WPinVA
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posted
So this isn't Lyme related but you guys are so knowledgeable with medical stuff that I thought I'd reach out --
On Monday, I had nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum and turbinate reduction with general anesthesia. Yesterday my neck started to hurt but it wasn't that bad. Today it hurts A LOT and the pain has spread to my shoulder and upper arm.
Is this a pinched nerve from sleeping on it wrong? I have had to sleep propped up on several pillows to elevate my head post-surgery, per instructions. Do you think that's the cause?
Have also googled a little and am hoping it's not some weird nerve damage related to having general anesthesia. I asked the surgeon yesterday and he said it was likely due to an after effect of the anesthesia from the muscles being paralyzed (but we didn't get into much discussion of it since it wasn't yet bad at my appt yesterday). But now it's a lot worse!
Anyone have thoughts on the cause? Suggestions on what to do? I am not supposed to take advil for a few more days. : ( but I may break down and take it.
[ 11-19-2015, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: WPinVA ]
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Did you have your head and neck in a compromised position during surgery, or even afterwards? Just wondering if you got a pinched nerve/nerves from it. A good chiropractor can fix such.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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WPinVA
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I don't know where my neck was during surgery. But afterwards, at home, the instructions were to elevate it and not lie flat to reduce swelling. Of course I followed them to a t.
So I slept propped up on several pillows/arm of couch, etc for the 1st three nights. And spent a good amount of time in that position during the day too. Do you think that did it?
I am scared of chiropractors (especially with my surgery site still healing). Is there any other solution?
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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I gave my doctor and everyone else HUGE CAUTIONS about my neck prior to surgery. I was SO WORRIED it was going to get really messed up because it's pretty fragile.
Apparently they listened because all was OK. At home, I was very careful to prop up my pillows so my neck was still in a good position. I survived.
Now .. for you ... the anesthesia drugs can be a terrible thing for muscles. After my first sinus surgery 7 yrs ago, I could not get out of bed without help and when my husband tried to help me up I screamed in pain.
It was worse than any effects from any surgery. I had to stay on the couch all day because hubby had to go to work. Getting up and down was so painful, but at least I was able to do it.
I called my doctor and he said some people react to this anesthesia in this way. I could find the name of it for you. I have it written down so I can tell doctors about it in the future.
They did ask me on the surgery this summmer if it was OK to use this same drug if my life were in danger and I said yes.
(very comforting, huh?)
Why not try taking TONS of magnesium and having someone rub magnesium lotion on your neck? The muscles are probably deprived of mag and it will help them relax.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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WPinVA
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Member # 33581
Good idea on the mag - I will take more. When you had this, did your muscles hurt all over? My issue is concentrated in the neck area, but radiating up and down too.
What got you out of your rough patch???
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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It calmed down after a day or two. I sure hope yours does too.
Get some mag oil or mag lotion ASAP. Mag oil can irritate the skin so you can dilute it with distilled water and spray it on.
I hurt all over, but the large muscle groups were the worst. My thighs were what was keeping me from being able to get up and down.
I'm pretty sure I was taking Curcumin 3 times a day at that point in time .. so try that.
From your link:
"These pains, often referred to as scoline pains, are more prevalent in very muscular and fit patients." Haha .. not in my case!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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WPinVA
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Yeah, I have many issues but being too fit is not one of them!
Thanks again for your responses. It's good to know that yours passed.. that gives me hope.
I will definitely put it on my list to check with anesthesiology about what they gave me. I already was pretty sure that something wasn't working for me - I vomited a lot after surgery. Recovery nurse said it was one of the worst cases of post-surgery nausea she had seen (which didn't stop her from trying to send me home in the middle of it, but I digress).
Oh goody - one more thing on my list that I can't tolerate.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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My recovery nurse insisted I eat something before I left and barely made it home before I started throwing up for the next 4-5 hours.
I told the Dr and he agreed that I shouldn't have eaten so soon. I WASN'T EVEN HUNGRY!! She said it would be good to eat in case I needed more pain meds. I never needed them, but I sure needed anti-nausea meds!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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If you vomited alot during surgery, that could have caused spinal subluxations since it's a very active physical movement, and you might have not been in the best position! Just a thought. If you're going to try a chiropractor, talk with them first about your concerns.
Speaking of anti-nausea needs post-surgery, here's a good story - after my last surgery, I couldn't move, so I sent someone to the market across the street to get some dramamine.
Only thing is, since this is San Francisco, the person I sent from here is from Hungary and doesn't speak great English, and the market across the street is run by Arabic-speaking guys whose English is not so good either.
So my friend comes back, saying all they have is Grand Marnier and would I like a small bottle or the 30 ounce one?
At that point, I experienced my first thorough post-surgery laugh!
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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WPinVA
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Robin, That's good point - the leaning over and vomiting couldn't have helped my neck. The anti-nausea meds didn't do anything for me. But I didn't try Grand Marnier. ; )
Lymetoo, I wonder if the succinylcholine caused the vomiting too for both of us?
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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Had surgery 16 yrs ago to remove a cyst from my sinus cavity.Lyme not yet diagnosed. Next day, neck seized up and seemed ear was attached to my shoulder. Pain became so bad I couldn't lift myself out of bed. Screamed when my husband helped me up (hadn't screamed through natural child birth, not that kind of gal). I assumed, after lyme diagnosis, that it was a herx from the antibiotics they gave me post surgery?
Posts: 1 | From Oregon | Registered: Nov 2015
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Had surgery 16 yrs ago to remove a cyst from my sinus cavity.Lyme not yet diagnosed. Next day, neck seized up and seemed ear was attached to my shoulder. Pain became so bad I couldn't lift myself out of bed. Screamed when my husband helped me up (hadn't screamed through natural child birth, not that kind of gal). I assumed, after lyme diagnosis, that it was a herx from the antibiotics they gave me post surgery?
- Lmshobs .. Did you see my comment about screaming in pain? (my first post above) Be sure to write this down and keep it handy for your next surgery:
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