My Turn

[theizzard]

swelling

Hi Linda,

A friend had surgery at the same place with dr. hu and was put on neurontin for pain. Anyway, long story short, the neurontin caused her so much swelling she was unable to walk. They kept increasing it at first and the swelling increased. Some of the literature on neurontin mentions swelling as a rare side effect so I thought I would mention it just in case you are on it.

Either way, hope you start to get back to normal soon.

Avis

[lray]

Linda, sorry to hear of the leg swelling. That can be so uncomfortable. Hope the aqua therapy works. I bet that will feel so good in general. Hope you get some relief soon.

[Confusedmom]

Hi Linda,

How's the leg swelling, and how are you doing in general? Thinking about you!

Evelyn

[LindaRacine]

Hi Evelyn...

I'm still having a lot of leg pain. I have my 6 week check-up on Friday, so will hopefully know more then. I am, at least, able to sleep up to 2-1/2 hours at a time. That makes a huge difference.

Thanks for asking.

Regards,
Linda

[Confusedmom]

Hi Linda,

What did your doctor say at your check-up? Is the swelling going down yet?

Hope so!

Evelyn

[LindaRacine]

Hi Linda,

What did your doctor say at your check-up? Is the swelling going down yet?

Hope so!

Evelyn

Hi...

The implants look good, and we actually saw the beginning of fusion, at least at one level.

The swelling is being attributed to lymphedema. Recovery is just a matter of time; but is usually resolved in 3-6 months.

I start regular physical therapy next week, and am continuing aqua therapy 3-4 times per week.

Thanks for asking!

--Linda

[titaniumed]

Linda

You are getting past the hard part.....things should start getting better real soon.

Nice to hear the good news.
Ed

[mgs]

Other than aqua PT and (soon) PT, are you out and about yet? Other than the lymphedema, how is the pain? Are your nights OK now?

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

I'm getting out a little bit socially, but not much. One outing per day pretty much wears me out.

I'm sleeping better at night now, but I think it's because I'm now taking Ambien. It really knocks me out. When I get up in the middle of the night, I sort of feel like the ball in a pinball machine. If it wasn't for my walker, I'd definitely be bouncing off the walls and falling.

Hope all is well from your fall.

Regards,
Linda

[mgs]

(Melissa is the one who fell.)

That Ambien is good stuff - I'm glad it's helping. These post-op days are easier to muddle through when there's been a reasonable night's sleep.

[jrnyc]

hi Linda
hope things improve each day...and that the swelling goes down each day...and that you feel better and better.

about the ambien...just a friendly warning (if you already know about this, please ignore) ...
when i first took ambien, i didn't know about how one can do things after taking ambien, before it knocks you out... and be TOTALLY unaware....one night, after i took ambien, i put a coat over my PJ's and tried to go out to the elevator in the building i lived in, to go to the grocery store... in my slippers...in the middle of winter!
thank goodness somebody stopped me! no memory of it the next day!!

jess

[mgs]

Jess - I just spewed Diet Coke on my computer screen.

[jrnyc]

hah! there are crazier ambien stories out there...not all are fit for publication!

jess

[LindaRacine]

Radiographs from my 3 month checkup:

LindaPA20110418.jpg
LindaLateral2011.0418.jpg

[debbei]

Radiographs from my 3 month checkup:

[ATTACH]990[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]991[/ATTACH]

They look great Linda--like a work of art. How are you feeling?