Pain Management

[AuntyK]

Post-surgical pain management question here. I've been prescribed oxycodone for pain and Tylenol extra-strength (OTC). I'm taking only 2 oxy's per day, 8 is the max. I'm leery about continuing the narcotic, but have pain and heaviness from the ICD incision (one-week out). How have others handled pain? Does the ICD incision and heaviness just take time to fade away? Your comments please.

[mbcube]

As for the ICD & Pain - It should be subsiding by now & I would assume the Tylenol to be sufficient. You didn't mention any pain related to the Myectomy, but its not uncommon to want something stronder,expecially at nightime. Everyone is different when it comes to meds. It does take a while for you to adjust to having "your little friend" installed, but in no time you'll forget its there.

[Midge Rollins]

If there is no sign of infection, hot, red puss, my favorite pain control is Extra Strength Tylenol and an ice pack at the site of pain. Ice packs are my best post surgery pain relief.

[MariaB]

You arent over doing it are you ?!
The heaviness fades . I think it took a while for me. If it's not infected...just give it time. A year from now you wont even notice.
Again....dont over do it, Auntie !
Take care
peace
mariab

[THW]

Kathy,
Having had TWO surgeries within a WEEK, YOU are likely going to take longer to heal. Yes, the pain and heaviness does take time, but YOUR pain may take longer to subside than someone who had only one surgery. (Believe me, I remember it well -- especially the ICD discomfort when riding in a car.) I would not be afraid to take the narcotics if you're having pain; just make sure you also get enough fiber -- don't wait til you need it (most fresh fruits, prunes, prune juice, bran) in your diet, as straining is not fun post-myectomy post-ICD surgery, which you may have already discovered.

Also, make sure you're getting plenty of sleep -- which is when your body will do most of its healing.

Keep hanging in there; it does get better. Keep us posted.
Theresa

[AuntyK]

Thanks to all for your replies. I have the ice packs on now. Ahh, feels good. No, I'm not overdoing it, thanks for addressing the issue. I am going to move away from the oxy and stick with the Tylenol ES. Yes, having two surgeries does increase the impact, I appreciate your reminder. Thanks also for the fiber reminder. Fortunately, it is a great time of year to enjoy the fresh fruits and vegies. The medical providers have been clear on that issue.

All the advice and support you provided in a few posts is amazing. Thank you!!

[Bruce42]

Kathy,

I found that it helped to hug a pillow to my chest, almost anytime--sleeping, sitting and reading, or riding in the car (between me and the seatbelt). I hardly used the narcotics; partly because I didn't feel like I needed them and partly because I didn't like the whole constipation/softener pills thing. I alternated tylenol and ibuprofen and was fine.

I found the incision pain took a long time to fade away. It was not severe--after two weeks it was a very tolerable low level. But I continued to feel it up to a year out, as an occasional minor annoyance. The doctor told me that's because my scar turned into a keloid (i.e., a big fat scar). Not everyone's does.

If you're worried about that, I hear that vitamin E cream on it can prevent keloid growth. (Or, if you want to be really aggressive about it, you can get topical vitamin E injections from a dermatologist.) I didn't bother with that, but maybe others here know something about it.

Best of luck!

Bruce

[AuntyK]

Bruce, Thanks for the tip on the Vitamin E. All at the hospital were clear in directing me to not use creams, lotions on the incisions. Did you wait until the incisions were clean (scabs clear)? Thanks, Kathy

[LindaSo]

Aunty K,
Do not put creams or lotions on your incision until it is very well healed. No scab, no little openings, nothing. I think Bruce is talking about down the road.

I had some very bad keloid areas of my chest incision. I used to massage it multiple times daily to try to stretch it out. I itched almost constantly. I was at the dermatologist office and showed it to the MD and was told that Vit E has a placebo effect (if that) and that other things such as Mederma really don't work either. I had steroids injected into the scar and it softened it up and I hardly ever itch anymore. I was told that in order for this to be effective, it must be done within a year of developing the keloid. The injections can be done multiple times, about a month apart. Yes, it hurts, but certainly nothing like a fresh incision.

Good luck !!

[Bruce42]

I didn't do it, so I don't have first hand experience. (I don't really care about how the scar looks, and even the very minor discomfort went away after a year.) You should wait till it's healed, then ask a dermatologist.

I do remember my doctor saying there was something that a dermatologist could inject. I thought it was vitamin E but maybe going by Linda's account it was steroids. Ask the dermatologist, or at least your PCP.

Sorry to have left out the "wait till it's healed" part. Good luck!