Re: surgery info

Ellen Hertz (eshertz(AT)access.digex.net)
Tue, 8 Jul 1997 20:29:49 -0400 (EDT)

At 09:51 PM 7/7/97 -0400, you wrote:
>In a message dated 97-07-03 05:47:16 EDT, you write:
>
>> 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
>
>
>
Dear Aurore,

I've had surgery since I was diagnosed with TM. They always ask many times
about pre-existing conditions and medications so nothing is apt to be
overlooked.

I had a hip replacement. Since I walked with a walker after the surgery,
I don't know how it would have affected my balance, which is not great to
begin with, but I didn't notice any special problems. Actually, I think the
pain medication
relieved the TM tingling, it bothered me less than usual. I certainly walk much
better now (about a year later) than before the surgery.

Good luck. :)

Ellen