Less than 36 hours til surgery......... - Foot Problems Message Board

JayCon3 · 11-03-2008, 11:12 PM

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

HybridHen · 11-03-2008, 11:35 PM

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, 12:26 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

kimberp · 11-04-2008, 08:43 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!

swim22 · 11-04-2008, 08:49 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.?