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Posted 10/17/2011 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
For the longest time I've noticed that I can't really stand for very long without getting wobbly, my feet hurting, or getting dizzy and tired...but in the last year or so I've become completely unable to sit up in a chair!

At the dinner table I either slouch hideously, or have to sit cross-legged (like a 5 year old) just to stay upright. I recently bought a new desk and still end up bringing my laptop to my bed all the time because it's so hard to sit upright. I've even almost completely stopped meditating because the back of my chest and my spine ache so unignorably that it's not even worth it to me because I spend the whole time trying not to concentrate on the pain!

I just feel like the muscles around my spine that hold me upright have turned to mush. Anyone have a similar experience? Or advice? I keep making a mental checklist of symptoms that prevent me from working, because I want to get back out there ASAP and I know that I'll start working again well before I'm "cured". But I need to be able to either stand or sit at work...unless I find a "work from your bed" kind of job!

Posted 10/17/2011 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
This kind of pain is the scourge of Lyme.   I had it badly-- early on in treatment.   Couldn't even hold my head up!

It will pass.  

 

Posted 10/17/2011 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Cat, it will pass.

On the days it isn't so bad, try some gentle stretching to try to get your muscles to remember their jobs. When you do get better, there will be some work to get your muscle tone back.

In the meantime, it is good that you have noticed this so that you know that it's a habit you will want to break when you can.

Feel better
Posted 10/17/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
My paraspinal muscles (those are the ones running along either side of your spine) are useless for weeks at a time. I've had severe flares of this over many years and I have alot of tricks to minimize the impact. I have less trouble sitting in something with a high back that lets me recline a bit; I would assume yours works the same way by the description. To that end, I have a bunch of things placed around the house to help me out.

I have a large, high back reclining computer chair that lives in my kitchen/dining room. It's on wheels, so I can actually push myself around with my legs and help out with cooking, cleaning and then I use it at the dinner table while eating. I still get worn out in the chair, but might get an hour or two instead of being wiped out in 10 minutes sitting in a wooden chair.

I can tolerate sitting on a couch longer if I have very strong (but soft) lumbar support. I have a few pillows placed strategically around my living room to help with this. My favorite is a very thick memory foam pillow I wedge behind my lumbar spine, which I mash myself up against when watching TV. I feel like I can almost completely disengage my back muscles if I do this correctly without slumping over at all. I use another behind my head if my neck muscles aren't working. It looks a little rediculous (I call it 'installing' myself on the couch) but it beats having to live in bed.

I also use a large recliner as my computer chair. It also has a handful of pillows (including a body pillow) spread around it to use as needed. I wedge myself in and get comfortable, then as it inevitably gets worse I simply adjust position; move some pillows around, recline the thing, etc. I can make it for hours in most cases.
Posted 10/17/2011 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
I was doing the same things Spall said for a long time. Just packing myself in where ever I found to sit for a while. I still have some issues with this, but don't really think of it much. I have learned to compensate for it too easily! When I do have to stand, I usually have a small stool nearby to put one foot up on - it relieves the pressure on my low back. I'm constantly squiggling around on the different chairs I sit in during the day -moving pillows, my legs, maneuvering my hips so that pressure is off of one side or the other. As my hubby says, I take restless leg syndrome to a whole new level! Giggle! turn

I still find that if I have no back support (as sitting on a stool) I slump over quite soon and am in increasing pain shortly thereafter - I just can't hold myself upright for long...yet. It takes some practice and a little creativity, but give it a try!
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