30 October, 2007
PT update
They worked me over pretty good last night. I was doing a 5 lb weight for the leg lifts with the stim - impressive since I wasn't able to do that before surgery. Also, S told me I can try walking everywhere with one crutch and see how that goes. He doesn't think I'm ready for no crutches, but I'll take what I can get. Lets hope I didn't just jinx myself!
29 October, 2007
6 week Post Surgery update
Well well my pretties, it's been one heck of a time these last few days! It's times like these that I wish there was a way to become the bionic woman. (The original, this new one is just not working for me).
To summarise the last few days:
Thursday I woke up with one killer of a sore throat. I am only too familiar with sore throats, and can tell what causes each one. This one seems to be from my never ending acid reflux. I have been taking meds for the acid reflux for a long time, and my doctor had wanted me to start reducing the amount this summer. However, when she found out that I was to have hip surgery and take anti-inflammatory meds, she said to keep taking the acid reflux pills. Anti-inflammatory drugs are the devils work in my book and I try to avoid them at all costs, but I didn't seem to have a choice following hip surgery so I just went with it. The tablets are 500mg of Naproxen, taken twice a day. I was getting by for the first month or so, but by last week my insides had had enough and conceded defeat. Which is why I woke up with a burning throat.
My throat continued to get worse as the days went on so that I barely slept on Friday and Saturday nights. I think the last Naproxen I took was on Thursday, and about a week prior I had cut my dosage down to one tablet at day because of the intense pain in my stomach I had been experiencing. I tried taking something to numb my throat but it doesn't seem to make a dent, and I also sound like I've smoked three packs a day for the last twenty years.
To add to all the fun, Saturday I had a dentist appointment. I thought it was just to touch up one of my teeth that he had bonded a few weeks ago because of my tooth sensitivity. But alas, I was wrong. Secretly I held this fear that I was going to be told I was wrong and I needed a root canal. Having had three, you get to know when it's that. But I was in denial. Or at least thought if I denied it enough it wouldn't come true. I guess it was no surprise when the dentist brought it up and asked if I thought it could be that, and he did some poking and feeling and decided that was the most likely cause of my continual pain. I was ready to cry right then and there. The last root canal I had was only a little over a year ago, and it was a complete nightmare. The pain from the treatment and my TMJ was enough to keep me at home with ice packs and pain pills. Thankfully this tooth only had one root, and was towards the front and so the dentist was able to do the first part straight away. I go back in two weeks for the second part. I won't even mention the financial issues, but to give you an glimpse last year I used up all my FSA in the first two months from the root canal and crown. Seriously, I am losing my mind. But wait, it gets better.
Yesterday my mother and I were going out to do my food shopping. My nephew wanted to come and was sitting in the back seat when I got in the front. He did or said something to make me turn and my right hip went POP! I think (and hope it's not my denial but true) it was just my IT band which has done plenty of popping before. Yesterday I had more pain in my hip than I have for a while. I am not sure if it was the popping or the additional moving around with my nephew all weekend and him sitting on my lap, or just a combination of both. I am still a bit sore today and have PT tonight, so will tell the boys about it and see what they have to say.
The words "never a dull moment" could not be truer for me if I tried.
To summarise the last few days:
Thursday I woke up with one killer of a sore throat. I am only too familiar with sore throats, and can tell what causes each one. This one seems to be from my never ending acid reflux. I have been taking meds for the acid reflux for a long time, and my doctor had wanted me to start reducing the amount this summer. However, when she found out that I was to have hip surgery and take anti-inflammatory meds, she said to keep taking the acid reflux pills. Anti-inflammatory drugs are the devils work in my book and I try to avoid them at all costs, but I didn't seem to have a choice following hip surgery so I just went with it. The tablets are 500mg of Naproxen, taken twice a day. I was getting by for the first month or so, but by last week my insides had had enough and conceded defeat. Which is why I woke up with a burning throat.
My throat continued to get worse as the days went on so that I barely slept on Friday and Saturday nights. I think the last Naproxen I took was on Thursday, and about a week prior I had cut my dosage down to one tablet at day because of the intense pain in my stomach I had been experiencing. I tried taking something to numb my throat but it doesn't seem to make a dent, and I also sound like I've smoked three packs a day for the last twenty years.
To add to all the fun, Saturday I had a dentist appointment. I thought it was just to touch up one of my teeth that he had bonded a few weeks ago because of my tooth sensitivity. But alas, I was wrong. Secretly I held this fear that I was going to be told I was wrong and I needed a root canal. Having had three, you get to know when it's that. But I was in denial. Or at least thought if I denied it enough it wouldn't come true. I guess it was no surprise when the dentist brought it up and asked if I thought it could be that, and he did some poking and feeling and decided that was the most likely cause of my continual pain. I was ready to cry right then and there. The last root canal I had was only a little over a year ago, and it was a complete nightmare. The pain from the treatment and my TMJ was enough to keep me at home with ice packs and pain pills. Thankfully this tooth only had one root, and was towards the front and so the dentist was able to do the first part straight away. I go back in two weeks for the second part. I won't even mention the financial issues, but to give you an glimpse last year I used up all my FSA in the first two months from the root canal and crown. Seriously, I am losing my mind. But wait, it gets better.
Yesterday my mother and I were going out to do my food shopping. My nephew wanted to come and was sitting in the back seat when I got in the front. He did or said something to make me turn and my right hip went POP! I think (and hope it's not my denial but true) it was just my IT band which has done plenty of popping before. Yesterday I had more pain in my hip than I have for a while. I am not sure if it was the popping or the additional moving around with my nephew all weekend and him sitting on my lap, or just a combination of both. I am still a bit sore today and have PT tonight, so will tell the boys about it and see what they have to say.
The words "never a dull moment" could not be truer for me if I tried.
24 October, 2007
Stoned
Well, at least that's how I think it would feel, as I don't really know. I had to take a pain pill today - not because of the hip, but my fibro if flaring up big time. Between this crap weather and lack of sleep I feel like I've been run over by a mack truck, who then reversed, did it again, and once more for good luck.
Good thing it's relatively quiet at work because I don't know how I'd pull it off. I actually cancelled my PT for this evening. There is no way in hell that I am going to be tortured by someone else anymore than I am being at present by my own body. Oh well, I guess sometimes you have to just say WTF and take some rest. I just hope the weather improves quickly, and that I get some decent sleep tonight. I hate taking these bloody pills!
Good thing it's relatively quiet at work because I don't know how I'd pull it off. I actually cancelled my PT for this evening. There is no way in hell that I am going to be tortured by someone else anymore than I am being at present by my own body. Oh well, I guess sometimes you have to just say WTF and take some rest. I just hope the weather improves quickly, and that I get some decent sleep tonight. I hate taking these bloody pills!
23 October, 2007
5 Weeks Post-Op
I apologise for my lack of attention to the blog, but life has been mostly dull as of late. Work is tiring and two days a week after work I have PT, so I don't get home till 8ish. Yesterday I left PT w/o icing - I was so hungry I said I'd do it at home, but had to go eat. An apple beforehand didn't cut it obviously.
The good news is they told me I can start putting more weight on my right leg when walking with both crutches, and I can use one crutch whilst I am home, but must use two when I'm out. The bad news is this means nothing to me because I've been very naughty and have been walking around my flat now for a couple of weeks without any crutches at all. I have no patience. I am able to get around from room to room but rest a lot in between. If my hip starts to hurt I just ice it. (Speaking of which, I think I've become an human icicle - all I do is ice all day long at work). I am not sure that I could go out and walk around all day without the crutches yet, I don't feel strong enough. I asked K last week at PT if he thought I'd be off of my crutches in a month, and he said yes. That is my goal because my first theatre tickets are in a month and there is no way I want to deal with crutches in a tiny seating area - so fingers crossed he's right.
I had been wearing my brace to and from work, especially to protect me on public transport because you would not believe how rude and obnoxious some people can be even when you are on crutches! I found that it helped them from not pushing into or leaning on my hip because if they did they'd get a big metal bit in theirs. Today I decided, mostly because I knew I was going to take a taxi both ways, to try it without the brace. It was ok, but I definitely felt a bit more sore. I'll have to see what I will do when taking the bus again.
As for my PT last night - they kicked it up a notch or two. I started doing leg lifts that I haven't done since before my surgery. I am definitely sore from them, but in an achy type of way, which is okay as it shows I am finally working some muscles. Better achy and sore than the old stabbing pain.
I did contact Dr. Kelly's office to see if I was to renew the anti-inflammatory meds. These are very bad for me because of my GERD, so was hoping to be able to stop. Unfortunately they want me to stay on them at least until my next appointment. I also mentioned the my left hip is snapping like crazy (IT band most likely) when I walk and they said they'd discuss that at the next visit. I seriously do not think I can go through this again, so I am praying that my left hip steps up and behaves itself and stops wanting the attention!
My biggest issue is still not being able to sleep. It's definitely been worse sine the surgery, and it's either the discomfort (the rest of me is in agony from the crutches and compensation) or the fear that I will sleep in a position that will be bad for my hip. Trust me, I wake up in pretzel positions on a regular basis so and I've already woken up at least once with my right hip in a very bad position. I've been needing to take my "magic" pills on a more regular basis, which is not good because even if I take them early evening, I am wiped out the next day. I am hoping this will all work itself out as I improve.
The one thing I am looking forward to this week is my appointment with my chiropractor. He has these wonderful masseuses that do Active Release Therapy and my back and neck are in desperate need of this. Thursday can't come fast enough!
The good news is they told me I can start putting more weight on my right leg when walking with both crutches, and I can use one crutch whilst I am home, but must use two when I'm out. The bad news is this means nothing to me because I've been very naughty and have been walking around my flat now for a couple of weeks without any crutches at all. I have no patience. I am able to get around from room to room but rest a lot in between. If my hip starts to hurt I just ice it. (Speaking of which, I think I've become an human icicle - all I do is ice all day long at work). I am not sure that I could go out and walk around all day without the crutches yet, I don't feel strong enough. I asked K last week at PT if he thought I'd be off of my crutches in a month, and he said yes. That is my goal because my first theatre tickets are in a month and there is no way I want to deal with crutches in a tiny seating area - so fingers crossed he's right.
I had been wearing my brace to and from work, especially to protect me on public transport because you would not believe how rude and obnoxious some people can be even when you are on crutches! I found that it helped them from not pushing into or leaning on my hip because if they did they'd get a big metal bit in theirs. Today I decided, mostly because I knew I was going to take a taxi both ways, to try it without the brace. It was ok, but I definitely felt a bit more sore. I'll have to see what I will do when taking the bus again.
As for my PT last night - they kicked it up a notch or two. I started doing leg lifts that I haven't done since before my surgery. I am definitely sore from them, but in an achy type of way, which is okay as it shows I am finally working some muscles. Better achy and sore than the old stabbing pain.
I did contact Dr. Kelly's office to see if I was to renew the anti-inflammatory meds. These are very bad for me because of my GERD, so was hoping to be able to stop. Unfortunately they want me to stay on them at least until my next appointment. I also mentioned the my left hip is snapping like crazy (IT band most likely) when I walk and they said they'd discuss that at the next visit. I seriously do not think I can go through this again, so I am praying that my left hip steps up and behaves itself and stops wanting the attention!
My biggest issue is still not being able to sleep. It's definitely been worse sine the surgery, and it's either the discomfort (the rest of me is in agony from the crutches and compensation) or the fear that I will sleep in a position that will be bad for my hip. Trust me, I wake up in pretzel positions on a regular basis so and I've already woken up at least once with my right hip in a very bad position. I've been needing to take my "magic" pills on a more regular basis, which is not good because even if I take them early evening, I am wiped out the next day. I am hoping this will all work itself out as I improve.
The one thing I am looking forward to this week is my appointment with my chiropractor. He has these wonderful masseuses that do Active Release Therapy and my back and neck are in desperate need of this. Thursday can't come fast enough!
16 October, 2007
4 weeks post op
4 weeks later and here's the scoop...
*I am still (frustratingly) on crutches. Most "normal" people would be off them by now, but because of multitude of issues, I am to stay on them for longer, though no one can seem to say when. The dr says "when I can walk with no pain and no limp". That being said, I have been wobbling around my flat w/o the crutches, and even did a silly thing and climbed the step stool so I could get my electric heater as it's been freezing in my flat. Stupid, yes, but I was desperate. One cannot describe how much I hate those bloody crutches, there are no words for it.
*Because of the crutches, my knees, shoulders, left hip and my hands/wrists have been beyond unhappy. This should not be taken by the average person as something they would experience, again it's just because of my other medical issues.
*Carrying packages is an issue when shopping, and I have been fortunate to have someone to help the last few weeks. This week is my first all by myself, and so far I have not had to go to the shops. My advice is to have someone stock up for you when they can.
*I can finally get my socks and shoes on w/o the assistance of the sock puller thingy and long shoe horn. I count this as a great accomplishment!
*I am still wearing my brace to and from places, but take it off when I am at work. The dr said that I should use this as long as I feel it is helping to support me. I had that reinforced on Friday night when I decided I was NOT going to wear my brace out, and only had a couple of blocks to walk. Unfortunately I had the wrong street in my head and we had to walk an extra long block up a hill. I was shot all around after that and my hip did hurt me for the rest of the weekend. To make up for it I stayed in and did nothing all day Sunday!
*Sitting all day is difficult, and I am meant to get up every 45 minutes to walk around. Getting up to use my crutches is the least appetizing thing I can think of, so it gets spaced out a bit more. I brought two ice packs with me to work and use them on and off all day long on both my hips to keep the swelling down.
*This week I start PT twice a week. I went last night and was pretty sore from the exercises and manual manipulation. The good news is I did 20 minutes straight on the bike!
*I was going to try to take the bus to and from work, but to be honest I have not made the best start with that. I am constantly exhausted so have been taking cabs, which is tres expensive, but sometimes more convenient than waiting and getting on and off multiple buses.
*Sleeping is still not great, but for me it never was. I have been taking pills to help sleep the last two nights, but on Fri and Sat did not need to as I was so tired, and had also drunk wine which helped!
That's about all I can think of now.
PS-I want to say a HUGE thanks to my friend T who spent last week looking after me, and was in all the way from Holland! I'm very lucky to have a friend like her.
*I am still (frustratingly) on crutches. Most "normal" people would be off them by now, but because of multitude of issues, I am to stay on them for longer, though no one can seem to say when. The dr says "when I can walk with no pain and no limp". That being said, I have been wobbling around my flat w/o the crutches, and even did a silly thing and climbed the step stool so I could get my electric heater as it's been freezing in my flat. Stupid, yes, but I was desperate. One cannot describe how much I hate those bloody crutches, there are no words for it.
*Because of the crutches, my knees, shoulders, left hip and my hands/wrists have been beyond unhappy. This should not be taken by the average person as something they would experience, again it's just because of my other medical issues.
*Carrying packages is an issue when shopping, and I have been fortunate to have someone to help the last few weeks. This week is my first all by myself, and so far I have not had to go to the shops. My advice is to have someone stock up for you when they can.
*I can finally get my socks and shoes on w/o the assistance of the sock puller thingy and long shoe horn. I count this as a great accomplishment!
*I am still wearing my brace to and from places, but take it off when I am at work. The dr said that I should use this as long as I feel it is helping to support me. I had that reinforced on Friday night when I decided I was NOT going to wear my brace out, and only had a couple of blocks to walk. Unfortunately I had the wrong street in my head and we had to walk an extra long block up a hill. I was shot all around after that and my hip did hurt me for the rest of the weekend. To make up for it I stayed in and did nothing all day Sunday!
*Sitting all day is difficult, and I am meant to get up every 45 minutes to walk around. Getting up to use my crutches is the least appetizing thing I can think of, so it gets spaced out a bit more. I brought two ice packs with me to work and use them on and off all day long on both my hips to keep the swelling down.
*This week I start PT twice a week. I went last night and was pretty sore from the exercises and manual manipulation. The good news is I did 20 minutes straight on the bike!
*I was going to try to take the bus to and from work, but to be honest I have not made the best start with that. I am constantly exhausted so have been taking cabs, which is tres expensive, but sometimes more convenient than waiting and getting on and off multiple buses.
*Sleeping is still not great, but for me it never was. I have been taking pills to help sleep the last two nights, but on Fri and Sat did not need to as I was so tired, and had also drunk wine which helped!
That's about all I can think of now.
PS-I want to say a HUGE thanks to my friend T who spent last week looking after me, and was in all the way from Holland! I'm very lucky to have a friend like her.
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