Is It Normal To Hurt More Some Days Than Others?

janx · 05-24-2006, 02:14 PM

Hello all, I LOVE this board. It has helped me so much! My question of the day is....is it normal to have good days and bad days, where you hurt more some days that others? I am 4 weeks post op from PLIF, also had spinal cyst and bone spurs removed at same time, some days are ok and some days it hurts bad....makes me wonder if something has gone wrong? My 6 week checkup is not until June 15th, actually it will be 7 weeks, dr. out of town. The incision site and around it are really ...sore but don't seem to be infected, no redness or anything of that sort, just a small bulge in the middle which dh says has been there since surgery, Also, all over body is just sore, do you think maybe it's from staying in bed too much? How much do you other guys sit up, walk, etc.? I appreciate any input, I guess I'm just very scared that something will go wrong, right now I wonder, will I ever be able to work again? Thankks for listening.
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HurtinHouston · 05-24-2006, 02:57 PM

Hi ********. I'm sorry to hear about your pain and hope you feel much better soon. It is quite normal to have good days and bad with any back problem and especially after surgery. Not to scare you, but it is not normal to feel pain all over your body. Is this muscle pain, joint pain, burning, aching, describe the pain. Keep a pain diary. Write down 3 times daily at the same time each day what your pain level is from 1 to 10. Describe the pain, ie burning, stabbing, etc. and where on your body and what you were doing at the time. Then make a column for your emotional response to the pain from 1 to 10 and how you felt, ie. sad, in control, angry, frustrated, etc. If you'll do that until you go see your doctor again, it might help him see what you're dealing with and either treat you and steer you in the right direction for pain relief.

It will also help you to see if there are any patterns in your behavior that are making the pain worse, like sitting too long at the desk/computer. Standing too long at the stove. Once you see patterns emerge, you can alternate your activities to help get more out of a day without over doing it.

If none of this helps with your overall pain and it persists for 6 months or more, plus you have other symptoms such as headaches, fever, sore throat, extreme fatigue, and so forth, get yourself to a rheumatologist and if nothing pans out there, find someone who specializes in Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Syndromes.

Best regards,

Debra

janx · 05-24-2006, 05:13 PM

Thanks, Debra, good to know everyone has good and bad. The all over pain is really more of a soreness than pain. I'm hoping that I've just been staying in bed too much and muscles are weak and sore. Sitting at the computer is not a problem, thanks to my laptop. I don't have any of the other symptoms that you mention, so that is a good thing. Thanks for the post and have a great day!
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mamakitkat · 05-25-2006, 01:48 AM

Hi Brenwill123,
I have had many of all over aches, not really bad but enough to not want to get up do much. My Dr. had told me that after my fusions it's not unusual to have the barometric pressure change of the weather affect my back alot and it does. I have never felt my best as I did when we went to las vegas for my sons wedding last august, i was able to do things that I hadn't done in years, I truely have told my hubby we are moving there when we are old, lol, he has arthritis in his ankles and back, we should be in good shape by the time were 60 (we are both 44 now).

Anyway, when it's rainy and chilly I can be so bad I don't want to get out of bed at all, it has been checked out and no fybro or anything like that, just plain old arthritis plus back problems.

Your muscles can get achey if they are not moved around for long periods of time, so if your laying in bed like ALL day & night you may want to try to get up every few hours and at least move around the house a bit.

I was on complete bed rest for the first 5 weeks after my two fusions this past Nov., I can't begin to tell you how stiff & sore I was when i did get up to potty. I have always felt better when I alternate positions at least every 2 - 3 hours or so sometimes even every 30 minutes if i'm really bad off that day. A nice warm steamy shower can do wonders too, if your allowed that yet.

I can walk up to about 30 minutes now before it starts to get rough, then I push myself to do the 30 minutes back. Doc had said that walking can't hurt anything he did, so I can walk away. It certainly helps me sleep better too. I woudl check with your doc before you try the walking or any type of exercise at all, I have only been cleared to walk so far due to the fact that I have had 2 failed fusions, this last attempt #3 & #4 surgeries they did anterior & posterior with in 4 days of each other and no moving the lumbar area at all, had me in hard brace up until 5 months post op.

I hope I have helped a lil. I know how scary it is if your not sure what wrong, thats why they have these WONDERFUL boards, so we dont' feel alone.

Good Luck & God Bless

Carol

Good luck to you

janx · 05-25-2006, 08:21 PM

Thanks so much Carol, you did help!! It helps just to know I'm not in this boat alone. I'm wondering too if the all over achiness can be partially contributed to the fact that I had to come off my arthrotec for 6 months to allow fusion to set. Dr. told my family arthritis was pretty bad.....I long for the day when I can walk 30 minutes. Have a blessed day!
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