[Ski]

#1065408

Sounds like you’re doing pretty well, considering how soon it is, and I’m so glad to see you here posting about it ~ pain level is SO personal, as long as you feel your pain is managed by what the doctors have given you, I’m sure it’s okay to stay on the regimen, and please don’t refer to yourself as a wimp! No fair, you listen to you, you know, no one should talk about you like that. ” title=”Wink” /> It would seem that you’re doing everything right, so (as always with GD and TED), patience, patience, patience. As I used to tell my kids when we were on road trips, "closer every minute!" ” title=”Very Happy” />

You’ve been on a long, difficult road, and you’re nearing some real relief, so try to look ahead and you’ll find it easier to get through today. We’re here, thinking of you!!

[sutan351]

#1018516

I finally had Orbital Decompression Surgery on 4/17 – Now on Day 5…..it’s been a long journey to get here and I was more excited than nervous about the surgery until right before, of course.

I’ve been re-reading some posts to get feedback post OD from others on this site. So many of you have been helpful in sharing great tips and I’m now trying to better understand the healing process. The surgery itself was no big deal with general anesthia. The worst part was being bandanged for the night and not having any sight until the following day. My bruising has been minimal…but the pain level pretty high. I feel like a wimp compared to others that have posted that the pain was minimal. I’ve been on a steady dose of painkillers and tylenol/motrin all week – taking it easy and icing often. My sight is ok…but definitely still double long distance. I had glasses before surgery. I wore these and tiltled my head just a little and was able to see single fairly good most of the time. Too early to tell the impact on my vision, I believe. The other challenge is the numbness….on my cheeks, right side of my nose, upper lip and teeth and fuzzy feeling on my eyes. I know this takes time to resolve, but it’s definitely a little concerning. I go back to the Dr. on Monday.

My journey like so many has been long. I was diagnoised with Graves/TED in the Fall of 2006 had RAI Apr of 2009…went from Hyper to Hypo and waited a long time to make sure I was in the ‘Cold’ Phase before doing OD. I’m very pleased with the initial appearance of my eyes looking more settled but trying to see past this pain/numbness to the weeks ahead.

Just looking for a little reassurance from my sympathetic friends on this site. ” title=”Smile” />

Thanks,

Sandy

[snelsen]

#1065409

Hi Sandy, my OD was in Feb this year, and was an emergent thing, even though in the active phase (big time) bit there was pressure from all the swelling and orbital fat on my optic nerve, and was losing vision and color recognition, so had to do it. I think it is typical for some numbness, and I did, it has resolved by now, and think it was gone by April.
I kept ice on my eye almost full time, head of bed very much elevated at 45 degrees, think that made a lot of difference in my comfort level, if I did not have ice packs on it, there was some pain. All gone by a week, but I kept head of bed up longer than that.
You have had a very long time with Graves, so glad your are finally in the inactive phase. Now my other eye is changing, has chemosis, whatever that is. Like you, my lower muscles are most affected, but greatly affected. I have to tip my head back to see forward and upward, so muscles of neck and back hurt a lot.
I think you will be very happy with the OD, and presume you had a bulging eye which looks a lot better now. On day 5 or so, I was walking around the block, but pretty much wanted to hurry back to my ice packs!
I know I had Graves long before I was officially diagnosed, and really looking forward to the end of the road with some muscle surgery. The whole thing is a real struggle, especially the double vision look ahead and up.

Seems like you are doing everything right, take the pain pills as long as you hurt, that is what they are for. The darn things are constipating, so be aware of that!
I am so happy for you that you have this behind you. I am looking forward to more hews from you, and will be so interested in the strabismus surgery when/if you have it.
Let us know how the numbness is doing. This board is the only thing that keeps me sane sometimes.
shirley

[Bobbi]

#1065410

Hi, Sutan:

As Ski pointed out, pain level is definitely personal. But, more to the point, this surgery is not a "one size fits all" type of thing. I have seen descriptions on the board from individuals whose OD was approached in very different ways, going in through different parts of the face. It may make a huge difference as to amount of pain afterwards.

I do hope you are feeling better soon.

[sutan351]

#1065411

Thank You all for your kind words of support and encouragement. And to Shirley for sharing your personal story. Feeling much better today (Day …but still suffering from facial pain. I did go back to my Dr. on Monday and he thought my recovery was going well – which is what you want to hear. Btw I had a Bi-Lateral (3 Wall Decompression) forgot to mention that before. I am definitely glad to be on the other side of this surgery and knew the road to recovery would be a little slow. I suffered from a good deal of sinus pressure/headaches before this surgery, so I think that has been compounding my problem. The numbness is fading…a bit and I’m hopefull and ready to get to a more normal energy level.

I’m pleased with the results so far…and like others have said – my look is my ‘new normal’, but the bulging is far, far better than before. I would do it again! And as my husband reminded me…our looks change overall as we age, so this is just one more thing to contend with. I’ll be considering eyelid (upper/lower) in Sept and will keep you posted. I’m grateful for all the support and the ability to rest and recover!

Taking it Day by Day….

Sandy

[snelsen]

#1065412

Hi Sandy, I am so glad you have your OD behind you! I was very impatient with all docs who said I would not really see the final result of the surgery for as much as two months, and that it would very gradually improve. I wanted it all better NOW!
One thing that did help me, was to take photos along the way, and if you have not done that up to now, it is not too late to start! That REALLY helped me look back to 3-4 week ago, and realize that, yes, I really see a difference.

I does take a bit of time, @ 2-3 months, for all numbness to resolve, but it will! I am pretty sure that the pain will go away completely pretty soon (you are doing beautifully for DAy 8!) It is a big surgery!A three wall is bigger than my puny two wall! ” title=”Very Happy” /> It takes a while for energy to come back after a general anesthesia, and I am sure yours was longer, since you have a 3 wall. Most people don’t realize that a general can knock your socks off post-op, in the endurance and energy arena. I said that to people for YEARS, when I did post op telephone calls in my job as a recovery room nurse, but experienced it "up close and personal" when I had my own experience with fatigue after general anesthesia. It’s normal, and the longer the surgery, the more people are surprised at how tired they are. This too, improves by the day!

Because we had bulging eyes, we deserve and need the eyelid surgery, and it is a medical condition. IT is also an easy recovery!
Hope your weather is better than mine..steady rain, gloom and cool.
Shirley

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