Continued headache and muscle pain?

...of the anestethia. I had muscle pains for a week or so post surgery.

/G

Hi Michael,

I had head,neck and back pain after my surgery, it went on for several days so I checked in with my doctor. I was advised that my head was braced during surgery and I was strapped at an angle which would account for my back pain. I went for some physio on my neck because it was so uncomfortable and causing the vague headaches. I am told that these sort of pains are normal also shoulder pain. 

Hope that is of some help.

All the best

Djinnie x

Michael:

Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from codeine (thank you wikipedia!). Codeine is a natural isomer of morphine . . .

Codeine has some interesting effects:

1. It will cause or amplify constipation

2. Though it is an excellent pain conditioner, it does cause headaches and muscle aches

3. It causes drowsiness, so please don't drive if you are on it

Don't stay on it too long - withdrawal can cause:

1. Insomnia and other sleep disorders

2. Restless leg syndrome (I got that for a week and it's *so* irritating)

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (various forms, none particularly fun)

See http://over-count.weebly.com/common-withdrawal-effects.html for more details

HTH

Peter

MDCinSC said:

Gotcha!

I believe I am getting close to where I can start letting go of this stuff.  No ego, I simply hate taking this crap.

 

How are you progressing with getting off the drugs?

I now put up with uncomfortable cramping when I spend too much time sitting (with bad posture!) rather than take codeine. It's been nearly a month now, and I do not expect to take them again.

Ditto for the zipoclone (sleeping tablets). Yeah, knocks me out but my head is like cottonwool for the following 24 hours!

Peter

I don't take any meds during the day for pain any more but am finding it difficult to sleep still. It seems as though I can't get comfortable and stay that way for more than an hour!

As for muscle pain really the only pain I have is a sharp, very precise, pain about an inch to the left of my main incision. It only lasts for a few seconds. The nurse who took my staples out said it was probably just the nerves in my belly. Other than that I'm just tender on my belly and I get tired easy.

I haven't had any headaches, however I do have bouts of emotional'ness' that are uncharacteristic for me. I attribute it to still being in a fog from the anesthesia and lack of good sleep.

MeMeJoy said:

sleep

I don't take any meds during the day for pain any more but am finding it difficult to sleep still. It seems as though I can't get comfortable and stay that way for more than an hour!

As for muscle pain really the only pain I have is a sharp, very precise, pain about an inch to the left of my main incision. It only lasts for a few seconds. The nurse who took my staples out said it was probably just the nerves in my belly. Other than that I'm just tender on my belly and I get tired easy.

I haven't had any headaches, however I do have bouts of emotional'ness' that are uncharacteristic for me. I attribute it to still being in a fog from the anesthesia and lack of good sleep.

I have a terrible time being comfortable at night, too!  I wake up every 2 hours to shift.  It is getting old! But still better than the alternative! 

I am off all pain meds, maybe a Tylenol before bed. I don't miss them. Not a bit. 

I asked my doc if my emotional ness was from the anesthesia, and he said no.  That it stems from my exhaustion.  I just had major abdominal surgery, nephrectomy and oopherectomy on opposite sides, he also reminded me.  He said I needed to treat myself like a small child, nap, have a treat if I wanted one, whatever my inner toddler wants for a bit.  He said not fighting the aftermath of surgery, plus a life changing diagnosis ( even with a great prognosis, cancer is scary, and takes its toll.)

lets go slow, it will be easier, and get better.

~Liz

MDCinSC said:

Gotcha!

I believe I am getting close to where I can start letting go of this stuff.  No ego, I simply hate taking this crap.

 

I can't have morphine. It causes me serious nausea. My doctor prescribed tramadol instead. It worked great for me.

Todd

MDCinSC said:

Cool!

My wife has a script.  Maybe I'll sample! LOL

I'd just double-check with your doc. I'm pretty sure it's ok, because my urologic-oncologist prescribed it for me when I was in the hospital following my surgery and for my first week or two home, before he even knew how my creatinine was going to stabilize. However, I've heard some ppl say it's hard on the kidney like ibuprofen and those types of drugs. However, everybody I've heard say that was not a doctor. The doctors I've asked have all said it's ok for people with kidney issues like mine. It's in a similar family to those, but somehow it's different.

Todd