GM Alice, Question: when you were in a cast and had to elevate your foot, in the morning when you first got out of bed, after about 10 sec, did your leg feel like it was going to burst?? I just figure it's the blood circulating but I'll ask the dr next time I see him. I nolonger take oxycodone - the surgery pain isn't all that bad after the first week.
Please continue to let me know about your nerve pain. I've started feeling the nerve pain, but thankfully, not those really strong surges where it feels like ... an ice pick (LOL, never felt an ice pick but think you get the gist).
I have a westie - West Highland Terrier and he's quit the dog. I have a friend who has a mini dachshund and she's very cute!
Take care on your upcoming cruise and enjoy yourself! ...Ellen
Hi Ellen nice hearing from you. No, I never had that feeling in my leg in the AM. Check with your doctor. You sound like you are doing well. Are you in a hard cast? Is this the 1st one? It's remarkable that you had to take oxycodone for only a week. I'm proud of you young lady. Again, what caused your nerve pain? I had a scare the other nite, the dr. Started me on a different med. program and although it really helped with my pain I got up during the nite and was so dizzy that I fell and bumped my head( just call me egghead). Thank god that's all it was. My eye sight was blurred for a few days. So I guess I will stay with the peroset. I did go and have an EMG on Wed's. Will get results soon. I feel like the nerves are coming back(maybe I just want so bad that I think I feel them). When do start PT. that will help. Will talk before I go on THE CRUISE. Have a wonderful week end. Alice
I would feel like my leg was going to burst after having it down for just a few seconds and it wouldn't just be in the morning when I got up. It was anytime I got up to go to the bathroom, to the bed, etc for the first week to 2 weeks after surgery. It is the blood rush and it gets tight and hurts! I also have the nerve pain and after my first surgery it was just the numbness and after 6 months it was back to normal. This time, it started out just like the first time with it being only numbness. Then it "woke up" and it fires like that ice pick you're talking about! Ouch!! I do NOT like that! It is SO sensitive too! Even my dog's tiny wet nose brushing against made me jump and jerk it away! I have 3 maltese by the way! Westies are cute! As are dachshunds!
Hi Hollywood That nerve pain is just awful. I could not get through the day with pain pills. I have had these pains for 4 years come dec. Doc messed me up so now I hate my life. Can't do the things I did before. I had a tendon transfer for the drop foot, which is doing well. I have tried stopping the pills but it was so bad I guess I will just on them. And on top of all this I gained 30 pounds. Sorry I did not mean to rant! We,ll talk again. Have a great day
Hi Holloywood48, Alice has had her nerve pain from drop foot 3 1/2 yrs, for me, 2 yrs, so how long for you? What are you doing for the nerve pain? ... On the topic of tendon transfer, I'm NWB for 8 wks but honestly, I'm getting really tired of all this! Like Alice, my life pretty much bites due to drop foot and correcting that but still having the nerve pain. I rarely complain, but I know that we all understand what's happening and can relate. ...I'm so tired of sitting/laying down with foot elevated. Are we to do this for the total 8 wks? At night, I let my knee drop just so I can change positions and sleep more comfortably. Figured I'm not putting any pressure on the foot, so it shouldn't matter.
I've gained 15-20 lbs and am made a vow that once I can walk again, I'll do some sort of exercise every day and not take my health for granted. We've all learned that terrible things happen that affects our lives so we now need to appreciate it more (at least I do)...
Alice, how did the acupuncture work? Didn't it help with those strong jolts? I had to do like 4 appts and then 1 every 2-3 sometimes 4 wks for another.
I am so sorry for the experiences you are both going through! My nerve pain isn't to the level yours is. I'm sorry, I had no idea. My nerve pain is the normal post-op stuff from my particular surgery. It's just behaving differently as I didn't have the shocks and burning after my first surgery that I have now after this 2nd. I don't do much other than the standard things for my nerve pain. I pray both of you heal, become pain free and get your lives back soon!
Thank you so much for caring. It helps to know that we are not alone. I too, pray that my pain goes away but I really think it will not as the damage is very bad. I have my good days I try to go with my pills for 7-8hrs but sometimes I just can't stand it. The burning and shocks are bad. I hope I can find a dr. To help but really think I will always have this pain. I have a great husband thank god. He helps with my PT. hope you are well this morning. Again, thanks for your kind words. Alice
The following user gives a hug of support to Dachshund: Hollywood48 (06-19-2012)
Hi Alice, hope you had some good news with the EMG results. I know we all wish that the pain would ease up once we've had the tendon transfer and are walking again. I look to you for guidance because you're farther along than me. :-) Ellen
Hi Alice, hope you had some good news with the EMG results. I know we all wish that the pain would ease up once we've had the tendon transfer and are walking again. I look to you for guidance because you're farther along than me. :-) Ellen
Hi Ellen I have not heard from thr dr with the results yet. I am on a little trip now. We are in Morgantown w.va. We met up with some old college friends from Ohio. We are getting caught up after 8 yrs. we both had to drive 4 hrs so it worked out nicely. My leg is doing very good. The pain is not so bad today I think it's because I am moving around alot I also have been rubbing my leg for 5mins a few times a day. How are u doing. Are you in a hard cast now? My foot by the way is starting to react a little more. Take care alice
Hi Alice, it's so great to hear that you keep in contact with your schoolmates! My twin sister and I, along with another girl and her hubby have been doing monthly get togethers where we rotate who hosts and bring dishes - we've been doing this since I moved back to MN about 6 yrs ago. You've asked me about a cast, it's the hard one with lots of padding - it's pink with glitters!! I go back next Wed for a recast and check up. I'm told that I'd be in a hard cast for 8 wks and then boot for 6...how about you? what were you in and for how long?
I'm sure that I'm going to bug you once I'm in the next phase..LOL, you've always are so kind and patient answering my questions. I would like to move back to my own place but I live alone and will be getting a knee walker/wheeler but need the dr to prescribe it - it's nice having somebody around to do those small things and to help me keep sane!
Hi Ellen. Yes it is nice to keep in touch with our friends. We had a nice time, laughed and laughed at the crazy things we did as kids. So happy to hear you are doing well with the cast. Yes, I was in the BOOT ugh! For 6 weeks it was hard for me to walk, it was so heavy but it helps to keep your foot working. Make sure you take it off several times a day. It gets so hot. How is your pain at this time. I never had to use the knee walker. Just walker and canes I still use a cane as my leg is very weak. It has been 3yrs and 6 mts since my back surgery. But I am sure I will walk straighter right now I bend at the waist a little. Are you going to have to wear a brace? Maybe I have to because of my nerve pain. Can't wait to see the dr and get my results. Summer is a hard time to get an appy because dr's go on vacation and of course this dr is so well known and very busy. I will let you know the results. Please don't rush to go home and be by yourself. I know there is no place like home, just be careful. If we lived closer I would love to come and help you. I do alot like cook , wash clothes and keep up the house untill my cleaning lady comes. How's your dog doing with all this going on. Our dog is so sad today as his play mate went home. He was here while we were in west va. How about you pray for me and I pray for you and someday maybe we could meet. Wishing you the best day ever. Alice
Hi Alice, hope you had a good, safe holiday! I now have my second cast on - more importantly, I saw my ankle move!! I am so hopeful that this will work that I'm making plans for my future. We both know how this takes over your life and lets not even talk about low self esteem or confidence...LOL, just happy to think of a different future than what I've been living. ... staying with a pink cast and at the end of July, I'll get a walking boot (and PT). But imagine waiting a few days/weeks before PT, right? When did you start your PT? How are you doing? anything new about your nerve pain? I still have mine - bummer. Take care, Ellen
Hi ellen, so glad that you are into your second cast and that your ankle is moving? That's a good sign? Like i said the boot is a pain, so be careful it's hard to walk wih it ? I am waking with out my cane more and more just in the house. My nerve pain is still really bad at times? Good news, i bought a pair of sandels. They are propet shoes they make all kinds of shoes that i can wear with my afo? It has been over 3 yrs since i could wear a shoe instead of a tennis shoe! So when i go on my cruise i will at least look better! It sure takes along time but we will do it girl, right????
Let's write next week? Takecare. Oh ,forgot. I am down to 3 pain pills a day.
Sending a rose to you. Alice
Hi Alice, I'm so happy to hear that you're able to decrease your pain pills. I'm so fearful of becoming addicted to them, but dr said that since there's pain, I shouldn't worry about it. I can't help but worry about it. CHEERS on you walking around the house cane free!!! Just think, it's right around the corner for you!! Did you go on your cruise yet? How was it or let me know. I had to decline an invite to go to Europe due to the foot drop...I will go some day when I can walk. For our 50th b-day, we three girls want to plan a trip somewhere but with all the dr appts, medications and surgeries, I may need to suggest that we go low keyed due to my finances. That's life, isn't it plus, they completely understand my situation. I'm so glad they're people who still takes the time to communicate on these health message boards. It's so helpful..thanks Alice!
Hello my new friend Ellen yes it is nice to hear from people who are in the same boat as me. I have not gone on my cruise yet, not till July 20th for 6 days. I am counting down the days. As I said it has been 3 1/2 years. I do hope some day you can go to Europe. If not try and plan a cruise. You can get some great buys. The nice thing about a cruise you don't have walk too much. There is every thing on ship that you would like to do. But, you will gain weight because the food is sooooooo good. The crew treat you like you are royalty. I know what you mean about dr,s. med's and surgery we laugh if we get mail and there is nothing from dr's. But as my kids say it could be worse, and not get any mail at all. LOL
My Dr also says take the pain pills when i need them. I think if you aware that you could get a addicted you ok. You have to worry when you say the heck with it and not watch what you are doing. Are you back home now? Do you live by yourself. What kind of work do you do. I am retired. I was an book keeper for several Italian restaurant and also a pre school teacher. I also was in the army stationed at west point. Me and 26 women and over 1900 cadets talk about fun. I enjoy being in the army. I am married and have 4 children and 11 grandchildren. So my life is busy and that means I can't let this leg stop me. It has been very very hot although today it dropped to the 80's. I did fine that my ankle swelled up a little so I put ice on it. Also at nite I use a pillow between my knees. Ellen be careful getting out of bed during the nite as your leg is weaker than during the day. Don't want you to break any thing. Let me know how the boot goes. Have a pleasant day keep cool. Till I hear from you I remain you friend with the leg THAT will get better. Alice
Hey my friend Alice, how was your cruise? Was it everything you thought it'd be? You were in the army - wow. It's kind of neat hearing that. You were doing something not normal for society..meaning, it doesn't sound like a job that society "smiles" on back then. But you did what you did for the country and I thank you for that! It's not everybody's cup of tea.
I am an account manager for a large insurance company. Mainly deal with benefits not applying the way they should, or people having a hard time either getting rx or questions about dr visits. I like it, I like helping people and figuring out what the true problem is and fixing it. I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home. Most everything is paperless. I have about 40 different passwords for all the different programs that I use. I'm pretty good at what I do. Oh, and I too was a school teacher - science and tutored math. I really enjoyed that, but I didn't know a lot of single female school teachers and didn't want to get married (or haven't found Mr Right yet).
Yesterday I got my cast off - yay! and don't know why I was so shocked to see how dried the skin is! I know it was rubbing and had wiggle room inside the cast, but, boy..it's not pretty to look at now but am very fortunate to have had it done! More important is that I can move the ankle!!! I get emotional just thinking how this has affected my life...and for those that had to wait years with drop foot not knowing what to do. Or, are not able to have this surgery. What a bummer that would be. I was so depressed (and angry that this even happened. I have an air cast and will gradually put more pressure on my foot throughout the next 4 wks before I go back to the Mayo.
How's it going for you? I take your advice and sleep with a pillow between the knees. Still have the knee scooter (it's still too early to return.)
When you have a moment tell me how things are going. But have to admit, hearing how things are after the surgery helps all of us! Have a good day, Ellen
Last edited by moderator2; 08-02-2012 at 08:28 PM.
Happy Sunday to you. So glad to hear that you can move the ankle. I know what you mean when you say that your skin is awful. Ugh! I find that putting lotion with some vitamin E on twice makes the skin come back nicely. Now I use the lotion once a day. I did so well on my cruise. Used my walker ( because the sea at times was a little rough). Just one day , but I thought why take the chance of falling. I walked all over the ship. The crew was so nice to me, they could not do enough for me infact the head waiter one nite came andcut my grandson(12) prime rib and then came to me and before I knew what he was doing cut mind also. We all laughed about that one. I can't say that I could not do anything the ship had to offer(well maybe the rock climbing wall and the bungee jump). My son who me er played bingo in his life won 890.00. So I guess he will want to go play bingo now.LOL. I found the more I walked the least nerve pain I had once I got home it seems the pain is starting up again......guess I will have to go on another cruise???? At home it's hard to do that much walking. As you do alot of sitting try and find some kind of way to walk around your house. I started to walk 10 times around my island in the kitchen every hr. maybe that will help. Went to the dr and got my results. The L5 nerve is damaged beyond any hopes to repair. Since that cause me to have a hard time walking I am still using a cane and afraid I will for ever. But I am better than I was before the drop foot surgery which by the way has healed so well. I have no pain in my toes or foot. Oh! I went to have my nails done befor my cruise and the women I charge of the salon said she would give me a massage on my foot and legs Ellen, it was wonderful. She put a green salt mixture on my legs and rubbed for 10 min's. When you get your cast off try and go and try it. Oh, I also got a gel nail polish put on and it looks just like I had it done yesterday. So please be good to yourself and try it. I am still taking the perocet with the gabapentine. One perocet with one gab. In the AM and during the day 1-2 prec and before bed one perc and one gab. I find that the pillow still works for me. I also got a new pillow (55.00) that seems to help my back, which I have alot of pain because I do not walk straight. That is something we have to really work on with our problem. How in the world do you keep up with all those passwords? But as they say gotta keep the mind working WOW. I really did not intend to write a book, but it's nice to hear from you. You be careful you do not fall. At nite usea walker because when we get up we sometimes are a little weak. I really enjoy your progress reports, maybe others that are thinking about the tendon fransfer will gain some info thru our notes. Oh another trip. I am going to the Greenbriar resort next Sunday for 3 days with my daughter. After 4 yrs without going any place look at me LOL. I hope you get to go on some trips soon. Be good to yourself. Keep me up to date. Your drop foot no longer friend. Alice
Let me first say that I wish all of you struggling with foot drop and other maladies the absolute best luck.
Last August I was in a severe car accident and broke a number of bones, including my pelvis. I was in the ICU for weeks and then in an extended stay facility. Somewhere along the way I developed bilateral footdrop. After months of tests, appointments and worry, my doctors finally determined that in breaking (basically shattering) my pelvis, the pelvis actually expanded and stretched the nerves. The result was foot drop. Needless to say I was beyond frustrated. I'm young and active; I have big dreams and all of a sudden life ground to a halt. The team at the "nursing home" (I was the only one under 75) was incompetent to say the least. There was no mention of tendon transfer surgeries and I was told to wait for the nerves to regenerate, which could take years since I'm very tall. Anyway, after much frustration I began reaching out to doctors and with some luck I found two amazing surgeons in Manhattan. By this point, my muscles were significantly atrophied and my tendons were weak. In short, I wasn't an ideal candidate for tendon transfer surgery but I insisted and had surgery on my left foot about a month ago. After the initial post-surgicial pain I was bedridden for weeks. I saw the surgeon two weeks after surgery and he was amazed at my recovery. He said I'd recovered more in 2 weeks than he thought I ever would. Today, I'm still technically non-weight bearing (I'm very impatient so I walk around a little, shhhh) and the movement in my foot is unbelievable. It's been 2 weeks since I saw the doctor last and the movement has at least doubled. It's a little sore when I put weight on it so I called the doctor and he said there's no way I tore anything, rather I was just experiencing stiffness since my foot has been immobile for so long. I'll endure the same surgery for the right foot in a few weeks. The most challenging part of my recovery has been boredom. It's really hard laying in bed all day everyday. It's difficult to focus on even the most menial of tasks. The point of this post is to say that although tendon transfer surgery isn't for everyone, it's an option worth exploring. There are drawbacks but unless I experience some unexpected obstacles, I feel like I'll make a good recovery. The advice I have for others in this situation is as follows: find a doctor you're comfortable with, communication is very important; prepare yourself for boredom; dedicate time to exercising your upper body and areas that aren't injured. Also, reach out to extended family and friends to explain your situation; visitors make all the difference and often bring gifts.
Hi Ydarb1235, it's truly amazing what our bodies are capable of - for them saying the surgery isn't an option, but you proved them wrong!! Feel bad about your situation...having to do it on the other leg too. But, I feel confident that you will succeed and others will hear about your story and feel inspired. WOW, you are remarkable and keep looking towards the future. (I like your determination, for had it been me, and if they said,sorry, it's not an option, I feel that I would've given up and cried.)
Yes, those weeks of nonweight bearing were the longest. Do you have one of those knee scooter/walkers? It helps make you feel more independent. I know Alice didn't use one, but I did and highly recommend it esp if you live alone. Luckily I work from home, so after 6 wks short term disability leave, I was thankful to have work to releave the boredom.
I know the frustration of medical people telling you to give it time - there's some truth in it, but feel that they don't know what else to say. They want to give hope because facing with the knowledge that you can't be half as active as you were prior to the injury is very depressing to hear. So, how did you learn about tendon transfer surgery?
Hi Ydarb1235, it's truly amazing what our bodies are capable of - for them saying the surgery isn't an option, but you proved them wrong!! Feel bad about your situation...having to do it on the other leg too. But, I feel confident that you will succeed and others will hear about your story and feel inspired. WOW, you are remarkable and keep looking towards the future. (I like your determination, for had it been me, and if they said,sorry, it's not an option, I feel that I would've given up and cried.)
Yes, those weeks of nonweight bearing were the longest. Do you have one of those knee scooter/walkers? It helps make you feel more independent. I know Alice didn't use one, but I did and highly recommend it esp if you live alone. Luckily I work from home, so after 6 wks short term disability leave, I was thankful to have work to releave the boredom.
I know the frustration of medical people telling you to give it time - there's some truth in it, but feel that they don't know what else to say. They want to give hope because facing with the knowledge that you can't be half as active as you were prior to the injury is very depressing to hear. So, how did you learn about tendon transfer surgery?
