Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Hi Everybody, Will someone who has been through the surgery please let me know how you control pain post surgery. I am wondering about the whole " swallowing the pill " effect, which must not be the case anyway. i am having upper, lower and genio. Also, is it the nurses who guide you through the first " drinking/feeding " situations? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 , All your medication will be liquid. Codeine syrup, Tylenol, etc. Nothing to worry about for that. And at the hospital, your medication will be intravenous, with a button to inject more (but with the impossibility to overdose yourself, rest assured). Drinking & eating... I was left a tray in front of me and that was it. There was a straw instead of a knife and fork, along with a syringe. I was eating with a syringe, so what I did is pack the syringe with food (Juice, Jell-O, soups, etc) and injected it in my mouth, a small quantity at a time. Swallow. Repeat as much as your patience will allow :-) Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Hi - While in the hospital you will have the PCA (patient controlled analgesic) also known as " morphine pump (it may not be morphine at all). After that you'll (likely) get a prescription for some sort of liquid pain medication. I had liquid tylenol with codeine. Another person who had this surgery advised me to take the pain medication immediately when you get home, follow the dosage on the bottle, and keep taking it. If you do this for the first few days you will have minimal pain. After a few days you can start to cut back on the pain meds and start taking OTC pain relievers instead. I've read on here where a lot of people have trouble with the codeine. I did not. So it might be helpful if you could know this ahead of time. Discuss it with your doctor. In my experience the nurses are very little help when it comes to showing you how to eat or anything like that. I suggest you get these zip-n-squeeze bags that they talk about around here and practice with them (pretend you're wired shut, etc.) a little bit before the " big day " so you'll be prepared. Hope this helps, Jay > Hi Everybody, Will someone who has been through the surgery please > let me know how you control pain post surgery. I am wondering about > the whole " swallowing the pill " effect, which must not be the case > anyway. i am having upper, lower and genio. Also, is it the nurses > who guide you through the first " drinking/feeding " situations? > Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 I'm so jealous of you Ray. I bought some liquid medication, but I was prescribed pills which I barely took since the pain was more bearable than trying to swallow a crushed pill in a glass of water (disgusting!) I tried to get the pills into my mouth without crushing them, but I was wired very tightly and the pill wouldn't fit through any gaps I had from having a few teeth removed. And you got your pain meds at the hospital through IV? They removed my IV a few hours after the surgery. And all my button did was alert this cranky guy who'd want to know why I was bugging him this time. If I was in pain - he'd go find this nice nurse who'd give me this painful shot which I believe just serve the purpose of making me concentrate on the pain of the needle and not the one in my jaw But my favourite part was when I'd get nauseous - then the nice nurse would give me a nice suppository. Ah, the memories You had your surgery at the Montreal General? Oh, and , I hope none of my message discouraged you. The pain is easily controllable with over-the-counter liquid pain relievers - and like you've probably heard many times - the numbness dulls most of the pain. You shouldn't worry too much about that. And if you aren't as lucky as Ray at the hospital - suppositories aren't THAT bad ;P But if they want to take your temperature (which they will) and you're wired too tightly for them to take it in your mouth - remind them they can take it under your arm (I got one nurse who liked my butt a little too much) Happy healing! Johanne > , > > All your medication will be liquid. Codeine syrup, Tylenol, etc. > Nothing to worry about for that. And at the hospital, your medication > will be intravenous, with a button to inject more (but with the > impossibility to overdose yourself, rest assured). > > Drinking & eating... I was left a tray in front of me and that was it. > There was a straw instead of a knife and fork, along with a syringe. > > I was eating with a syringe, so what I did is pack the syringe with food > (Juice, Jell-O, soups, etc) and injected it in my mouth, a small quantity > at a time. Swallow. Repeat as much as your patience will allow :-) > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Oh man, Johanne. I feel so bad for you. My experience wasnt anything like that. What sado-masochistic hospital were you stuck in? > > > I'm so jealous of you Ray. I bought some liquid medication, but I was > prescribed pills which I barely took since the pain was more bearable > than trying to swallow a crushed pill in a glass of water > (disgusting!) > I tried to get the pills into my mouth without crushing them, but I > was wired very tightly and the pill wouldn't fit through any gaps I > had from having a few teeth removed. > > And you got your pain meds at the hospital through IV? They removed > my IV a few hours after the surgery. And all my button did was alert > this cranky guy who'd want to know why I was bugging him this time. > If I was in pain - he'd go find this nice nurse who'd give me this > painful shot which I believe just serve the purpose of making me > concentrate on the pain of the needle and not the one in my jaw > But my favourite part was when I'd get nauseous - then the nice nurse > would give me a nice suppository. Ah, the memories > > You had your surgery at the Montreal General? > > Oh, and , I hope none of my message discouraged you. The pain is > easily controllable with over-the-counter liquid pain relievers - and > like you've probably heard many times - the numbness dulls most of > the pain. You shouldn't worry too much about that. And if you aren't > as lucky as Ray at the hospital - suppositories aren't THAT bad ;P > But if they want to take your temperature (which they will) and > you're wired too tightly for them to take it in your mouth - remind > them they can take it under your arm (I got one nurse who liked my > butt a little too much) > > Happy healing! > Johanne > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 I knew I was in a bad place when I asked where my morphine was - and they told me I wasn't going to get any I actually made people laughed for a long time after my surgery with my " horror stories " . Tim will be at the Just for Laughs festival this year and they ran a part of his routine on the radio where he says that after 40 - all medical tests for men are up the butt. Well, I'm 28 and female - but I can sympathize > > > > > > I'm so jealous of you Ray. I bought some liquid medication, but I > was > > prescribed pills which I barely took since the pain was more > bearable > > than trying to swallow a crushed pill in a glass of water > > (disgusting!) > > I tried to get the pills into my mouth without crushing them, but I > > was wired very tightly and the pill wouldn't fit through any gaps I > > had from having a few teeth removed. > > > > And you got your pain meds at the hospital through IV? They removed > > my IV a few hours after the surgery. And all my button did was > alert > > this cranky guy who'd want to know why I was bugging him this time. > > If I was in pain - he'd go find this nice nurse who'd give me this > > painful shot which I believe just serve the purpose of making me > > concentrate on the pain of the needle and not the one in my jaw > > But my favourite part was when I'd get nauseous - then the nice > nurse > > would give me a nice suppository. Ah, the memories > > > > You had your surgery at the Montreal General? > > > > Oh, and , I hope none of my message discouraged you. The pain > is > > easily controllable with over-the-counter liquid pain relievers - > and > > like you've probably heard many times - the numbness dulls most of > > the pain. You shouldn't worry too much about that. And if you > aren't > > as lucky as Ray at the hospital - suppositories aren't THAT bad ;P > > But if they want to take your temperature (which they will) and > > you're wired too tightly for them to take it in your mouth - remind > > them they can take it under your arm (I got one nurse who liked my > > butt a little too much) > > > > Happy healing! > > Johanne > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 My gosh Johanne - where did you have your surgery done? Afghanistan? Jay > > , > > > > All your medication will be liquid. Codeine syrup, Tylenol, etc. > > Nothing to worry about for that. And at the hospital, your > medication > > will be intravenous, with a button to inject more (but with the > > impossibility to overdose yourself, rest assured). > > > > Drinking & eating... I was left a tray in front of me and that was > it. > > There was a straw instead of a knife and fork, along with a syringe. > > > > I was eating with a syringe, so what I did is pack the syringe with > food > > (Juice, Jell-O, soups, etc) and injected it in my mouth, a small > quantity > > at a time. Swallow. Repeat as much as your patience will allow :-) > > > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Hi Jay! Nope, it was even worst - it was in Quebec! The hospital closed shortly after my surgery. I guess someone found out they didn't give me my morphine Actually the hospital where I had my surgery did move to a different location a few months ago. I'm sure it had nothing to do with me though. Happy healing! Johanne > > > , > > > > > > All your medication will be liquid. Codeine syrup, Tylenol, etc. > > > Nothing to worry about for that. And at the hospital, your > > medication > > > will be intravenous, with a button to inject more (but with the > > > impossibility to overdose yourself, rest assured). > > > > > > Drinking & eating... I was left a tray in front of me and that > was > > it. > > > There was a straw instead of a knife and fork, along with a > syringe. > > > > > > I was eating with a syringe, so what I did is pack the syringe > with > > food > > > (Juice, Jell-O, soups, etc) and injected it in my mouth, a small > > quantity > > > at a time. Swallow. Repeat as much as your patience will > allow :-) > > > > > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 > > > I'm so jealous of you Ray. I bought some liquid medication, but I was > prescribed pills which I barely took since the pain was more bearable > than trying to swallow a crushed pill in a glass of water > (disgusting!) > I tried to get the pills into my mouth without crushing them, but I > was wired very tightly and the pill wouldn't fit through any gaps I > had from having a few teeth removed. > > And you got your pain meds at the hospital through IV? They removed > my IV a few hours after the surgery. And all my button did was alert > this cranky guy who'd want to know why I was bugging him this time. > If I was in pain - he'd go find this nice nurse who'd give me this > painful shot which I believe just serve the purpose of making me > concentrate on the pain of the needle and not the one in my jaw > But my favourite part was when I'd get nauseous - then the nice nurse > would give me a nice suppository. Ah, the memories > > You had your surgery at the Montreal General? > > Oh, and , I hope none of my message discouraged you. The pain is > easily controllable with over-the-counter liquid pain relievers - and > like you've probably heard many times - the numbness dulls most of > the pain. You shouldn't worry too much about that. And if you aren't > as lucky as Ray at the hospital - suppositories aren't THAT bad ;P > But if they want to take your temperature (which they will) and > you're wired too tightly for them to take it in your mouth - remind > them they can take it under your arm (I got one nurse who liked my > butt a little too much) > > Happy healing! > Johanne > Well, one part I voluntarily omitted... I had to take Nexium (an antacid medication). It only comes in pills. Pharmacist said to let it melt in water for 10 minutes (10ml) and drink it all. I almost vomited at the first drink. It tasted awful. No need to say, I stopped it on the second morning. I took Gaviscon instead. Was more complicated, but tasted slightly better I had my surgery done at Notre-Dame. From reading your own adventure, I was quite lucky.. They took my temperature under my arm, all of the time. They only gave me Tylenol in suppository for two days, then I was home. Codeine was in injection at the 3rd day, in the arm, and was quite painless. The IV stuff I got was morphine, which I had for two days (untill day #3 in the morning). Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 > > Well, one part I voluntarily omitted... I had to take Nexium (an antacid > medication). It only comes in pills. Actually, there is a better way to take Nexium. I was on Prilosec before surgery, and couldn't do the pills when I was banded shut after. I was getting really sick from the antibiotics, and my desperate husband started doing research. Nexium, which is basically the same as Prilosec, has a capsule for people who can't swallow pills. You pull it apart, mix the little pebble things into applesauce or a thick liquid, and drink it down. No taste at all. I tried mixing it with a thin liquid and found out why it's supposed to be applesauce. The little pebble things have a lot of static in them, and stick to everything. They coated the cup, the syringe, my teeth... My husband called my doc, who had not been able to help the first time he was called, and told him that Nexium makes this stuff. It was news to my doc, but somehow he was able to write a prescription for it. It's probably too late for you, but maybe someone else out there has acid and pill troubles. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Thanks for your reply Jay, I am not sure of the zip and squeeze bags as i just started looking at this site yesterday, i think. Thanks for the tip on the pain meds. THere is a possibility that the codeine will upset my stomach of i hear, possible make some constipated. I plan on following the directions for taking it from the get go to minimize pain. - In orthognathicsurgerysupport , jayhb2004 wrote: > Hi - > > While in the hospital you will have the PCA (patient controlled > analgesic) also known as " morphine pump (it may not be morphine at > all). > > After that you'll (likely) get a prescription for some sort of > liquid pain medication. I had liquid tylenol with codeine. Another > person who had this surgery advised me to take the pain medication > immediately when you get home, follow the dosage on the bottle, and > keep taking it. If you do this for the first few days you will have > minimal pain. After a few days you can start to cut back on the > pain meds and start taking OTC pain relievers instead. > > I've read on here where a lot of people have trouble with the > codeine. I did not. So it might be helpful if you could know this > ahead of time. Discuss it with your doctor. > > In my experience the nurses are very little help when it comes to > showing you how to eat or anything like that. I suggest you get > these zip-n-squeeze bags that they talk about around here and > practice with them (pretend you're wired shut, etc.) a little bit > before the " big day " so you'll be prepared. > > Hope this helps, > > Jay > > > > > Hi Everybody, Will someone who has been through the surgery > please > > let me know how you control pain post surgery. I am wondering > about > > the whole " swallowing the pill " effect, which must not be the case > > anyway. i am having upper, lower and genio. Also, is it the > nurses > > who guide you through the first " drinking/feeding " situations? > > Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 > > > > Well, one part I voluntarily omitted... I had to take Nexium (an > antacid > > medication). It only comes in pills. > > Actually, there is a better way to take Nexium. I was on Prilosec > before surgery, and couldn't do the pills when I was banded shut > after. I was getting really sick from the antibiotics, and my > desperate husband started doing research. Nexium, which is > basically the same as Prilosec, has a capsule for people who can't > swallow pills. You pull it apart, mix the little pebble things into > applesauce or a thick liquid, and drink it down. No taste at all. > I tried mixing it with a thin liquid and found out why it's supposed > to be applesauce. The little pebble things have a lot of static in > them, and stick to everything. They coated the cup, the syringe, my > teeth... > > My husband called my doc, who had not been able to help the first > time he was called, and told him that Nexium makes this stuff. It > was news to my doc, but somehow he was able to write a prescription > for it. > > It's probably too late for you, but maybe someone else out there has > acid and pill troubles. > > Kris Thanks for the tip! Although you're right, it is too late. I only took two pills. It was enough to get my stomach started again. What you're talking about isn't available in Canada yet. I checked with my generalist for alternate products, and he suggested Prevasil, liquid, at first. It would appear I was about the only human being requiring this stuff at the time I needed it because I couldn't locate one single bottle of this in a dozen drugstores around home. They all told me something like : " Hum... does it even exist? " , and once they checked, they all came up with the same answer : " We'll have to order it, and it's not in the zone, it could take a few days... " That's why I ended up with Nexium in water. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 > Another > person who had this surgery advised me to take the pain medication > immediately when you get home, follow the dosage on the bottle, and > keep taking it. If you do this for the first few days you will have > minimal pain. > > Jay Jay, this is sooooo true! If you skip a dose or two, the pain becomes much less manageable, and you have to take the maximum dose allowed before it can return to tolerable levels. Excellent advice! Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 There was this lovely little clicking thing, Miz , that gave me morphine iv during the first night. Then, when I went home, I had liquid Lortab. I don't recommend it as a flavoring agent, but it sure can go down the throat... I was neither banded nor wired, but my doc gave me liquid pain stuff and antibiotics because my throat was very, VERY sore from the intubation. By a week post op, his partner gave me a prescription for regular pills, which solved my major troubles easily. The soreness was gone by then. Hoping you find/have found things the same... Cammie > Hi Everybody, Will someone who has been through the surgery please > let me know how you control pain post surgery. I am wondering about > the whole " swallowing the pill " effect, which must not be the case > anyway. i am having upper, lower and genio. Also, is it the nurses > who guide you through the first " drinking/feeding " situations? > Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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