Figured I would check back in... Healing is going well enough, but I had the displeasure of waking up this morning un-medicated, a feeling I don't wish to repeat anytime soon... The doctor prescribed me 5mg of Oxycodone, to be used every 4 hours/as needed for pain, and a muscle relaxer to help with the healing... I am also supplementing this with 1000mg doses of ibuprofen in between to kill inflammation... The surgical pain has never completely gone away, but the drugs make it manageable, and the original pain is all but gone...

 

glad initial pain is gone!! Now just suffering through the healing process.
That sounds like alot of Ibu to take twice a day. I would look up the recommended max dosage and max daily dosage to make sure you're not trashing your liver or kidneys.

Also, all the NSAIDs are blood thinners so you don't want to risk starting any SLIGHT internal bleeding at the surgical site as that will just complicate things if they have to go and drain it (yuk)

And while you're healing, ALWAYS time your painkillers so one is at bedtime if you can. I would wake up after 5 hours with my whole face aching after my septoplasty, but I had a pill and a glass of water next to the chair I lived in for two weeks.

And DO YOUR PT. It hurts in part because you are breaking up scar tissue that is beginning to form. Keep up w PT, less scar tissue bridging across operation site. And you're strengthening the muscles that you will need to hold your spine centered.

And PLEASE take this opportunity to improve your posture. It puts incredible strain on your neck and back

That goes for all of you. Unc , you get a pass -- you're too old

 

One day at a time.
Hang in!

 

Too Old huh? Don't forget I got too old by following the Dr's recommendations (well most of the time)
What is important I think on opiate pain killers is you will find that different people have more or less of a response to them and I have discovered I do not respond negative to them and I am lucky in that I do not have to deal with the side affects. This lets me benefit I believe quite well. They do not make me nauseous nor constipated. Neither of which is much fun.
Keep it up one day at a time.
Unc!

 

Just figured I would update... I have stopped taking the narcotics, as I no longer need them... What little pain that remains is easily killed(not just managed) by a ibuprofen dose of only 600mg, three times a day, taken with my muscle relaxer... For the most part, I'm now living pain free... I'm walking just over a mile most days(I forgot today and it's dark now), and making my recovery as expedient as possible... I'm back driving around like normal, and no extra effort to get up or down...

 

see Spot walk! walk Spot walk!

Seriously, that's awesome.

 

Fantastic news, Bones. Just keep up the PT and don't do ANYTHING strenuous for a while. Your doc will let you know when and how much you can start doing. Follow the directions and live pain free!

 

Fantastic news and a certain amount of mental relief after the concerns over the whole thing. It is said getting older is not for the weak, it takes a bit of strength to tackle the procedures required to maintain a life and accept having done so that some changes may have to be made but it beats the heck out of not tackling things 'cause changes are going to have to be made anyway.
One day at a time
John

 

Yeah, I'm not lifting anything heavy(not over 15#), and my body is real good about warning me as I approach my limits with a little jab of pain... I'm still not working, and that's honestly the worst part of the recovery...

 

Just another update on my road to recovery; I stopped taking any medication of any sort, partly to determine my new "normal"... No anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, or anything... A tiny amount of pain has surfaced in my legs(both of em), that I'm assuming is due to their not being used in a normal manner for some years, me stooping as I tried to stand up... I'm not yet back on the concrete, and that'll be the true test of my condition, but I feel confident that I'll be okay... It's worth noting that in my left leg, the range of motion is still limited, and strength is still way down(as well as visible muscle mass), but with the nerve pain mostly gone, I may be able to rehab it...

Unc, you nailed it when you said, "it ain't normal but it never was"... I've not gotten 100% relief(maybe more still to come), but I've gotten my life back...