Life after surgery....

[KBear]

Hey everyone, I don't think I've ever seen much on what to expect once pain free (or close to it).

What kinds of things were you told to never do again? I was told no skiing (water or snow) and that was it. I'm sure there are other things that shouldn't be done, so curious what you all were told.

When 'pain free' do you experience any pain, muscle soreness/ stiffness or are you better than new? I definitely wake up stiff, but it works out within 10 to 15 minutes of moving around. I think what I experience is like a mild arthritic pain. I've also had a night here and there where I was sore when laying down. I wouldn't even really call it back pain, as it's mild, but it's there.

Do any activities cause you pain? Being pregnant, I really haven't done anything to cause pain, but did have someone ask me about horseback riding and why they were sore after doing it. I'm thinking that is probably normal, as riding is very jarring.

I have also found that other parts of my body are sore as can be, but I know that is from them not being worked for years and now all of the sudden I'm using them. My legs are killing me with soreness, and I know it's because I've been up and down stairs repeatedly cleaning my house. I'm definitely having to remind myself to take breaks, sit, rest, breathe. I've been like a crazy lady doing stuff around the house.... guess for so long I couldn't do it, or would pay for doing it for days, that now I'm going nuts. I'm slowing down and have told hubby that he has permission to 'make me' relax and he has been good about telling me to take a break, take a day off, have a hot bath, a nap, and so on.

Anything you want to add? I think sometimes we are given unrealistic expectations of what to expect, when we hear pain free, back to living.... because maybe that person avoids some activities, still has low level pain, how they felt resuming life (were they sore, felt beat, and so on), etc.

[Katie]

Hi Kathy, I've been meaning to reply to this for awhile now, but life keeps getting in the way ;-)

I don't think I am ever pain free, and I'm not talking about my back. I have asked hubby often if he is hurting anywhere on a fairly constant basis, and he says no. Since he's started exercising in earnest, he has complaints about his ankles, etc. but not an all over body 'ick'. I repeatedly tell him how lucky he is

My surgeon didn't give me any real restrictions post-op. He actually encouraged us to travel around Brazil the week after surgery, especially to Rio which was an hour's flight away. But he's probably one of those like my husband with no chronic pain...being a marathon runner and all. He looks like he's in his late 40s, but in doing the math on his degrees on the wall, that's impossible

I've put my own restrictions on things. Yes, I am slowly working with my horses, but will not ride. Luckily I have all the equipment to drive them, and will start out in a vehicle which is low to the ground in case I have to bail...unlikely when it hasn't happened in 40 yrs, but you never know. Plus I have little balance naturally, so being up on a horse is a risk I'm not willing to take.

What does cause me pain is inactivity. Sitting for more than half an hour or lying in bed all night will always make me sore. I wake up sore, but also have to lie down to relieve pain from sitting or standing in one place too long. Walking uphill still is bothersome, but getting better. All of the above include both my back and muscles, etc..

Just to encourage you, I remember feeling the absolute best in my life when I was in my early to mid-fourties, a decade ago. It's been going downhill from there, but I'm also very out of shape, still trying to build core (or any muscles ) and have a hackey-sack of food/environment intolerances that I'm still trying to sort out. I expect that they are the reason for most of my aches and pains.

Just to add though, that about one day a week, often on a Monday or Tuesday for whatever reason, I've been waking up with a ton of energy and few aches and pains. Not sure why, but I'm hoping to build on that.

It sounds like you are overdoing it (a lot!), but that's understandable with the whole 'nesting syndrome' going on in your pregnancy. Or else your memory of little sleep and time after the birth has kicked in and you're trying to get ahead of the game now

Also, I was pretty healthy until my late fourties, when all these allergies/intolerances started, including Ciliac and probable Fibromyalgia. An orthopedic surgeon told me I had all the symptoms for that, but I never went further with it. So maybe it would be good to start documenting your newer symptoms, in case something does raise its ugly head later. I swear that all those pain meds have an effect on us...I didn't have the bad reactions to food, etc. until six months after I started high doses of morphine.

Most of all though, be gentle with yourself. You've gone through so very much, and have another huge stressor coming (a wonderful, beautiful one, but still hard on your body).