Hello everyone,
I posted a couple of weeks ago about my new crampy pain that I had developed after sitting in a chair unsupported. I wanted to let you know that the pain is mostly gone now but I do have some pressure in my tailbone area from time to time. I cant help but wonder if that pain was not cyclic related as I started my period the next day.

I am going to the new PT guy and he is having me stretch my back and fusion area. My range of motion sucks. I am curious about other post fusion ppl and what they are doing in PT and if you are bending. I was not bending my lumbar at all and therefore, my upper back started hurting. Let me know what ya think. Take Care everyone.
Sheri

Hi Sheri-
It's awful good to hear from you. I'm having some trouble now that my PT has started. My ROM in my legs and hips was terrible. Even though I was in PT and walking at least a mile a day up to my surgery on 6/22 - I still felt as though all my leg and hip muscles had been magically shortened as I slept at night. I also was prone to cramps if I overdid or if I did anything unusual.
New suregon told me I could start with aqua therapy at 6 weeks post op so long as I could do it locally and not have to drive into town (almost 30 miles for me). I started 3 weeks ago and though I love it and feel sure it is increasing my ROM and my strength - I have been in a good deal of pain since the day I started. And mind this is just aqua stuff - no massage and no manipulation! Doc wouldn't go for any of that until 12 weeks and I have to agree. This is quite enough. I also walk (totter) about on woodland path walks with dogs at the kennel from 8:30 to 11 am (about 1 1/2 miles, I'm guessing).
It takes next to nothing for me to 'tweak' my back and the slightest misstep sends me a reminder to be more careful. I had one day with terrible lumbar spasms but most days I just have those horrid sickeing aches in my feet, calves, or shins. Sharp pains bring me up short and I go right for a lie down when I get them.
I've just spoken with doc who feels the pain is not indicative of a problem with my fusion and so we're going to increase my pain meds and nerve pain meds so I can keep going. I'm agreeable so long as my recovery is not being jeopardized. I must admit I am disappointed - had hoped I might just sail through my recovery. Can't imagine why I thought that!
Do take care - Suzy-Q