Update on Lynn's Recovery

[hendi51]

Lynn is still doing great. He is having terrible headaches so we are dealing with them. He don't want to take his pain meds until it gets real bad. We just had a "talk" that we was going to take them as prescribed and stay on top of the pain and dizziness. After all it will only be a week tomorrow that he had a translab craniotomy!

[CHD63]

So sorry about Lynn's struggle with headaches.  Hopefully as the swelling goes down, they will subside.  In the meantime, I am with you ...... right now, it is far better to stay ahead of the headache with pain meds than to try to get it under control after it is already horrible.

It might not hurt to contact the surgeon's office, just to make sure he is taking the meds correctly.  Is he still on steroids or can he not take them for some other reason?  Usually they help reduce the swelling.

Have him drink lots and lots of water (maybe flavored with some juice), fresh fruits, whole grains, etc. in addition to the stool softener.

Best thoughts.  Clarice

[Cheryl R]

Please keep taking the pain meds to keep on top of the pain.     Try some Seno kot or Miralax or warm prune juice besides the stool softener and keep drinking lots of liquids to help the stools.  Pain meds are constipating but take what ever stool meds you like best to avoid straining.           He is just barely past surgery.  The first 2 weeks are hard and things get better for most after that.     I always had  trouble sleeping too for the first 2 weeks.      You can try some heat or cold on the neck to see if that helps.     Most surgeons like to answer your questions and mine has a special no for us to use post op.            It will get better in time.                   Cheryl R

[BostonBill]

Sorry to read about Lynn's headaches, definitely one we all hope to avoid! I am not much of a med guy either.
But I am going to listen and follow the experts advise and directions with this one. Especially for the first couple of months.
Best of luck!
Bill

[MNTim]

I have never been much of a meds guy but after hearing nurse after nurse tell me that there is no reason not to take them I became more accepting.  As stated the only drawback is constipation but that can be taken care of with the proper meds also.  Believe me they work.  I have had so many stool softening cocktails I don't know where to begin.  Senna and Ducolax work really well when take regularly.

It does get better, hopefully soon.
Tim

[jaylogs]

Yeah, I am not the med type of person either, but I agree with everyone. He's had brain surgery, this is not like stubbing your toe and then insisting on percocate or Vicodin for the pain.  Follow the doc's orders, at which point when he does start to feel better start weaning off them.  Otherwise, I am glad he's doing well.  Please insist he takes the meds for his own comfort!!

Jay