Re: 62 days post-op update

[Guest guest]

Camille,

I got so drunk on my first dose of OxyContin in the hospital that Dr. Hey didn't send me home with anything more than 5 mg. I was in such tremendous pain for the first week home that my hubby finally took me to our PCP. They increased me to 40 mg OxyContin and increased my Zyprexa for sleep. I became a zombie but at least most of the pain was gone! I know that Dr. Hey won't prescribe more pain pills after 6 weeks unless you are tapering down. If you are at the same level or need an increase, they send you to a pain clinic.

I had the severe swollen legs/ankles for a few weeks after surgery as well. I think mine was partly because they took me off my BP meds because my pressure dropped so low in the hospital. But I do remember them being very swollen and since I couldn't lay down for the first week, it because even worse. I took Lasix for awhile. I didn't get any relief until my PCP put me back on my BP meds.

Peggy

[ ] 62 days post-op update

Hi everyone. Thank you again for all the feedback from my last post. Dr. Hey's office received my 6wk post-op xrays. The doc himself is out of the country, but his asst. said everything looked fine. I told her about my continued pain and she thought a pain clinic would best serve me. Strangely enough, everything fell into place and I met with a pain specialist/doc this past Fri. What a wonderful surprise to meet this compassionate and knowledgeable doc/"lady".She was flabergasted to hear that I was sent home from the hospital with only 10mg of Oxycodone/every 8 hrs.and 5mg for breakthrough pain.( & Valium) She said I can't even begin to heal unless the pain is at a manageable level so that I can start doing more physically. MY legs were spasming in her office everytime I stood up. And my left ankle is still swollen and red (it comes and goes). Anyway, she put me on Oxycontin 20mg/12hrs and oxycodone 5mg/2 every 3 hours for breakthrough pain. And Flexaryl to relax my muscles. I'm supposed to take one 3xday. I've only taken one and was falling asleep while eating a Frosty, no joke!! Luckily I was in the car and my sisnlaw and she was driving, of course. She found it quite comical. She took me home for a nap at 6pm and I woke up at 6am (hurting very badly) b/c I didn't take any evening meds. I was very confused, but I finally put all the pieces together. I woke up with guilt and remorse as if I'd been on a drinking binge for a week. (And I haven't had a drink in 15 yrs!).Needless to say, I will try taking half/flexaryl at bedtime next time.It's only been a couple of days on my new regime, I'm trying to be patient.I was counting on the fact that pain mgmt would be so much better this time around in the hospital and afterwards. Only now do I have a little hope. I also counted on the fact that I would stand up for myself a little better too. So, I know it goes both ways. When I came home and the med bottle said take 1 or 2, I would always take 1. Well, I'm over the martyr syndrome and fear on getting "hooked" on this stuff. I need help and am finally getting it. I'm so grateful that I liked the pain doc. and will have more hope once I can start progressing physically. I know , I know, be patient camille. Trust the process and know (not just hope) that this too shall pass.Has anyone else had the swollen ankle/leg thing after surgery? It's weird. Today, no pain and minimal swelling, yesterday quite the opposite. I know all this nerve regeneration stuff has it's own unique way to show up with all of us. The PA didn't seem worried. Oh well.Let's see, it was a beautiful day today.peace,camille

[Guest guest]

Hi fourteencows! Flexaril - that stuff kocks me out too. I've never been able to take the prescribed amount - I haven't had any prescribed since my 2005 surgery. One a day is about all I could handle - then I got to where I'd only take half a pill. I surely am happy that you found a good pain management doctor as early on and as easily as you did. That can have almost everything to do with a good recovery, at least for those of us who's pain doesn't quickly subside. The only leg/ankle swelling I've had has been fluid retention off and on, and with my bladder irregularity - sometimes I don't feel the urge, nor does much water come out and that's when the swelling gets big but then I'll go through times of being like a running faucet and the swelling goes back down. I doubt what I experience is related to your issues, especially since mine didn't start right after surgery - it has been off and on for a few years now. Did you mention it to the pain doc?

As far as the PA not seeming concerned about it, I have no doubt that both of his PA's are very qualified, but sometimes I feel like they are too much textbook and when I mention a certain issue, they're mentally flipping to page whatever in the textbook they've learned from and take it verbatim and recite it verbatim. That seems to be pretty common with a lot of PA's - and that's why I'd prefer to see the doc - but that's just me. They are good, there, to answer calls or emails quickly though.

Maybe now that you have adequate pain control you can rest better and feel better as you get better.

G

[ ] 62 days post-op update

Hi everyone. Thank you again for all the feedback from my last post. Dr. Hey's office received my 6wk post-op xrays. The doc himself is out of the country, but his asst. said everything looked fine. I told her about my continued pain and she thought a pain clinic would best serve me. Strangely enough, everything fell into place and I met with a pain specialist/doc this past Fri. What a wonderful surprise to meet this compassionate and knowledgeable doc/"lady".She was flabergasted to hear that I was sent home from the hospital with only 10mg of Oxycodone/every 8 hrs.and 5mg for breakthrough pain.( & Valium) She said I can't even begin to heal unless the pain is at a manageable level so that I can start doing more physically. MY legs were spasming in her office everytime I stood up. And my left ankle is still swollen and red (it comes and goes). Anyway, she put me on Oxycontin 20mg/12hrs and oxycodone 5mg/2 every 3 hours for breakthrough pain. And Flexaryl to relax my muscles. I'm supposed to take one 3xday. I've only taken one and was falling asleep while eating a Frosty, no joke!! Luckily I was in the car and my sisnlaw and she was driving, of course. She found it quite comical. She took me home for a nap at 6pm and I woke up at 6am (hurting very badly) b/c I didn't take any evening meds. I was very confused, but I finally put all the pieces together. I woke up with guilt and remorse as if I'd been on a drinking binge for a week. (And I haven't had a drink in 15 yrs!).Needless to say, I will try taking half/flexaryl at bedtime next time.It's only been a couple of days on my new regime, I'm trying to be patient.I was counting on the fact that pain mgmt would be so much better this time around in the hospital and afterwards. Only now do I have a little hope. I also counted on the fact that I would stand up for myself a little better too. So, I know it goes both ways. When I came home and the med bottle said take 1 or 2, I would always take 1. Well, I'm over the martyr syndrome and fear on getting "hooked" on this stuff. I need help and am finally getting it. I'm so grateful that I liked the pain doc. and will have more hope once I can start progressing physically. I know , I know, be patient camille. Trust the process and know (not just hope) that this too shall pass.Has anyone else had the swollen ankle/leg thing after surgery? It's weird. Today, no pain and minimal swelling, yesterday quite the opposite. I know all this nerve regeneration stuff has it's own unique way to show up with all of us. The PA didn't seem worried. Oh well.Let's see, it was a beautiful day today.peace,camille

[Guest guest]

Dear Camille,

For me, Flexeril was a key component in getting my pain under control and helping me to be able to get around better. Dosage may have to be adjusted, and with me it did, but it sure helped me as a piece of my pain meds. Also while you are a bit loopy have someone else help you with your taking your meds on time. Don't let your pain get out of control, as it takes around two dosage times to get it back in control, so you get in a bad cycle.

I'm sure hoping you find some relief, and in a short time you'll feel this surgical pain retreat. I'm so pleased you found a good pain mgt Doc you can work with. You maybe feeling a bit behind in recovery with these pain issues, but with pain mgt in play now, I'm hoping you'll be able to see more progress and a light at the end of the tunnel.

Colorado Springs

[ ] 62 days post-op update

Hi everyone. Thank you again for all the feedback from my last post. Dr. Hey's office received my 6wk post-op xrays. The doc himself is out of the country, but his asst. said everything looked fine. I told her about my continued pain and she thought a pain clinic would best serve me. Strangely enough, everything fell into place and I met with a pain specialist/doc this past Fri. What a wonderful surprise to meet this compassionate and knowledgeable doc/"lady".She was flabergasted to hear that I was sent home from the hospital with only 10mg of Oxycodone/every 8 hrs.and 5mg for breakthrough pain.( & Valium) She said I can't even begin to heal unless the pain is at a manageable level so that I can start doing more physically. MY legs were spasming in her office everytime I stood up. And my left ankle is still swollen and red (it comes and goes). Anyway, she put me on Oxycontin 20mg/12hrs and oxycodone 5mg/2 every 3 hours for breakthrough pain. And Flexaryl to relax my muscles. I'm supposed to take one 3xday. I've only taken one and was falling asleep while eating a Frosty, no joke!! Luckily I was in the car and my sisnlaw and she was driving, of course. She found it quite comical. She took me home for a nap at 6pm and I woke up at 6am (hurting very badly) b/c I didn't take any evening meds. I was very confused, but I finally put all the pieces together. I woke up with guilt and remorse as if I'd been on a drinking binge for a week. (And I haven't had a drink in 15 yrs!).Needless to say, I will try taking half/flexaryl at bedtime next time.It's only been a couple of days on my new regime, I'm trying to be patient.I was counting on the fact that pain mgmt would be so much better this time around in the hospital and afterwards. Only now do I have a little hope. I also counted on the fact that I would stand up for myself a little better too. So, I know it goes both ways. When I came home and the med bottle said take 1 or 2, I would always take 1. Well, I'm over the martyr syndrome and fear on getting "hooked" on this stuff. I need help and am finally getting it. I'm so grateful that I liked the pain doc. and will have more hope once I can start progressing physically. I know , I know, be patient camille. Trust the process and know (not just hope) that this too shall pass.Has anyone else had the swollen ankle/leg thing after surgery? It's weird. Today, no pain and minimal swelling, yesterday quite the opposite. I know all this nerve regeneration stuff has it's own unique way to show up with all of us. The PA didn't seem worried. Oh well.Let's see, it was a beautiful day today.peace,camille

[Guest guest]

Hi Camille...I agree with . Flexeril also was a part of my pain control

beginning right

after surgery. I still use it once in a while at night when I have done quite

a bit during the

day and my muscles are screaming. I hope you get good pain relief with your

pain

management doctor.

>

> Dear Camille,

>

> For me, Flexeril was a key component in getting my pain under control and

helping me

to be able to get around better. Dosage may have to be adjusted, and with me it

did, but it

sure helped me as a piece of my pain meds. Also while you are a bit loopy have

someone

else help you with your taking your meds on time. Don't let your pain get out of

control,

as it takes around two dosage times to get it back in control, so you get in a

bad cycle.

>

> I'm sure hoping you find some relief, and in a short time you'll feel this

surgical pain

retreat. I'm so pleased you found a good pain mgt Doc you can work with. You

maybe

feeling a bit behind in recovery with these pain issues, but with pain mgt in

play now, I'm

hoping you'll be able to see more progress and a light at the end of the tunnel.

>

>

> Colorado Springs

> [ ] 62 days post-op update

>

>

> Hi everyone. Thank you again for all the feedback from my last

> post. Dr. Hey's office received my 6wk post-op xrays. The doc

> himself is out of the country, but his asst. said everything looked

> fine. I told her about my continued pain and she thought a pain

> clinic would best serve me. Strangely enough, everything fell into

> place and I met with a pain specialist/doc this past Fri. What a

> wonderful surprise to meet this compassionate and knowledgeable

> doc/ " lady " .

> She was flabergasted to hear that I was sent home from the hospital

> with only 10mg of Oxycodone/every 8 hrs.and 5mg for breakthrough pain.

> ( & Valium) She said I can't even begin to heal unless the pain is at

> a manageable level so that I can start doing more physically. MY

> legs were spasming in her office everytime I stood up. And my left

> ankle is still swollen and red (it comes and goes). Anyway, she put

> me on Oxycontin 20mg/12hrs and oxycodone 5mg/2 every 3 hours for

> breakthrough pain. And Flexaryl to relax my muscles. I'm supposed

> to take one 3xday. I've only taken one and was falling asleep while

> eating a Frosty, no joke!! Luckily I was in the car and my sisnlaw

> and she was driving, of course. She found it quite comical. She

> took me home for a nap at 6pm and I woke up at 6am (hurting very

> badly) b/c I didn't take any evening meds. I was very confused, but

> I finally put all the pieces together. I woke up with guilt and

> remorse as if I'd been on a drinking binge for a week. (And I haven't

> had a drink in 15 yrs!).

> Needless to say, I will try taking half/flexaryl at bedtime next time.

> It's only been a couple of days on my new regime, I'm trying to be

> patient.

>

> I was counting on the fact that pain mgmt would be so much better

> this time around in the hospital and afterwards. Only now do I have

> a little hope. I also counted on the fact that I would stand up for

> myself a little better too. So, I know it goes both ways. When I

> came home and the med bottle said take 1 or 2, I would always take

> 1. Well, I'm over the martyr syndrome and fear on getting " hooked "

> on this stuff. I need help and am finally getting it. I'm so

> grateful that I liked the pain doc. and will have more hope once I

> can start progressing physically. I know , I know, be patient

> camille. Trust the process and know (not just hope) that this too

> shall pass.

>

> Has anyone else had the swollen ankle/leg thing after surgery? It's

> weird. Today, no pain and minimal swelling, yesterday quite the

> opposite. I know all this nerve regeneration stuff has it's own

> unique way to show up with all of us. The PA didn't seem worried.

> Oh well.

>

> Let's see, it was a beautiful day today.

>

> peace,camille

>

[Guest guest]

Camille,

I think a better question is who didn't have swollen ankles during

recovery. I don't know if it was fluid build up or just from the lack

of being on my feet but I had to where those hoses on my feet for

about 4 weeks once I was home and then the swelling came and went for

about three more months. Slow and steady is the key. VC

>

> Hi fourteencows! Flexaril - that stuff kocks me out too. I've

never been able to take the prescribed amount - I haven't had any

prescribed since my 2005 surgery. One a day is about all I could

handle - then I got to where I'd only take half a pill. I surely am

happy that you found a good pain management doctor as early on and as

easily as you did. That can have almost everything to do with a good

recovery, at least for those of us who's pain doesn't quickly

subside. The only leg/ankle swelling I've had has been fluid

retention off and on, and with my bladder irregularity - sometimes I

don't feel the urge, nor does much water come out and that's when the

swelling gets big but then I'll go through times of being like a

running faucet and the swelling goes back down. I doubt what I

experience is related to your issues, especially since mine didn't

start right after surgery - it has been off and on for a few years

now. Did you mention it to the pain doc?

>

> As far as the PA not seeming concerned about it, I have no doubt

that both of his PA's are very qualified, but sometimes I feel like

they are too much textbook and when I mention a certain issue,

they're mentally flipping to page whatever in the textbook they've

learned from and take it verbatim and recite it verbatim. That seems

to be pretty common with a lot of PA's - and that's why I'd prefer to

see the doc - but that's just me. They are good, there, to answer

calls or emails quickly though.

>

> Maybe now that you have adequate pain control you can rest better

and feel better as you get better.

> G

> [ ] 62 days post-op update

>

>

> Hi everyone. Thank you again for all the feedback from my last

> post. Dr. Hey's office received my 6wk post-op xrays. The doc

> himself is out of the country, but his asst. said everything

looked

> fine. I told her about my continued pain and she thought a pain

> clinic would best serve me. Strangely enough, everything fell

into

> place and I met with a pain specialist/doc this past Fri. What a

> wonderful surprise to meet this compassionate and knowledgeable

> doc/ " lady " .

> She was flabergasted to hear that I was sent home from the

hospital

> with only 10mg of Oxycodone/every 8 hrs.and 5mg for breakthrough

pain.

> ( & Valium) She said I can't even begin to heal unless the pain is

at

> a manageable level so that I can start doing more physically. MY

> legs were spasming in her office everytime I stood up. And my

left

> ankle is still swollen and red (it comes and goes). Anyway, she

put

> me on Oxycontin 20mg/12hrs and oxycodone 5mg/2 every 3 hours for

> breakthrough pain. And Flexaryl to relax my muscles. I'm supposed

> to take one 3xday. I've only taken one and was falling asleep

while

> eating a Frosty, no joke!! Luckily I was in the car and my

sisnlaw

> and she was driving, of course. She found it quite comical. She

> took me home for a nap at 6pm and I woke up at 6am (hurting very

> badly) b/c I didn't take any evening meds. I was very confused,

but

> I finally put all the pieces together. I woke up with guilt and

> remorse as if I'd been on a drinking binge for a week. (And I

haven't

> had a drink in 15 yrs!).

> Needless to say, I will try taking half/flexaryl at bedtime next

time.

> It's only been a couple of days on my new regime, I'm trying to

be

> patient.

>

> I was counting on the fact that pain mgmt would be so much better

> this time around in the hospital and afterwards. Only now do I

have

> a little hope. I also counted on the fact that I would stand up

for

> myself a little better too. So, I know it goes both ways. When I

> came home and the med bottle said take 1 or 2, I would always

take

> 1. Well, I'm over the martyr syndrome and fear on

getting " hooked "

> on this stuff. I need help and am finally getting it. I'm so

> grateful that I liked the pain doc. and will have more hope once

I

> can start progressing physically. I know , I know, be patient

> camille. Trust the process and know (not just hope) that this too

> shall pass.

>

> Has anyone else had the swollen ankle/leg thing after surgery?

It's

> weird. Today, no pain and minimal swelling, yesterday quite the

> opposite. I know all this nerve regeneration stuff has it's own

> unique way to show up with all of us. The PA didn't seem worried.

> Oh well.

>

> Let's see, it was a beautiful day today.

>

> peace,camille

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Camille,

I am so happy to hear that you have found a doctor nearby to help you

address your pain issues. I have to say that I am somewhat stunned

that at 6 weeks post op you are being " handed off " . I know my own

experience would indicate that it would be somewhat unlikely to be

pain free in that time frame. I hope it is just becasue they feel you

will do better with someone close by to help modify things if need

be. I can't help but read your post and wonder if you feel like they

are saying " Gee, 6 weeks...xrays are good...off to pain management

with you if you are not feeling 100% " ...and that is unrealistic at

best, in my humble opinion.

The best thing you can do is stay positive now that you are getting

better pain control and hopefully you will see things pick up. I

think you are about coming to that period that many people fall

victim to the " blues " , so if you start feeling down don't be shocked.

It will get better!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Because of problems with other patients, Dr. Hey's office started a new policy several months ago. You even have to sign a form that if you still need pain medications after 6 weeks you will need to go to pain management or your PCP. Too many people are abusing the system and making it tough for those of us that need it. I was concerned about it at the time because I was just 6 weeks postop. But because I was in the process of tapering down my dosage of OxyContin to wean off of it, they gladly wrote my scripts for about 4 months. Many doctors around here are now sending people off to pain management when they want narcotics or need them on a regular basis.

Peggy

[ ] Re: 62 days post-op update

Hi Camille,I am so happy to hear that you have found a doctor nearby to help you address your pain issues. I have to say that I am somewhat stunned that at 6 weeks post op you are being "handed off". I know my own experience would indicate that it would be somewhat unlikely to be pain free in that time frame. I hope it is just becasue they feel you will do better with someone close by to help modify things if need be. I can't help but read your post and wonder if you feel like they are saying "Gee, 6 weeks...xrays are good...off to pain management with you if you are not feeling 100%"...and that is unrealistic at best, in my humble opinion.The best thing you can do is stay positive now that you are getting better pain control and hopefully you will see things pick up. I think you are about coming to that period that many people fall victim to the "blues", so if you start feeling down don't be shocked. It will get better!Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Peggy,

Yes, well...I understand that DrHey made a decision to change his

policy...but that doesn't mean that it is right.

The experience of most of the members that I have had the pleasure of

meeting here is that 6 weeks is no where near the period of time that

a patient might need pain control. Putting a burdeon on the patient

to transition at a time when almost none of us are driving the

distances required to get to a qualified pain management team seems

ludicous to me. He should have enough experience to be able to tell

which patients need continued support. If he has a comlex revison

patient, and he insists on this silly 6 week rule, then it seems to

me that HE should arrange for continued pain managment on the front

side so that it is " seamless " for the patient. Instead, to me, he/the

office are acting like he/they are surprised that there is a need. I

don't think it serves anyone to unexpectedly find themselves without

proper care or support so early in the healing.

In any event, it highlights the importance of having this very

important discussion about pain control (for the hospitalization

period and once discharged) with the surgeon one is considering

BEFORE surgery. A patient has the right to know exactly what to

expect in this regard, and if there is a difference in the kind of

support they get after surgery then it might be the one thing that

leads them to chose one doctor over another. I guess so far I have

just not been very impressed with DrHeys care of his patients during

the recovery period in several regards...although, of course, I have

learned everything about him and his office's interactions second

hand. Maybe he does more children and his judgement is coloured by

how quicky most kids pop back...but that still doesn't make it right.

Research, research, research!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Wow - 6 weeks seems awfully short to me! But all surgeons have their

differences. My surgeon's nurse told me to not even attempt to taper

the pain meds until 3 months post op, because I needed to be pain-

free (or well-controlled) to concentrate on healing. I started

tapering them a little sooner (like at about 10 weeks post-op) and

was completely off of them by 4 months. My surgeon's office refers

people to a pain clinic if they still need meds after 6 months. I

occasionally take some here and there when I've had a rough day, and

more so recently. But I take a pill maybe 2-3 times a week at most,

and some weeks I take none. I can't imagine being med-free at 6

weeks though! Does he have a pain clinic that he works with, where

the docs are familiar with the complexity of the surgeries?

>

> Because of problems with other patients, Dr. Hey's office started a

new policy several months ago. You even have to sign a form that if

you still need pain medications after 6 weeks you will need to go to

pain management or your PCP. Too many people are abusing the system

and making it tough for those of us that need it. I was concerned

about it at the time because I was just 6 weeks postop. But because

I was in the process of tapering down my dosage of OxyContin to wean

off of it, they gladly wrote my scripts for about 4 months. Many

doctors around here are now sending people off to pain management

when they want narcotics or need them on a regular basis.

>

> Peggy

>

>

> [ ] Re: 62 days post-op update

>

>

> Hi Camille,

>

> I am so happy to hear that you have found a doctor nearby to help

you

> address your pain issues. I have to say that I am somewhat

stunned

> that at 6 weeks post op you are being " handed off " . I know my own

> experience would indicate that it would be somewhat unlikely to

be

> pain free in that time frame. I hope it is just becasue they feel

you

> will do better with someone close by to help modify things if

need

> be. I can't help but read your post and wonder if you feel like

they

> are saying " Gee, 6 weeks...xrays are good...off to pain

management

> with you if you are not feeling 100% " ...and that is unrealistic

at

> best, in my humble opinion.

>

> The best thing you can do is stay positive now that you are

getting

> better pain control and hopefully you will see things pick up. I

> think you are about coming to that period that many people fall

> victim to the " blues " , so if you start feeling down don't be

shocked.

> It will get better!

>

> Take Care, Cam

>