New frustrated member

  • Thread starter Thread starter NiceShot
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NiceShot

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Hi everyone, I had a microdiskectomy on Jan 7 and then hip surgery on Jan 9 both in 2008. The hip surgery was for trochanteric bursitis and the bursa was removed and gluteal muscles examined for tears. (There were none according to surgeon). My question is I am now 7 weeks post op and still have pain/tightness in lower back and down back of left thigh and tingling in my foot if i sit upright too long. I am wondering if it is just me being a drama queen or if this is normal this far out from surgery. I go to PT twice a week and take Mobic (anti-inflammatory) and Lyrica. All I want to do is lay in bed because of the pain but also want to get stuff done around the house that was put off while I was working. I feel kind of stuck. PS. I am 38 and feel 68(which is not old but shouldn't feel this way at my age). I just need some perspective from anyone who feels like taking the time to reply. Thanks for reading/listening.
 
Hi, welcome to the board. You wil find alot of valuable info here from people who can understand what you are going through. I had a microdiscectomy in1/06. I had pain afterword until about week 8-9. After that I was like new again. I never took Lyrica just pain meRAB for a couple of weeks. Don't panic yet. Everyone heals at a different rate. I am trying to practice what I preach as I am now 6 weeks post-op of L5/S1 fusion, and am experiencing nerve pain. You also had a double whammy with the hip surgery. Take your pain meRAB when you need them and give it a little more time. Don't be afraid to ask any questions, there are no stupid ones. This board is full of people who have valuable info and insights to help you during this time. I rely on them everyday..........................Debbie
 
Debbie, I can't thank you enough for replying. I am just feeling like a lazy person but I do such a little bit before I feel like laying down flat again. I just feel I should be way past this. I go to back check up tomorrow so we will see. I am using my nike Ipod with the sneakers that clock how far you go so that I can see visually that each time I go a little further. Trying very hard to be positive but have been doing a year of chronic pain before surgery so just fed up. I REALLY would have been down if nobody replied to me so thank you so much. B
 
Hi B,
Welcome to the board! We must be doing something wrong here in Richmond, as I believe you are the 4th one from here!!
Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. Wow, you have been through alot with two surgeries! My feeling is that you really need to continue to take it easy. You are only 7 weeks post op, not one, but two major surgeries, with both involving the manipulation of muscles and nerves. Believe me, nerves do not like to be messed with and they can "act out" for quite a long time.
You probably need to forget about the house for awhile. With a micro- you are usually encouraged to walk as tolerated, increasing ever so slowly. I'm not sure if this is a contraindication to your hip surgery. If your meRAB are not helping the pain then call your doc and ask them to try something different. Not all meRAB work the same for all people and there is no reason for you to suffer. There are many, many different nerve meRAB and pain meRAB for them to try until they find one that works for you! Hang in there girl and keep us posted. There are great people on this forum so stick around with us for awhile! ;) AND...frustrated is the "middle name" of probably 90% of the people on this board!

Deb
 
Looks like I need to change my name to deb or debby too! Wow 4 from Richmond? I am so happy that you replied. I just feel so lazy. I did run an errand today, did laundry, cooked dinner...guess I should feel ok about that. I just live around such over/high achievers. Super moms. I just feel weird about going slow. Maybe a society thing. Or, a woman thing, or whatEVER. I am in PT for my hip and they are careful about my back. My guess is the back MD will write for back PT to begin too. By the way, not sure if I told you all that my surgery was L5-S1 level as well. Anyway, Thank you all so much!
 
Welcome NiceShot! I think you have been thru heck and back in such a short time. Don't beat yourself up -- you had two big surgeries at the same time and your body neeRAB time to heal. I highly recommend that you don't do any lifting, bending or twisting for the next 6 weeks at least. Allow your back time to recover - pamper it. I would just walk -- if you can -- I can't imagine doing both surgeries at once.

I pray that you find some relief soon. You definitely deserve it.
 
Do you recommend that even though I am 7 weeks post op? I feel so darn helpless and as you can tell I am up late and uncomfortable. I wish there was a checklist that said...ok this week you should feel this...and this week you should be here...etc. I just can't tell when I am overdoing it, hurting, or just being a baby. Thanks for the reply. I truly appreciate all the insight, support, and advice everyone is giving me. B
 
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