Suzy
08-30-2006, 12:06 AM
Hello Scoli friends,
I went in today for x-rays and my check up and had very mixed feelings. As of two weeks ago I was on top of my game with life and P.T. (I was also starting to wear my cute 3" heels again!) My P.T. thought it was time I started to push myself a bit and I felt so good I thought OK. I'm ready. I have been in P.T. for 2 mos. So after that P.T. session I go to my regular gym a couple of days later and do a light work out then 3 days later tougher P.T. then I woke up 2 days later with pain that puts me back on more meds then I've had for 2 months! And by the 3rd day of pain I had a swelling on my lower left back as big as my whole hand! Anyone go through this?? P.T. for the next 3 sessions was ultra sound, shock stimulation, massage and hot/cold Tx. Finally swelling and pain are almost gone.
So, I go to my Dr. today and he says no problem he has seen it before just take it easy for a bit longer. 10 lb lifting limit is now a whopping 20lb. (Yes, insert sarcasm here.) I was hoping to be cleared to do anything within reason. He says from x-rays "I am fused" but, I won't be cleared for another 6 months to resume all normal activities. Which don't get me wrong, I knew I wouldn't snow ski or jet ski or Rollerblade or scuba dive till after a full year but, I truly thought I wouldn't have the lifting restrictions anymore. I'm tired of looking around the store for someone to help me get dog food or bottled water loaded onto my cart. Plus, I have another problem that the Dr. says will get better. I wonder if any of you lumbar fusion patients have experienced this. I CAN NOT push my pelvis back. It looks as though I am tucking my butt forward. (If I were a dog this is the look when they are in trouble, and know it, and tuck their tail under!) I try to push my hips and butt back but just can't. I am only fused to L4 and Dr. and P.T. think it is because my hamstrings are really tight from lack of use. So, anyone else have this and did it go away? Or do I just go buy a butt from Frederick's of Hollywood? LOL!
Also, my surgeon is going to be the head of back/spine for Kaiser here and starts 9/1/06. So for my 9 and 12 month check ups I will need to make my insurance let me go see him. (I have a PPO not Kaiser.) I'm sure that will be a fun one to tackle.
Dr. said I turned out to be his scoliosis poster child and I'm doing great. I should be thrilled However, I am worried because I really didn't like the 2 week set back I've had and how will I tell if I have over done it until days later and I am back in bed? UGH! Guess it's my turn to vent...............
I went in today for x-rays and my check up and had very mixed feelings. As of two weeks ago I was on top of my game with life and P.T. (I was also starting to wear my cute 3" heels again!) My P.T. thought it was time I started to push myself a bit and I felt so good I thought OK. I'm ready. I have been in P.T. for 2 mos. So after that P.T. session I go to my regular gym a couple of days later and do a light work out then 3 days later tougher P.T. then I woke up 2 days later with pain that puts me back on more meds then I've had for 2 months! And by the 3rd day of pain I had a swelling on my lower left back as big as my whole hand! Anyone go through this?? P.T. for the next 3 sessions was ultra sound, shock stimulation, massage and hot/cold Tx. Finally swelling and pain are almost gone.
So, I go to my Dr. today and he says no problem he has seen it before just take it easy for a bit longer. 10 lb lifting limit is now a whopping 20lb. (Yes, insert sarcasm here.) I was hoping to be cleared to do anything within reason. He says from x-rays "I am fused" but, I won't be cleared for another 6 months to resume all normal activities. Which don't get me wrong, I knew I wouldn't snow ski or jet ski or Rollerblade or scuba dive till after a full year but, I truly thought I wouldn't have the lifting restrictions anymore. I'm tired of looking around the store for someone to help me get dog food or bottled water loaded onto my cart. Plus, I have another problem that the Dr. says will get better. I wonder if any of you lumbar fusion patients have experienced this. I CAN NOT push my pelvis back. It looks as though I am tucking my butt forward. (If I were a dog this is the look when they are in trouble, and know it, and tuck their tail under!) I try to push my hips and butt back but just can't. I am only fused to L4 and Dr. and P.T. think it is because my hamstrings are really tight from lack of use. So, anyone else have this and did it go away? Or do I just go buy a butt from Frederick's of Hollywood? LOL!
Also, my surgeon is going to be the head of back/spine for Kaiser here and starts 9/1/06. So for my 9 and 12 month check ups I will need to make my insurance let me go see him. (I have a PPO not Kaiser.) I'm sure that will be a fun one to tackle.
Dr. said I turned out to be his scoliosis poster child and I'm doing great. I should be thrilled However, I am worried because I really didn't like the 2 week set back I've had and how will I tell if I have over done it until days later and I am back in bed? UGH! Guess it's my turn to vent...............