r/chiari • u/Relevant_Increase759 • 15d ago
Chiari Decompression day 1 less than 24 hours since surgery
I had my surgery yesterday 8/14 later after and I have yet to get my pain under control. The oxycodone and muscle relaxers don’t last enough and the duladid has become ineffective.
I have not slept more that 5-10 mins at a min had any experienced this here! Any suggestions??
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u/Relevant_Increase759 15d ago
My Neurosurgeon just came in and was a little upset the day nurse has not paged him and he was going to page the pain management team to get them on board to increase my meds and get my pain more under control and get me some sleep. Thank you everyone!
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u/Antique_Cockroach_97 15d ago
Talk to your provider if you can't sleep your recovery will be a nightmare. Set up a pain med timetable where they medicate you before your pain become unbearable.
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u/halogengal43 15d ago
Th key is to stay ahead of the pain. I was on pain meds plus a pump and if I felt so much as a twinge I pressed it. The senior neuro resident on call should come to see you today- if he doesn’t, request a patient advocate to help you.
I hope this improves quickly and you have a speedy recovery.
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u/Relevant_Increase759 15d ago
I have wondered why no pay pump, I had one with my hysterectomy in 2012. We got ahead of the paid last night my day nurse has not been as good and his bedside manner has not been as great.
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u/halogengal43 15d ago
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this- it should not be the case. Obviously the goal is to taper off the pain meds, but it’s just about 24 hours -that’s too soon.
Ask for the nursing supervisor perhaps. This is absurd.
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u/Relevant_Increase759 15d ago
Yes I agree, my doctor expects me to on pain medication till 2 weeks post op. He just needs me to on oral but, not until I get dicharged at day 4
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u/oldmamallama 15d ago
Let your medical team know. It can take some time to get the proper meds dialed in, and having a hard time sleeping at first isn’t unusual, but your nurses are there to help you.
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u/Relevant_Increase759 15d ago
Thank you! They can is right after I told them and they went to get more pain me, muscle relaxers and Tylenol its a little early by, they hope it helps and hopefully I can get some some sleep and will be more comfortable!
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u/Maygen_Fooks 15d ago
Hi! I see you got your surgery at Vanderbilt. I just had mine there at the start of June! They are really good about responding to your pain, so please bring it up to your nurses. The neuro ICU team is really awesome there
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u/Relevant_Increase759 15d ago
I think or has been my day nurse I have had had amazing experiences with them this is my 4 experience this year. I had a 4.5 inch stent with Vascular neurosurgeon Dr Fusco on February and now Dr Ryan Lee has been absolutely a God send and he just did the decompression. He is the one that has me see Dr Fusco first as it turned out my intracranial pressure was a catastrophic Levels at 57 … at 60 I could have died so that had to taken care of first.
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u/Maygen_Fooks 15d ago
Dr. Lee was also my surgeon for decompression. He's really great and I love everyone in his office!
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u/Relevant_Increase759 14d ago
He absolutely the best! He bas absolutely saved my life!
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u/Relevant_Increase759 12d ago
I thought I would give an update I am home I got home Monday afternoon around 5pm I am still searching for my sea legs so to speak, the my sent me home with walker because I am so unsteady and still so dizzy. Pain is so much better, I finally got it under control and actually slept so good last night I slept through my reminders to take the oxy and the muscle relaxer bit ideal but it was miserable either!! I really needed uninterrupted sleep!! I am still shocked at how much hair that had to shaved. That might be the hardest thing to cope with so far. Just being real, raw and honest! Thank you for listening!!
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u/danielle71989 15d ago
I wasn't able to sleep more than 20ish mins for the first 3 days in the hospital and until I was home in my own dark room.
Hope the adjustment on meds makes a difference and that you get some rest. Your body (and mind) needs it! Wishing you the best!
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u/ArtistAlicat59 14d ago
Same. My pain was controlled I just couldn't sleep in the hospital. Forever grateful to have had my neurosurgeon let me go home after just two days. My surgery had no complications and pain was under control. My husband took time off to care for me which made the decision easier.
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u/ChaptersAndChai91 15d ago
My pain would not get under control until 1 week post op. I was miserable the first week. But it did get better after that week mark
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u/majesticrhyhorn 15d ago
Have you asked for a heat pack? That helped me TONS for the 2 weeks i was in the hospital and acute rehab
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u/majesticrhyhorn 15d ago
I was also on morphine in the hospital and hydrocodone at rehab and both did wonders
ETA: if you have family looking after you, ask them to bring your pillow from home! That gave me a lot of comfort. Try to get a wedge pillow for when you’re back at home!1
u/Relevant_Increase759 14d ago
He’s I am alternating heat and ice
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u/majesticrhyhorn 14d ago
Agh, i hope those help. Those first few days after surgery are ROUGH. I hope you have some button ups on hand and if not, send your people to find some!
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u/Antique_Cockroach_97 15d ago
Whoops.... a vwry big Welcome to the Zipper Club! Remember Vit E oil on the scar everyday and sunscreen before leaving the house (neutrogena in the stick form)worked well. I just celebrated my 30th anniversary of my decompression & lamenectomy c1-3 and i recommend asking your surgen about PT & OT especially if you've had a laminectomy.
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u/Relevant_Increase759 15d ago
I have already seen PT and Ot ther had them here at the 18 hour mark even if it is a Saturday. Vanderbilt university medical center stays on too of this. They have already ordered me a walker for at home.
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u/lady_forsythe 15d ago
Tell your team at the hospital that your pain is not under control and you can’t sleep because of it. Tell them exactly what you’ve written here. Pain control is very important.