RE: New to group-Dee

July 30, 2012

Not to hijack this thread...

I've had some crazy side effects from neurontin and muscle relaxers, but not

from morphine/oxycontin etc.

Is that a sensitivity thing?

Got off everything but pain meds and small dose savella.

I still have moderate to severe pain, but it is now well controlled vs last

year.

Do u have no pain or low levels? Tylenol isn't a big help for me, but I dont

want to keep staying on the morphine forever.

------------------------------

>

>Hi Liz ~ I had a detethering 4 yrs ago for a tight filum. If you did well with

your decompression I would think you will do just fine with your detether. Make

sure you express your concerns about pain management to your neurosurgeon or at

your pre-op appt. You will likely be on a morphine drip when you first wake up.

I don't remember any pain when I woke up -- it was later after I got off the

strong meds the pain was really bad. I think I was on morphine for the two days

and then they tried ocycodone. Due to terrible side effects of both, got off

the opiates and just onto tylenol and ibuprofen -- it's all a blur now. I think

the back pain really started when I got off the narcotics -- but for me, the

pain was worth it. Turns out after 3 surgeries the verdict is it's the opiates

that give me the severe headaches, dizziness, and other horrid feelings -- it

wasn't the detether as originally thought. I do remember as soon as I got up

moving and

walking around, the pain decreased substantially. I think you will be drugged

up enough that you won't mind being on your back the 1st 24 hours -- just like

you said. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. All the best for

your surgery! Dee

> To: tetheredspinalcord

>From: lcauthon1@...

>Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2012 03:29:00 +0000

>Subject: New to group

>

> My name is Liz and I have been reading the site for a couple months. I

had Chiari 1 and was decompressed with duraplasty in Jan. I am now scheduled

for detethering of spinal cord Aug 6. I'm wondering what the post-op pain and

laying flat on your back is like the first 24 hrs. Hopefully I will be drugged

enough I won't mind being on my back. I'm dreading this one more than the

decompression. I don't know why. I just don't want to experienc a lot of pain.

How's it been for some of you? Blessings, Liz

>

July 30, 2012

Hi , I do still have chronic pain but lucky for me my pain levels are

controlled enough to manage without pain meds most of the time, unless I'm in a

big flare-up or do too much -- but I am really limited in what I can do. If I

try and do too much or do certain things I will be in trouble right away --

activity increases my pain so I have to be really careful of what and how much I

do. Inflammation seems to be a biggie for me, as when I wake up in the morning

I am good, it's as soon as I start increasing my activity my pain goes up. I am

in better shape though now than I was before my detethering and spinal fusion.

No more horrid aching in my legs. Just some aching if I walk too far but that

goes away when I stop (yay). I have recently undergone genetic testing for

detoxification pathways (due to other health issues) and found out I am missing

a gene that is very important for detoxification (eg chemicals, heavy metals,

certain meds....) which according to my doctor explains my sensitivities among

other issues I have. I remember thinking I was dying after all three of my

surgeries -- well, that is a bit dramatic but I was in such rough shape -- it

took til surgery #3 to realize it was the anesthesia, morphine and to a lesser

extent oxycodone (but oxycodone is not my friend either). I shudder to think of

ever having another major surgery for that reason alone as there are no other

drugs they can give me -- I tried them all in the hospital! I do take tylenol

and ibuprofen as needed, but I know I probably shouldn't take much of those so

try not to. I also take a low dose of amitriptiline on a regular basis. Plus I

take high doses of fish oil, curcumin and MSM which all help with inflammation

and try and eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: lilacs007@...

Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2012 18:32:56 -0700

Subject: RE: New to group-Dee