Post-op appt. a success!

[Sobes]

Hello Friends,

Haven't been on here too much since surgery so wanted to give a bit of an update. I had my post-op appt on Monday in Madison and it went very well. I have had some issues since surgery but know now that they are very common and will soon pass. My doctor actually said that I am ahead of the healing game! Woohoo  I did develop some facial weakness on Saturday but Dr Pyle says since it is only at a level 2 right now he isn't going to put me on more steroids unless it gets quite a bit worse as the steroids are very hard on a person. My left eye is a bit sore and has lots of twitching and not entirely sure what to do for it (thinking about putting some ointment in it tonight and taping it shut)?! This has also made my double vision a bit worse but also not too bad. I began vestibular rehab yesterday and absolutely love my therapist. She really knows what she is doing and gave me about 5 great exercises to do at home before our next appt on Tues. It feels so good to be doing something to help move things along. The docs didn't really lift any of my restrictions (no lifting, driving, or bending forward) with the exception of lying down more...instead of the 40-50* I've been having to sleep at. They said whatever feels ok, but not to start out flat right away. I'm also very, very tired these days and I think/hope this is normal?!! It takes a lot out of me to do my exercises and eat breakfast and go to the bathroom! lol  I'm back to taking all of my vitamins and drinking lots of water too. Anything to get back to great health! The computer still drains my eyes, etc. so will have to stop here. Wanted to let you all know how things are going and once again say thank you all for being so supportive and giving such wonderful guidance through all of this. You are all amazing! I also see there are many newbe's here and hope to welcome them all soon. I am really looking forward to catching up on everyone's posts, etc. Hope you are all doing wonderful and hope the New Year has already brought you many blessings! My family is celebrating our Christmas this Saturday (they waited for me  ). I am a bit worried about how I'll do with the noise level, etc. as my left ear is completely deaf right now. Hopefully this won't be too bad as I really would like to enjoy the visit. I can always take a little "break" and go to another room for a bit too I suppose. Any suggestions on how to deal with the noises and crowds?

<3  Bren~

[lawmama]

Hey Bren!

Congrats on your great recovery!  It sounds like you are doing everything right and your doctors are pleased.  I haven't been to Vestibular Therapy yet, so I'm looking forward to that after hearing how much you like it.

Noisy crowds bother me too.  I'm also newly deaf in my left ear.  So far, I haven't really found a way to deal with it yet, except to escape when it bothers me.  Go rest if you need to!  Your family will understand after everything you have been through.  Sometimes little quiet breaks help a lot.  I hope you enjoy "Christmas in Jan" with your family. 

Lyn 

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Bren ~

It's good to see you're steadily recovering and trying do what you can to move things along.  Yes, post-op fatigue is pretty much standard for every AN surgery patient although we all react a bit differently.  The overload of sound in one ear only is and will remain a bit of a problem.  I function very well with my SSD but a few hours in a very noisy environment will be tiring.  Taking a short break (away from the noise) will help but is only a temporary measure, as you would assume.  I trust you'll have a great 'belated Christmas' celebration and of course, as we enter a new year, I wish you nothing but better tomorrows. 

Jim

[Sobes]

Thanks Lyn and Jim. I also have a few other questions if you don't mind. How long were you on the pain medications? I am taking oxycodone but have been trying to wean myself off of them but every time I wait too long to take more (or take advil instead) I end up feeling horrible and have so much pressure. I didn't need them as often before the facial weakness/swelling began though. Each pill is 5mg and I had been taking 2 in the morning and 2 at night. Since my face has begun to swell and droop a bit (which I assume is related to swelling inside) it seems that the pain is greater and I need to take them more often. How much pain medication did you take and for how long? I was really hoping advil and/or tylenol would do the trick by now but this hasn't been the case for me. It has been 15 days since surgery. Also, any advice or suggestions for the eye not closing completely? It is not bad at all but it does feel a bit irritated. Thanks again 

Bren~

[Jim Scott]

Bren ~

I had no facial/eye issues post-op and only had the 5-day (decreasing dosage) steroid pack, which was effective.  What little discomfort I had was easily vanquished with 2 Ibuprofen and some rest.

I would suggest you keep the eye lubricated (with drops or gel) as much as possible to lessen the irritation and protect your vision.  I'm sure these issues will resolve, soon.

Jim

[Cheryl R]

It is not that long past surgery that you can be needing the pain meds.            If you ever feel like they are not working then you can also talk to your surgeons office if there should be a change in meds and so they know of increased pain.         I know one thinks one should be doing better by now but recovery can take longer than we want.     What does your pain med call for?     1 or 2 every 4-6 hrs or just the twice a day like you have been taking them?     
Keeping the eye lubricated is very important now.          One usually needs a drop than is heavier than just tears.     My favorite for daytime use has been Refresh Liquigel.      Night is a gel.  Refresh has 2 types.       There are other brands and sometimes one just needs to experiment which one works best for you.            Can you keep your eye shut at all?               I would put a patch of saran wrap over mine and use gel around edge for in place or use tape.   Part depends on how much your eye is open at night.  I still have a bit of dryish eye and just put the gel in at night with nothing else needed as my eye shuts.
   I hope this helps and keep asking what ever questions you have!                     Cheryl R

[jaylogs]

Hey Bren...glad to see you were able to at least find the computer..hehe...that in my opinion is progress!  Yeah, at this point I would say you should be off pain meds by now, but then again everyone is different.  As long as the docs are ok with it then I guess all is cool!  Even after 4 weeks post surgery I find I still need the naps, but not as many as before.  The body does it healing the best when you are sleeping so take as many as you can.  Anyways, I hope you are taking it easy and enjoyed your xmas in Jan.  Take care and happy holidays!
Jay

[Denise S]

Hi there dear friend.   Hopefully I can help answer some questions, cause as you know and reading my blog, I went through all Plus some.

Glad to hear they are holding off Christmas, sure they will be understanding if you need to leave the room.   

I took little earplugs with me everywhere.   It helps lower the noise in your good ear anyways (otherwise for me, I got too much head pressure).     ALSO, try to 'scope' out the area to see if you can sit where your good ear is more towards where everyone else is (otherwise I didn't understand anything.....I hate that!!)    Those little soft foamy ear plugs are available anywhere and don't usually cut off the hearing completely.

Delayed Facial Paralysis, for me, that did extend the pain meds.  I'll be honest, I tried to wean off, but ended up still taking some (not as much) close to 6 weeks (although, I had a few additional issues you may remember).     When they say "stay ahead of the pain"  I learned the hard way....it helps!!!        I went to an Optometrist specialist Monday (my 8 weeks post op) and he said my eyes were still off some and really my paralysis was about 90% better.   He put in a plug in my tear duct and that is now helping the dryness in that eye (even though it closes now....but less lubing it)


I think Cheryl R. recommended the  Refresh liquid gel daytime and I liked that best too!   BE SURE to keep your eye lubricated otherwise it can hurt and dry out/scratch your cornea!   My surgeon gave me that clear eye patch with the foam  around it, and I wore that everytime outside and to bed at night too when my eye wouldn't close, it kept the moisture in!   

Hopefully some of that helps, I think you still may have my # or email , whatever, take care!   CALL if you ever want.   I'm pretty bored!!

[loose screws (tightened)]

Hi Bren,

Nice to read that your doctors are happy but the important issue is that your happy. I went through the delayed facial weakness. It started about a week after surgery and lasted for about 4 weeks. That was scary because you never knew for sure if it was going to go away. They prolonged my steroids for another 14 days and increased the dosage.

The swelling you mention is something else I experienced and still do. It's gone down a lot but I can still feel pressure from behind my eye into the temple area. It was bad for the first month then gradually got better. The pain meds they gave me I believe was called norco? But I would take some of my wife's vicoprofin at the first sign of pain and that worked better. I haven't taken anything for about 10 days and was taking advil the last couple of weeks. Oxycodone, that's heavy duty stuff. I wouldn't want to take that for long.

For your eye you could get a warm wash cloth and work it into your eye socket and look with your other eye. It worked for me. I would sit in my recliner with the wash cloth and watch TV one eyed and one eared.

Mike

[jaylogs]

Oh hey Bren, forgot to mention one thing in my last post here...Once you are able to handle the computer more, it's a HUGE benefit to set the font on the web browser to a bigger size. It really helps the eyes...I hadn't even thought about that and was really killing my eyes until someone on here mentioning about that...anyways, take care!
Jay

[Nickittynic]

Great to hear from you and hear you're doing well!

[Sobes]

Such great advice from everyone!! THANK YOU!!! It's good to know what is the "norm" and yet know that we are each individuals and have to get there at our own pace! And having friends/family like all of you who let us know that it is OK no matter what!!

Donnalynn, I think I may try the walking at the mall as well. Sounds like a great idea as it is all snow and ice here in Green Bay too:) I just have to find someone to go with My hubby works long days and was promoted on Jan 1st so has a LOT on his plate. I've been alone a lot but I do ok. I do have a treadmill so may do a bit of slow walking on that too. Want so much to be proactive with exercise and yet don't want to overdo it.

Would like to write each of you back but it's still hard to be on here too long so hope it's ok to post like this for now. I do appreciate all of your input very, very much!!!! Thank again!!

<3 Bren

[Pooter]

Ahh.. gotta love that retail therapy!   

Bren, if it's CSF pressure that is causing what you're currently dealing with, then perhaps a diuretic would help alleviate that pressure.. Something to talk to your doctor about as I'm certainly not one (but I did take a diuretic for CSF pressure several weeks after surgery).

Regards,
Brian