Surgery date - May 26

treefrog · #1 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 04:06 PM

Michelle, I did ask Dr. Fenk-Mayer what they thought of my facets, but I didn't really get an answer. Of course with Dr. B being on vacation right now, it's only Dr. F-M at the helm. I had a facet block, and it did nothing. So, I don't think there is much pain coming from them. I will ask them again, if they think they are a problem, but I would guess that since they want to do the ADR surgery, that they don't think that they are. Although I know there is no guarantee, and they might start to have more problems after the surgery, but of course I am hoping they won't.

Thanks for passing along that information Jess. I am worried now, about what I am going to take. I haven't taken Oxycontin, so I have no idea if it will make me sick or not. I hope my PM doc will have a good idea of how to manage my pain, post-op. And that she won't have a problem giving me enough to manage while I am there. So far she has been fantastic. And she says that I am not one of their patients that they have problems with, so she isn't worried about giving me meds if I need them.

I am getting excited. When my boyfriend wakes up, we will make the flight arrangements. I hope we can get a good deal, like Justin. Though I would guess, the closer to summer it gets, the higher the fares will be.

Cindylou · #2 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 09:48 PM

I second the bringing a stash of your own pain meds. I felt like I was drinking colored Kool-aid as my pain med while in Germany. My first couple of days I had completely uncontrolled pain. There is no reason for such suffering. Discuss with your doctor before you go.

Cindylou

Michelle Maree · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 09:40 AM

Im sorry but I dont understand. Why is your pain medication not handled by the hospital?

Why would you spend all that money to get surgery in Germany and then have to take a druggies stash with you? It doesnt seem right to me.
Another question: Do any nursing staff check in on you once you are back at the hotel? Or are you on your own? What do you do if you run into trouble during the night? Can you call a german ambulance?
Just things i would want to know before going........

fuzzy · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 05:16 PM

he way I understand the german experience is this.

If you are on pain meds NOW (or any other meds) then you should have enough of those for the whole trip. Its a good idea to have those things that you knwo work for you. If you have a certain pain killer regimen. bRING it! Bring extra!! Bring it twice. Split up the pills in your luggage and personal on board possesions. They only want to supply any addtional meds nessesay. If you hurt and your meds are not enough it is important to tell them. They don't want to drug you up if you don't need it (good idea). When changing to something different it can cause you un nessesay pain.

Got to run

dshobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 05:41 PM

Though American hospitals insist you use their medication, the German version is different. Their medications are slightly different from ours and though they will give you whatever post-surgical medication you need and/or write a prescription for additional meds while in the hotel, it's just a better idea to bring your own.

Yes, they even make hotel calls, the doctors that is. Their concern for you is fantastic.

I so feared going to Germany for surgery. My worry was a waste of time.

treefrog · #6 (**permalink**) 04-28-2009, 05:58 PM

Well, I have an appointment to see my PM doc. The nurse sounded like she was willing to at least talk to me, about what I might need. She mentioned the person from their office who went to Stenum, so at least it isn't a shock to her, that people choose to go to Germany.

Like I said, so far she has been a phenomenal support to me. I hope that she will hear what I say, about what you guys have said, and understand that I am concerned about my ability to take their meds and be pain free as well as nausea free.

But, gawd, the appointment is at 7:30 am. I have such a difficult time getting up in the morning. But, I know I can do it, when I have to.

I also have to have her fill in the "Certification of Health Care Provider", for FMLA. The doctor here at work suggested that she say something to the effect of, I may be able to return to work with limited duties at the 8 week mark, and that I should be ready to return to work by 12 weeks.

Of course I am really hoping I am ready to return to work by 12 weeks (or earlier), in order to be guaranteed a job. If it takes me more than 12 weeks, they are not obligated to hold a job for me. Even so, if a suitable position were available, with my reputation I would hope that I would be able to have a job no matter when I returned. But it would be nice to have that guarantee.

jessmith07 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2009, 07:04 PM

Will the airlines let you keep all your meds in your cary-on? What Fuzzy said about splitting your meds in your luggage worries me a bit...if you pack it in your luggage and they lose your bags, boy, are you in trouble! On the other hand, if you stick it all on your cary-on and try to go through security (after you've checked your bags) are they going to let you through or are they going to take it?

As you can tell, I'm not a very seasoned traveler...