JayCon3
11-04-2008, 02:12 AM
Hi all:
I go in for my surgery early Wed. morning and I'm doing ok so far. I just picked up my pain meds and the anxiety level just shot up to 26 on a scale of 1 -10 LOL.
I'm a recovering meth addict/alcoholic with over 20 years of sobriety and now I'm staring at bottles of MS Contin and Oxycodone ROFL.
AM I INSANE?!!!!!! Nope, just crazy.
I DO have a question about receiving a "Nerve Block" though. Can anyone tell me just what a nerve block is and if it is risky or not? I know it's for pain control, but I understand it is given in the spine. Just a little concerned about that and wondering if it is safe.
Thanks,
Joe
I go in for my surgery early Wed. morning and I'm doing ok so far. I just picked up my pain meds and the anxiety level just shot up to 26 on a scale of 1 -10 LOL.
I'm a recovering meth addict/alcoholic with over 20 years of sobriety and now I'm staring at bottles of MS Contin and Oxycodone ROFL.
AM I INSANE?!!!!!! Nope, just crazy.
I DO have a question about receiving a "Nerve Block" though. Can anyone tell me just what a nerve block is and if it is risky or not? I know it's for pain control, but I understand it is given in the spine. Just a little concerned about that and wondering if it is safe.
Thanks,
Joe
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HybridHen
11-04-2008, 02:35 AM
Good luck and try not to worry too much! A nerve block is the same as an epidural used in childbirth. I haven't had one myself but they're used a lot so you should be fine.
JayCon3
11-04-2008, 03:26 AM
LOL
I forgot to ask the main question I had in the first place and that is: How many of you who have had surgery needed to use a separate bed? My wife and I live in a 2 story house with ALL 3 bedrooms upstairs. And since I am having multiple procedures done I'm considering renting a hospital bed for a few weeks......Any thoughts? Good idea or overkill?
Thanks HybridHen for your comment btw. It's amazing how a few words of encouragement take the edge off of the anxiety.
Joe
I forgot to ask the main question I had in the first place and that is: How many of you who have had surgery needed to use a separate bed? My wife and I live in a 2 story house with ALL 3 bedrooms upstairs. And since I am having multiple procedures done I'm considering renting a hospital bed for a few weeks......Any thoughts? Good idea or overkill?
Thanks HybridHen for your comment btw. It's amazing how a few words of encouragement take the edge off of the anxiety.
Joe
kimberp
11-04-2008, 11:43 AM
There are various types of nerve blocks and one is called (I will spell this wrong) a popiteal block which is put in the back of your knee and numbs from the knee down. An epidural is in your spine and is typically called an epidural .. I just had one of them for my surgery and while I was panicked before, it was no big deal even having it in my back for 3 days while in the hospital.
My husband slept in another bedroom for 2 months after my surgery - he is a 'flopper' when he sleeps and even the slightest movement would hurt me so I commandeered our king size bed for awhile ... you'll notice that even the vibration when you have your foot down in a car might hurt, so see what you can tolerate.
Good luck and you'll be fine I am sure .. the anxiety really kicks in days before but just think .. soon you'll be on the road to healing!
My husband slept in another bedroom for 2 months after my surgery - he is a 'flopper' when he sleeps and even the slightest movement would hurt me so I commandeered our king size bed for awhile ... you'll notice that even the vibration when you have your foot down in a car might hurt, so see what you can tolerate.
Good luck and you'll be fine I am sure .. the anxiety really kicks in days before but just think .. soon you'll be on the road to healing!
swim22
11-04-2008, 11:49 AM
JayCon - Maybe I missed a post somewhere but I don't see what type of surgery you are having. I had PTTD with calcaneal osteotomy and achilles lengthing. My surgery was an outpatient procedure. Surgery at 7:30 AM and back home in the recliner by 1:00 PM. I had a "popileal block" that was put into my leg somewhere around the knee and it numbed my leg from the knee down for about 36 hours. It was great because I had the first night and following day at home to adjust without feeling any pain in the foot. I spent most of the day in the recliner tilted all the way back with two pillows under my foot and at night I put a pillow under the foot with the cast. (A big very soft feather pillow made a big difference - I was able to just sink the foot into it and it was very comfortable)
About your question on renting a hospital bed - my husband and I share a queen size bed and having my foot on a pillow didn't disrupt him or me at all. I had no problem sleeping (actually that was the case for the first week or so - I slept a lot). The pain killers were needed every 4-6 hours for the first four days. After that Advil did the trick just fine - as long as I kept my foot elevated. That was the secret - don't try to let your foot hang down for long or you will really feel it. Have you looked into other aids - shower seat, raised toilet seat, knee caddy, etc.?
About your question on renting a hospital bed - my husband and I share a queen size bed and having my foot on a pillow didn't disrupt him or me at all. I had no problem sleeping (actually that was the case for the first week or so - I slept a lot). The pain killers were needed every 4-6 hours for the first four days. After that Advil did the trick just fine - as long as I kept my foot elevated. That was the secret - don't try to let your foot hang down for long or you will really feel it. Have you looked into other aids - shower seat, raised toilet seat, knee caddy, etc.?
JayCon3
11-04-2008, 12:07 PM
Swim - I'm having a Calcaneal Osteotomy - Lateral Column Lengthening, and a Gastroc Recession. Plus a bone graft from the Iliac Crest.
swim22
11-04-2008, 03:48 PM
You are having different procedures than I had but I bet someone else on this board has had the same or close to the same procedures. This is a great place to come for advice and sometimes just to vent. Stay positive - you have friends here that will try to help you through whatever you are going through. Good luck - be sure to let us know how it goes on Wednesday.
scribytoo
11-04-2008, 07:52 PM
I had a different proceedure as well but have been non-weight bearing for 8 weeks. I would have had a very difficult time if I had to deal with stairs in my house. For that reason, I would have dealt with a hosp. bed. However, I haven't had any difficult sleeping with my husband. We have a kingsize so my extra pillows, etc. didn't phase him. Our bed also doesn't move much when one gets in or out - type of mattress it is. If I were you I would base my decision on the stairs issue. I have noted several people on here who had the same triple arthrodesis as me and did the stairs on their bums.
As far as the nerve block, it is done by the anesthetist and seems to have been very successful for blocking that initial pain for many. I never felt it going in or out. So don't be afraid of it.
Best wishes for you in your surgery and recovery.
L.
As far as the nerve block, it is done by the anesthetist and seems to have been very successful for blocking that initial pain for many. I never felt it going in or out. So don't be afraid of it.
Best wishes for you in your surgery and recovery.
L.
sandcastles
11-05-2008, 10:02 AM
Jay:
I, too, joined "The PTTD Club” on July 23rd. I had PTTD, double calcaneal osteotomy and FDL (tendon transfer). Surgery was an overnight stay at the hospital.
I also had a "popliteal block" it was inserted into the the area behind the knee - it anesthetized my leg from the knee down for about 24 hours - I did in fact have pain (6) within that 24 hour period but nothing major - keep on top of the pain with the medication - I thought that I would “tough it out” BIG MISTAKE!
At night I would take a feather comforter, fold it and then I would mold my leg into it - my leg was supported, well elevated and comfortable.
Drinks lots of water and be sure to eat nutritious meals.
Best of luck!
Sandy
I, too, joined "The PTTD Club” on July 23rd. I had PTTD, double calcaneal osteotomy and FDL (tendon transfer). Surgery was an overnight stay at the hospital.
I also had a "popliteal block" it was inserted into the the area behind the knee - it anesthetized my leg from the knee down for about 24 hours - I did in fact have pain (6) within that 24 hour period but nothing major - keep on top of the pain with the medication - I thought that I would “tough it out” BIG MISTAKE!
At night I would take a feather comforter, fold it and then I would mold my leg into it - my leg was supported, well elevated and comfortable.
Drinks lots of water and be sure to eat nutritious meals.
Best of luck!
Sandy