Log Rolling and Lower Back Spasms

[Shari]

Hi Karen,

The first couple of months I needed help getting up. I would put my legs slightly over the bed then my caregiver would put their right arm under my knees and with left hand pull me up with my left hand while I pushed with my right arm.

That's the way I was taught before leaving the hospital, and it does help yo not strain. I would log roll on to my left side. Hope this made sense.

Good luck, those muscle spasms suck!!!
Shari

[lumbar3491]

Hi Shari

Thanks for sharing your log rolling technique. I was also taught the same technique in the hospital. At this point, I think my brain is quite clear on the technique. However, my body hasn't caught up with my brain. I'm fine up to the point where my legs are together over the side of the bed. Trying to lift my upper body without having one or more nasty spasms is still "a work in progress." They are truly painful!

Have a great day.

Karen

[Shari]

Hi Karen,

Do you wear you're brace to bed, or do you not have to wear one? I wore mine to sleep in, I felt safer and it did help me to get up without straining any of my
my core muscle front or back.

We are all different, but I hated muscle spasms. And still do.

All my best, Shari

[lumbar3491]

Hi Shari

I do wear a brace but not to bed. However, I had a particularly bad night last night with spasms that I may wear the brace tonight as per your suggestion. I'm off to see my surgeon today for my second post-op visit and will bring up the spasms with him. If he has anything pertinent to add to this discussion, I'll post it here.

Cheers!

Karen

[dolores a]

Good luck Karen with your post-op visit, ask lots of questions, let us know what he says about the back spasms.

[PNUTTRO]

Karen.

I had terrible back spasms after my most recent surgery. They would come on mostly when I was trying to get out of bed. The only thing that helped was muscle relaxers and lots of ice.

It may not be your technique. Your muscles are just mad. Best wishes.

p

[lumbar3491]

Today I went to Dr. Lauerman for my 2nd post-op visit (5 weeks post op). I asked him about my nasty lower back spasms. Dr. L indicated that the spasms are pretty common and not to worry. He gave me a prescription for Flexoril, which I plan to take at bedtime. It is during the night or when I'm trying to log roll out of bed that I seem to get the spasms.

Other really good news at my appointment:
- My standing xray looked excellent
- I was given permission to drive (yippee!)
- I was given permission to resume my senior aquatics class
- I can now ride a stationary bike
- I no longer need to wear my brace in the house - just when I go outside.

This appointment definitely gave my morale a huge boost!

Take care

Karen

[kt2009]

That's great news. Especially about the driving...I guess you're completely off the narcotics? I'm in the process of getting off the percocet and then I will be able to drive.

[valleygirl]

Other really good news at my appointment:
- My standing xray looked excellent
- I was given permission to drive (yippee!)
- I was given permission to resume my senior aquatics class
- I can now ride a stationary bike
- I no longer need to wear my brace in the house - just when I go outside.

This appointment definitely gave my morale a huge boost!

Take care

Karen

Karen, that is a fabulous report! Good job. Glad to hear you are doing so well. Wonderful to be able to drive again (I am craving that freedom).

You also give me great hope. I go for my 6 week post op in 2 weeks and I'm anxious to get out of this brace. Having to not wear it in the house would be a great compromise to me. Congratulations.

[lumbar3491]

I was thrilled to be able to drive again. However, I am still on narcotics. According to Dr. Lauerman, I'm on a pretty low dose of narcs right now and can drive with that level. I'm taking 2 oxycontin per day (12 hours apart) and 4 percocet (6-9 hours apart) 2 in the AM and 2 around dinner time. Right now I have no plans to drive far, just locally to get to medical appointments.

Last night I took Flexeril before going to bed. It definitely helped with the spasms. I did have one spasm as I was trying to log roll out of bed this morning, but it was less intense than before taking the Flexeril.

Have a great day!

Karen

[Shari]

Congratulations on such great news!!!

You are doing so well, keep up the good work!

Shari

[Vali]

Karen,
thats fantastic! Its amazing how just a little more freedom and restrictions lifted, light up your life. Keep up the good work!

[asccbodypro]

Karen,

I was never very good at the log rolling in the beginning lol. Thank god for my husband. Even now it's half a roll. I'm sure the pillow top matress doesn't help me all that much either. I hope you find a solution that facilitates your getting in and out of bed easier! Good luck!!!!