4 months post ADR & pulled or tweaked something!

**dalhousie** · 08-30-2009, 08:43 AM

I'm 4 months post ADR. Something's happened in my left lower lumbar region. I think I may have pulled/strained or tweaked something. I don't know whether it's muscular or bony. I'm wondering if it's facet related. I think it's maybe to do with doing too many pelvic tilts. I was doing them at the gym & in my core strengthening routine at home. I stopped doing them because they seemed to be making it worse.

Things seemed to improve a bit but after reading the thread about Cox 2 anti-inflammatories inhibiting bone growth etc I laid off my Meloxicam (which is a Cox 2) & things have got worse. I took some Ibuprofen this am but it doesn't seem to be helping. I think I might go back on the Meloxicam.

I've made an appointment to see my family doctor to see if he can christen it & as a fall back position I've got an appointment to see my specialist in a few weeks if things are no better. I'm hoping I won't need to see my specialist as he's some distance away & I would have to sort out a lift to get there as I'm not up to driving that far yet.

Feeling a bit down in the doldrums & fragile today

. Rehab seems such an uphill struggle. Since I've started doing bits at the gym a month ago I get tired so easily. I'm still spending a lot of time resting. I could have done without this added problem. I keep wondering/worrying what I might have done, especially when it's not settling. I hope it's nothing serious.

Anybody any ideas? I know that's such an impossible question but it's pretty bad today & am quite concerned

.

**ajj1001** · 08-30-2009, 11:59 AM

It is extremely likely that you just pulled something or overdone it and resting up plus adequate pain meds should get it to settle down. You'll know as that should improve in a few days.

I didn't start any rehab until 5 months after my adr and wasn't feeling anything like normal till 18 months after it. Its still really early days. You are doing rleally well and listening to what your body is telling you ie rest up a bit more, is important.

**Justin** · 08-30-2009, 12:15 PM

Ruth,

I'm sorry you are experiencing a bump in the road. Like Alison said, it sounds like it is muscular in nature. It could very well be too many pelvic tilts. Give your body a couple days to relax.

BTW, please stay on your medications. Anything I write on the SPS Forum should not be considered medical advice, so please address the change of medications with your treating physicians.

I start my formal rehabilitation next week and I am not looking forward to the "two steps forward, two steps back" that can be rehab. I know it is going to wipe me out and my muscles will get easily fatigued.

Personally, I think your spine is just "fatigued" after all of the rehab you have been doing. A couple days off might be the thing you need--make sure you take the time to rest, as this is when your body is actually "healing."

Hang in there, Ruth and remember that you are still very early post-op after artificial disc replacement surgery. Make sure to listen to your body and adjust your rehab/rest accordingly.

Please let me know if you need anything.

**KBear** · 08-30-2009, 01:15 PM

Hope you get feeling better soon.

**ajj1001** · 09-02-2009, 11:24 AM

Do you feel like it is beginning to feel better/settle?

**dalhousie** · 09-02-2009, 02:34 PM

My internet connection's been down today but is running again now. I've had this strain pain for 2 weeks now & it seems to have got worse since I missed a dose of the Cox 2 anti-inflammatories & then tried Ibuprofen which didn't seem to help. I'm modifying my exercise routine more, as I find out what I think aggravates it. Exercise does make it worse & then it calms down if I have a rest on the bed & potter round the house. I'm hoping it will calm down with time & anti-inflammatories. I'm not exactly doing anything rigorous in the way of activity anyway & do rest periodically on & off throughout the day.

I've got an appointment to see my family doctor next week so I'm hoping he'll say I've just strained a muscle or something. In the past when I was fairly fresh from surgery he hasn't like to commit himself & has said I should see my specialist but I think this incident is more straight forward

.

I'm finding the weather in Blighty a bit depressing this week. I guess you've had dark rainy days in Manchester. We both missed out on our bit of summer getting over the worst of recovery & now all the dismal weather's coming. Ignore me, I'm just feeling a bit blue today as I seem to feel so permanently jaded at the moment. I'll have to get one of those SAD lamps

!

Hope you're ticking over OK with the swimming etc. BTW did you get x-rayed to see how you're fusion's progressing?

**ajj1001** · 09-02-2009, 03:19 PM

Glad to hear you are looking after yourself. I go for my results next month, usual NHS waits!

**dalhousie** · 09-02-2009, 03:22 PM

Fingers crossed then

.

P.S. When I was fused in 2005 I had plain x-rays done @ my review appts but CT scans seem to be done these days.

**Justin** · 09-02-2009, 09:51 PM

Hi Ruth, I hope you are feeling better soon.

**Justin** · 09-23-2009, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Ruth

Feeling a bit down in the doldrums & fragile today

. Rehab seems such an uphill struggle. Since I've started doing bits at the gym a month ago I get tired so easily. I'm still spending a lot of time resting. I could have done without this added problem. I keep wondering/worrying what I might have done, especially when it's not settling. I hope it's nothing serious.

Hi Ruth,

How are you doing? Were you able to follow-up with your specialist? I do hope you are feeling better--you have been in my thoughts.