THR second time easier (so far)

[Songlady]

Hi ByGosh, yes, it's just up the road! Today the trains are running and once again commuters have parked all up and down our street in front of our house - the past few days, the streets were empty! (I've watched folks park their cars, grab their backpacks and go running up the street toward the train station... fun.)
ByGosh, Elosarabrab, Peaches, and all, I've had a muscle issue pretty consistently every morning. It resolves as the day goes on, so I haven't mentioned it here. In the mornings I get up, stumble into the bathroom, shower, then back to my bedroom and get dressed, come downstairs and make coffee - and I have a muscle from my lower back, across my bum and out to the outside of the operated hip that goes into spasm! So then I need to sit in my comfy recliner and do nothing until it calms down. (And / or hit a pain pill.) As I'm beginning to think about doing a few of my regular activities, some of which involve mornings, I am wondering when this little issue might resolve. So.... thanks for listening!

 

[ByGosh]

Songlady...Sorry to hear about the muscle spasm. That's one thing I haven't had. I wonder if it's somehow related to how you're sleeping? Have you tried a heating pad on it to loosen the muscle? Maybe some deep massage? You're still using a cane, aren't you? That will help take the stress off of the operated side. sandybeach had problems with a muscle spasm in her thigh with her last surgery, and she did an acupressure massage that is explained in this forum someplace. I tried it on sore thigh muscles, and it seemed to help. I'll see if I can get the link for you. Maybe if you run the hot water on it in the shower and rub it then, it'll relax it before it starts.
I'm glad the trains are up and running, as my husband is going into NYC tomorrow to spend a few days with his brother. It would've been a lot more difficult to get into the city if he had to do the shuttle bus routine that they had set up. At least now he can gauge the time it'll take to get there.

 

[ByGosh]

Acupressure massage. @songlady...Here's what I found when I did a search in the forum. Josephine had posted it in someone's thread. I don't know if it'll work when you click on it. If not, search acupressure massage at the top and something should come up in someone's thread with that title that you can click on and get it to work. Good luck.
Why my typing changed and is now a different font and red, I don't know! This laptop has a very sensitive mouse pad thingie and is always doing strange things --see! like that, it just changed font again! Yikes! It's haunted! I'll have to try to change it back.

 

[sandybeach]

Songlady, I looked at the link that ByGosh sent and that's exactly what my PT showed me to do for my pain and it worked but it took a couple of weeks for it to completely go away. Where your spasm is at will be hard for you to apply the pressure though. An exercise my PT told me about to help me with low back pain and worked immediately is: lay on you back and stretch your operated leg as long as you can and hold for 5 seconds...do this 10 times, see if that helps. If it doesn't help try it with your other leg. You might have your pelvis uneven from your gait.

 

[Songlady]

Hi sandybeach and ByGosh - thanks for the hints! The spasm was worse this morning than it's been any other day, and of course I didn't sit down to look at the computer until now, midafternoon. I have done some pushing at the area with my fist just because I thought that might help, but now I'll be more intentional and try some of the acupressure as best I can.
I have been sleeping on my back, with a pillow under my knees. We have a "Sears-o-pedic" mattress with a ridiculously soft pillowtop (dear husband went with my preference this last mattress purchase) so it really is not uncomfortable for back sleeping. Still, I'll try those leg stretches before I get up tomorrow morning!

An interesting thing, a clue? happened this morning, after I sat at the table and pouted and asked Songman to help me get my breakfast together. He brought me the gallon jug of milk so I could put some on my cereal. When I took that heavy jug from him, <YEOW> the muscle yelled at me. So, something about lifting things....? (I don't think I'm lifting anything heavier than a pair of lightweight slacks in my early morning routine..... ) I will continue to observe and try to figure this out.

All, and my fellow musician zauberflöte, I am planning to pop in for about half of my choir's rehearsal tonight, and will direct and play for some of it! Songman, bless him, is still doing my job, playing and directing, but we thought I could phase back in by participating some this evening. He'll play Sunday. But next Thursday I'll do the whole rehearsal, because he's out of town for a business meeting anyway, and then I'll plan to play (only one service at first) the following Sunday.

I'll find out how my op leg feels on the organ pedals tonight! Hmmm, shall I treat it like PT and take a pain pill first? The Bach could end up sounding more like Charles Ives.....

 

[Peaches]

Hi, Songlady ... so sorry about the muscle spasms. And I think you are spot on about not lifting heavy stuff. That aggravated me pre-op and in my recovery I have found it to be true as well. I think too you are right that the organ pedaling will absolutely be a form of PT. All of this everyday life stuff and activities has to be "counted." And I'm guessing it will lift your spirits to expend your energy and strength on organ pedaling rather than those PT foot pumps we all know and love.
Hang in there..... Best wishes for a less painful day.

 

[sandybeach]

Songlady if you can locate the spasm the pressure should work but it might take some time for it to go away for good. I don't know if it's the pressure that makes it go away or just makes it feel better for the moment until your body cures itself to the pain to leave. If you could avoid what the trigger is that is the best. When I had a bad spasm it was in my leg, it started when I walked so hard to avoid, I did a lot of pressure pressing. I hope you feel better soon, how did rehearsal go?

 

[zauberflöte]

and I have a muscle from my lower back, across my bum and out to the outside of the operated hip that goes into spasm!

Songlady that sounds like where my S-I joint is, and it has bothered me for many years. The pain was gone a day after surgery, and didn't come back until I overdid it yesterday. I think it gets tired. I have a great taping technique that takes the pain right away, but I can't be using it right now cos it gives me the pink itchies around the edges of the tape, which then turns to eczema. And we can't have that can we? It might turn into an infectious disease
I do so feel a nap attack coming on, will go make the best of i!

 

[ByGosh]

Songlady Coincidentally, another hip patient Nylsor complained of a sore and tight buttock, so I suggested the acupressure to her, too. Well, she got her husband to massage her butt, (don't laugh!) and it felt better within a day or two. So.....then another pre-op patient BeckyR told her husband about it for post op and he said "why wait", and now he's massaging her butt! So we got a few hubbies happily taking on the 'chore' of butt massage! And it's worked! So......now it's your turn with your wonderful, accommodating husband...."honey, my butt hurts!" Hahahah I can hear it now! Good luck! I mean, it can't hurt to try, can it???
What do you think zauberflöte ???? Maybe your hubby should give it a try for you???

 

[Songlady]

ByGosh, zauberflöte, and sandybeach, wait until Songman hears of my evening request for him! The only thing I need to figure is how to position myself so he can do this - so far I have not had enough nerve to lie on my side. Maybe tonight, with a pillow between my legs. (My memory from last surgery is that I was in a hurry to get back to sleeping on my side but even with the op side up, it was uncomfortable... so I've stayed on my back on the Sears-o-pedic so far.)
Peaches, thanks for your words! I really watched my "lifting" this morning. The spasm happened but was quicker to go away. I'll keep experimenting. (Comedy routine: Patient: "Doc, it hurts when I do this! " Doctor: "so, stop doing that! ")
Rehearsal went well, sandybeach! My choir sits around me as I sit at the organ console, and I play and direct at the same time. It went fine! As I imagine is true of anyone who has a profession involving being a leader (teacher, etc) my role involves not just doing the music but inhabiting a certain persona, Being In Charge. Frankly, I had wondered about the transition from "honey, help me put on my shoe" patient to "Watch me! You're behind the beat! - NOW, big breath before that phrase" leader. But I fell right back into it.... so I guess I'm about ready.
Peaches, you are SO right about daily life being PT! And organ playing - wow! I know that when I'm really going at it, it must be aerobic! I start perspiring if the room isn't chilly - I produce so much heat!

I'll take a look at Nylsor and @BeckyR's threads, too, to see if we're talking about the same muscles. Sounds like it!

 

[zauberflöte]

What do you think zauberflöte ???? Maybe your hubby should give it a try for you???

Sure sounds nice, doesn't it? Haha, maybe I can figure out how to make it happen. He wouldn't be at all averse, but the kid is kind of a turnoff. Kid was supposed to be NOT home during this stage!
Songlady you just answered my latest question bout how choir rehearsal went-- sounds like you are in fighting trim and ready to take on the world!! And what IS it with organists and heat-- the only other two I know well also get hot. One of them wears a suit to play-- he has installed a ;little fan in the organ pit.

 

[Peaches]

Songlady, am SO glad rehearsal went well! Alll those post-op leg pumps kept you in shape for organ pumps.
And yes ... we have to let someone else do our 'heavy lifting'.

 

[Songlady]

Peaches - yes, I'm getting others to lift almost everything for me, which is a hard thing, because I'm known as being pretty tough usually!
Maeve, a few more reflections about my observations in relation to the differences between my 3 year old hip, which feels completely natural, and my new hip....These experiences have made me happy to observe the precautions!
Josephine, I'd love your input on this: a few times when I've reached around to put lotion on my back, twisting my torso to do so, I've had the sensation of something moving in the new hip, almost "snapping"and it has unnerved me. (So I am trying not to twist my torso when I apply the lotion now!) My left hip is the op hip, and I've been using my right hand to reach behind me, twisting to the right when this has occurred.
Also, a few nights ago, I was being a little affectionate with my dear hubby, and though I was lying on my back in my usual post-op sleep position, I was reaching to my right to hug him, and as I tightened/flexed various muscles through my core and upper legs (gosh, I had no clue we used so many muscle groups in our normal daily motions!) I had a sensation of something shifting in the hip, and there was a noise that even my husband heard! Sort of... a blunted popping sound? Almost a "rattle"...? This also freaked me out enough that for a while more I'll content myself with touching his fingertips with mine as a "good night!"
My hunch is that the hip capsule is still weak and therefor the implant can indeed move around a little? I see my OS later this week, 5 1/2 weeks post-op, but I am going to behave and not push my movements!

 

[bottomshollow]

Songlady, I have found three avatars that I thought you might like to use. They are already sized to fit perfectly as I have tested them. Just right click on the attached picture and "save image as" in your picture files. Then hover your mouse of your user name at the top of the page and from the drop down menu select "Avatar". The click the browse button and find the picture in your files and double click it. Then click "Okay"and you are done.

If you are not interested, my feelings will not be hurt. I just enjoy doing this when the opportunity presents itself.

or

or

 

[Josephine]

You know, ligaments make that popping noise as well when they are lax. It's most unlikely this noise is coming from the hardware!

 

[zauberflöte]

Songlady Meg, I'm getting pops and internal bumps too, started yesterday. I know that one of them could be my pubic symphesis, which likes to go out of whack, but the other seems to come right from the side of the hip. I find Josephine 's explanation very comforting. Thanks for it!

 

[Songlady]

bottomshollow, thanks for the pretty avatars! But right now, having found it fun and easy to put my own Poohbear Kitty up, I think I'll leave him for a while. Every time I see him I smile! He is such a character.
Yes, zauberflöte, comforting to know that the odd noises are likely ligaments, isn't it? I was hoping it was something like that. I know I had some of the popping and all with the other hip at first, but it all disappeared (quieted down! lol) over time. Thanks, so much, Josephine!
A long-time good friend from another state is coming to stay for a few nights, this evening! She is visiting folks in the area (she used to live around here.) So she's using our house as "home base" and will be off doing this and that on her own. (We do this reciprocally - she lives right near where our older son is at college, so we stay with her when we visit him.) We're close friends, so it isn't like having "company," but still, wow, this will be the most excitement I've had since the surgery! So if I don't post as much in the next few days, it's because I'm hanging out with our friend.

 

[Songlady]

ByGosh, Peaches, Elosarabrab, sandybeach, zauberflöte, and.. gosh, I hope I didn't forget anyone in the continuing Saga Of The Morning Back Spasms: I think I've found the cause.... EUREKA! (Although that little guy looks much happier than necessary for this..... ) I thought through my morning routine. After my shower, I normally have been trying to sit on my bed to get dressed. AH - THEREIN LIES THE RUB! (no, the answer is not "stay naked for the day!" ) Our bed is really high, this ridiculous Sears-O-Pedic, so that at present I cannot really sit on it without bending in all kinds of unpermitted ways to climb up there. I've been using all kinds of muscles in tense ways to get my bum up enough to slightly sit/lean while I've used the grabbers to get my undies, slacks and socks on. I think I'm doing something in that bunch of movements which is locking up my back! (There is no chair in the bedroom.) This morning I stood to get the pants on, only lean/sitting for my socks. AND.... the back spasm was MUCH, MUCH less this morning!
I will ask dear husband (when he gets home from doing my job playing services this morning) to bring a chair up there somewhere, if we can find room.... at least for the next few weeks! Or at least bring a little stool so I can climb up to really sit on the bed!
THANKS for all your brainstorming!!

 

[sharonslp]

Thus proving that it's often the littlest things....rather than anything major....that can make a huge difference. Well-done, Songlady. Hope that fully resolves the issue.

Sharon

 

[Josephine]

pubic symphesis

Symphysis pubis!