Once again, I sabotage myself!

Last Friday I was standing in front of a school where I was running late for a sub job.  (I'd just gone to my 6-wk post-spinal-surgery appt the day before, and things seemed ok to the doctor, so I took the job.)  There were 2 big, heavy doors that had to be pulled open.  For many years, I haven't been able to do that without hurting myself right in the same area where I had the surgery.  There was no one around, and no one close enough inside to see or hear me banging on the door.   

Not long ago, I'd been in a similar situation, and had the clever idea of calling Information on my cell,  then calling the business inside so they could open the door for me.  But of course I hadn't really learned anything, because the clever idea wasn't there when I needed it. 

So I pulled those doors open, like a knothead,  and that night my pain was worse again, all along the good old Sciatic nerve pathway.  It's gotten worse since then, if anything.  I'm back to whole Norcos intead of halves.

Why am I such a blasted fool?    If I've blown my surgery I think I'll have to chain myself to the bed for the remainder of my days. 

Debbie

  

Hi Debbie,

Sorry to hear about this door causing you so much pain. I was exiting a restaurant with my daughter the other day and the door wouldn't push open. I asked my daughter to do it but the harm was already done to my back with the effort. She had a difficult time opening the door too. There were two sets of doors, one behind us and the final one to exit through and when she opened it there was a loud swoosh as if there was a pressure change.

Debbie, is there another entrance that you could get permission to use? If not, try opening the door with both arms equally keeping them close to your body.

Good luck.

Oh Debbie...don't you hate it when that happens?  We can commiserate together.  MY husband decided to have these cowboy boots that he has had since COLLEGE stretched so he can wear them again.  Are you kidding me?  Anyway, he picks them up from the shoe stretcher place (whatever you call it), gets home and puts them on.  He walked around all day like he was giving birth.  Late last night he gets me and says I have to help him pull them off his feet.  OMG!  I straddled his leg and yanked...nothing.  Again and again...finally, a half hour later they finally come off and he tells me the top of his feet are numb.  Then he says 'all he has to do is wear them a couple more times and they will be just right.'

Uh, no.  I can hardly move from all that pushing and pulling.  I know he LOVES the boots but I ain't doing that again...I'm still trying to recover from biting my tongue half off.

We can have a virtual pity party...

Huggies

Donna

 

Debbie, I'm so sorry that you are hurting...you must feel like you are back at square 1....how frustrating.....but I believe in time you will get past this.

There were a few times I thought I wrecked my back surgery too...it is scary. but rest and time will take care of it. Be careful, my friend :)

Hugs, Robin

Tropicalisle, I was taking ibuprofen a couple of times a day, with food, for almost a week... but then I started to get stomach pains. Maybe my doctor could recommend something to protect my stomach. Then again, maybe not, because it didn't seem to be touching the pain, anyway. (I wish it did help my sciatica like it does yours, Sherrine! I am also icing it several times a day, which helps for a little while.)


The ONLY thing that has really helped is Norco, 10 mg every 4 hours while I'm awake. I know that's a lot. My doctor reluctantly said before surgery that it was ok on a short-term basis, but it's almost 8 weeks post-surgery, and I'm just about out....no refills left. I know he wouldn't take me off of it whimsically, or just to cover his butt - I totally trust him - so if he says it's unsafe to continue, then I'm not going to argue. I know he'll work with me, maybe raising the dose of Gabapentin, or something else, to keep me from being in too much pain. (It's good to feel absolutely sure about one aspect of this messed-up situation, anyway, and I do about my doctor.)


I just keep thinking it will get better....I've NEVER needed strong pain pills on and on like this before! After my other surgeries, I would take them for a few DAYS, then stop because I hated feeling so groggy, and I didn't need them anymore. Before this blasted disc rupture, I took half a Tramadol a day!


Oh yeah - I'm going to start PT on Tuesday, or more likely, just talk to a therapist. I can't imagine being able to actually DO much. Maybe they can teach me to squat to the floor again!


Oh dear, Donna, I can just see you yanking those boots off - I wouldn't exactly jump at the chance next time, either. YIKES! As so often with your stories, it would be really funny in a movie, but happening to a real person - a real fibromite person - no!! Btw, how IS your tongue healing?


Goodnight, good friends, thanks for bearing with me! Debbie

Well, once again my GP has made me feel better about things. He doesn't think I've re-hernieated the disc, just that these things take time...and only time will really tell. He's keeping me on all the same meds, and adding Aleve (and Prilosec.) He spent about 30-40 minutes with me, really trying to figure things out. I wish everyone could have such a great doctor.

And he encouraged me to yes, go ahead and start physical therapy tomorrow, just to make sure they go light.

And NO LIFTING!

I finally talked to the surgeon's assistant. All they can suggest is another MRI and/or injection. No thanks!

Debbie