ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Denisex2boys on October 23, 2008, 01:43:10 pm
-
- I do have perserved facial - considered level II on House-Brackman - numbness, dry eye, I am using drops during the day and lacrilube (which I hate) at night. But .... I have severe dry mouth on AN side - tongue was actually red and raw with some blood, my face feels bruised and like 'stone' - is this normal?
- Severe headaches still - nothing like when I awoke from surgery - but I am trying to wean off T-3's
- I had a lateral sub-opptical so my neck muscles needed to be cut - I am working on the neck exercises to regain mobility.
- have not gone to the bathroom yet - am kind of nervous to take laxatives.
- balance is AWESOME - when they went in my balance nerve was completely severed already - my right side has been compensating for this for quite some time - so I am very ,ucky in that respect.
- still some double vision ......
- for you gals ........ I got my period (which is quite heavy) the day I was released - I had just had it 1.5 weeks ago - they said this was not abnormal for a major surgery.
Ok - off to find my original post about the DAY ......
-
Denise,
Yes, all of what you describe sounds pretty normal for the sub-occipital approach. Sorry about the headaches and I do hope they resolve quickly for you. You are just out of surgery, give yourself lots more time for those things to subside. As for the double vision, do keep your doctor in the loop on this if it doesn't correct itself.
As soon as my staples were removed I did cross-fiber frictioning on the incision and massaged all around the incision too. Cross-fiber friction massage helps to keep scar tissue from forming. If not sure how to do this just ask otherwise I won't take up space here.
Welcome to your "new normal"?
-
Denise~
So great to hear from you! Sounds like everything is pretty on track. I, too, had a period in the hospital (probably about the same timing since I stayed longer) - I told EVERYONE (even my whole Bible class) that called that I had started my "menstrual cycle"!! I am surprised that they let you leave the hospital w/out going to the bathroom - they won't do that here. It is OK to take a softener - trust me, you don't want it to go any longer. Here, after you have baby they give you that little red gel pill that is a stool softener. I just looked b/c I got some after my T3 surgery, but mine just says "stool softener" - I think the actually brand name starts with a "C" (Colice, maybe???). Good luck - off to get girlies from school and to gymnastics!!
Hugs.
K
-
Denise!!!!!!!! welcome you postie!!!!!!!!!! Glad to hear this update and that are you doing ok! Please thank your dad for his updates on you... and hoping my "rah-rah, shishcoomba" helped the cause.
BTW... after my CK... I had the same *coff* issue as you... and didn't want head pressure. Colace works... more natural way, as noted by my PCP (from China and into natural remedies)... 8 oz. prune juice with a tablespoon of honey, heated in micro for approx 35 sec. Trust me, no head pressure! :D
Congrats Denise! Well done!
Phyl
-
Hi, Denise:
Congratulations on your successful surgery and welcome to 'Postie-Land'. :) Sorry you 'lost' your original post. It happens to everyone at some point.
Your issues are fairly familiar. Headaches are common with about 20% of AN surgical patients and I believe that the retrosigmoid approach has a slightly higher probability for headaches. I had retro and did not experience any headaches, but I seem to be outside the norm in many respects. I did experience some mild (but annoying - I like to read) double vision. Fortunately, it resolved within a few days. Constipation is also common following AN surgery but a mild laxative and stool softener should remedy the problem, preferably before you're discharged. They worked for me. I'll withhold comment on the menstrual cycle issue, for obvious reasons. Good to learn that your balance is 'awesome'. That's relatively rare and yes, you are fortunate. I'm happy for you, Denise and hope your post-op issues will resolve themselves quickly and that you'll be back to 'life in the fast lane' very soon.
Jim (being droll)
-
Ok, since Jim is steering clear of the girly issues, I'll just add that the steroids they give you after surgery can actually bring on your period. Very common. That doesn't make it any less annoying, but it is normal.
I'd also suggest going with the Colace (there are store brands out there that are cheaper). It's very gentle but does the trick. Much better than going too long without any movement down there. Sorry, I'm trying to phrase that tactfully.
Sounds like everything is par for the AN course. I hope the headaches go away quickly!!
We all knew you'd get through it okay! Hope tomorrow is even better!
Oh, and Boppie had mentioned in one of her posts about Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash for dry mouth. Works great! If the regular supermarket doesn't have it, I'd imagine the drug store would. Just be careful swishing the mouthwash if you have any weakness around your lips - gets messy! :-\
Lori
-
Yay Denise!!
Welcome to Postie-Land. As everyone has mentioned, the experiences you've had are normal, even if annoying. Hope to hear your progress as the next days and weeks arrive.
Lori - what is there about that mouthwash that makes it good for dry mouth??? I'll probably look for it tomorrow, but I'm just curious..
Tammy
-
Hi. I had acoustic neuroma surgery 20 years ago (in it's infancy), and I was fortunate to have the best doctors in this field. I have no hearing in the right ear (of course), but that's the extent of what I have to deal with.
I had double-vision really bad for about a month after surgery, and then it gradually got better. I still have double-vision in the upper-right quadron, but you get used to it.
Let me know if you want to talk.
Thanks,
Verl
Hi Verl, sorry no email addresses in posts. Members can use private messages to communicate. Welcome! Steve
-
Denise, Denise, Denise,
Welcome back. At last you are a postie. Rest, sleep, take naps, rest some more. It is done!
I hope you feel better and better every hour, every day, every week. Best wishes for a great recovery. :)
Steve
-
Hi, Denise :)
Glad to see you're feeling up to posting again; although your dad was nice enough to update us earlier this week. Many thanks to him.
What you are going through sounds about normal.
As K said, I'm surprised they released you from the hospital before you "went" since that isn't common practice here in the U.S. Like the others, I strongly suggest using Colace or something similar - it helps a lot. My doc pretty much made it mandatory for a few weeks post op because he doesn't want patients straining - if you know what I mean. I guess it has adverse effects on your head or something.
Tammy -
there is a whole entire line of Biotene products - mouthwash, toothpaste, gel you put on your tongue, etc. I found them on drugstore.com, but others have mentioned finding them at just about any drugstore. They work very well; give them a try.
Jan
-
welcome to the other side,you are now a post toastie,congrats !
-
Hi Denise,
So glad you are home and the surgery is now behind you. Rest, take it slow and I hope the headaches will dissipate. If they do not, make sure you get back to the Dr for some good meds.
Anne Marie oxox
-
Denise,
Welcome back postie!! Glad to hear things went well. I think it's common tohave problems with constipation because of the pain meds. If you try the coalace and it doesn't work add Phillips Milk of Magnesiia and warm prune jiuce. That did the trick for me.. I have to agree with Lori, I;m surprised they let you go home that way -- that would never happen here.
Best wishes,
Wendy
-
The Biotene mouth spray for dry mouth does not last long at all. I got a bottle at Walmart and am disappointed in it. So that is one product it might be good to avoid. I still occ have some dry mouth.
Cheryl R
-
Tammy - good question. ??? The bottle says something about "enzymes", "Biofilm", "plaque". I may not want to know what's actually in the stuff, but I like it. I guess it doesn't so much help to make your mouth less dry, but more to avoid the damage that can occur to your teeth from the dryness. I've had so many dental issues since my surgery, that I'll try just about anything at this point. I've never tried the mouth spray that Cheryl mentioned, but I think I won't bother.
Lori
-
Hey Denise-
Welcome to the Other Side!!!
Okay, so the pooping thing - you REALLY don't want to get constipated! I was so fixated on this that I ate a total vegan diet for a week before I went in the hospital (yes, obsessive!). I also recommend the Colace - very gentle. In fact, a little too gentle for my stubborn body, so I supplemented that with LOTS of stewed prunes. I had my mom make then - she does them with ginger, orange zest and cinnamon and they are like eating a bowl of candy. She was stewing a box of prunes a day for the first week or so.
As for the onset of the period - yep, I had the same thing. I think it is the steroids. Doubly irritating for me since I am in the beginning stages of menopause too. Doesn't seem fair. Jim, cover your ears.
Dry mouth ... the AN side of my mouth is still dry and I am told it is becasue my mouth isn't making saliva yet on that side, yet another complication of facial paralysis. Of course, I was almost a 6 on the House scale right after surgery so not much at all was working. You're already ahead of me! You go, girl!!
Remember to take it easy -- you just had brain surgery, after all.
Debbi, sending you a hug (can't get the prunes into an email, so will eat them myself...)
-
Great to hear from you, Denise! Congratulations on arriving to your road to recovery. Others have given good advice (that I am taking notes on for future reference) and I'm sure it is all very helpful. Really good to know that your balance was NOT an issue - how wonderful!
Well, take it easy and I wish you continued healing,
Cindy
-
Cindy,
Everything you always wanted to know about pooping, but were afraid to ask! See, you didn't even have to ask - you found out anyway! :D
Lori
-
Cover yours ear again, Jim ;) We've moved from "women's issues" to pooping, again :D
Like Cheryl, I still get dry mouth on occasion - usually if I talk too much, which surprisingly I'm known to do from time to time ;D I don't use the Biotene products anymore, but I've found that drinking lots of water helps.
Denise -
hope you're getting lots of rest - one of the most important parts of post op recovery.
Jan
-
Hi Denise, Welcome to Postieville!!! Laci Le Beau tea worked like a charm for me for the poop issue--you can find it at any health food store--drink it before bedtime.
Relax, it's over, now let the healing begin. Keep us posted on your progress and don't hesitate to ask us anything--we have all been in your shoes, or should I say, big, fluffy, bunny slippers, which I hope you are spending plenty of time in!
Hugs,
Capt Deb(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/Captdeb_photos/emoticon___pirate_by_anya1916.gif)
-
Denise,
Re quoting you “dry eye, I am using drops during the day and lacrilube (which I hate) at night.�
Ask Dr Parnes to refer you to someone who can order you a blink-eze eye weight- if he can’t just order one for you himself.
http://www.meddev-corp.com/1%20product/Eyelid%20Closure%20Products/External%20Weights.2.htm
If Dr Agrawal (great guy BTW) is working with him he can fill him in on this gizmo as I did a demo of the eye weight for him - back when he was at Stanford. It is imperative that you keep the eye lubricated as to protect the cornea. One too many AN patients have ended up with damaged corneas. You, as the patient, will have to be vocal, persistent and direct about this. Remember the “E� in ENT does not stand for “eye�.
Did they give you any eye bubbles to take home?
https://store.medtronicent.com/home.php?cat=277
RE
“have not gone to the bathroom yet - am kind of nervous to take laxatives.�
Don’t let this go too long. You should at least be on collace
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-4576-Colace+Oral.aspx?drugid=4576&drugname=Colace+
I did let it go to long and I was a wreck. Finally my doctor suggested the Dulcolax suppository.
http://www.drugs.com/cdi/dulcolax-suppositories.html
It is the pain medication (I am guessing you are on either Vicodin or percocet) that is causing this- plus the fact that fluid intake is often restricted post-neurosurgery. If you have not pooped by today – you need to tell your surgeon this.
RE
“- still some double vision ......�
The double vision I had was from swelling that caused temporary nystagmus.
I was put on Diamox …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetazolamide
…to alleviate this
It is a nasty diuretic but it did reduce my brain swelling, my vision went back to normal… and that stuff really makes you poo and pee… but it does create more nausea and fatigue (best to take it before bed) Really REALLY insist that your neurotologist refer you to an ophthalmologist… Both the dry eye and the double vision need to be addressed… not ignored.
The period kicking in is actually a good thing as you will not be dealing with water retention, after surgery, which can exasperate things.
Hang in there Denise… you WILL get through this. :)
DHM …aka “4�
-
Denise,
More eye care info...
http://www.bellspalsy.ws/eye.htm
DHM
-
Denise!
Everything you are experiencing is normal. EVERYTHING. So, hang in there, and PM me if you want. We can chat by phone. Just fyi, I haven't had a period since surgery, so I'm either in menopause or somehow got pregnant on the operating table. ;D
Marci
-
Hi Marcy-No worries...my surgery was 6/26/08 never got mine till 9/14/08.I was a little worried ??? severa (-) results & $44.00 later.I ate a bunch of chocolate & said yup it will be here.
-
... Try to add a heat wrap to your neck for 10 minute intervals and then use a warmed oil( even olive oil will work and iis safe) then ask for a very , very gentle massage from hubby.... Donnalynn
In the earlier stage of recovery I was told to avoid heat as it can increase swelling. I was allowed to use only ice- for 12 minute intervals (as to avoid frostbite) ... Check with the DR before doing the heat... swelling in the head and neck can make the double vision worse.
Just a thought....
The key is to always bring up these issues with your physician until you are in the clearing...
Healing does happen - with time.
DHM