Hello all. Someone mentioned bad post op care. I am facing not being able to do the surgery at all that I need, as my pain specialist did not want to do my post op care. Was sent to another pain doc. He was terrible to say the least and I cannot trust him as he answered no quesitons of mine. So I can't have the needed surgery until I find someone. Any ideas? ginnie

I don't know any of these folks but they turned up on google near your location:

http://www.spine-health.com/doctor/p...nodal-tampa-fl
http://www.tgh.org/vascular.htm
http://www.usfvascularsurgery.com/ha...ate&cpid=13486

Today is my 3 week post-surgical anniversary. My progress is still steady now that I've returned to taking it easy. I'm down to one Norco 5/325 a day (at night), Neurontin, Nortriptyline, and Celebrex. I have returned to physical therapy without any negative effects. There is still some numbness in the left forearm and grip weakness but we expect that to only last another few weeks.

Surgery for my right side is scheduled for May 24.

I looked up one I am interested in. He isn't close to me, but would be worth it to travel if all my issues could be addressed better. I may just have to see this Dr. Raul F Nodal. I like the idea of him being a psychiatrist, and dealing with pain issues together. If he has some nice human characteristics, well maybe I would just have to change my pain physician all together. The one I have didn't want to cover my post op pain at all. Neither did the surgeon. So my ability to do the surgery was out until the problem was solved. I need someone not to let me down. That you for the post with this information. ginnie

I looked up one I am interested in. He isn't close to me, but would be worth it to travel if all my issues could be addressed better. I may just have to see this Dr. Raul F Nodal. I like the idea of him being a psychiatrist, and dealing with pain issues together. If he has some nice human characteristics, well maybe I would just have to change my pain physician all together. The one I have didn't want to cover my post op pain at all. Neither did the surgeon. So my ability to do the surgery was out until the problem was solved. I need someone not to let me down. That you for the post with this information. ginnie

I was able to sleep on my left side last night for the first time since surgery 4 weeks ago. I wanted to make sure I could do so before my right rib resection surgery next week. Other than some minor AC joint tenderness (bursitis) the left side was fine but I flared my right side up. Earache, occipital headache, and increased SCM & scalene tenderness when I woke up this morning. Laying back down on my right side appears to be decreasing the symptoms.

These symptoms disappeared on the left side after surgery, and had been calm on the right. Now, I know I need to continue sleeping on my right side until after the next surgery to keep things under control. I think I will ask for a cortisone shot this week on the left side for the bursitis so things don't get too uncomfortable after surgery.

I received AC joint cortisone injections in both shoulders Thursday for bursitis flare. Shoulders are feeling much better today.

Occipital headache/earache originating on right side has stayed fairly constant the last week. I'm expecting right rib resection to resolve this.

I completed my pre-op lab work today and right side surgery is Thursday. I still have some ulnar numbness and sensitivity on the left side and my left hand grip strength is back to about 75-80%. My only real functional limitations on the left side is in opening sealed jars and bottles. I'm hoping my right side surgery result and recovery will be even better than the left.

Good Luck...I see disability doctor tomorrow. Not looking forward to 2.5 hour drive. I am considering second surgery on my left side. I am scheduled for July

I have been off of Celebrex for a couple days now (for pre-surgical period) and the occipital pain is worsening. Sitting down in my zero gravity recliner isn't much help right now, laying down in the bed on my right side feels better. I don't trust myself to drive in this state. I found some deep trigger points which appear to be in the right side scalenes. Rubbing these out and heat helps a bit but the pain in my temples is steadily increasing. I'm really hoping this next surgery can get rid of this occipital neuralgia for good.

I'm going to take some Valium and see if it helps (I usually only take it at night before bed).

I hope the intervention works for you too. Now and then I take xanax, particularly stressed, or in pain. I wish you all the best in what you have to go through. I know the condition you have. It isn't much fun. I hope relief is coming your way. ginnie