OfflineI am almost 10 weeks post-op. This past Friday PT added 2 new exercises. They gave me 2 lb weights which were too heavy, so I went to 1 lb. Exercises involved lifting both arms out to sides to shoulder height (3 sets of 10) then same exercise with arms out to front.
Friday night I was in terrible pain; husband said I was moaning in my sleep all night. I woke up from my crying...
Also I had a return of the same horrendous pain/numbness in my right arm that I had before surgery. Needles to say I was very upset. Took it easy all weekend and used moist heat on neck (Doctor told me to do that at my last appt for muscle spasms). The rest of the weekend, I had neck pain and stiffness, but not much numbness. I called Doctor on Monday AM and spoke to PA. She said I overdid it at PT (one pound??)
She said to ICE the area and increase valium to 4 mg every 8 hours. NO exercises at PT..they can only apply ice or heat if I want to go. She told me call back in a couple of days to check in.
I am worried that if this little exercise can cause so much pain/numbness what does that mean for my future?
Today my hand is very numb and some pain in my arm. I had a tough night last nite.
Will call PT this AM regarding my appt.
I am sure they will tell me, but when do you ice and when do you use heat?
Thanks for listening, I am a bit upset about this return of symptoms.
C 5-6 ACDF with instrumentation and donor graft. July 31, 2008
Injured neck at work in 1991..suffered for years. Treated with epidurals, PT, acupuncture,etc.
Re-injured a few more times throughout the years. This year January 2008 was the worst..long story I am a special education teacher.
Most recent MRI:
Multilevel disc desiccation is present
C4-5 Small disc bulge
C5-6 Mild intervertebral disc narrowing. Moderated posterior disc osteophyte complex asymmetric to the right. Right greater than left uncovertebral spurring. Right greater than left foraminal stenosis.
C6-7 Mild disc bulge
EMG done in 1991 showed C4-5 and C5-6 radiculopathy
EMG done 5/21/2008 showed changes consistent with C6 radiculopathy but worse than in 1991
Lumbar MRI:
diffuse intervertebral disc bulge L3-L4 and L45-L5
Facte Arthropathy: esi/nerve blocks/radio-frequency ablation
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Sorry this happened. It seems to with starting out in PT with adding weights. Thank goodness I only had stretches to do with no weights with mine back in 04.
Yes it's different picking up something at home that is 1 lb then actually doing strengthening excercises with 1 lb. You really notice the muscles that have not been used.
Sorry it cause you so much pain. You did do the right thing by calling Dr and resting. Keep doing that and check back in with them like they said.
Do you still have pain meds to take?? To ease the pain a bit. I know how uncomfortable it can be. I remember when I did my neck the first few times. OH MY JELLYBEANS I did not know there was muscles that could hurt that bad.
So hang in there, just keep in touch with the doc like you said.
Mabye they will do something different with you instead of weights.
HANG IN THERE!!! Feel better
Terri
**ALL ADVICE GIVEN IS STRICTLY PERSONAL AND NOT MEDICAL**
You cannot knock me down!!!
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Its not easy but ya HAVE to keep going or it will get to you first
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sorry things aren't going the way they should. I'm in the same boat too. My pre op symptoms are still with me after 16 weeks (TLIF). To top that off, I've been dismissed from PT for not improving. I'll have to be reevaluated by my NS. I don't know what to do; I feel they are getting frustrated and I am running out of options. I'd like to encourage you, but I feel pretty bummed out. Anyways, take care and hang on.
I am sorry you are going through this. I can tell you are feeling "let down". Hopefully things will begin to look up for both of us soon. take care
C 5-6 ACDF with instrumentation and donor graft. July 31, 2008
Injured neck at work in 1991..suffered for years. Treated with epidurals, PT, acupuncture,etc.
Re-injured a few more times throughout the years. This year January 2008 was the worst..long story I am a special education teacher.
Most recent MRI:
Multilevel disc desiccation is present
C4-5 Small disc bulge
C5-6 Mild intervertebral disc narrowing. Moderated posterior disc osteophyte complex asymmetric to the right. Right greater than left uncovertebral spurring. Right greater than left foraminal stenosis.
C6-7 Mild disc bulge
EMG done in 1991 showed C4-5 and C5-6 radiculopathy
EMG done 5/21/2008 showed changes consistent with C6 radiculopathy but worse than in 1991
Lumbar MRI:
diffuse intervertebral disc bulge L3-L4 and L45-L5
Facte Arthropathy: esi/nerve blocks/radio-frequency ablation