Re: Here goes/

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for posting that! I do have a few questions if you don't

mind. As I understand it, prior to surgery you were leaning and had

a lot of pain in your hips. Are you saying you had NONE of these

other problems before surgery? You had never had a problem with

GERD or depression? Your knees didn't bother you? About the edema,

could that be from some of the meds you are on since surgery? Or do

they feel it is a result of the surgery? Sleep problems go along

with depression. Are you still in more pain than you were before you

had surgery? (not counting the nerve pain that is supposed to be

healing pain)

I guess what I am asking is do you think all of these problems are a

result of the surgery, or did surgery make worse some things you

were already having problems with? I do sense your utter frustration

with the nerve pain that is supposed to be the result of healing

from the surgery.

Are you less limited in what you can do than you were before surgery

(with the exception of working full time), or are you still not able

to walk as far, sit as long, etc. as you were before surgery?

Hugs,

Kathy

>

> Hi all, Ok honesty it is. Prior to surgery, I had two problems

one, I

> was leaning forward and to the left and it was progressing quickly

as

> my lumbar had collapsed. Two, I had extreme pain in my hips. Well,

> here we are post surgery and I have more problems then I had

> bargained for One, I always have pain in my gluts and I workout in

> the pool three times a week and walk the other four. Two, I have a

> sharp shooting pain in my left cheek (healing pain according to

the

> doc). Three, peripheral neuropathy, including face, left hand and

> left leg. (healing pain according to the doc)I am hoping cranio-

> sacral and/or myofacial release therapy will help. Four, edema,

> though nobody knows why? I did not have it pre surgery. Five, the

> pain in my left hip is back. We knew that was a possibility also

as I

> have degenerative arthritis. Six, burning sensation in my throat

and

> reflux, which prescription meds do not seem to be working. Seven,

> depression, meds seem to be OK though I still cry a lot but I am

in

> therapy. Eight, I never am comfortable at night. I live on

sleeping

> pills. Nine, my knees are now acting up, achy and having cartilage

> issues. Ten, home life. eleven, work, almost all us are layed off.

I

> am at 20 hours and long term disability still. I am kind of in

limbo

> here not knowing if I will go to 40 hours or not.

> I could go on and on but what is the point? You wanted me to post

the

> negative ,well yes, I question was it worth it? I try a resounding

> yes because by golly, I don't see a cripple in a wheelchair in my

> future but my gut just won't do it. I just hurt all around too

much.

> Thanks for listening.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I agree with Kathy on a lot of her points. I have taken and lead a Chronic Conditions Self-Management Program, that was developed out of Stanford University, and a lot of the basic symptoms you are describing are the same regardless of the disease or condition. Check the side effects of your medication for some of your physical problems, as well as adding to your depression. You are still in the healing process, so give yourself time and permission to continue healing. It's OK to feel the fear, frustration and anger, but don't let it control you. Take small steps/Action Plan each week towards your main goal, which may be teaching without thinking about the pain. The Action Plan has to be something you want to do, that is reasonable and confident enough to accomplish in the next week. If you write it down and review it the following week, then you will feel better about yourself and your progress. If your Action Plan didn't work, then when you review it, you can problem-solve why it didn't work and remember that it may not be solvable right now. You may want to share your Action Plan with someone else, to give yourself the boost that you may need.

Parts of an Action Plan are:

1. Something YOU want to do (not what someone else wants or you think you should do)

2. Reasonable ( that you will be able to accomplish in the next week)

3. Behaviour-specific (ie. losing weight is not a behaviour, but avoiding snacks between meals is)

4. Answer the questions:

What? (walking)

How much? (1 block)

When? (after dinner)

How often? (3 times during the week)

5. Confidence level of 7 or more (0=no confidence to 10= total confidence, if it's less than 7 then you should rethink if it's a reasonable action plan and how to make it reasonable).

You probably did have some of your other physical problems before the hip replacement, but they were overshadowed by the pain in your hip that was replaced (if that makes sense). As for walking, you might want to use one of the mobility aids, like a cane or walker, to help keep you going and relieve some of the pain in your other hip and knees. Since you enjoy your job, you might look at doing things differently at your work (like having the students come to you, instead of you going to them, getting a helper, etc.) or the possibility of cutting back on your hours/taking a break.

Have you been checked for allergies to things like surgical tape, foods, certain ingredients in your medication, etc.? This could be causing your edema. I know that my mother gets edema from various allergies, like a certain type of surgical tape, penicillin, dust, etc. and the allergy list is still growing (she's 89!).

Most important, keep in touch with us, since we understand more of what you are going through and are here to help and learn from each other. You might also want to keep a journal of how you are feeling, your pain level, weather conditions and your activities. The journal might help show you how well you are progressing or what is triggering some of your problems. Try to keep positive so that you take back control of your life, within your limitations, and not let your limitations control your life. I know it's hard to do this, since even I need reminding at times but I feel better about myself when I do keep positive.

Some of these things I have learned through the Self-Management Program and others through experience.

If your problem of Home Life is concerning others, then remember you cannot change them. They can only change themselves, but you can change yourself which may rub off on them, making them change themselves.

Hope these views help you. You are important to us and to yourself.

Llweyn

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of txbluebelleSent: October 30, 2006 8:46 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Here goes/

,Thanks for posting that! I do have a few questions if you don't mind. As I understand it, prior to surgery you were leaning and had a lot of pain in your hips. Are you saying you had NONE of these other problems before surgery? You had never had a problem with GERD or depression? Your knees didn't bother you? About the edema, could that be from some of the meds you are on since surgery? Or do they feel it is a result of the surgery? Sleep problems go along with depression. Are you still in more pain than you were before you had surgery? (not counting the nerve pain that is supposed to be healing pain)I guess what I am asking is do you think all of these problems are a result of the surgery, or did surgery make worse some things you were already having problems with? I do sense your utter frustration with the nerve pain that is supposed to be the result of healing from the surgery. Are you less limited in what you can do than you were before surgery (with the exception of working full time), or are you still not able to walk as far, sit as long, etc. as you were before surgery? Hugs, Kathy>> Hi all, Ok honesty it is. Prior to surgery, I had two problems one, I > was leaning forward and to the left and it was progressing quickly as > my lumbar had collapsed. Two, I had extreme pain in my hips. Well, > here we are post surgery and I have more problems then I had > bargained for One, I always have pain in my gluts and I workout in > the pool three times a week and walk the other four. Two, I have a > sharp shooting pain in my left cheek (healing pain according to the > doc). Three, peripheral neuropathy, including face, left hand and > left leg. (healing pain according to the doc)I am hoping cranio-> sacral and/or myofacial release therapy will help. Four, edema, > though nobody knows why? I did not have it pre surgery. Five, the > pain in my left hip is back. We knew that was a possibility also as I > have degenerative arthritis. Six, burning sensation in my throat and > reflux, which prescription meds do not seem to be working. Seven, > depression, meds seem to be OK though I still cry a lot but I am in > therapy. Eight, I never am comfortable at night. I live on sleeping > pills. Nine, my knees are now acting up, achy and having cartilage > issues. Ten, home life. eleven, work, almost all us are layed off. I > am at 20 hours and long term disability still. I am kind of in limbo > here not knowing if I will go to 40 hours or not. > I could go on and on but what is the point? You wanted me to post the > negative ,well yes, I question was it worth it? I try a resounding > yes because by golly, I don't see a cripple in a wheelchair in my > future but my gut just won't do it. I just hurt all around too much. > Thanks for listening. >

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

No, I didn't suffer from knee pain or issues with GERD or

depression. I have never had edema before the surgery only since.

one med I take can cause swelling but I take it so infrequently the

doctor doesn't think that is causing it. The edema does come and go.

I do not have back pain per say only healing pain like I feel like

my new lordosis is ttooo much lordosis and of course all the lovely

nerve issues. I have a call in to see if I can do cranio-sacral and

or myofacial release massage therapy. Like I said, I am not saying

surgery wasn't the right thing to do. I am frustrated with the

result and the inability to find answers. Yes, I can walk further

but my butt hurts and I can sit longer but my lordosis and lower

back hurt. Just frustrated Kathy, thats all. Thanks

> >

> > Hi all, Ok honesty it is. Prior to surgery, I had two problems

> one, I

> > was leaning forward and to the left and it was progressing

quickly

> as

> > my lumbar had collapsed. Two, I had extreme pain in my hips.

Well,

> > here we are post surgery and I have more problems then I had

> > bargained for One, I always have pain in my gluts and I workout

in

> > the pool three times a week and walk the other four. Two, I have

a

> > sharp shooting pain in my left cheek (healing pain according to

> the

> > doc). Three, peripheral neuropathy, including face, left hand

and

> > left leg. (healing pain according to the doc)I am hoping cranio-

> > sacral and/or myofacial release therapy will help. Four, edema,

> > though nobody knows why? I did not have it pre surgery. Five,

the

> > pain in my left hip is back. We knew that was a possibility also

> as I

> > have degenerative arthritis. Six, burning sensation in my throat

> and

> > reflux, which prescription meds do not seem to be working.

Seven,

> > depression, meds seem to be OK though I still cry a lot but I am

> in

> > therapy. Eight, I never am comfortable at night. I live on

> sleeping

> > pills. Nine, my knees are now acting up, achy and having

cartilage

> > issues. Ten, home life. eleven, work, almost all us are layed

off.

> I

> > am at 20 hours and long term disability still. I am kind of in

> limbo

> > here not knowing if I will go to 40 hours or not.

> > I could go on and on but what is the point? You wanted me to

post

> the

> > negative ,well yes, I question was it worth it? I try a

resounding

> > yes because by golly, I don't see a cripple in a wheelchair in

my

> > future but my gut just won't do it. I just hurt all around too

> much.

> > Thanks for listening.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the tips Llweyn. I have had revision surgery not a hip

replacement though I understand your concept. Thanks

> >

> > Hi all, Ok honesty it is. Prior to surgery, I had two problems

> one, I

> > was leaning forward and to the left and it was progressing

quickly

> as

> > my lumbar had collapsed. Two, I had extreme pain in my hips.

Well,

> > here we are post surgery and I have more problems then I had

> > bargained for One, I always have pain in my gluts and I workout

in

> > the pool three times a week and walk the other four. Two, I have

a

> > sharp shooting pain in my left cheek (healing pain according to

> the

> > doc). Three, peripheral neuropathy, including face, left hand

and

> > left leg. (healing pain according to the doc)I am hoping cranio-

> > sacral and/or myofacial release therapy will help. Four, edema,

> > though nobody knows why? I did not have it pre surgery. Five,

the

> > pain in my left hip is back. We knew that was a possibility also

> as I

> > have degenerative arthritis. Six, burning sensation in my throat

> and

> > reflux, which prescription meds do not seem to be working.

Seven,

> > depression, meds seem to be OK though I still cry a lot but I am

> in

> > therapy. Eight, I never am comfortable at night. I live on

> sleeping

> > pills. Nine, my knees are now acting up, achy and having

cartilage

> > issues. Ten, home life. eleven, work, almost all us are layed

off.

> I

> > am at 20 hours and long term disability still. I am kind of in

> limbo

> > here not knowing if I will go to 40 hours or not.

> > I could go on and on but what is the point? You wanted me to

post

> the

> > negative ,well yes, I question was it worth it? I try a

resounding

> > yes because by golly, I don't see a cripple in a wheelchair in

my

> > future but my gut just won't do it. I just hurt all around too

> much.

> > Thanks for listening.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for answering my questions. One of the reasons I asked is

because I already have problems with GERD, depression, and my knees.

Oh, and I'm already having problems with my SI joints. It does sound

like most if not all of your problems are a result of your revision.

I am not at all sure that surgery would be " worth it " for me. It is

important to hear everyone's experiences even though the actual

surgeries are not alike.

Please keep us updated as you continue to heal.

Hugs,

Kathy

> > >

> > > Hi all, Ok honesty it is. Prior to surgery, I had two problems

> > one, I

> > > was leaning forward and to the left and it was progressing

> quickly

> > as

> > > my lumbar had collapsed. Two, I had extreme pain in my hips.

> Well,

> > > here we are post surgery and I have more problems then I had

> > > bargained for One, I always have pain in my gluts and I

workout

> in

> > > the pool three times a week and walk the other four. Two, I

have

> a

> > > sharp shooting pain in my left cheek (healing pain according

to

> > the

> > > doc). Three, peripheral neuropathy, including face, left hand

> and

> > > left leg. (healing pain according to the doc)I am hoping

cranio-

> > > sacral and/or myofacial release therapy will help. Four,

edema,

> > > though nobody knows why? I did not have it pre surgery. Five,

> the

> > > pain in my left hip is back. We knew that was a possibility

also

> > as I

> > > have degenerative arthritis. Six, burning sensation in my

throat

> > and

> > > reflux, which prescription meds do not seem to be working.

> Seven,

> > > depression, meds seem to be OK though I still cry a lot but I

am

> > in

> > > therapy. Eight, I never am comfortable at night. I live on

> > sleeping

> > > pills. Nine, my knees are now acting up, achy and having

> cartilage

> > > issues. Ten, home life. eleven, work, almost all us are layed

> off.

> > I

> > > am at 20 hours and long term disability still. I am kind of in

> > limbo

> > > here not knowing if I will go to 40 hours or not.

> > > I could go on and on but what is the point? You wanted me to

> post

> > the

> > > negative ,well yes, I question was it worth it? I try a

> resounding

> > > yes because by golly, I don't see a cripple in a wheelchair in

> my

> > > future but my gut just won't do it. I just hurt all around too

> > much.

> > > Thanks for listening.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I hear you on the frustration, Val. You didn't mention where your edema is. My feet and legs are still swollen, and I'm beginning to wonder if they're really getting better. I had only very mild, temperature/humidity-related edema issues before surgery. This is definite post-surgical stuff, as I'm sure yours must be.

Sharon

[ ] Re: Here goes/

Kathy,No, I didn't suffer from knee pain or issues with GERD or depression. I have never had edema before the surgery only since. one med I take can cause swelling but I take it so infrequently the doctor doesn't think that is causing it. The edema does come and go. I do not have back pain per say only healing pain like I feel like my new lordosis is ttooo much lordosis and of course all the lovely nerve issues. I have a call in to see if I can do cranio-sacral and or myofacial release massage therapy. Like I said, I am not saying surgery wasn't the right thing to do. I am frustrated with the result and the inability to find answers. Yes, I can walk further but my butt hurts and I can sit longer but my lordosis and lower back hurt. Just frustrated Kathy, thats all. Thanks > >> > Hi all, Ok honesty it is. Prior to surgery, I had two problems > one, I > > was leaning forward and to the left and it was progressing quickly > as > > my lumbar had collapsed. Two, I had extreme pain in my hips. Well, > > here we are post surgery and I have more problems then I had > > bargained for One, I always have pain in my gluts and I workout in > > the pool three times a week and walk the other four. Two, I have a > > sharp shooting pain in my left cheek (healing pain according to > the > > doc). Three, peripheral neuropathy, including face, left hand and > > left leg. (healing pain according to the doc)I am hoping cranio-> > sacral and/or myofacial release therapy will help. Four, edema, > > though nobody knows why? I did not have it pre surgery. Five, the > > pain in my left hip is back. We knew that was a possibility also > as I > > have degenerative arthritis. Six, burning sensation in my throat > and > > reflux, which prescription meds do not seem to be working. Seven, > > depression, meds seem to be OK though I still cry a lot but I am > in > > therapy. Eight, I never am comfortable at night. I live on > sleeping > > pills. Nine, my knees are now acting up, achy and having cartilage > > issues. Ten, home life. eleven, work, almost all us are layed off. > I > > am at 20 hours and long term disability still. I am kind of in > limbo > > here not knowing if I will go to 40 hours or not. > > I could go on and on but what is the point? You wanted me to post > the > > negative ,well yes, I question was it worth it? I try a resounding > > yes because by golly, I don't see a cripple in a wheelchair in my > > future but my gut just won't do it. I just hurt all around too > much. > > Thanks for listening. > >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Val,

I know this probably isn't a helpful thing to say, but I can't help wondering if the reason your knees are sore is because of the sheer amount of work outs, and especially walking, that you're doing. If there is any way that you could try replacing some of that time on a non-impact machine either at home or better at a gym, perhaps it would be worth a go? I know my knees wouldn't take much pounding and I'm a lot younger than you, but I do find the Precor EFX elliptical machine a truly wonderful thing (and the LifeFitness cross trainer, which has arms that you have to hang onto an abomination) - the Precor also seems better suited to the set of women's hips if the reactions to the two types at my gym are anything to go by. It might also be worth trying a pair of Nike Shox trainers (or whatever they'd be called where you are - the ones with the springy bits in the heels), as I find they're fantastic for support and really take the impact off my back, but I do also notice it in the knees.

Something else I've heard of more recently, and it's something I need to pursue with my own surgeon because I have occasional problems which may be related to it although I don't know if you'd have the right kind of hardware for it to be an issue, is I think called hardware stenosis. Basically, the spinal canal isn't very wide up in the thoracic region, so sometimes if they have to put 2 hooks or 2 screws into the one level, it can cause some impingement. A friend of mine has it, because he slung his hooks at the top after his original fusion up to T5, so they had to extend and this time both rods were hooked at the same level in a couple of places and although it's liveable with and just irritates him, he's had persistent nerve pain across his shoulder blade and around his ribs on the one side ever since. I've only looked into it because I've started this year getting occasional attacks of pain that starts like a muscle spasm then can rapidly progress so that it's wrapped around the right of my back, drills through to the front of my chest, and I can't swallow properly to take pills and it feels very much that I can't breathe properly either (thank heavens it's the right, or I'd probably have had more than one heart attack scare by now!!) - I've checked some diagrams and my xray, and have 2 hooks at T4 which is exactly the right place for nerves to be affecting those areas. Luckily my husband has incredible thumbs and missed his calling as an osteopath ;o) He manages to get right in there, get the ribs to shift a little and just pound everything there until it's so overloaded it all relaxes - I think muscle spasm is actually part of it, but considering that I can now feel the pinch without it just by moving incautiously, I certainly plan to talk to my surgeon as it does seem to me to be a nerve thing at the root of it all.

The feeling of the lordosis being too much should pass if you're anything like me. The assisting surgeon came round to check me the day after, check for nerve damage and stuff and asked how it felt and I told him honestly that it felt as though someone had stuffed a massive cushion under my waist and I was bent over it - despite their fears of not enough correction he then had to worry they'd over-corrected! My lordosis is tiny though, and should I have further work no doubt more will be installed, it just didn't feel like it - and the feeling that I was leaning back from the waist whatever I did took a fair while to go. Oh, and for months although I sat on hard surfaces by preference, my goodness that gave me a sore rear especially around the sacrum, so I always carried a very thin, squishy cushion to sit on which made a huuuuuuuge difference to pain (admittedly, despite being fat, I have a very bony rear, so probably had the worst of both worlds being both bony and heavy on top of it ;o).

One last thing while I'm here, if you've got a massage therapist who can get in nice and deep, and as long as your surgeon oks it, get them to check out your piriformis and if it is in spasm, perhaps they can get right in there with some deep tissue massage to help undo it a bit. I had a whole load of piriformis trouble before revision, and have had attacks since. For me the key to keeping it under control is just not to try to *stride*. That really irritates me as I always used to lope along with strides twice the length of anyone else's and have people practically running to keep up, and I can't abide taking little fairy steps instead especially when it's fast little fairy steps (feel particularly ridiculous then, trying to maintain some speed!), but hey, it works and as the alternative is just not walking it's ok - so perhaps just making sure you don't overextend would help a bit. The other thing was that because of the piriformis spasm, I had developed a tendency to have my feet facing outward, the left especially, and although it wasn't by much again it took a fair amount of concentration, and re-teaching it to myself while moving slowly enough to really think about how I was moving, to get them back where they should be - again, once I did it helped the pain and helped keep it from re-emerging.

Anyway, I've no idea if any of that helps at all, but either way I hope things continue to get better for you and that you can actually spot some of the improvements along the way )

titch-- The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I know that my knees are a result of the shift in weight now that my

body is straight. The reflux could be a result of stress and I do not

think the Protonix is working so I am seeing the specialist next week.

Depression, I think is a result of a lot of things. The whole layoff thing

at works,financial issues, home life, recovering from surgery. I can't

say the depression is a result of surgery, just the luck of the draw.

I can only say that the knees are a direct result and I haven't had

that looked at yet.

Revision is very much an individual thing and my results have nothing

to do with whether your results would be the same, better or worse.

The deciding factor needs to be your quality of life and the risks

therein. Best of luck.

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

The edema is in my legs and knees. Funny though my feet

are fine.

[Guest guest]

Titch,

Great advice. Another thing about walking. I find that if I hurry or rush, I lean forward. Now that I actually can stand up straight, I refuse to rush when I walk so I can keep up the good posture and get the right muscles working.

Bonnie

Re: [ ] Re: Here goes/

Hi Val,

I know this probably isn't a helpful thing to say, but I can't help wondering if the reason your knees are sore is because of the sheer amount of work outs, and especially walking, that you're doing. If there is any way that you could try replacing some of that time on a non-impact machine either at home or better at a gym, perhaps it would be worth a go? I know my knees wouldn't take much pounding and I'm a lot younger than you, but I do find the Precor EFX elliptical machine a truly wonderful thing (and the LifeFitness cross trainer, which has arms that you have to hang onto an abomination) - the Precor also seems better suited to the set of women's hips if the reactions to the two types at my gym are anything to go by. It might also be worth trying a pair of Nike Shox trainers (or whatever they'd be called where you are - the ones with the springy bits in the heels), as I find they're fantastic for support and really take the impact off my back, but I do als

Something else I've heard of more recently, and it's something I need to pursue with my own surgeon because I have occasional problems which may be related to it although I don't know if you'd have the right kind of hardware for it to be an issue, is I think called hardware stenosis. Basically, the spinal canal isn't very wide up in the thoracic region, so sometimes if they have to put 2 hooks or 2 screws into the one level, it can cause some impingement. A friend of mine has it, because he slung his hooks at the top after his original fusion up to T5, so they had to extend and this time both rods were hooked at the same level in a couple of places and although it's liveable with and just irritates him, he's had persistent nerve pain across his shoulder blade and around his ribs on the one side ever since. I've only looked into it because I've started this year getting occasional attacks of pain that starts like a muscle spasm then can rapidly progress so that

The feeling of the lordosis being too much should pass if you're anything like me. The assisting surgeon came round to check me the day after, check for nerve damage and stuff and asked how it felt and I told him honestly that it felt as though someone had stuffed a massive cushion under my waist and I was bent over it - despite their fears of not enough correction he then had to worry they'd over-corrected! My lordosis is tiny though, and should I have further work no doubt more will be installed, it just didn't feel like it - and the feeling that I was leaning back from the waist whatever I did took a fair while to go. Oh, and for months although I sat on hard surfaces by preference, my goodness that gave me a sore rear especially around the sacrum, so I always carried a very thin, squishy cushion to sit on which made a huuuuuuuge difference to pain (admittedly, despite being fat, I have a very bony rear, so probably had the worst of both worlds being bo

One last thing while I'm here, if you've got a massage therapist who can get in nice and deep, and as long as your surgeon oks it, get them to check out your piriformis and if it is in spasm, perhaps they can get right in there with some deep tissue massage to help undo it a bit. I had a whole load of piriformis trouble before revision, and have had attacks since. For me the key to keeping it under control is just not to try to *stride*. That really irritates me as I always used to lope along with strides twice the length of anyone else's and have people practically running to keep up, and I can't abide taking little fairy steps instead especially when it's fast little fairy steps (feel particularly ridiculous then, trying to maintain some speed!), but hey, it works and as the alternative is just not walking it's ok - so perhaps just making sure you don't overextend would help a bit. The other thing was that because of the piriformis spasm, I had develope

Anyway, I've no idea if any of that helps at all, but either way I hope things continue to get better for you and that you can actually spot some of the improvements along the way )

titch-- The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone

[Guest guest]

HI Titch,

I do have an elliptical machine here at work, I will try that, thanks

for the suggestion. Also, maybe I do over extend a bit with all the

stretches. I will try to be mindful of my steps and exercises to see

that I am not doing that. I just got the ok for myofacial massage. I

have used up all my PT so I am trying to work out a price I can

afford. I am hoping the piriformis will respond to massage and relax

a bit. I can't stand my butt always hurting. I definetly hope it will

help the neuropathy. Thanks,

>

> Hi Val,

>

> I know this probably isn't a helpful thing to say, but I can't help

> wondering if the reason your knees are sore is because of the sheer

amount

> of work outs, and especially walking, that you're doing. If there

is any

> way that you could try replacing some of that time on a non-impact

machine

> either at home or better at a gym, perhaps it would be worth a go?

I know

> my knees wouldn't take much pounding and I'm a lot younger than

you, but I

> do find the Precor EFX elliptical machine a truly wonderful thing

(and the

> LifeFitness cross trainer, which has arms that you have to hang

onto an

> abomination) - the Precor also seems better suited to the set of

women's

> hips if the reactions to the two types at my gym are anything to go

by. It

> might also be worth trying a pair of Nike Shox trainers (or

whatever they'd

> be called where you are - the ones with the springy bits in the

heels), as I

> find they're fantastic for support and really take the impact off

my back,

> but I do also notice it in the knees.

>

> Something else I've heard of more recently, and it's something I

need to

> pursue with my own surgeon because I have occasional problems which

may be

> related to it although I don't know if you'd have the right kind of

hardware

> for it to be an issue, is I think called hardware stenosis.

Basically, the

> spinal canal isn't very wide up in the thoracic region, so

sometimes if they

> have to put 2 hooks or 2 screws into the one level, it can cause

some

> impingement. A friend of mine has it, because he slung his hooks

at the top

> after his original fusion up to T5, so they had to extend and this

time both

> rods were hooked at the same level in a couple of places and

although it's

> liveable with and just irritates him, he's had persistent nerve

pain across

> his shoulder blade and around his ribs on the one side ever since.

I've

> only looked into it because I've started this year getting

occasional

> attacks of pain that starts like a muscle spasm then can rapidly

progress so

> that it's wrapped around the right of my back, drills through to

the front

> of my chest, and I can't swallow properly to take pills and it

feels very

> much that I can't breathe properly either (thank heavens it's the

right, or

> I'd probably have had more than one heart attack scare by now!!) -

I've

> checked some diagrams and my xray, and have 2 hooks at T4 which is

exactly

> the right place for nerves to be affecting those areas. Luckily my

husband

> has incredible thumbs and missed his calling as an osteopath ;o)

He manages

> to get right in there, get the ribs to shift a little and just pound

> everything there until it's so overloaded it all relaxes - I think

muscle

> spasm is actually part of it, but considering that I can now feel

the pinch

> without it just by moving incautiously, I certainly plan to talk to

my

> surgeon as it does seem to me to be a nerve thing at the root of it

all.

>

> The feeling of the lordosis being too much should pass if you're

anything

> like me. The assisting surgeon came round to check me the day

after, check

> for nerve damage and stuff and asked how it felt and I told him

honestly

> that it felt as though someone had stuffed a massive cushion under

my waist

> and I was bent over it - despite their fears of not enough

correction he

> then had to worry they'd over-corrected! My lordosis is tiny

though, and

> should I have further work no doubt more will be installed, it just

didn't

> feel like it - and the feeling that I was leaning back from the

waist

> whatever I did took a fair while to go. Oh, and for months

although I sat

> on hard surfaces by preference, my goodness that gave me a sore rear

> especially around the sacrum, so I always carried a very thin,

squishy

> cushion to sit on which made a huuuuuuuge difference to pain

(admittedly,

> despite being fat, I have a very bony rear, so probably had the

worst of

> both worlds being both bony and heavy on top of it ;o).

>

> One last thing while I'm here, if you've got a massage therapist

who can get

> in nice and deep, and as long as your surgeon oks it, get them to

check out

> your piriformis and if it is in spasm, perhaps they can get right

in there

> with some deep tissue massage to help undo it a bit. I had a whole

load of

> piriformis trouble before revision, and have had attacks since.

For me the

> key to keeping it under control is just not to try to *stride*.

That really

> irritates me as I always used to lope along with strides twice the

length of

> anyone else's and have people practically running to keep up, and I

can't

> abide taking little fairy steps instead especially when it's fast

little

> fairy steps (feel particularly ridiculous then, trying to maintain

some

> speed!), but hey, it works and as the alternative is just not

walking it's

> ok - so perhaps just making sure you don't overextend would help a

bit. The

> other thing was that because of the piriformis spasm, I had

developed a

> tendency to have my feet facing outward, the left especially, and

although

> it wasn't by much again it took a fair amount of concentration, and

> re-teaching it to myself while moving slowly enough to really think

about

> how I was moving, to get them back where they should be - again,

once I did

> it helped the pain and helped keep it from re-emerging.

>

> Anyway, I've no idea if any of that helps at all, but either way I

hope

> things continue to get better for you and that you can actually

spot some of

> the improvements along the way )

>

> titch

>

>

> --

> The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out,

it's just

> sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone

>

[Guest guest]

HI ,

Good luck with the myofascial release. It has helped me a great deal.

Bonnie

[ ] Re: Here goes/

HI Titch,I do have an elliptical machine here at work, I will try that, thanks for the suggestion. Also, maybe I do over extend a bit with all the stretches. I will try to be mindful of my steps and exercises to see that I am not doing that. I just got the ok for myofacial massage. I have used up all my PT so I am trying to work out a price I can afford. I am hoping the piriformis will respond to massage and relax a bit. I can't stand my butt always hurting. I definetly hope it will help the neuropathy. Thanks, >> Hi Val,> > I know this probably isn't a helpful thing to say, but I can't help> wondering if the reason your knees are sore is because of the sheer amount> of work outs, and especially walking, that you're doing. If there is any> way that you could try replacing some of that time on a non-impact machine> either at home or better at a gym, perhaps it would be worth a go? I know> my knees wouldn't take much pounding and I'm a lot younger than you, but I> do find the Precor EFX elliptical machine a truly wonderful thing (and the> LifeFitness cross trainer, which has arms that you have to hang onto an> abomination) - the Precor also seems better suited to the set of women's> hips if the reactions to the two types at my gym are anything to go by. It> might also be worth trying a pair of Nike Shox trainers (or whatever they'd> be called where you are - the ones with the springy bits in the heels), as I> find they're fantastic for support and really take the impact off my back,> but I do also notice it in the knees.> > Something else I've heard of more recently, and it's something I need to> pursue with my own surgeon because I have occasional problems which may be> related to it although I don't know if you'd have the right kind of hardware> for it to be an issue, is I think called hardware stenosis. Basically, the> spinal canal isn't very wide up in the thoracic region, so sometimes if they> have to put 2 hooks or 2 screws into the one level, it can cause some> impingement. A friend of mine has it, because he slung his hooks at the top> after his original fusion up to T5, so they had to extend and this time both> rods were hooked at the same level in a couple of places and although it's> liveable with and just irritates him, he's had persistent nerve pain across> his shoulder blade and around his ribs on the one side ever since. I've> only looked into it because I've started this year getting occasional> attacks of pain that starts like a muscle spasm then can rapidly progress so> that it's wrapped around the right of my back, drills through to the front> of my chest, and I can't swallow properly to take pills and it feels very> much that I can't breathe properly either (thank heavens it's the right, or> I'd probably have had more than one heart attack scare by now!!) - I've> checked some diagrams and my xray, and have 2 hooks at T4 which is exactly> the right place for nerves to be affecting those areas. Luckily my husband> has incredible thumbs and missed his calling as an osteopath ;o) He manages> to get right in there, get the ribs to shift a little and just pound> everything there until it's so overloaded it all relaxes - I think muscle> spasm is actually part of it, but considering that I can now feel the pinch> without it just by moving incautiously, I certainly plan to talk to my> surgeon as it does seem to me to be a nerve thing at the root of it all.> > The feeling of the lordosis being too much should pass if you're anything> like me. The assisting surgeon came round to check me the day after, check> for nerve damage and stuff and asked how it felt and I told him honestly> that it felt as though someone had stuffed a massive cushion under my waist> and I was bent over it - despite their fears of not enough correction he> then had to worry they'd over-corrected! My lordosis is tiny though, and> should I have further work no doubt more will be installed, it just didn't> feel like it - and the feeling that I was leaning back from the waist> whatever I did took a fair while to go. Oh, and for months although I sat> on hard surfaces by preference, my goodness that gave me a sore rear> especially around the sacrum, so I always carried a very thin, squishy> cushion to sit on which made a huuuuuuuge difference to pain (admittedly,> despite being fat, I have a very bony rear, so probably had the worst of> both worlds being both bony and heavy on top of it ;o).> > One last thing while I'm here, if you've got a massage therapist who can get> in nice and deep, and as long as your surgeon oks it, get them to check out> your piriformis and if it is in spasm, perhaps they can get right in there> with some deep tissue massage to help undo it a bit. I had a whole load of> piriformis trouble before revision, and have had attacks since. For me the> key to keeping it under control is just not to try to *stride*. That really> irritates me as I always used to lope along with strides twice the length of> anyone else's and have people practically running to keep up, and I can't> abide taking little fairy steps instead especially when it's fast little> fairy steps (feel particularly ridiculous then, trying to maintain some> speed!), but hey, it works and as the alternative is just not walking it's> ok - so perhaps just making sure you don't overextend would help a bit. The> other thing was that because of the piriformis spasm, I had developed a> tendency to have my feet facing outward, the left especially, and although> it wasn't by much again it took a fair amount of concentration, and> re-teaching it to myself while moving slowly enough to really think about> how I was moving, to get them back where they should be - again, once I did> it helped the pain and helped keep it from re-emerging.> > Anyway, I've no idea if any of that helps at all, but either way I hope> things continue to get better for you and that you can actually spot some of> the improvements along the way )> > titch> > > -- > The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just> sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone>

[Guest guest]

Speaking of massage therapists, Val, if you don't have a good referral right close to home, my therapist in Hudson, NH is a gem. She has training in myofascial release and craniosacral therapy among other things. She's also good and strong for when you need deep tissue work (used to be a competative body builder).

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Sounds like a plan

[Guest guest]

I could write "ditto" after several of 's issues since her surgery! One thing that I can mention now is the depression and crying.....some of you have touched on the depression before and I appreciated your comments! I would cry for no reason after my flatback causing surgery and also after my first revsion. My Rheumatologist put me on Effexor XR 37.5 mgs once a day. The med worked before the first week of taking it! I stopped crying and as a bonus noticed that my pain level was cut almost in half -I also have Fibromyalga. Recently I was switched to Cimbalta and the pain and achiness was back in no time. Needless to say, I am back on Effexor XR!

I also tried cranial-sacral therapy but didn't stick with it long enough cuz the therapist insisted on my lying on an air type mattress to enable her to reach her hand under me. Air mattresses don't work for me cuz of the fusion!

I still have GERD or reflux or whatever you want to call it. I've tried prescription stuff and Tums and whatever cure I read about to no avail. I take advil(ibuprophen) for the fibro and I find it's enought to calm my spine pain also. My doc suggested that my reflux could be due to the acidity of the advil and also my inability to stand straight.

I do try to keep a positive attitude which helps but every once in awhile I like to sit on the "pity pot"!

June-NJ

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I don't post much, but I wanted to comment about this from Titch:

> I do find the Precor EFX elliptical machine a truly wonderful thing

and the LifeFitness cross trainer, which has arms that you have to

hang onto an abomination) - the Precor also seems better suited to the

set of women's hips if the reactions to the two types at my gym are

anything to go by.

Years ago when I had a gym membership, I remember trying an elliptical

machine a few times. For me, it was a very awkward feeling. It

didn't feel as though it allowed me to move naturally at all, and I

always attributed that awkwardness to my fused spine. Almost as

though my hips and my whole walking motion is different than

a " normal " person's. My hubby on the other hand, absolutely loved

using the elliptical - especially for the low impact on his feet. Has

anyone else ever felt like this?