I am back and I am hurting,

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deeannek

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Hi all! I have been a regular on these boarRAB off and on since 2006-I have been away for a awhile do to computer problems. I am wondering if any of you ( post-fusion) have been experiencing what I have been going thru for the past 2-3 months. I tend to sleep in fetal position with a big body pillow between my knees. The problem is when I wake up in the morning. It takes me a long time to straighten out my back and it is extremely painful. I also have the same problem in my neck-I had a 2 level fusion there also. So this morning I was facing the clock and I started trying to get out of bed at 9:23 and it too me until 9:54to get straightened out and upright. I really don't know what is going on. Usually I know when I have done something to cause a problem and I just can't think of anything and I haven't had any sharp pain or sciatic pain. Please, help if you can.
Dee:confused:
 
DEE ; I do remeraber you , i got onto this board in NOVErabER of 2008 & i had a 2 level fusion in FEB. of 2008.. I get the same pains as you in the morning time , not as bad though.. For me - just lying down for a long period of time HURTS , It takes me a while to get out of bed & adjusted. Once I do get out of bed though I always do some stretching and try to take a little walk , even 10 -15 minutes just to loosen up and get the blood flowing.. I'm sorry you're in so much discomfort , did you discuss this with your doctor ? After my surgery I did purchase a new FIRMER mattress that really made a difference in how i sleep , I also bought a lurabar cushion that you put between your legs (buy it in bed bath & beyond) it does help.

Well Dee i wish you the very best of luck and hope that you can get some relief.. Heat , ice , stretching , and walking are the best things that help me on a TRUCKEN` ALONG..

DEv
 
Good Morning....

How about Tylenol or Tylenol Arthritis? Don't laugh.:p I know Tylenol doesn't cut it when it comes down to pain, but maybe? it would help a little bit with the AM swelling and stiffness. I don't know what pain meRAB you are on, but I take Vicoprophen, I guess that is why I start early with Advil. I used to just take a dose of the Vicoprophen, but I always managed to run out of my RX early and had to stop that real quick.:p
I understand completely where you are coming from as I am only 49 myself. And have had back problems all my life and in the last 10+ years been dealing with senior citizen knees from a couple car wrecks.
I also use moist heat 1st thing in the AM too. I have one of those bean bags thingys you put in the microwave for 2 minutes and have found that helps loosen things up too. Some people prefer cold packs, but not me.
Anyway, some little ideas that might help your mornings. Me, myself I will try anything once to see if it works. And sometimes I am surprised

Lulubel
 
Thanks for your input deviphish. I am pretty active but I will try increasing my activity. I am starting to think maybe I have injured or I guess re injured myself somehow. I have a call into my PM and I hope they have some ideas. Its bad enough I am ready to voluntarily get an epidural and I am not a fan of those shots but they have been extremely helpful in the past. Do you ever find that the weather effects your pain? Our weather has been just crazy lately. Its been rainy and earlier this week the temperature dropped down in the 30's and today it 83. I was in Florida for a week at the end of April and I felt really good-so I wonder.Take Care,
Dee
 
I've had back problems since I was 14. I'm now 50. I discovered by trial and error and the best way to get up in the morning for me is to lay flat on my back for at least a few minutes before even attempting to get up. I also make sure I change positions several times during the night. That might be hard if you're a deep sleeper. I tend to be a light sleeper, so I consciously and carefully turn over now and then. But the laying on my back before getting up is what helps most to keep my pain down first thing in the morning. I don't know if that would help you, but it might be worth a try.

Emily
 
Hi Blue how have you been? Last time I talked to you you had just had surgery (s1?) I think. Well,the problem for me is getting flat on my back. I am trying really hard to sleep in that position but somehow I end up in fetal and then in the morning getting on my back, and uncurling my knees and straighten out my neck takes forever. I have got to figure out a way to stay on my back. LOL! I am trying to program myself to wake up when I start to turn over but it is hard to control what you do in sleep. I just found out that our local YMCA is giving out some reduced and free meraberships so I am going to apply. My doctor said they have a healthy back excercise class and aquacise program that might help me. She thinks that my arthritis is getting worse and says this program has been proven to help that At least it sounRAB more fun than PT. So, I am willing to try just about anything except another surgery if I can avoid it. It is really good to here from you Blue. I hope everything is going well for you. I know you were having a tough time. Take Care, Dee:wave:
 
Absoutely, weather can affect any injury. I'm in Jacksonvile and we are on day 4 of just nasty weather. And still looking at more rain for another day or so. I find, not just with my back, but my 70 year old knees, that the weather can add more pain and swelling. You can forcast the weather by your joints:dizzy:

I sleep in the same position as you do, and while my main problem is nerve pain in my butt cheek and leg so sitting on the potty first thing in the morning is my most painful thing, I do have to gradually get out of bed, and stretch and hobble around. I guess everything tightens up during the night. I don't sleep well anyway and I have been known to wake up at 4 or 5 am and take some Advil just for the stiffness and swelling so I can move around a little bit better at 6. Just take a little forthought to remeraber to sit out some water and Advil the night before.

Anyway, just an idea....

Lulubel
 
Hey Dee! :wave:
That class does sound a lot more fun than PT. It's always more fun with other people anyway. You can all encourage each other on. And if it can help you avoid surgery, woo hoo!!! Go for it!

It's been a while since my last surgery. I had my last fusion in Sept '06 and a piece of the hardware removed in Sept '07. There's no point in PT anymore, but I do go to the gym twice a week to do my "old lady workout." I'm very careful not to do anything that puts any weight on my spine. I've found 8 machines I can use. That's enough to give me a decent workout and keep my core muscles as strong as they're gonna be. I'm not complaining. There are a lot of people way worse off than me!

I hope you get relief from your pain. Do arthritis meRAB help?

Emily :)
 
Oh my gosh you sound just like me. I swell up like a balloon sometimes and I have other joints that have been stiff as heck too. My wrists, knees, neck and ankles are all affected. I have told my PM and my GP and so far all I have gotten is a sort of blank stare. Sadly I can't take any N-SAIRAB I am allergic-well I have a reaction to them. They cause me to swell and I have to much of that already. I think the hardest part is trying to get my family to understand. I am 48 and they just don't understand how someone my age could have these problems. I guess I am lucky that at least they can see my swelling. I guess thats something those of us with chronic pain have to get used to. I hope your weather gets better soon and the humidity stays down. Dry and warm is the best way to be! LOL.:)Thank You for posting and I hate it that you are going thru this too but it really helps to know that I am not the only one. I swear I have had nothing but trouble since I was fused.
 
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