Pudendal Nerve Decompression Surgery - post surgery recovery

[Violet M]

Hi Kassie,

I couldn't tolerate pelvic floor PT prior to surgery either. It gave me a dreadful pain flareup.

Best wishes with whatever you decide to do.

Violet

[kassie]

Hi friends,
I'll be doing surgery next week - thanks all for your comments and input. Wish me luck. I will write when able to !
Wish you all a pain-free 2014
Kassie

[Barb]

Good luck Kassie! Let us know how you do. Take it easy and slow. I am in a bit of a flare because I didn't take it easy on my trip to Florida, so it really is so much better in the long run if you do.

Hope your recovery goes well and I'll be thinking about you.

Barb

[Violet M]

Kassie, wishing you all the best with your surgery.

Violet

[kassie]

Hello all

Im one week post op and boy, nothing could have prepared me for how hard it would be. I have been lying on my back this whole time, as I'm not comfortable on my tummy and am too scared to sleep on one side for fear the pain will come back (i tried it one day post op and got a terrible shooting pain). Do you see anything wrong in the long term with lying on the wound?
I was also wondering what people have tried during this period of intense pain? Im on pregabalin 300mg and take a couple of codeine as and when needed. Ive also been given duloxetine, but on my first night found it made me nauseous and dizzy. Just asking so i can discuss options with the GP.

Please let me know if i should be writing in another post.

Thanks
Kassie

[janetm2]

Kassie,
Congrats on the surgery.I used oxycodone APAP 5-325mg during recovery, I think every 8 hours for the first week or so? Also for flares now. Since then I now use tramadol as well at 50 mg for general PN pain and/for flares. The oxy works better for my foot pain or the more extreme PN pain. I also had a pain pump they inserted during surggery that lasted a few days before it just worked its way out.
Janet

[Jax87]

Duloxetine is cymbalta, right? When I first tried Cymbalta I had to break open the smallest dose capsules and split the little pellets inside into two groups and just take half so that I wouldn't be dizzy and nauseous. Eventually I worked my way up. You can't take it with tramadol though, or it will make you very sick (been there done that). I don't think cymbalta is great for strong immediate pain relief, but it has helped me immensely in the long run. Good luck with your surgery recovery!

[kassie]

Hello all

Thank you Jax and Janet for your kind words and advice. I cannot tolerate duloxetine (cymbalta) so am now on pregabaline + amitryptiline and take codeine whenever things get bad.

I am 3 weeks post-op and must say I don't know how some of you managed to drive, walk, exercise so soon after surgery - i am amazed! i can walk around the house but as soon as I stand up for too long (usually making dinner), i get those stabbing deep pelvic pains and must lie down. My wound has still not healed as the top part has a opened slightly and there is now a gap...i sent a photo to the surgeon (Mr Wong) who said it is not infected and should heal on its own but I wonder how quickly any of you took off the dressing on top of the wound?

Thanks so much !
Kassie


PS. Can you imagine the surgeon's face when he received a photo of my bum ?!

[janetm2]

Kassie,
Glad to hear some meds are available that you can use. As for doing things the first month was very slow going a lot of take out food. I was not able to drive in 4 weeks like the dr said and honestly probably did not drive much at all until 3 months when I started to work 2 hrs a day although my hubby may have driven me to work as he does sometimes even now. When starting to cook I think I relied on more short cuts from the store (pre chopped etc) so as quick as possible. Patience is a new friend to make and way easier said then done! Hang in there.
Janet

[Violet M]

Kassie, I didn't walk much until 5 months post-op and didn't drive much the first month. I took oxycodone for 9 months post-op. I feel for you. I know how rough it can be but it does get better slowly over time.

Violet