Re: 4 days post-op-PLEASE HELP ME

[Guest guest]

Yes. All of that is normal. But I hope that you will soon start to

feel better, at least from the sore throat. My throat was also sore,

from the intubation, and I had huge bruising. It went away quickly,

though, and left me no worse for wear.

About the congestion, are you taking whatever your doc prescribes?

Sudafed (Liquid) has been highly recommended. Some use Afrin (but

beware the " rebound effect " if you use it too often.

Unless your surgeon disagrees,then switch to heat packs... Since you

had surgery on the 25th, you should be beyond the 48 hours, right? So

try some heat.

Keep your head elevated, and do try to take in some food. That's an

important part of your healing.

It is not unusual at all for folks to regret having had the surgery

at this point. But it will get better. You will breathe again! Ask

your doc if he could prescribe something for nausea (but fair

warning: you may find that what he prescribes comes in suppositories.

Tell him, or ask your sister to, that this may all be normal, but

that you find it intolerable and need some help.)

I swear, I think I would try the sudafed. It may indeed be that you

are clogged up with blood, but it also may be that the sudafed would

help, unless you have problems with blood pressure or some other

troubles. At least ask your doc about it.

You need lots of liquid -- more than you're getting -- to help get

rid of the swelling.

don't hesitate to ring their chimes and let 'em know you're having

trouble. But also, try to be patient... You'll just have some days of

awful. The steroids don't help with moods, either. But you can make

it through.

Ask more here, if we can be helpful. We will keep you in mind, and

many of us have been through some of the same things and lived to

tell about it!

Cammie

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay,

I had surgery the same day as you. I agree that this was probably

the worst experience of my life and I should have left well enough

alone. However, for me things are looking up. My swelling has gone

down considerably. I have been sleeping with like 5 pillows at

night, and trying to stay up as much as possible. So the blood will

not run to my head. I have been resting when needed though. My

nose has been so clogged with blood, been using some drops the Dr.

gave me; they don't seem to help much either, I just keep cleaning

them out with q-tips and so forth. It is hard. You will be glad

you did this when you are young. It will be well worth it I am

sure.

My Dr. told me to drink lots, and walk around, this is the only way

the swelling will go down. Go through life as normal as possible.

I live in India, and later this morning will be 5 days! So, just

think what tomorrow will be like. That is all I can think of each

day, tomorrow will be better than today. Also, I look at pictures

on this web site, it encourages me so much. Good luck and I hope

you are feeling better soon.

AB

> Hi, I'm 19 years old and I had upper/lower jaw surgery on

september

> 25th. The surgery was in the afternoon and lasted 3 and 1/2 hours

I

> stayed in the hospital for one night, less then 24 hours and was

sent

> home the next morning. I'm in a lot of pain and have much

congestion

> and swelling. I have a splint and I'm banded shut and I can't

talk

> (is that normal?) It's very hard to swallow, I have a sore throat

> and I have to mostly breath through my mouth. My surgeon said a

> decongestant would not help because they are for colds and

allergies,

> not surgery swelling. My ears hurt too. Doctor said the sinuses

are

> filled with blood now and that it is going to my nose and throat

> slowly and he said everything I'm experiencing is normal. Also I

> feel the pain a lot because I don't have numbness, doc said this

is

> great but it's making me miserable. I have to take antibiotics for

a

> few days and I'm allowed 2tsp Tylenol with codene every four hours

> but it's making me nauseus and stings my nose when I smell it,

plus

> it only takes pain away for about an hour each time. I stay on

the

> recliner all day and all night and feel like I'm suffocating when

I

> lie down (so I don't). I decided to stop using ice this morning

> because it's not helping me. I can't stand the swollen sinuses,

My

> nose is so tiny now because it's swollen all around it. I have a

> small bruise on one cheek only. All I drink is a few cups of

water

> and apple juice mixed with water and sometimes 7-up because other

> things make me want to throw up. What should I do now? I see my

> doctor on thursday and I had my sister call him yesterday and he

said

> everything I'm experiencing is normal, but it's still

uncomfortable.

> I'm thinking of switching to heat and taking NyQuil (anyone try

> that?) Right now I wish I just left my jaw alone and never had

> surgery. When will the swelling decrease? Any advice is greatly

> appreciated.

> Thank you

> -Kay

[Guest guest]

hi kay!

I'm soooo sorry to hear that you're having a rough time. I hope

things are better for you.

I also had my deviated septum repaired which caused alot ALOT of

concern about breathing. but the surgeon told me to use afrin and

sudafed elixir which do work for me.

and I really think that the nauseau is from the pain meds. could you

be sensitive to codeine? I vomitted a whole lot after being

prescribed tylenol with codeine along time ago... now, I just assume

I'm allergic to codeine. and let everyone know...

hope you feel better! dj

> Hi, I'm 19 years old and I had upper/lower jaw surgery on september

> 25th. The surgery was in the afternoon and lasted 3 and 1/2 hours I

> stayed in the hospital for one night, less then 24 hours and was

sent

> home the next morning. I'm in a lot of pain and have much

congestion

> and swelling. I have a splint and I'm banded shut and I can't talk

> (is that normal?) It's very hard to swallow, I have a sore throat

> and I have to mostly breath through my mouth. My surgeon said a

> decongestant would not help because they are for colds and

allergies,

> not surgery swelling. My ears hurt too. Doctor said the sinuses

are

> filled with blood now and that it is going to my nose and throat

> slowly and he said everything I'm experiencing is normal. Also I

> feel the pain a lot because I don't have numbness, doc said this is

> great but it's making me miserable. I have to take antibiotics for

a

> few days and I'm allowed 2tsp Tylenol with codene every four hours

> but it's making me nauseus and stings my nose when I smell it, plus

> it only takes pain away for about an hour each time. I stay on the

> recliner all day and all night and feel like I'm suffocating when I

> lie down (so I don't). I decided to stop using ice this morning

> because it's not helping me. I can't stand the swollen sinuses, My

> nose is so tiny now because it's swollen all around it. I have a

> small bruise on one cheek only. All I drink is a few cups of water

> and apple juice mixed with water and sometimes 7-up because other

> things make me want to throw up. What should I do now? I see my

> doctor on thursday and I had my sister call him yesterday and he

said

> everything I'm experiencing is normal, but it's still

uncomfortable.

> I'm thinking of switching to heat and taking NyQuil (anyone try

> that?) Right now I wish I just left my jaw alone and never had

> surgery. When will the swelling decrease? Any advice is greatly

> appreciated.

> Thank you

> -Kay