Four legged trips to the head - yep, been there , done that and not looking forward to the next round when it shows up . Last round resulted in so much meds from the ER it took 2 friends to get me home and in bed - woke up 22hrs later with no recall of the whole thing , maybe that was a good deal ? The frequency of days I can't do anything is starting to really get on my nerves , but reading your journey makes me less interested in getting the problems fixed to say the least ...
Trying desperately to get ready for another Illinois winter here and trying to work when it's there lately has kept me off the board for awhile now - sorry I missed out on your misery real-time but been wondering how you were doing with the upcoming hack and repair event , wish it were going better for ya'... Holding out for good results , be careful and keep plugging forward.
Sarge
Oh Sarge, I'm doing amazingly well!!
The first week was absolute hell, comprised of the worst pain I've ever endured... Some of which I didn't recall, until Dianna reminded me.
After returning to the surgeon and listening to Dianna tell him just how unhappy we were, he explained that, "One out of 83 of his patients have sciatica problems, post surgery. I won!!
All if his patients (1 in 83) who develop sciatica problems are given Gabapentum (nerve meds) and a muscle relaxer, in addition to the "standard" pain meds (hydrocodone), that is given upon hospital discharge.
"Almost 100% of these (1 in 83) patients respond immediately to the Hydro, Gaba regimen.".
I won again!!
Dr Duke said he had "some challenges" during my procedure, nothing he hadn't seen before... But, very infrequently.... And I was one of the very few patients who encounter sciatica on the "good side"... He changed me to Oxycodone (stronger pain med and eliminated hydrocodone) and started me on methiprednisone (steroid) to eliminate any inflammation.
I slept 10 hours that night and the next morning, I woke up pain free!!
I've been walking single 1/4 mile laps, every two hours, ever since... With no pain!!
I tried walking a 1/2 mile a couple of times and did fine, but had a backache later... So, I stay at 1/4 mile for a while.
Dr Duke sends a home health care nurse every couple if days, to check BP, change dressing, etc. and a physical therapist every couple of days, to assess patient's progress.
The Physical Therapist came by for his final assessment yesterday and, while here, told us he had been very concerned that something had gone wrong with my surgery, because of the swelling and bruising.
He was so glad to see how well I was doing so well... In fact, he was astounded at the difference... When last here, he had to help me (screaming) out if my chair and catch me when I almost fell. Now, I stand right up, no pain and walk better than I have in years!! The PT signed me off... He's done with me.
I haven't felt any of the pre-surgery symptoms and have no pain orbany other symptoms, at this point...
But, to be clear, I am still on Oxy, Gaba and muscle relaxers... So, they could be masking some pain, etc... I finish the steroids thus morning.
But, I'm going to see about eliminating these meds, when I speak with Dr Duke today.
Both, the nurse and the PT said they had never seen one of Dr Duke's patients with the issues I had. In fact, everyone we encountered, at the hospital and elsewhere couldn't praise Dr Duke enough.
Everyone said, "You've got the best surgeon available"... His PA said, "Dr Duke, like all neurosurgeons, is a narcissist... But, his narcissism is focused on "quality of service for his practice and patients"... "His four partners are like all other neurosurgeons, their narcissism is focused on themselves... I couldn't and wouldn't work fir any if them".
The PA also said, "I assist, during all procedures, and Dr Duke treats me as his equal. I ask, "why aren't you leaving a drain? He says, "you think I should?". I say, "well, yeah, it's better than a 3am ER call to unsert a drain".. He says, "Goid point".
The PA then said, "Any if his four partners would fire me in the OR, just for questioning them".
SO... Please don't let the post-surgery challenges I faced prevent you persuing a better life, going forward... My challenges were an infrequent anomaly.
I know your issues are much more complex than mine, but They've made huge strides in treatment and there's at least one great surgeon out there!!
