@markp - Please add a wedge pillow to your list of post op aids. Sleeping & resting w/ head elevation of 30º really helps reduce swelling in neck & throat. The V pillow is more to help you keep your head from rolling to the operated side when you’re sleeping.
Since you’ll have 2 days in the hospital, if Tylenol isn’t enough to ease your pain, you can ask for a tapering dose of dexamethasone or prednisone. Most doctors are willing to Rx one of those post op as steroids are non-narcotic, powerful anti-inflammatories. Honestly, I think that doctors are learning better ways to control post op pain w/o opioids. I had my left styloid resected for the second time & IJV decompressed last Oct. I did have Rx pain meds but only used them for a couple of days. I probably could have gotten by w/ Tylenol though. I also had dexamethasone which I think was the bigger help.
A tapering dose of prednisone usually starts w/ 50 mg/2-3 days then drops to 40 mg/2-3 days then 30 mg/2-3 days then 20 mg/2-3 days then 10 mg/3-4 days. I’ve taken a lot more prednisone over the years than dexamethasone which I was introduced to last fall after my revision styloidectomy/IJV decompression. Dex had far less side effects for me than Pred, but I honestly can’t remember if I had the same doses of the Dex as I’ve previously had of Pred.
I’m glad that you’ve found surgeons who will help you! I was prescribed codeine after my surgery, but didn’t need it, maybe they’ll give you that if you need something stronger… Here’s a link to a surgery shopping list one of our members put together in case there’s anything you’ve not thought of: Surgery shopping list - General - Living with Eagle
It sounds like a good idea to have an extra couple of nights in a hotel before you travel back home, in case you do have trouble opening your mouth wide, maybe get some ready made smoothies as you won’t be able to prepare anything? Or pots of mousse, jelly etc, whatever you think you might like?
I hope that your surgery is successful & will be praying for you
Hi again, for those that had both sides done, which side was done first and was there any reason for doing one side rather than the other? Was it imaging that defined which side to do first? Symptoms?
For me it was both- I had much more pain on my left side, & imaging showed although both IJVs were compressed the left side was worse… Does your surgeon have an opinion at all? I would ask their advice, for example if you have a dominant IJV (alot do, but not everyone), then having that side decompressed first may well make more of a difference.
My pt was worse on the left side so it has been decided to go with that side first. My right jugular is the dominating one but the back of my head on the left side shows large vasculature compared to the right side.
@markp - My symptoms were far worse on the left & my left styloid was longer but my surgeon told me in no uncertain terms that he would remove the right side first because he didn’t like the angle it was growing & that styloid was thicker. Even though I begged to have the left done first, it was the right side that got the axe initially. Some of my symptoms were relieved by that but it was still the left side that made the biggest difference in eradicating nerve pain.
I’m happy to hear you’ve made a decision about who to see. At this point, being so close to your surgery date, try to make peace with your decision and keep positive thoughts that it is the right decision. Having a positive mindset and confidence going into the surgery will tremendously help you afterwards.
For your hotel stay, bring a couple ice packs if you can. You might want a couple smoothie or protein shakes in the fridge for when you’re discharged.
Wishing you all the best with the surgery. Keep us posted on how it goes.
