So do I just work through the pain?

[Katie]

Things have been going so well, until I went back to work...at home on my art.

I am a professional...and make my living by doing commissions, lessons and open work for sale at galleries, etc.

Our local art guild have a large tour on the last two weekends of September that we work all year to get ready for...at least a dozen new pieces to show, and usually have hundreds of people come through our studios every day.

Of course, for the past three years, I've had almost nothing new...just relying on my older work to show, and it is obvious when people come through that they are somewhat disappointed with no new work. Most do know of my disabilities and understand, but it really bothers me.

So for the past month, I've been painting and have gotten three new works done, one a commission that was long overdue, an oil that's 3 ft x 4ft, a landscape of a farm in the US. I've finished two more watercolours and have three more started.

For the past week, the pain has returned in my lower back While it isn't anywhere near what it was pre-op, it is making me double my small dose of meds...usually I try to work through it because I don't want to increase them. But for the first time today, I took 20 mg instead of the 10mg I've been able to take a few times a day...and man, did I feel the difference! I can't believe that I used to take that amount every two hours!

My x-rays look really good, and when I'm being 'good', the pain levels go back to normal...a 2 or three without meds a few times a day if that, and 10 mg takes care of it for hours.

So is it safe to keep on going for three more weeks? It is the slight bending over my drafting table or easel that is causing the pain. I stop often, raise a foot onto a small stool regularly, but nothing seems to work.

I hoped to get at least three more paintings done, but it looks like unless I double my meds, I'm going to have to make cards and prints instead. If I don't get some new work out, I'm afraid the clients will stop coming to my studio for these annual tours...it's my main form of advertising, even if I don't sell a huge amount during that time.

Keep going and just increase the meds? Then crash for half of October?

[Gilbert P]

Hi Katie

Slight bending will add stress to your lower back. Could you raise your work ?

Taking more meds may cause more damage than good.

Taking longer breaks with a walk may help.

All The Best

Gil

[Katie]

Thanks for the reply Gil. That's what I'm worried about.

How exactly will taking more meds hurt? I haven't been able to find any literature on what damage it may do. I do take quite a few breaks...then lose myself in another project and lose track of what I'm doing....I think there's already some mental damage

I have thought of raising the drafting table...will have to get hubby to do it tonight if I remember to ask It is just above elbow height now. Is there an optimum height that you can recommend?

[KBear]

I think Gil is saying that taking more meds is just masking the pain, so if you are hurting yourself, you won't know. I think I would try to raise the table as well. If you feel like it is just soreness pain and not from injuring yourself, then I would say a little pushing of yourself is okay; but still don't push too much. Is there anyway you could email or call Dr. Pimenta and get his opinion?

[Katie]

I've thought of contacting him...just hate bugging him for small questions...this seems like it should be a non-critical issue. It ties in with my question of how the fusion heals when it is always moving.

If the fusion is indeed tied in like MDE explained, it really shouldn't be disturbing much by leaning a bit, just strained.

While it may be in the fusion itself, it could also be partly muscle pain...the psoas muscle perhaps, but it is very central in the fusion area. I'll bug hubby as soon as he comes home about moving the table up...it's a really old drafting table that needs to be lifted from underneath. Not a job for a weakling right now, although I used to do it regularly

[ajj1001]

Personally I was super careful waiting for my fusion to take place and did no bending lifting or twisting for ages and ages to give it the best chance. However when it failed to show then I eased up restrictions and did a little, this did not cause any extra pain. In your position I would not bend until I had evidence of a solid fusion, the sudden increase in pain when doing an activity does show that something isn't happy!

[KBear]

I wasn't even thinking about you having a fusion when I posted.... I was just thinking ADR. I would be very careful with any bending until you know you are fused. Also, I don't think it would bug Dr. Pimenta to email. I know my surgeon said he likes to hear from his patients and know how they are doing.

[Metalneck07]

Hi Katie I would say I definetly agree with the girls advice on this. You have come so far in all of this I would definetly lean toward being extremely careful with your back until you have fused. I know how hard this may be because I have been there but the stakes are high. Hopefully fixing your table will help and if not try more breaks.Take care I would love to see your Art work.My hubby draws alot with pencil and I love all forms of Art. Good Luck.
Caitlin aka Metalneck07

[Katie]

Crap! It is such a slight lean! You wouldn't think it would be enough to cause any grief. I'll try the different height and see if it helps, although I still have to get over my work a bit. Maybe I should try the Sistine chapel approach instead!

And yes, I'll bug the good doctor as well....sigh...

Thanks for all the feedback, although I was hoping for a 'tough it out' answer

Metalneck, I'll try to attach a portrait I did of my hubby and a couple of others. If it doesn't show up, I'll try again tomorrow

I started off with oil, then went to pencil when my kids were at home, then back to oil and started watercolours about fifteen years ago. I have been so happy to get back at it again, but looks like I'll have to slow down

Well, it looks like they loaded. The middle one is oil, about 24 x 30, almost lifesize, and the other two are watercolours.

[KBear]

Sorry Katie not what you were wanting to hear. I know I hate calling any of my doctors, always feel like it's too petty to bug them about. I've learned my lessons a few times the hard way where it was important and I didn't bother to mention it- I'm a hard head like that Just had a similar issue with this pregnancy, didn't tell my OB that I had major hormone issues a couple of years ago. I assumed that since I was able to conceive, that I was fine and it had all worked out. Well I got a call on Monday telling me my Progesterone was too low and I had to be on supplements (too low can cause miscarriage). I'm very thankful that didn't happen to me and wish I would have just said something, rather than thought it wasn't important enough to mention. Always err on the side of caution (I know easier said than done).

Your art is awesome, I love it! So real looking, that's the kind of art I really like. One of my husband's customers just did paintings for us of each of our girls for us. Wish I had the artsy bug when it comes to drawing painting, but I have yet to master stick people. Great Job!