September 9th surgery

[mabeckoff]

Can a rod break since July? My pain is getting worse

[titaniumed]

Melissa
I wore my sling for a day. Since my arm was not working for 8 months, I was used to tucking it tight against my body for protection. As long as you don’t get it caught on something, I guess your ok. I knew I wouldn’t let that happen since I was staying home laying low most of the time worried about fusing. I wanted to make sure I was fused first in case I had to do a revision on my spine. My mind was on my back, not my arm at that time.

Since my Dr wanted me in PT right away to keep my arm from freezing up, I kept moving it often.

I know how you feel with constantly being 6 weeks out....and the surgeries grow old. I felt that way myself. As far as moving goes, you shouldn’t be lifting anything. You need some young people to help out. Lifting and cleaning are not really part of scoliosis recovery. (smiley face)

I napped for 2 years. Yes, 2 years. And sure miss those days! Napping often is perfectly fine, its your body saying, “I need a break” mainly from healing which takes a lot of energy. Nutrition is important, so is walking.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Ed

[JenniferG]

So you are saying that you feel sleep needs increase or decrease at different times?

I am no expert but I strongly feel that sleep is the best way your body can replenish, rest and heal. As for needing more or less sleep at different times, I think that's possible, for example when you're in a lot of pain, it may be hard to sleep, but I think your body likely needs sleep more at that time to heal. A good case for sleeping tablets to help get that needed sleep.

Get as much sleep as you can Melissa. It will also help with your anxiety and coping skills. I know in my case, everything's worse/more difficult when I don't get enough sleep. So if your body's demanding sleep, close the bedroom door, tuck yourself in and grab some zzzzs. As many as you can.

It's 6.15pm Christmas Eve here, so I want to wish everyone a relaxed and peaceful day tomorrow, especially you Melissa and others who are struggling so badly (Leanne, Kristy e.g.) and I hope 2012 brings you the healing that you so badly need. Happy Christmas all!

[loves to skate]

Melissa
I wore my sling for a day. Since my arm was not working for 8 months, I was used to tucking it tight against my body for protection.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Ed

Ed, My husband wore a sling for six weeks that kept his arm away from his body by about 2 or 3 inches, not tight against his body. I don't know the reasoning for that type of sling, but I have seen other people using that type. I don't know if it makes a difference.
Sally

[mabeckoff]

I am no expert but I strongly feel that sleep is the best way your body can replenish, rest and heal. As for needing more or less sleep at different times, I think that's possible, for example when you're in a lot of pain, it may be hard to sleep, but I think your body likely needs sleep more at that time to heal. A good case for sleeping tablets to help get that needed sleep.

Get as much sleep as you can Melissa. It will also help with your anxiety and coping skills. I know in my case, everything's worse/more difficult when I don't get enough sleep. So if your body's demanding sleep, close the bedroom door, tuck yourself in and grab some zzzzs. As many as you can.

It's 6.15pm Christmas Eve here, so I want to wish everyone a relaxed and peaceful day tomorrow, especially you Melissa and others who are struggling so badly (Leanne, Kristy e.g.) and I hope 2012 brings you the healing that you so badly need. Happy Christmas all!

Thanks for the advice about sleeping. I need to take it and I will when I need it.

I want to wish you as well a wonderful Merry Christmas. I also want to wish Leanne and Kristy and everyone else who is having serious problems a day of hope
tomorrow and that 2012 is a year of healing for anyone who needs it. My husband wanted to go to his niece's house tomorrow about 90 minutes away and I told him no. I cannot sit in the car that long

[mabeckoff]

Ed, How soon after your shoulder surgery were you able to use your arm/hand?

[titaniumed]

Melissa
I was moving it pretty much on the second day with limited motion. At that point, I could lift my arm up on the desk to reach the mouse. They will repair it, and you will notice that it will now work, but it will be a little sore and takes PT to get the stretching and range of motion. No weights at all for about 6 weeks, then started with 1# and worked up.

Raising the arm above your head will take some time. You will practice “walking the wall” using your fingers walking up higher and higher. The arm is tight when you elevate it, and you will slowly have to stretch this out. That takes months.

Having my shoulder repaired really made me feel better. The PT involved at 8 months made me feel better, AND was highly beneficial for my spine. I could feel it. The arms and the legs really do connect to the back! The arm bike was great. You can feel the paraspinal’s building up again.

They make about 4 or 5 slits in your shoulder, those cuts don’t hurt at all. After scoli surgery, it’s a walk in the park.

Sally
I don’t know why they have those slings, but since freezing up is a factor, the slings are used for protection, so the arm doesn’t get caught on something. They were rotating and stretching my arm on the 3rd day.

Recovery after so many surgeries takes time. You set realistic goals, move slowly, and accept the little improvements as they come. Patience is taught the hard way, being depressed can be a battle but always remember that you are going to improve. I was depressed with my skiing since my standards were too high. It was over a year before all those skiing soft tissues built up again.

Merry Christmas
Ed

[mabeckoff]

[QUOTE=titaniumed;131792]Melissa

They make about 4 or 5 slits in your shoulder, those cuts don’t hurt at all. After scoli surgery, it’s a walk in the park.

I am not concerned about the shoulder surgery itself. It is the recovery time that I am thinking about



Recovery after so many surgeries takes time. You set realistic goals, move slowly, and accept the little improvements as they come. Patience is taught the hard way, being depressed can be a battle but always remember that you are going to improve. I was depressed with my skiing since my standards were too high. It was over a year before all those skiing soft tissues built up again.

Well, I guess , I will have to learn patience whether I want to or not. I will learn that things are going to happen slowly

[mabeckoff]

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate

I woke up this morning with a neck that i so sore that I cannot move it at all

I wonder what that is all about

[loves to skate]

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate

I woke up this morning with a neck that i so sore that I cannot move it at all

I wonder what that is all about

Melissa,
I've been praying for you and now you have a stiff neck. So far, my praying hasn't been effective. My guess is the stress of all your pain and the fact that it is Christmas, your muscles in your neck have tightened up. That happened to me last spring when we flew up North for my appointment with Dr. Rand. I iced it and slowly it started to get better. I even had numbness and tingling up the back of my head for several days. I hope it resolves itself very soon and you can start to feel better. Merry Christmas to you.
Sally

[mabeckoff]

I am started getting these intense muscle spasms. My entire back is involved.

Anybody else get these?

[debbei]

I am started getting these intense muscle spasms. My entire back is involved.

Anybody else get these?

Oh yes, I've had lots, especially in the beginning. Heat helped somewhat, and when it got really bad I'd have to take muscle relaxants.

Is it feeling any better this morning?

[Doreen1]

My husband wanted to go to his niece's house tomorrow about 90 minutes away and I told him no. I cannot sit in the car that long

About how long does it take before riding in a car is no longer painful? We ventured out to look at Christmas lights and about 30 min into the ride I was in a lot of pain despite having a lot of pillows around me.

Warmly,
Doreen

[LindaRacine]

About how long does it take before riding in a car is no longer painful? We ventured out to look at Christmas lights and about 30 min into the ride I was in a lot of pain despite having a lot of pillows around me.

Warmly,
Doreen

Hi Doreen....

Riding in the car without a lot of discomfort, was the last thing I got back. I think I was probably about 6 or 7 months postop when I finally discovered one day, that it was no longer a problem.

Regards,
Linda

[JenniferG]

Sounds like you're getting the dreaded muscle spasms, Melissa. Debbei is the expert on those. I hope you have some Valium or similar at home.