Lots of pain at home

[Graysonlaw]

Hi all. Well I am pretty well settled at home, but not even close to being "comfortable." Both me and my helpers need to work on getting things right. Made a big mistake yesterday missing a dose of one of them and between that and slightly increased activity, I have not been a able to keep the pain under control. I am on the following meds:
Muscle relaxant: 350 mg Carisoprodol every eight hours ("Soma")
Long-acting pain: 10 mg Oycontin every 12 hours
Short-acting pain: 5 - 15 mg Oxycodone ("Oky IR")
Stool softener: 2 Serakot per day

The other big issues are pretty big as well:

1 -- back brace is extremely uncomfortable. I have swelling along the bottom of the brace and along the sides and top.

2 -- itchiness! This is killing me. I know that narcotics can cause this, but it is driving me up the wall. It is worst beneath the TEDS socks and the back brace.

Any ideas about any of the above would help. Thanks!

[ajj1001]

Sounds like you are very uncomfortable. Few questions back -

Were you given any instructions for additional pain meds?
How long do you have to wear the brace for? I found benadryl worked really well for the itching under the socks but I didn't have to wear a brace so can't help on that one.
Is anywhere else swollen or just around the brace?

[linda]

Hey Pete,
I'm glad you are home but so sorry you are so uncomfortable. Can the brace be loosened? Do you get to take it off while you sleep or lay down? I wish had I had more words of experience and comfort. Maybe you could take a benedryl. If you are too scared to take a benedryl with all of the other meds maybe get somebody to call the pharmacy. I think there is a benedryl creme too. I will be thinking about you today and hope you get these rest.
Take Care,
Linda

[ajj1001]

I think there is a benedryl creme too.

it was the cream i was talking about, think it has calamine in it so very soothing. the socks end up pink but better than the pain.

[Justin]

The other big issues are pretty big as well:

1 -- back brace is extremely uncomfortable. I have swelling along the bottom of the brace and along the sides and top.

2 -- itchiness! This is killing me. I know that narcotics can cause this, but it is driving me up the wall. It is worst beneath the TEDS socks and the back brace.

Any ideas about any of the above would help. Thanks!

Hi Pete,

It's great to hear that you are home, but I'm sorry that you are struggling at the moment. Your back brace sounds like it is too tight. Did they give you instructions about when to wear your brace (when getting up, walking, etc.)?

In regard to the itching: the Benadryl Cream suggested above should be helpful. You will get used to the socks in good time.

We are here for you. Hopefully, the suggestions from the Members above will help.

[Graysonlaw]

Great suggestions, all! I can report that I am feeling a whole lot better now. I think that much of my discomfort was a fairly long reaction/recovery to the missed dose of muscle relaxer yesterday afternoon. That is another story in and of itself. I am quite disappointed in the hospital nursing staff. I was discharged about the time that several meds were due. Instead of giving them to me, they were much more interested if freeing my bed than ensuring that I was ready to go. I wasn't even given a single dose of anything to carry my over until I got my pharmacy filled. That posed another problem since the hospital pharmacy would not fill my prescriptions because my health plan supposedly "requires" I use their pharmacies -- first I've heard of that . . . .

Anyway, it was across town and about an hour wait to get them filled at the closest Kaiser pharmacy open on Saturday. It is no surprise that the times/doses got out of whack!

Justin, I think you are right about the brace. In fact, I should have gotten a larger size. In order to get it to stay on at all, it needs to be relatively tight. I've already loosened as much as possible and it already feels better, but still a bit snug.

My wife is heading out shortly for a grabber and a couple of other things.
Benedryl cream is now at the top of the list. I knew you guys would come through quickly!!!

Pete

[KBear]

Ughh, I just typed up a long reply, hit send, got an error message and it is gone. I am glad you are feeling better. Can't wait to hear more details on your surgery! Kathy

[roomba]

Hi Pete,

Well, I'm a week ahead of you and feeling better every day. Some days the progress is less obvious than others and every day is different. I was feeling down this morning because I felt like I had reached a plateau - progress had been fast but for the past day or so I didn't notice a difference. About an hour ago I realized my pain level is now really low - it wasn't bad before but now it's almost gone. I can sit for a lot longer and I feel clearer. Anyway, my point is keep listening to your body to find the balance of activity and rest, stay on top of the meds and you will be better than new before you know it.

Natalie

[Katie]

Hi Pete, I'm sorry you are going through so much misery.

Just a question...would you be allergic to latex or other products that may be in the brace and/or socks? Quite often they have some sort of elastic in them, and I am quite reactive to most that are found in underwear or socks, etc.

I know it is a 'way out there' possibility, but my friend has the same problem, so I'm not that special. Most likely it is something the Benedryl will take care of, though.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

[Graysonlaw]

Yes, the brace was much too tight. Today has proved much better so far. Got Benedryl for itches, which also helps. :thumpup: Now my issue is the drain that was attached. They took the drain out yesterday, but I now have a six-inch indentation where the drain hose had been. Unfortunately, that is more painful to the touch than even the incision. It is also very red. Not sure what I should do, i.e. Neosporin, bandages, etc. As has been my total experience so far, I can't seem to talk to a nurse or doctor unless this is a "true medical emergency" (emphasised two times on the phone message). I even tried my HMO nurse line, but they are afraid to tell me anything, for probably fear of litigation.

For now, my intent is to at least put on a gauze, if only for padding alone, and to try sleeping on my side tonight to ease the direct pressure pain. I'll then call the surgeons office again when the open in the morning.