Questions about preparing for surgery

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I lived in yoga pants and tshirts. I wore that to the hospital and wore them home. Don't think I wore anything else for about 2 weeks. You don't need much for the hospital, you won't feel like doing anything but sleeping. Make sure you let the anesthesiolgist know if you get nausea under anesthetics or if youget motion sickness and he will add some meds to your iv to keep you from getting sick. EXPECT to have a little breakthru pain a week or so after surgery. I think most people get that and we all freak out alittle thinking the surgery failed. It is temporary in most cases. Jessica has put some incredible info on here from her surgery in January. It is a great source of help. Take pictures. You will want to look back on your journey thru all this later and realize just how far you come. Believe it or not, being pain free is a very real possiblity. I do hope the best for you. Keep us updated and if you think of anything else let us know!

Victoria, How are you doing? Thinking and praying for you, lady!!

Jessica, Hope you are still doing great!

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surgery date is getting closer and i am getting nervous. i was taking 200 mg tegretoal 5 or 6 times a day + percocet and xanax...so currently pain isn't my problem , however side affects are. this weekend i am trying to start cutting back on meds alittle...taking 4 tegretols a day, slowing down on the percocet...the pain is still here, side effects muss less, but a constant burning headache...not the stabbing but still pain

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Yvette, bless ur heart, I had the same issue. The side effects from the meds were as big a nightmare as the pain. When the doc. Told me I had to stop driving bc of the meds, I knew I had to have the surgery. Can’t live stuck in the house out here in the country w/o having a way out. I was going crazy. When I finally weaned off the meds, then I could really see the effects they had on me. Its been wonderful to be off them!

I had that constant burning pain too. Feels like boiling water in ur veins!

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Hi ALL! TODAY .. is an AMAZING DAY. It has been SIX MONTHS since my surgery and I'm still 100% pain free and drug free. I took me maybe 2 months to wean all of the drugs and really get to the point of no pain. I did have some minor twingy pains for a bit, but I was assured it would go away, that it was part of the healing process and it did!! I am SOOOO grateful for my Dr., surgery, all of the love and support. I never imagined a year ago that I'd be here, with my life back and better than ever. I can't wait for you all to feel the same exact way ... HUGS

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Jessica, that's just the best news, I could not be more pleased for you!!

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This may be a silly question, but what did you take to wear at the hospital? Did you stay in hospital gown entire time or did you change into your own pjs? I don't even own a robe sad to say. Thinking I may need to get one before I head to the hospital.

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I stayed in their gowns. I only got up a few times. I was stuck in ICU so didn’t even get to take a shower. I guess its up to you, but I didn’t take anything but my glasses and phone.

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Hi Tinah and Jessica , good news I have a date for my surgery it’s the 9th of July , so scared but relived you have both been through this and are a great support and have given exactly what to expect befor and after surgery he said I should only be in hospital for 2 -3 days so will be able to come home to get better x

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Yvett we are schedule to have our MVD surgery very close to each other I’m a little scared but relived at the same time will be thinking of you x

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Victoria and Yvett we will be thinking of you both. Our prayers will be with you for a successful outcome and quick recovery. xx

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THAT IS SO SOON!!! Relief is just a few weeks away ... your life will forever be changed in a GOOD way!!!

Victoria Swan said:

Hi Tinah and Jessica , good news I have a date for my surgery it's the 9th of July ,,, so scared but relived you have both been through this and are a great support and have given exactly what to expect befor and after surgery he said I should only be in hospital for 2 -3 days so will be able to come home to get better x
92

Woo hoo! Thank God it's soon! CONGRATS! All uphill from here! Keep us posted! Can't wait to hear how it went!

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Jessica...what did you nd what weere you able to do t home while recooperating?



JessicaG said:

THAT IS SO SOON!!! Relief is just a few weeks away ... your life will forever be changed in a GOOD way!!!

Victoria Swan said:

Hi Tinah and Jessica , good news I have a date for my surgery it's the 9th of July ,,, so scared but relived you have both been through this and are a great support and have given exactly what to expect befor and after surgery he said I should only be in hospital for 2 -3 days so will be able to come home to get better x
94

So I was told I would be in the hospital 3-5 nights, but I was only there for 2 — one night in the neuro ICU and one in a reg. neuro room. The moment I got home I slept for like 6 hrs strait and it was awesome.

1) you aren't suppose to lift anything + you can't really hold your head up very well so you need lots of pillows to prop yourself up and anything you eat, either you need someone to bring to you or you need like pre-portioned ahead of time. I think I read that some people had a hard time chewing, I didn't. I was just sick from the sleepy drugs for a few days.

2) you can't wash your hair and pay a lot of money to be platinum blonde ... my best friend came over and use diluted baby shampoo in a spray bottle and a wash cloth and she "washed" my hair while I laid on my bed on a pillow covered in a towel so that she could get the rest of the iodine out + the blood (I was in a halo when they did surgery so I had little tiny scabs in my scalp) ... and then she rinsed with warm water from one of those plastic bottle you use to color your hair at home

3) I was so full of pain meds I didn't go to the bathroom for 5 days ... that was AWFUL. The hospital gave me stool softeners but that wasn't doing anything. I also bought Miralax ... go get some of that and start taking that when you get home too. Also, we are into juicing which was good so that I could actually get some good nutrients. I suggest smoothies as well to try and get some good things in you ... as opposed to just jello and soup. You can eat whatever you want, but I just wasn't in to eating a "real" meal for a bit

4) I watched TV and movies all day ... I spoke with a woman who couldn't watch TV so she did books on tape and then eventually read. I took 5 weeks off of work .. I think I watched the movie "the Help" every single day

5) make a drug calendar on a white board or make a print out on a clip board or something so that you can/or other people who are helping you can keep track of what drugs you took when ... they give you so much crap when you are discharged its hard to keep it all strait

6) WALK ... whoever was with me for the day walked with me ... walked around the house, walked around the block, I went outside, went to breakfast etc. You feel SO much more normal when you walk, move, go for a car ride, leave the house. Make sure you leave the house once you are feeling well enough to get up and go to the bathroom, bath etc.

Honestly, it went by SO fast. I had 5 weeks at home and I really felt like for me that was the perfect amount of time. By the time I was back to work I felt like I was really ready to be back to work. I was honestly starting to get board. I had some minor pain occasionally after, but was told that was normal and that it would go away and it did!! Plus, oh so I had wax in my ear canal or something so when I woke up I couldn't hear out of my left ear and I was freaking out ... but I guess that they do that so that you don't get any fluid leaking or something. Anyhow, that took about a month to clear up. It's been 6 months for me and I'm a NEW PERSON. PAIN FREE, DRUG FREE. It's AMAZING. I would 100% have surgery again. Absolutely. Please do not hesitate to ask my any more questions. It's a wonderful experience ... you will be SO HAPPY.


Yvette said:

Jessica...what did you nd what weere you able to do t home while recooperating?



JessicaG said:

THAT IS SO SOON!!! Relief is just a few weeks away ... your life will forever be changed in a GOOD way!!!

Victoria Swan said:

Hi Tinah and Jessica , good news I have a date for my surgery it's the 9th of July ,,, so scared but relived you have both been through this and are a great support and have given exactly what to expect befor and after surgery he said I should only be in hospital for 2 -3 days so will be able to come home to get better x
95

Jessica,

Congratulations on your MVD Anniversary and that you are pain and drug free! I just had my MVD surgery on 6/25/12 and that will forever be a special day to me. There were so many negative things that I had read all over the internet about MVD and I was so scared to do it. I joined this group a couple of months ago and started reading your posts which made me laugh out loud and at times cry. I could so much identify with what you were experiencing with TN. I was glad you documented your experience that I decided to do it and be soooo very positive about the outcome just like you were. Here I am a week later and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. If there is anything I can ever do for you please let me know. I have just thought about you so much and refer to your posts often since my brain was full of anti-convulsants and could barely remember my own name. I wish you great success in your life and want you to know that you helped me immensely in getting my life back as well. Email me if you get a chance or want to talk at ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■.

Steph

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I am nearly there tomorrow I travels to a hotel ready for hospital 7 am Monday can’t say how I feel, worried, excited at the thought of no more pain but know I’m going to feel rough for a couple of weeks dr said 6 weeks of work but it is two weeks till the summer holidays so won’t need only two weeks off, I will let you both know how I get soon as I’m home xx

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hope your fit and well for the new term in september xx

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I hope your surgery goes well, Victoria. I am one week post-op today. No more nerve pain. Still dealing with surgical recovery but it has not been horrible. Stiff neck is the worst part of it. Also, some numbness in the face that is a little bothersome but not painful. Take it easy after your surgery and don't over do it. I pray that it is as successful in treating your TN as it was for me. I understand the worry. I was very anxious as well. It will be over before you know it.

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all the very best for Monday, I do look forward to you coming back on and telling us all how well it has all gone for you.


Victoria Swan said:

I am nearly there tomorrow I travels to a hotel ready for hospital 7 am Monday can’t say how I feel, worried, excited at the thought of no more pain but know I’m going to feel rough for a couple of weeks dr said 6 weeks of work but it is two weeks till the summer holidays so won’t need only two weeks off, I will let you both know how I get soon as I’m home xx

100

YAY! Victoria! So excited for you! Praying for a quick recovery and a safe surgery. PLEASE keep us updated! Can't wait to hear your success story. Sending lots of prayers your way. :)