> Has anyone had surgery (for another problem) since they got TM? I'm
> concerned about having muscle spasms in my legs as a response to pain.
> Since I'm hypersensitive, I worry about the pain being more intense
anyway.
> I'm also concerned about my balance, since I assume I'll be on heavy pain
> killers the first few days. My balance is good, but it's mostly in my
> head, so distractions (pain killers?) cause me to stumble or stagger. I'm
> definitely taking my cane to the hospital, even though I haven't used it
> much in the last four years.
>
> My surgery (in the pelvic area) is scheduled for July 9. I've never had
> surgery, so any ideas or tips appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Aurore
> ableck(AT)nas.edu
Dear Aurore,
I haven't had surgery since TM, but I have twice pre-TM -- gallbladder
and thyroid. A lot of things have changed in the years since my surgeries, so
I don't know if I'll be any help at all. But I think your concerns are valid
and I'd bring them up with your neurologist, if you still see one, and the
surgeon. Also be sure to let those involved know if you are on any
medications or even anything herbal. (They usually ask, anyway, beforehand
when they do lab work, but be sure to tell them if they don't ask.) With one
medication I tried for TM, I was supposed to let it be known I was on it
before surgery or dental work because some anesthetics would react negatively
with it. If I were to have surgery at this point in my life, one of my
concerns would be stiffness -- if I'm in one position for any length of time,
it is harder to move around for awhile afterward, and, of course, after
surgery you sleep a lot and are not as active. They do try to get you moving
as soon as possible these days, though. I'd ask the surgeon to note your TM
on your chart so the nursing staff knows you might have trouble with balance
or movement for a while. Also, with some surgeries, it takes a while for
bladder and bowel to get back on track. If you are already having trouble in
those areas, that might be a problem. Some on this list have indicated that
illness or stress have aggravated their TM symptoms, so that might be a
possibility with the "trauma" of surgery.
What I remember after surgery is feeling "out of it" and nauseated the
first day or so, and in pain, though the pain medication helped. (I have no
idea what pain medication I was given. A friend who recently had a
hysterectomy was on morphine after surgery and was not happy with it -- said,
for her, it didn't seem to do much for the pain, but kept her "out of it.")
The first several days were rough, but got progressively better. I was told
both times it would take about six weeks to feel back to normal. My husband
once read an article about a study of the effects of anesthesia in which a
number of football players in good health were "put under." It took about six
weeks for them to regain their full strength, and that was even without
actual surgery. They may use different things for anesthesia now, and
laparascopic (sp?) techniques for some surgeries help with recovery time, but
I've heard some friends say they have pain from the gas that is pumped in for
that type of surgery.
Don't know if that will help at all. :) I'm sorry you have to have
surgery and hope everything goes well. Keep us posted.
Barbara