4 weeks post op

[peachtree]

Hey everyone I'm glad to report that my crazy mood swings seem to be better, at least I'm not crying at the drop of a hat. I'm walking more and more and am amazed at how exhausted I get. I went yesterday for the first time to the bank, accountant, and grocery store. Was gone about 1 and 1/2 hours and was completely done today. I didn't sleep very well, pain level increased, etc... I'm not driving but just getting in and out of the car is an ordeal. Anyway I'm now wondering how long before everyone slept through the night. I get so sick of these 2-3 hour stints. I'm feeling dragged out lots and think it has to do with the fact that I'm not sleeping. Slowly recovering....it feels like a turtle.....Alissa

[sweetness514]

Unfortunately I can't help you there, as getting two-three hour stints is a great night for me, but it was that way ever since I was very young, chronic insomnia.

Maybe you can get a sleep aid, if you don't have one prescribed already. Looks like your pain is very normal at this stage.

I know how sleep affect recovery and pain, and it made all the difference in my bad and good days. I just read that sleep is the best medicine in a book about back pain.

[JoAnn5]

Lunesta (prescription sleep aid) was a God-send for me... Lack of sleep worsens those mood swings during the day too, i found... You are progressing very well... keep up the good work with the walking... ((hugs))

[bbest]

Your progress absolutely amazes me. I was pretty much house-bound 4 weeks out. You rock!

As for sleep, it never was a problem for me really. The first couple of nights home were a challenge because I made the adjustment from hospital bed to the bed I share with my husband. I was afraid to share my space for fear he would bump into my back (I sleep on my side with my back facing him). Pain meds enabled me to sleep through the night.

Brandi

[jsully]

Congratulations! Keep up the great progress.
jsully

[makaylasmom]

I totally feel what you are saying!! I am just now at almost 8 wks post op starting to not cry at the drop of the hat, my doc put me on Valium to calm my nerves and then I finally started sleeping better. I had even tried some sleep aids- but I would only sleep for 2-3 hours and then be wide awake again. FYI-I also found out that when your nerves that got "cut" start to "wake" back up again- it causes more insomnia- this is when they put me on Valium. You will also feel alot better when you are able to do things like drive a car again. I am finally just able to drive again and I can already see a big difference in my mood! Listening to good music also helps my mood out alot too! You are doing GREAT at 4 wks post op!!! Keep up the good work and try to remember to not do too much too soon! I've done it and then paid for it by being couch bound again for a day or two- not much fun!!

Take Care and you are doing GREAT!!!

[lelc2002@yahoo]

sleepless in NJ

Hi---I just got home last night & was nervous leaving Kessler Rehab because it took them several days to get my pain meds adjusted while I was there..Finally good relief by the 3rd night there. I am now on percoset(spelling??) & oxycoton(spelling?).... I already have gone longer at home today & last night before I need another dose of percoset(every 4 hrs..I'm going about 6)... The drugs, I think definitely jumpstart me & cause me to ramble on endlessly into the evening...hubby needs to exit fast....!!! I believe they keep me up late(real upper), till about 1:30-2 & sometimes I just doze for a bit & wake up by 3:00 & go in & out of consciousness.....
I have had no depression to speak of but maybe it comes later, who knows...I'm early yet.......Ly
http://lynnebackattack.blogspot.com

[makaylasmom]

Welcome home Lynne!!!! We Survived!!!! I'm so glad to hear you are doing well!! HUGS!!!

[Cakedec]

sleeping fairly well at 4 weeks post-op

The first week at home my sleep schedule was pretty erratic yet and I dozed on and off through the day and night. After that, I fell into a pretty good day/night routine, waking up once or twice a night for the bathroom. I found out that was a good thing one night when I slept right through, because when I got up, was so stiff and sore that I could barely even move. Had to take my meds and wait for body to "thaw".

My daytime naps are down to one morning and one late afternoon, although I lie down frequently during the day to rest or cool off without my brace.

Deb

[Shari]

To Deb, Lynne, Brandi Alissa and Angela,

I think you all are amazing!!! Just the fact that you're are all on this forum so soon after your surgeries, not to mention being out and about.

I remember trying to sit at the computer after my surgery and I couldn't even concentrate long enough to get through a post. If I wrote anything in the 3 months afterwards I really don't remember.

I am so happy for all of you, I know it's not easy!!!

Shari

[lelc2002@yahoo]

thks shari! It is very hard to sit for me(at computer) for more than 10-15 minutes at a spell. Then I go to my bed right after because of the low back pain.... I am 4 weeks out by next Tuesday & each week I do feel much better. As I have said on another post, the pain has been something I can handle-mainly achey feeling. The horrible part for me has been the constipation! I knew from reading the forum it was going to happen after surgery but I never knew how seriously thes drugs can tie you up. I was extremely scared when I was at Kessler Rehab that my body was not functioning properly! I highly recommend people facing this surgery add Senecot to their list of things to have on hand for after surgery. It really works!!!!!! Lynne
http://lynnebackattack.blogspot.com

[bbest]

Thanks, Shari. You are so sweet. As you might recall, I was a couple of months out before I even logged on to the computer. As far as sitting at the computer goes, I can now sit for about an hour as long as I have a pillow behind my back. After that, my ribs, and back really start to ache. I usually get on twice per day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon/evening.

[makaylasmom]

Thanks Shari!! You are soooo sweet! It is the strength that people like you give me when I come on here that helps me alot. It so nice when you know that people like you have had this and are all the better for it now. We overcame, and in some new ways will have to now adapt to our new bodies. Thank YOU!!