Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging day yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking the Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of being spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent the entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in on my left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it still hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all spaced out. I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, so I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food instead of Ensure and broth. -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging day yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking the Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of being spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent the entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in on my left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it still hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all spaced out. I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, so I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food instead of Ensure and broth. -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Hey there Jen! If it's any consolation at all, I am still pretty sore and still taking my vicodin too. I was feeling much better by the time I went to bed last night (started thinking, wow, I probably could go to work this week), and decided to sleep in my bed instead of on the couch for the night. I think that was a big mistake. I don't know if I slept funnily or if it was from the heat or what, but I felt worse when I got up this morning than when I went to bed last night and my swelling started to creep back up a bit. I was not going to take any pain meds today, but I did. I may not take any more, we'll see when it starts wearing off. My muscles are very sore in my neck and lower checks. Since I've been up for a few hours now, it seems to be getting better. My accomplishment of the day: I actually drank from a cup this morning (with no straw) without even realizing I was doing it! Rest well, don't try to do too much! Kim > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging day > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking the > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of being > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent the > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in on my > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it still > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all spaced out. > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, so > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > instead of Ensure and broth. > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Hey there Jen! If it's any consolation at all, I am still pretty sore and still taking my vicodin too. I was feeling much better by the time I went to bed last night (started thinking, wow, I probably could go to work this week), and decided to sleep in my bed instead of on the couch for the night. I think that was a big mistake. I don't know if I slept funnily or if it was from the heat or what, but I felt worse when I got up this morning than when I went to bed last night and my swelling started to creep back up a bit. I was not going to take any pain meds today, but I did. I may not take any more, we'll see when it starts wearing off. My muscles are very sore in my neck and lower checks. Since I've been up for a few hours now, it seems to be getting better. My accomplishment of the day: I actually drank from a cup this morning (with no straw) without even realizing I was doing it! Rest well, don't try to do too much! Kim > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging day > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking the > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of being > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent the > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in on my > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it still > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all spaced out. > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, so > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > instead of Ensure and broth. > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Heya! Yesterday was the first day I slept in my bed too. I piled up a bunch of pillows to hold me up and I think it helped me better than sleeping on the couch has. I'm sorry it didn't work out so well for you! Good luck with the pain meds! Let me know how it goes! I'm going to stick with mine until after I see my OS again on Tuesday I think, just to be on the safe side. I really hate being dizzy and spacey, but I don't want to have another day like yesterday either! My neck pain is much better today. I did 's exercises (they're on Site 2 under files) a few times yesterday and kept a hot washcloth on my neck and I think it helped a lot. I need to keep doing it though, It's still pretty sore, just not as bad as it was. Congrats on drinking from a cup!! -Jen > > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging > day > > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking > the > > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of > being > > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent > the > > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in > on my > > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it > still > > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all > spaced out. > > > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, > so > > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > > instead of Ensure and broth. > > > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Heya! Yesterday was the first day I slept in my bed too. I piled up a bunch of pillows to hold me up and I think it helped me better than sleeping on the couch has. I'm sorry it didn't work out so well for you! Good luck with the pain meds! Let me know how it goes! I'm going to stick with mine until after I see my OS again on Tuesday I think, just to be on the safe side. I really hate being dizzy and spacey, but I don't want to have another day like yesterday either! My neck pain is much better today. I did 's exercises (they're on Site 2 under files) a few times yesterday and kept a hot washcloth on my neck and I think it helped a lot. I need to keep doing it though, It's still pretty sore, just not as bad as it was. Congrats on drinking from a cup!! -Jen > > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging > day > > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking > the > > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of > being > > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent > the > > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in > on my > > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it > still > > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all > spaced out. > > > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, > so > > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > > instead of Ensure and broth. > > > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Conventional wisdom, at least, is that it's a lot easier to keep the pain down from the get go than to retreat from the pain-killer meds, start hurting, and then play catch-up with the meds. I'm not saying you should or would spend the rest of your lives swacked out on Lortab or Vicodin -- just that while you're in the first stages of healing, it's usually wiser to stay ahead of the pain. Cammie > > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging > day > > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking > the > > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of > being > > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent > the > > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in > on my > > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it > still > > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all > spaced out. > > > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, > so > > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > > instead of Ensure and broth. > > > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Conventional wisdom, at least, is that it's a lot easier to keep the pain down from the get go than to retreat from the pain-killer meds, start hurting, and then play catch-up with the meds. I'm not saying you should or would spend the rest of your lives swacked out on Lortab or Vicodin -- just that while you're in the first stages of healing, it's usually wiser to stay ahead of the pain. Cammie > > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging > day > > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking > the > > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of > being > > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent > the > > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in > on my > > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it > still > > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all > spaced out. > > > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, > so > > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > > instead of Ensure and broth. > > > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Thanks for the tip! I do intend to take mine until I feel that they are becoming counter-productive. I think they may be contributing to my lack of appetite, so if I don't start wanting food more I may go off them. I don't mind being dopey/spacey, I am half the time anyway, hehe! I know that my doctor would not have prescribed them for me if he didn't think they would benefit me, doctors don't throw around prescriptions for painkillers lightly now a days. Kim > > > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most > challenging > > day > > > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped > taking > > the > > > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > > > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > > > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > > > > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of > > being > > > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent > > the > > > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else > would > > > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > > > > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > > > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > > > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in > > on my > > > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it > > still > > > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > > > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > > > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all > > spaced out. > > > > > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth > today, > > so > > > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > > > instead of Ensure and broth. > > > > > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Thanks for the tip! I do intend to take mine until I feel that they are becoming counter-productive. I think they may be contributing to my lack of appetite, so if I don't start wanting food more I may go off them. I don't mind being dopey/spacey, I am half the time anyway, hehe! I know that my doctor would not have prescribed them for me if he didn't think they would benefit me, doctors don't throw around prescriptions for painkillers lightly now a days. Kim > > > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most > challenging > > day > > > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped > taking > > the > > > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > > > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > > > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > > > > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of > > being > > > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent > > the > > > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else > would > > > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > > > > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > > > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > > > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in > > on my > > > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it > > still > > > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > > > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > > > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all > > spaced out. > > > > > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth > today, > > so > > > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > > > instead of Ensure and broth. > > > > > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 Hay Jen, It s me JO,...ANd go for the blender 100%...I am 3 wks post-op TODAY! and Not one shake and alll blended-I mean EVERYTHING...even salad- very tasty I might add! And to tell you, I don't own a scale, but from the looks of it, I think I gained weiight so far! so get out that blender...remember everything can get some h2o added to it or butter or if it's a chic cutlet, maybe turkey gravy or Knorr makes those great pasta sauces....had the prema rosa with breaded turkey cutlkets the other nt....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. YUMMY. Haven't done stake---too gritty, but turk, chic, fish, heck I had an eggrole this weekend...juset added lots of duck-sauce and water and T-A-S-T-Y! chic chow mein is my fav for chinese and so easy just a little water, I like some soy and spin~ so go for it and hang in there, some days are just easier than others, I go bk to work tomorrow and am almost having freak out attacks from time to time, just a big WOOSH of addrelenline (wow what did I spell?! bec of looking at 8+hrs and talking a lot which is still really hard for me bec I am so tightly banded and then there's eating...I will bring from home, but my office bldg has been known to not be the cleanest from time to time and I really don't want to do an cleaning or mixing there....so just rrying to take it step by step and not freak. deep breath in deep breath out...oh an donly going into this week, am I now sleeping 12 hrs EASY...so going to be interesting to say the least, at least it's 2 4 day weeks to start. I am thankful for that. hang in there and I will too.....JO > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging day > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking the > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of being > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent the > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in on my > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it still > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all spaced out. > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, so > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > instead of Ensure and broth. > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 Hay Jen, It s me JO,...ANd go for the blender 100%...I am 3 wks post-op TODAY! and Not one shake and alll blended-I mean EVERYTHING...even salad- very tasty I might add! And to tell you, I don't own a scale, but from the looks of it, I think I gained weiight so far! so get out that blender...remember everything can get some h2o added to it or butter or if it's a chic cutlet, maybe turkey gravy or Knorr makes those great pasta sauces....had the prema rosa with breaded turkey cutlkets the other nt....mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. YUMMY. Haven't done stake---too gritty, but turk, chic, fish, heck I had an eggrole this weekend...juset added lots of duck-sauce and water and T-A-S-T-Y! chic chow mein is my fav for chinese and so easy just a little water, I like some soy and spin~ so go for it and hang in there, some days are just easier than others, I go bk to work tomorrow and am almost having freak out attacks from time to time, just a big WOOSH of addrelenline (wow what did I spell?! bec of looking at 8+hrs and talking a lot which is still really hard for me bec I am so tightly banded and then there's eating...I will bring from home, but my office bldg has been known to not be the cleanest from time to time and I really don't want to do an cleaning or mixing there....so just rrying to take it step by step and not freak. deep breath in deep breath out...oh an donly going into this week, am I now sleeping 12 hrs EASY...so going to be interesting to say the least, at least it's 2 4 day weeks to start. I am thankful for that. hang in there and I will too.....JO > Woo, I made it to day 5. Yesterday had to be the most challenging day > yet. The pain wasn't so bad anymore on Day 3, so I stopped taking the > Vicodin and stuck with just the Ibuprofen. I also had the OS > appointment on Day 3, and I was generally worn out from all the > driving (he's an hour drive away), and talking. > > Yesterday the pain came back, and being stubborn (and tired of being > spacy from the Vicodin) I still didn't take it. I think I spent the > entire day in bed, just sleeping on and off because much else would > just hurt. By bedtime, I took the Vicodin again. > > I must be one of the not-so-lucky ones that has a lot of pain > associated with this surgery. My jaw muscles are still sore from > being stretched out, I can actually feel where the screws are in on my > left side, and every gland in my neck is swollen and sore and it still > hurts to turn my head to the side (Those exercises were wonderful, > ! Thanks!!!), but every day it gets a little better, and > fortunately the Vicodin does help, even if it does make me all spaced out. > > I'm feeling more comfortable with actually opening my mouth today, so > I think I might just start eating more real (blended/mashed) food > instead of Ensure and broth. > > -Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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