. Put them all to work waiting on you hand and foot.
OK, I'm one to talk, as I made dinner for my husband the night I came home from the hospital, but, y'know, hindsight and all that.
The most important thing to you right now is rest, rest, rest and more rest. Everything hurts more at night because it's all pooped from your activities throughout the day. Things hurt when you bend over because you're stressing the very parts that have just been operated on. Give them lots of rest and time to heal. General rule of thumb - if it hurts, don't do it.
I hate to think how awful throwing up must have been right after surgery. Yikes. You poor thing.
Perhaps you could ask your doctor about another pain medication like Darvocet or Ultracet?
I think - and maybe others will comment? - the general consensus on a reasonable time out of work is about six weeks. I'd really like to give a knock to all the surgeons who tell patients they should have no problem going back to work right away, or that they'll be up and around just fine in a week or two. It gives patients an unrealistic expectation, and all too many times I see people feeling guilty or ashamed because they can't meet that expectation.
Keep in mind that you just went through a major surgery. That little scar may fool you into thinking otherwise, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Respect your body. Respect your pain. And hopefully you and all the others with recent surgeries will be feeling better soon.
Hi Ember919,
I am getting better at telling everyone to take care of things around the house. Wow I can’t believe that you fixed your husband dinner the night that you came home from the hospital. Sounds like something I would do ha ha ha…. I’m the caregiver, and I enjoy taking care of everyone. I’m a terrible patient. I finally broke down tonight, and took a pain killer, because my shoulder hurts so freakin bad, and it radiates down my arm. Also felt like I had spiders crawling over my head tonight blah.
How many levels did you have surgery on, and how long ago was your surgery? The scar on my neck is pretty long, and looks bad, but I know that it will look better in a while. I'm just tired of people staring at my neck, and then I have a giant bruise on my arm too, so that doesn't help the image much.
I will try harder to respect my pain, and listen to my body more. My kids are finally understanding a little bit better now, and yell at me if I even try to do anything around the house.
Thanks!! :)
~Annette
That is very sweet, but if there were ever a time to kick back and be selfish, this is it. You should have everyone in the house worrying about YOU and how you feel. Put them all to work waiting on you hand and foot.
OK, I'm one to talk, as I made dinner for my husband the night I came home from the hospital, but, y'know, hindsight and all that.
The most important thing to you right now is rest, rest, rest and more rest. Everything hurts more at night because it's all pooped from your activities throughout the day. Things hurt when you bend over because you're stressing the very parts that have just been operated on. Give them lots of rest and time to heal. General rule of thumb - if it hurts, don't do it.
I hate to think how awful throwing up must have been right after surgery. Yikes. You poor thing.
Perhaps you could ask your doctor about another pain medication like Darvocet or Ultracet?
I think - and maybe others will comment? - the general consensus on a reasonable time out of work is about six weeks. I'd really like to give a knock to all the surgeons who tell patients they should have no problem going back to work right away, or that they'll be up and around just fine in a week or two. It gives patients an unrealistic expectation, and all too many times I see people feeling guilty or ashamed because they can't meet that expectation.
Keep in mind that you just went through a major surgery. That little scar may fool you into thinking otherwise, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Respect your body. Respect your pain. And hopefully you and all the others with recent surgeries will be feeling better soon.
Hi Ember919,
I am getting better at telling everyone to take care of things around the house. Wow I can’t believe that you fixed your husband dinner the night that you came home from the hospital. Sounds like something I would do ha ha ha…. I’m the caregiver, and I enjoy taking care of everyone. I’m a terrible patient. I finally broke down tonight, and took a pain killer, because my shoulder hurts so freakin bad, and it radiates down my arm. Also felt like I had spiders crawling over my head tonight blah.
How many levels did you have surgery on, and how long ago was your surgery? The scar on my neck is pretty long, and looks bad, but I know that it will look better in a while. I'm just tired of people staring at my neck, and then I have a giant bruise on my arm too, so that doesn't help the image much.
I will try harder to respect my pain, and listen to my body more. My kids are finally understanding a little bit better now, and yell at me if I even try to do anything around the house.
Thanks!! :)
~Annette
Dutchgirl
08-31-2006, 02:51 AM
I agree with Ember, your sons should be taking care of you and the house, period. I have two sons who are now adults but during my surgeries they've always taken care of me, even when they were just young boys barely into their teens.
I think 4-6 weeks is a resonable amount of time before returning to work. Sometimes we have to consider our health over finances. Does your company not offer short term disability? If you are on FMLA they must have at least 100 employees and you have to have been there at least a year to even qualify. I'd think that a company of that size would have STD. At least if they did you'd be able to offset some income that way.
I think that by going back to work early would impede your healing, especially since you are a heavy typer. It took me a few weeks before I could even sit at the pc for any reasonable amount of time so I can't imagine you sitting there for 8 hours straight!
I hope you get to feeling better soon
Hi Kissa,
I do have short term disability, but it does not go into effect until you’ve been out for 2 weeks. I definitely agree with the typing thing, and I know that your right, and it would make it worse. What’s hard is trying to make people understand that have never gone through this. I had to go to work the other day just to pick up my paycheck, and everyone saw me walking around, and therefore assumed that I could maybe come back to work this week.
Take care, and thanks!!
Annette :wave:
I think 4-6 weeks is a resonable amount of time before returning to work. Sometimes we have to consider our health over finances. Does your company not offer short term disability? If you are on FMLA they must have at least 100 employees and you have to have been there at least a year to even qualify. I'd think that a company of that size would have STD. At least if they did you'd be able to offset some income that way.
I think that by going back to work early would impede your healing, especially since you are a heavy typer. It took me a few weeks before I could even sit at the pc for any reasonable amount of time so I can't imagine you sitting there for 8 hours straight!
I hope you get to feeling better soon
Hi Kissa,
I do have short term disability, but it does not go into effect until you’ve been out for 2 weeks. I definitely agree with the typing thing, and I know that your right, and it would make it worse. What’s hard is trying to make people understand that have never gone through this. I had to go to work the other day just to pick up my paycheck, and everyone saw me walking around, and therefore assumed that I could maybe come back to work this week.
Take care, and thanks!!
Annette :wave:
Dutchgirl
08-31-2006, 02:55 AM
I own my own small business. I went back after about three weeks and in the 5th week I was begging my husband to let me stay home another week. Since he was driving I didnt have too much of a choice but I did have a couch to lie down on for part of the day.
I agree - 4-6 weeks!!! (even if one level - your body still needs to heal)
Hi Sunshine.
What happened during the 2 weeks that you were back at work? What kind of work do you do?
Hope things are going well for you now!
~Annette :wave:
I agree - 4-6 weeks!!! (even if one level - your body still needs to heal)
Hi Sunshine.
What happened during the 2 weeks that you were back at work? What kind of work do you do?
Hope things are going well for you now!
~Annette :wave:
sunshine221
08-31-2006, 09:39 AM
Annette:
My husband and I own a computer consulting business, so my work is mostly desk work, accounting, programming, etc. Working with the PT I did change a bunch of things:
I bought a better chair where my back is supported better and my feet flat on the ground (I'm 5'2"). (And I try to remember to sit all the way back on the chair, etc.)
I bought a headset for my phone. I don't use it for quick calls, but if I'm doing a support call, especially if I need to keyboard at the same time, I put the caller on hold a second and put it on. I also use it more on days that I feel "stressed"
I've always been consious of proper keyboard height, but just a reminder to everyone else to check that you have proper wrist support and angle when typing.
During the first few weeks after surgery I would work for an hour or two and then lay down for a while, etc. People generally understood any delays and we have enough staff to get most things done (6 full time plus we contract some work out). (The worst delay was that my husband is generally on the road several days a week visiting clients and while I couldn't drive he pretty much had to stay in or close to the office.)
-Gloria
My husband and I own a computer consulting business, so my work is mostly desk work, accounting, programming, etc. Working with the PT I did change a bunch of things:
I bought a better chair where my back is supported better and my feet flat on the ground (I'm 5'2"). (And I try to remember to sit all the way back on the chair, etc.)
I bought a headset for my phone. I don't use it for quick calls, but if I'm doing a support call, especially if I need to keyboard at the same time, I put the caller on hold a second and put it on. I also use it more on days that I feel "stressed"
I've always been consious of proper keyboard height, but just a reminder to everyone else to check that you have proper wrist support and angle when typing.
During the first few weeks after surgery I would work for an hour or two and then lay down for a while, etc. People generally understood any delays and we have enough staff to get most things done (6 full time plus we contract some work out). (The worst delay was that my husband is generally on the road several days a week visiting clients and while I couldn't drive he pretty much had to stay in or close to the office.)
-Gloria
dennisgb
08-31-2006, 11:37 AM
I finally broke down tonight, and took a pain killer, because my shoulder hurts so freakin bad, and it radiates down my arm.
I really don't understand what's going on here. It seems like your doctor has not guided you very well on this.
I was told that I absolutely must take my medication as directed. My doctor said that the worst thing I could do is think I was tough enough to not take it, or to wait until the pain comes before I took it. He said that it is important and critical to the healing process to take the medication as directed. They told me when to stop taking it.
This follows with your feeling that you can go to work sooner than you should. If you can get yourself off the medication, then you can go to work. This is totally wrong! You are on a path to disaster here. I'm dead serious. You will end up damaging yourself, and will have to do this all over again. The second time can be very difficult, particularly if they have to try and fix damage.
You need to get all of this crazy thinking out of your head and realize that you just went through a major surgery, and that your body needs rest and time to heal. The only way to do that is to forget about being the caregiver and that you have to get back to work. Take your meds and go lay down. Slow down!
I really don't understand what's going on here. It seems like your doctor has not guided you very well on this.
I was told that I absolutely must take my medication as directed. My doctor said that the worst thing I could do is think I was tough enough to not take it, or to wait until the pain comes before I took it. He said that it is important and critical to the healing process to take the medication as directed. They told me when to stop taking it.
This follows with your feeling that you can go to work sooner than you should. If you can get yourself off the medication, then you can go to work. This is totally wrong! You are on a path to disaster here. I'm dead serious. You will end up damaging yourself, and will have to do this all over again. The second time can be very difficult, particularly if they have to try and fix damage.
You need to get all of this crazy thinking out of your head and realize that you just went through a major surgery, and that your body needs rest and time to heal. The only way to do that is to forget about being the caregiver and that you have to get back to work. Take your meds and go lay down. Slow down!
Kissa
08-31-2006, 02:11 PM
Dennis hit the nail on the head in regards to pain medication. While often the bottles say "as needed" it's really important the first few weeks or until you feel better that you take it as directed.
The key to controlling pain is to control it before it becomes a problem. If you are supposed to take your medication every 6 hours then do so if you are still having a tough time. When you ignore the pain and let it get out of control trying to get it back into control is very difficult at best.
I had the shoulder and arm pain prior to my surgery and it was horrible to say the least. I feel for you.
I'm glad to hear you have the option of STD. I think you really should use it to your advantage. I just had my 14th surgery 2 weeks ago (hip replacement revision) and when I was able to work I was on STD on 3 occassions. I know how you must feel. I felt guilty as if I didn't deserve the STD but I was greatful I used it. People will talk no matter what you do so let them. You can't control others and you don't need their approval to be out ill.
During one period of time when I was on STD I had a full hip replacement, the owner's daughter of the company I worked for made a very rude comment when I returned to work. She said "so there's the girl who is using up all the insurance money and disability". I was floored! She had no right to say such a gawd awful thing but she did. I decided she was just ignorant and went on my way.
You really need to be off work for at least 4 weeks but preferably 6. Talk to your surgeon, I'm sure he'd be willing to let you stay home during your healing period. Money will be tight but you'll survive it some how. It would be a much worse scenario if you did go back to work and impede your healing or have a complete failure. In that scenario you may not ever be able to work again. Knowing that should be enough incentive to allow you to really stay home and let everyone take care of you instead!
Barb
The key to controlling pain is to control it before it becomes a problem. If you are supposed to take your medication every 6 hours then do so if you are still having a tough time. When you ignore the pain and let it get out of control trying to get it back into control is very difficult at best.
I had the shoulder and arm pain prior to my surgery and it was horrible to say the least. I feel for you.
I'm glad to hear you have the option of STD. I think you really should use it to your advantage. I just had my 14th surgery 2 weeks ago (hip replacement revision) and when I was able to work I was on STD on 3 occassions. I know how you must feel. I felt guilty as if I didn't deserve the STD but I was greatful I used it. People will talk no matter what you do so let them. You can't control others and you don't need their approval to be out ill.
During one period of time when I was on STD I had a full hip replacement, the owner's daughter of the company I worked for made a very rude comment when I returned to work. She said "so there's the girl who is using up all the insurance money and disability". I was floored! She had no right to say such a gawd awful thing but she did. I decided she was just ignorant and went on my way.
You really need to be off work for at least 4 weeks but preferably 6. Talk to your surgeon, I'm sure he'd be willing to let you stay home during your healing period. Money will be tight but you'll survive it some how. It would be a much worse scenario if you did go back to work and impede your healing or have a complete failure. In that scenario you may not ever be able to work again. Knowing that should be enough incentive to allow you to really stay home and let everyone take care of you instead!
Barb
ember919
08-31-2006, 06:03 PM
My surgery was on levels C5-6-7 and it was in early April. I was lucky in that I did LOT of reading beforehand and asked a lot of questions and had some idea of what to expect after surgery. No amount of reading, of course, prepares you for experiencing the real thing. I was a mess for the first week or so, utterly miserable and wondering if I'd made a horrible mistake.
I got a lot of support from this board, honestly don't know what I'd have done without it, and eventually learned the importance of the "take it slow" mantra. It took some time, but I finally caught on to the fact that most of my pain was a direct result of some sort of over-activity. Still is.
Dennis told you you'd thank him later for 'yelling' at you and it's true - you will!
I, too, did not have a collar after surgery and I believe that's still more the exception than the rule. However, my doctor DID provide me with a soft collar to wear "if I wanted to" for the first three weeks and I definitely did feel more comfortable wearing it sometimes. I know I couldn't lay down for the first week or so without feeling that my head was going to fall off, not to mention the awful pain it caused in my neck, and by the end of each day, my neck and shoulders and upper back would be so sore and painful I wanted to cry. (and I did - often!) Evenings always seemed worse, I'm sure because my body just got tired out by the end of the day.
Another issue you'll find yourself dealing with is anxiety. I'm pretty sure that everyone here - everyone - found themselves feeling anxious and panicky and pretty much flipping out at some point within the first month or so after surgery. I assume it's something subconscious going on between the body and the brain, something to do with the trauma of such a surgery, but it will hit you hard.
I'm telling you this now so you won't think you're crazy when you start feeling that way. I'm telling you now, it is NORMAL and it will pass. I think you mentioned that your doctor had you taking valium, which is good, and I wish all surgeons would prescribe it or something like it to all ACDF patients.
The other thing I will re-emphasize, as several others here have already told you, is do NOT be afraid of your pain medication. Pain is not good for you right now; it won't help your body heal. Pain, as you probably know, stresses you out, make your blood pressure go up, tenses your muscles - all stuff you don't need right now. You do not need to be a hero or prove to anyone how tough you are. Worry about doing what is good for you right now.
Last, I think I was somewhat in the minority in that the scar didn't (and doesn't) bother me. In fact, I was kind of surprised at how many people didn't notice it. Once I removed the steri-strips, I wore a very loose gauze pad, taped on two sides, over the wound. I kept worrying about it being exposed to things like dust or smoke or......or.....whatever kind of stuff floats around in the air. Like the soft collar, I think it provided me more emotional comfort than it did actually serve any function.
Do everything you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Suck up that caretaker urge and allow yourself to ask for help from others. Your neck will thank you for it. Remember, you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.
I got a lot of support from this board, honestly don't know what I'd have done without it, and eventually learned the importance of the "take it slow" mantra. It took some time, but I finally caught on to the fact that most of my pain was a direct result of some sort of over-activity. Still is.
Dennis told you you'd thank him later for 'yelling' at you and it's true - you will!
I, too, did not have a collar after surgery and I believe that's still more the exception than the rule. However, my doctor DID provide me with a soft collar to wear "if I wanted to" for the first three weeks and I definitely did feel more comfortable wearing it sometimes. I know I couldn't lay down for the first week or so without feeling that my head was going to fall off, not to mention the awful pain it caused in my neck, and by the end of each day, my neck and shoulders and upper back would be so sore and painful I wanted to cry. (and I did - often!) Evenings always seemed worse, I'm sure because my body just got tired out by the end of the day.
Another issue you'll find yourself dealing with is anxiety. I'm pretty sure that everyone here - everyone - found themselves feeling anxious and panicky and pretty much flipping out at some point within the first month or so after surgery. I assume it's something subconscious going on between the body and the brain, something to do with the trauma of such a surgery, but it will hit you hard.
I'm telling you this now so you won't think you're crazy when you start feeling that way. I'm telling you now, it is NORMAL and it will pass. I think you mentioned that your doctor had you taking valium, which is good, and I wish all surgeons would prescribe it or something like it to all ACDF patients.
The other thing I will re-emphasize, as several others here have already told you, is do NOT be afraid of your pain medication. Pain is not good for you right now; it won't help your body heal. Pain, as you probably know, stresses you out, make your blood pressure go up, tenses your muscles - all stuff you don't need right now. You do not need to be a hero or prove to anyone how tough you are. Worry about doing what is good for you right now.
Last, I think I was somewhat in the minority in that the scar didn't (and doesn't) bother me. In fact, I was kind of surprised at how many people didn't notice it. Once I removed the steri-strips, I wore a very loose gauze pad, taped on two sides, over the wound. I kept worrying about it being exposed to things like dust or smoke or......or.....whatever kind of stuff floats around in the air. Like the soft collar, I think it provided me more emotional comfort than it did actually serve any function.
Do everything you can to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Suck up that caretaker urge and allow yourself to ask for help from others. Your neck will thank you for it. Remember, you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.
neckpatient
09-02-2006, 03:33 AM
I would like to add a comment on pain medications and pain. I read that pain gets priority processing in the brain over information coming from our other senses. (Boy do I know this for a fact in my own case).
Researchers have found that pain can literally rewire the brain and the nervous system, so that a pain can spread to parts of the body far from the original injury. There are recent studies that show that when pain signals from a particular area of the body arrive in the spinal cord, neurons "recruit" neighboring nerve cells to respond as if they were receiving pain signals as well. Scientists believe it is important to manage pain early, before it leaves lasting impressions in the brain and nervous system.
Learning this little bit, helps us understand that we need to take our medicine properly and stop trying to prove something, monitor ourselves, but never be afraid to use pain medicine appropriately. When we are in pain we also tighten up our muscles and are tense, this is very bad for people with nerve pain!
Keep up your recovery!
Researchers have found that pain can literally rewire the brain and the nervous system, so that a pain can spread to parts of the body far from the original injury. There are recent studies that show that when pain signals from a particular area of the body arrive in the spinal cord, neurons "recruit" neighboring nerve cells to respond as if they were receiving pain signals as well. Scientists believe it is important to manage pain early, before it leaves lasting impressions in the brain and nervous system.
Learning this little bit, helps us understand that we need to take our medicine properly and stop trying to prove something, monitor ourselves, but never be afraid to use pain medicine appropriately. When we are in pain we also tighten up our muscles and are tense, this is very bad for people with nerve pain!
Keep up your recovery!
Dutchgirl
09-02-2006, 03:58 AM
Thanks for all your replies.. Dennis you are right in saying that my doctor has not guided me very well. He never did tell me that I was supposed to keep taking the pain meds, but one of the biggest reasons that I hate taking the pain meds is that it gives me bad stomache problems, and then I can't go to the bathroom for days.... (sorry kind of embarrassing, but true). Now when I take my pain meds I also take laxatives with it.
I promise I am listening, and being careful! I have been resting as much as possible, but also walking around quite a bit. The Valium has been a life saver.
Kissa I am so sorry to hear that you just had your 14th surgery. Wow. Hope that you are doing well. I can't believe that the owner's daughter was so ignorant. She would be singing a different tune if she had the same thing!
Sorry I can't stay awake anylonger..... too sleepy.
I promise I am listening, and being careful! I have been resting as much as possible, but also walking around quite a bit. The Valium has been a life saver.
Kissa I am so sorry to hear that you just had your 14th surgery. Wow. Hope that you are doing well. I can't believe that the owner's daughter was so ignorant. She would be singing a different tune if she had the same thing!
Sorry I can't stay awake anylonger..... too sleepy.
ember919
09-02-2006, 10:52 PM
May I suggest that you consider fiber supplements (metamucil, citrucel, etc.) or even stool softeners rather than laxatives. Even though constipation is a very common side effect of pain medication, taking laxatives on a regular basis will just mess up your system even more.
Kissa
09-03-2006, 10:57 PM
I agree, you should be taking in at least 30 grams of natural fiber per day. It is best to get it as a natural source from your foods if possible. The pills do not contain that much at all.
There's a new fiber on the market that you can mix into your food or drink. It works quite well and dissovles pretty good.
Also drink plenty of water but don't over do it.
Stool softener like Colace or a generic equivelant will help as well, especially in conjunction with fiber.
it is OK to use laxatives but try to use them only once a week or so. Using them too often for too long of a period of time will cause your bowels to become depenant on them and you may find you can not have a BM without them.
I hope you are doing better. Have you talked to your doctor about additional time off?
Barb
There's a new fiber on the market that you can mix into your food or drink. It works quite well and dissovles pretty good.
Also drink plenty of water but don't over do it.
Stool softener like Colace or a generic equivelant will help as well, especially in conjunction with fiber.
it is OK to use laxatives but try to use them only once a week or so. Using them too often for too long of a period of time will cause your bowels to become depenant on them and you may find you can not have a BM without them.
I hope you are doing better. Have you talked to your doctor about additional time off?
Barb