Anyone else dealing with major surgery/multiple health problems?

[eventualeventer]

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Feeling a little lonely tonight and thought I'd reach out to my fellow SDN'ers. I was just wondering who else out there is struggling with significant health issues while in vet school and might be interested in talking some.

To start with, I am proud that I made it through this past school year after having to take time off for other health issues that are only mostly under control to this day, so making it through vet school with health problems is not new to me, it just seems like it keeps getting more complicated. I hope this is not too long-winded.

Since the end of 2011, I have been dealing with low back pain with radicular pain, paresthesias, and partial loss of sensation with extra clumsiness due to crappy proprioception. Except for modest improvement with the highest dose of Celebrex, it didn't respond to conservative therapy, and I had an MRI at the end of the school year that showed a large cyst (first MRI said arachnoid, repeat imaging said perineural originating around right S1 and growing back across midline) between L5 and S3 that was pushing on nerve roots and causing remodeling of the sacral canal, as well as spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 (which I knew about before) with severe disc degeneration and protrusion into the central canal. This summer, while waiting for a neurosurgery consult, things deteriorated to where I was basically not functional and making minimal progress on my summer research project - standing still caused pain and loss of sensation, trying to sit at a desk caused all of the above plus paresthesias, so basically I was left with lying down, reclining with my feet up, or gently walking around (which would still cause pain after a while). I couldn't even drive for more than about 20 minutes, even on 400 mg Celebrex and 4g Tylenol per day, I wasn't sleeping much, and I think the combination was contributing to a worsening of my preexisting depression.

At the end of the first week of July, I started developing mild/early/partial symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. After a couple days of pretending they were transient, a friend/mentor verbally beat me over the head a bit for being stupid and I went to the ED. They admitted me and I had my surgery the next week. Surgery took more than 9 hours and consisted of removing the cyst, removing the degenerated disc, realigning L5 and S1, and fusing L5/S1 both anteriorly and posteriorly. I was in the ICU for 3 days in an opioid fog, then in the hospital for another 4 days before the worst of the postop pain was controlled and I was able to keep food down. I have decided that, should I ever decide to get inked, the first tattoo would be next to one of my giant midline incisions saying, "no user serviceable parts inside."

So, surgery was 3 weeks ago to the day and I'm sitting here at home recuperating and trying to deal with the pain. The R S1 nerve root that was most encased in the cyst is still royally peeved about the whole thing and I basically have minimally controlled neuropathic pain despite a number of drugs. I toss and turn at night, the pain takes my breath away frequently during the day to the point of tearing up and cursing (out and out crying hurts when you've been split open front and back), and I have to take more drugs once or twice a night. Opioids are crappy for neuropathic pain, so the giant pile of hydrocodone they gave me (I refused to continue the MS Contin they were giving me in the hospital because I was tired of feeling sick to my stomach all the time and ralphing periodically) basically takes just the worst edge off this pain - the contrast is striking in that it worked fabulously for the initial incision/tissue trauma pain - and helps me be doped up enough that I can sleep and lie around the house despite the pain. I am on a fistful of stuff, the last drug that they tried to start me on (tramadol) was all but nixed by the pharmacist until I talk to my other doctors (who are hard to get a hold of) about the drug interactions, I hurt, and I'm not very functional.

I am very fortunate that my parents were able to pick up their work and fly across the country to be with me for my surgery and rehab. I guess it really is amazing that I am as functional as I am currently, given what I went through not that long ago - neurosurgery is some crazy stuff, and they did some serious furniture rearrangement WRT my spine. Because it's critical that I achieve a bony fusion to replace the function of the implants, I have to pretty much baby my back for a few months, including not bending over or lifting and not really interacting with unrestrained animals that might knock me down, pull on me, or slam me into the wall. Putting on my socks by myself and walking around the block with my walker is still a major achievement. Class starts in 10 days and I'm having trouble seeing how I'm going to survive being dumped right off the deep end into cardio. I don't have much choice, so I'll give it my best shot and will probably pass and do OK, but it seems like a daunting task to be rehabilitating from major surgery while doing vet school, and I still have a white paper to write to earn my summer stipend...

So, what are your stories?

 

[azilebeth]

Raises hand!

I just finished my first year in Dublin and it was spectacularly awful. I managed to squeak through, but this year is going to be much harder in terms of academics, and I am in the middle of yet another round of tests to diagnose a new condition. I don't know how I'm going to manage. I live on a different continent than any family member and because I was so sick and in the hospital so much this past year, I feel very separated from my class, even though I'm very friendly with everyone. I just miss so much it is hard to be a part of anything.

I came into veterinary school with major medical conditions that seemed to be well managed. Through the most complicated sequence of events, I managed to end up with chronic kidney failure in addition to everything I already had. This completely broke me down. I was hospitalized almost every week, I've started dialysis, and I am completely unstable on any medication I've been put on, causing uremia (and it's related GI, neuro, and cardiac effects) on a regular basis. I went through almost the entire first year dealing with this along with a major spinal condition (i literally feel your pain!!!) and a disabling psychiatric condition that I do.not. talk about.

I've always had seizures growing up, but it was never diagnosed as anything and they eventually became less frequent as I got older. However this summer, working in the US, once again away from my family in Canada and my Irish doctors, the seizures started up with a vengence. They were no longer related to my kidney condition which has been somewhat under control. I don't have insurance here, so not a lot is being done until I'm back in Ireland, but they're thinking that a brain mass is top of the differential diagnoses. Which could be sorta scary all the way to lethal. And I'm a ticking bomb given my prior medical history.

My school, I'd like to point out, is AMAZING. I know I am very very lucky to have the support and the resources available to me that allow me to continue on my degree. I think they'd probably prefer that I take a semester or year off and focus on getting stable for my own health, but they are willing to do anything and everything to ensure my success. I am not concerned about my academic success because of anything administration related.

I totally understand how scary it is to not only be in so much pain, have so many medical concerns, and be so worried about school. I hate when people just say I need to look after myself. That school doesn't matter. Well it does. Taking time off would be mentally devastating for me. It's already so depressing living the life I lead. And with no social support, I can't deal with failing at getting through school. I don't have the luxury of having my family with me, and without my mum and sister with me, it's very difficult to convey all the issues that are wrapped up in my health and in living abroad and in continuing school.

I'm glad you brought this up. I know everyone has their demons, but sometimes it seems like I'm the only one who's life sucks right now. I wish you the very very best in your recovery and hope for loads of success in this year.

 

[eventualeventer]

Azilabeth, I'm sorry for abandoning this thread, but I really appreciated your reply when you wrote it; I was just out of it a lot from pain and narcotics and then forgot to come back. I really hope that you are doing better and are able to continue to stick it out. I'm doing a lot better - I'm walking really well and am not on too much in terms of pain meds. Feel free to PM me if you ever need someone to talk to.

 

[heartyouping]

Hello,

I just wanted to say that you two are not alone! (Even though it sometimes feels like we are) I suffer from an autoimmune disease that has no cure, it is basically like RA and Lupus mixed together, so my bones and joints are being destroyed in addition to my muscles, and all other organ systems (seizure disorder, chronic kidney stones, repro tract no longer works, interstitial cystitis, now having Vitamin D def. from prolonged use of prednisone, very high blood pressure, inflammation around heart and lungs) and to top it all off nowthat I am on a new chemo since my old one wasn't helping to slow the progression of my disease, I am having a really hard time breathing.

It is terrible, but I there is seriously nothing else that I would rather be doing than going to vet school. I have also been asked if I wanted to drop out of school or take medical leave but I always reply no. My disease is progressive and I worry that if I would take time off, there is no guarantee that I will be able to start again. I am on chemotherapy and I take a TON ofmedications (most people are surprised that I can even function and perform well in school considering the amount of muscle relaxers, and opiates that I take, and I wear a pain patch as well that releases me medicine every hour24hrs/day), and I still manage to get up almost every day with a smile on myface and happy about life. It can be very hard to deal with stress, especially around midterms/finals, but in my case I cannot let myself get worked up because I can get physically ill and potentially have to be hospitalized. I know that everyone has their problems and that vet school is tough, but it is MUCH harder for those of us that are dealing with these types of issues. So as someone that can relate to both of you, I feel your pain and I hope that you will get better, I will not get better, but I do hope that I live to graduate vet school and am able to practice.

I would also like to add that my school is amazing and they do help me as much as possible, for example, I am provided with an adjustable lectern in classes and an ergonomic chair since it is very painful for me to sit in a chair, so I almost always stand during classes. I actually had someone in my class yell at me, "what is your problem, can you not concentrate when you are sitting down or something?" Some people just don't understand! If either of you need someone to talk to feel free to message me, I don't get on here very often but I will try, and I am so glad that I randomly decided to check this out today because this is something that I can really relate to. Good luck with everything and realize that you are not alone, and if I can do this, you can too! Never give up on what is really important and don't let anyone try to tell you what to do. I had my pain management specialist tell me to dropout of school earlier this year and I said no way.

Always do your best and do what makes you happy because mental health isvery important in your physical recovery. When I am not studying, I play with my dogs, cat, and ride my horse. I haven't been able to ride near as much as I would like to and sometimes it is too painful to do anything more than walk, but even brushing him has a calming effect on me and makes me feel better. I seriously believe that I would be much worse off if I did not have all of my animals.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Sorry I didn't see your original message. Happy you are feeling better. Having been through the major surgery part last year, I certainly know what you have been through!
No major health problems this year, but I am far from healthy with annoying nagging illnesses. I think I never regained 100% of my strength and maybe I was a little susceptible to getting flu etc, once I started the crazy student lifestyle again.

 

[sumstorm]

Hey, it happens. During vet school I battled crypto, pneumonia, pancreatitis, and situational depression following my husband's lay offs (twice) and the diagnosis of my best friend with breast cancer. I am, most days, barely surviving. I keep searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, and it seems dim, but there are moments where all the magic and enchantment of this profession come back to me. A lot of students in my school were hit hard; some have lost spouses and siblings, others are dealing with chronic health issues (including type I diabetes, MS, and cancer.) The reality is sometimes life is just a horrendous struggle; but struggling builds strength. I'm impressed by your willingness to keep struggling and to push on. If you have some time, google NPR and struggle; there was a recent interview with a researcher who found that folks who struggle and battle against hardship and challenges have greater success over the long term. I am not sure it will help you, but it inspired some peace making with all my 'so sick of struggling' phase this past year.

 

[eventualeventer]

Thanks for all the support. I am almost at the 6 month mark; a few weeks after my last post, I started having a setback with increasing pain, both at my surgical site and radicular neuropathy. I eventually saw my surgeon and had an MRI, which didn't show much, so I'm seeing my surgeon again on Monday to discuss differentials/what next. The pain and weeks of not sleeping well triggered another severe episode pf depression (I had been doing really well mood-wise). My GP thinks I look Cushingoid, and the first screening cortisol was elevated, so she's doing more testing, but I could well just be hypercortisolemic from depression/pain. I'm slowly getting towards some sort of equilibrium, but I'm still fighting the triangle of depression, pain, and insomnia, which all feed on each other. Fortunately, I have some awesome doctors I'm working with right now. School-wise, I missed a couple exams before break, but I will be able to make those up.

 

[vet108]

You are all so amazing! To be dealing with all that and still have the drive to finish vet school. I salute you for that!!

Dont give up on yourself and your dreams! Remember that the will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.
I was introduced to EFT and that was quite interesting. As well as Theta healing. As well as feeding my mind on a daily basis with uplifting messages from well known luminaries and experts such as Less Brown, Bob Proctor, Marry morrisey, and Jack Canfield,creator of (The chicken soup of the soul series) to mention a few. Since im prone to depression i need things that WORK for me and give me a boost.
Stay strong. Let me know if you need anything. would be glad to help 🙂

 

[azilebeth]

Goodness! I had totally forgotten about SDN. I'm so glad that there was dialogue and that everyone seems to be somewhat on their path of healing. All my diagnoses ended up being the worst-case scenario, so I am taking this year (and thus next year) part-time to accommodate my hospitalizations and sick days and general sanity. It was upsetting at first, but I'm still here and I'm still getting through vet school. While everyone else loses it over exams, I have the luxury of being taught that vet school is not the hardest thing in life!

 

[meganmari]

While I'm not happy to hear so many people are suffering, I'm glad I'm not alone.

I have no idea what my issue is, but it's not resolving and I'm starting to perform worse than I'd like. I'm not performing poorly, but I'm not happy with it. I know it'd be different for me/others if we didn't have things like this going on. Vet school is hard enough!

 

[JazzTuck]

Bumping this because it's good to know I'm not alone. I started having seizures two weeks into vet school and spent last Thursday night in the hospital while the doctors tried to figure out what's happening to my brain 🙁. Everything has come back normal so far, but I've been started on medication (Keppra) in the meantime, and it's making me feel foggy/disoriented. Vet school is difficult enough without having all of these extra shenanigans piled on top of everything else! Just need to rant to people who have some inkling of what I'm going through.

 

[dyachei]

Bumping this because it's good to know I'm not alone. I started having seizures two weeks into vet school and spent last Thursday night in the hospital while the doctors tried to figure out what's happening to my brain 🙁. Everything has come back normal so far, but I've been started on medication (Keppra) in the meantime, and it's making me feel foggy/disoriented. Vet school is difficult enough without having all of these extra shenanigans piled on top of everything else! Just need to rant to people who have some inkling of what I'm going through.

I hope you acclimate to it soon!

Just remember that anxiety about it probably is worse than the disease itself sometimes and to talk to a professional (therapist) if you need to.

 

[JazzTuck]

Thanks, Dyachei! I've been feeling better the last couple of days. Trying to stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep! You're right, the anxiety of the possibility of having more seizures is far worse than anything else. I will definitely not be afraid to seek help from a therapist if it gets to be too much 🙂

 

[eventualeventer]

I'm sorry you're going through this. Here's hoping you find a med regimen that keeps you stable with a minimum of side effects.

 

[dyachei]

Thanks, Dyachei! I've been feeling better the last couple of days. Trying to stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep! You're right, the anxiety of the possibility of having more seizures is far worse than anything else. I will definitely not be afraid to seek help from a therapist if it gets to be too much 🙂

glad to hear this!

We are here if you need us. The majority of my health issues have been since vet school (though I had a few in school). Always available by conversation/private message, too.

 

[JazzTuck]

You guys are the best. Thank you 🙂. Just gonna keep plugging along for now!