The dreaded first sneeze

[ruth]

I'll never forget my first post-op sneeze, will you?

Here's some tips I came across http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Sneeze .

Interesting to note that they say a sneeze is technically called a "sternutation". Ouch! Hurts just thinking about it.

For me, exhaling when sneezing was most effective.

Peace,
Ruth

 

[Mary]

I'll never forget my first post-op sneeze, will you?

Here's some tips I came across http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-a-Sneeze .

Interesting to note that they say a sneeze is technically called a "sternutation". Ouch! Hurts just thinking about it.

For me, exhaling when sneezing was most effective.

Peace,
Ruth

I had read so much about the "first" sneeze, that I made sure I didn't sneeze until I was about 6 weeks post-op! I pinched my nostrils together everytime I felt one trying to start, and it worked!
Coughing was another story. The first full day at home, I started coughing and it was very painful. I didn't think there was enough pain medication in the world to put an end to the pain, but it gradually subsided and I was good to go in a few days.
I remember another member who related that he had nonstop hiccups from the time he left ICU until he went home. Now that would hurt!

 

[Cooker]

I never had to sneeze post-op Must be all the essential oils from the bananas

 

[gadgetman]

OUCH!!!!!!


$!&*@#!($^

'nough said!!!

Bubba

 

[hensylee]

I didn't have a clue and when I felt one coming along, I let 'er rip. And thought death was coming. It will be in memory 'til Jesus comes!

Janie gave it the name we call it; the 'evil sneeze' and she really got it right, at least imho.

 

[aussie girl]

I had read so much about "THE SNEEZE" on this site that I was prepared with my trusty heart pillow which I hugged till it almost burst.

It was a totally different situation when I caught a gastro bug 10 days post op from my dear grandaughter. Thats a memory that will stay with me for a long time

Mary

 

[JAJ99]

I have been so lucky. With the anterior right thoracotomy incision I have, my first sneeze didn't hurt at all.

 

[Plumber1]

I sneezed three times my first week home. Ouch!

I agree, sneeze is just far too kind of a word for what someone experiences post-op.

 

[donnamarie]

OUCH!!!!!!


$!&*@#!($^

'nough said!!!

Bubba

Exactly!
Interesting that I came across this today as I had my first sneeze today - 2 of them! My surgery was 10/22 and I managed to hold back any sneezes I felt coming. Today, they took me totally by surprise and I couldn't get to a pillow fast enough! Wow, that hurt! I am so thankful that I was able to stifle them earlier. I did manage to bend forward and I think that helped a little. How long will we have pain when sneezing?

 

[jbrown413]

I remember my first after my first surgery...

I remember my first after my first surgery...

I thought i was going to die!!!!

Second surgery i didn't sneeze for three months. first sign of a sneeze, and i was blowing my nose.

I love to sneeze now! I let it all out. you never know when you wont be able to sneeze again.

hey ruth -- great to see again -- hows it going??? -- joe

 

[wes]

Exactly!
Interesting that I came across this today as I had my first sneeze today - 2 of them! My surgery was 10/22 and I managed to hold back any sneezes I felt coming. Today, they took me totally by surprise and I couldn't get to a pillow fast enough! Wow, that hurt! I am so thankful that I was able to stifle them earlier. I did manage to bend forward and I think that helped a little. How long will we have pain when sneezing?

don't worry donnamarie. the pain will subside eventually. i'm 7 weeks post op and sneeze everyday due to allergies, but i don't even feel them anymore. i was lucky because my allergies didn't act up until about a week ago. I would've died if I had surgery in the springtime, because my allergies are horrific.

 

[Susan BAV]

I was several weeks or even a few months post-op when I had my first sneeze and was bending over in the kitchen (vivid recall of that moment...) and not thinking about preparing for a sneeze...

Wow the pain of it!

Really unpleasant, putting it mildly...

 

[VikiVix]

sneezing

sneezing

Someone told me that if you say the word watermelon when you feel a sneeze coming on that it will stop it. I've tried that a few times and it worked for me.

 

[Freddie]

count

count

My son counts to 13 to stop his sneezing attacks. And it works for him.

 

[Bina]

When I was in hospital still on heparin drip, I had to stifle the urge many times and my nose was leaking big time. I held off for 2 months and then decided I better learn to sneeze. I have BIG sneezes....what a nasty surprise! I felt the ribs move and the heart pound, but survived.

 

[tcopel]

Several hours of heavy duty hic-cups for a couple of days immediately post op almost killed me. Mama-mia...I get post traumatic stress just thinking about it

 

[Freddie]

Almost 9 months post-op and had a REALLY bad sneeze. I was surprised how I still felt some of the pain. OUCH!!

 

[WayneGM]

Almost 9 months post-op and had a REALLY bad sneeze. I was surprised how I still felt some of the pain. OUCH!!

I recall the same at 9 months. However, the good news is that it does finally go way. It no longer hurts when I sneeze now (20 months) but I still sometimes feel a popping sensation from the sternum (kind of feels like when you crack your knuckles or joints). Not painful, but feels weird.

 

[Magic8Ball]

mmm now that was pain.....coughing was just a tickle in comparision.

I too avoided like the plague but 3 snuck through my defences, luckily not for a few weeks.

One of them snuck up really quick when i was leaning forward on an angle to put a coffee cup back on the table and it felt like my whole body had been moved sideways like a rubicks cube.....i cried after that one..

The memory fades and you move on...

 

[dick0236]

Some memories die hard. I can remember that the first sneeze was a bi_ch. Today, I kinda look forward to a good sneeze or two. Cleans the cobwebs out.