I am newly diagnosed and was in a flare up when I had hip replacement on November 16th. The muscle pain I’m having is like nothing I’ve ever felt! I’ve tried cold therapy, heat, tens machine, muscle rub, and compression socks…and any combination of the above, with no relief! Feels like my muscles are going to rip from my bones and the pain goes from my heel all the way up to my bum. Doctor just keeps telling me to stretch and take ibuprofen, both of which are doing nothing. Anyone out there have major surgery and able to manage their pain better than I am?! I appreciate any advice!
Oh I am So Sorry that you are having such Pain.
I don’t know what to suggest that will help.
Sent Healing Light & Angels to watch over you. M
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Thanks so much!! Anything helps!
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Hi, JustJen,
I’m so sorry for your wretched suffering, and can say that I literally feel your pain. I had rotator cuff surgery in March, and my pain went on for a long time, too long. However, after a month, it became tolerable, and mostly gone in 2 months. After about 4 months, I started coming out of my Fibro “trough” which involved lots of our favorite symptoms. I was so fearful I’d be in the trough forever, but I wasn’t.
The following that I’ve provided a link for is more helpful for those facing surgery. Sorry I have nothing more than vague help for you…
I was unhappy with my surgeon and everything about the pre- and post surgical care, like addressing my pain issues, as it was terrible. I switched surgeons for my SECOND rotator cuff surgery, other shoulder, which was November 13.
I brought this piece to the surgeon, and he listened, and set me up to talk to the anesthesiologist ahead of the surgery, too. The anesthesiologist listened well, and they used this pre-surgical protocol. The difference was night and day.
This protocol is designed to prevent central sensitization, and my conclusion is that it may just work. http://www.healthcentral.com/amp/article/fibromyalgia-and-surgery
It involves admin of an opioid for 90 minutes before surgery, and use of certain anesthesia meds, and avoiding other meds that seem to exacerbate post surgical pain. As this is a fairly painful surgery, they also inserted a tiny catheter and an On-Q Pump which dripped a local anesthetic into the surgical site for about 3 days. For a couple of days, my pain was still a bit out of hand, but began to improve. They did treat me with a pretty aggressive dose of dilaudid for about 5 days, also helpful.
They did this for me, because I insisted, and they were interested in listening and treating me to achieve an improved pain experience. If when you bring this piece to your surgeon ahead of time, if he or she pooh-poohs this notion, get another surgeon. Now, I don’t believe that this list is a be-all and end-all. The anesthesiologists are the experts. They may wish to tweak this list, or offer alternatives, and you ultimately decide if it sounds like this person has given it thought and is familiar with your issues.
This time, I was feeling good by 1 week, and by 10 days, could take 6+ hours without my sling around the house. A miraculous difference.
I natter on, but I hope this will help somebody.
Xo
Lynne
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Hello Justjen,
I had been diagnoised w/Fibro 15 years ago. I have since had a knee replacement , a fusion in the lumbar area S1, L5 & L4. I did have a hip replacement before being diagnosed, and was told the same to keep stretching, I know the pain you are dealing with now, as I am about to have the other hip replaced on the 19th.
I have to have an epsom salt bath every night, I sit with heat on the back and hip, and trade after 20 and have it on the leg. My regular pills are celebrex, cymbalta and tramandol, I also am taking tumeric pills (for inflammation) and after the fusion, the Doc, recommended magnesium, calcium, for the bones. But, the over all thing I have been told is move, keep stretching those muscles. If I work at the counter cooking or dishes, I am doing leg bends, and toe raises, anything to keep the leg stretch and keep my legs strong. The pain you are feeling I have had for last 3 months, and could not doing anything about it, they tried a shot, but it did not work, so my leg is giving out constantly and I am back to using a cane!! Ugh. If there is anyway try to find a pool w/very warm water and walk and do stretches in that, this has also helped. I also rub down with Epson salt liquid, I found it in Wal-Mart. or bengay. But the key is to keep moving, sitting , move your feet always and standing do the same.
I hope this helps, if you have any questions get back to me. Feel better soon. Sending healing prayers your way…
Jeanne E
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Great tips and insight! Thank you so much! So sorry for your pain!
My doctor prescribed cymbalta but it made me feel horrible and had a low grade fever even. I am very sensitive to meds and I’m worried I will t find anything my body can tolerate to help.
Cymbalta is more for depression and pain, most people with Fibro and any type of continuous pain, do get depressed very easily, that is why I am on that. Other then fever, what symptoms did you have on Cymbalta? I know how you feel, I am always looking for something to help w/ the pain, and the inflammation. I started looking at home cures, persay, like Tumeric, or cinnamon etc. Look up good pain relief meds, and see what you come up with, I had to remember that everyone is different on how things react to your body. Now that I am close to the 10 days before surgery, a lot of my meds and any herbal supplements, have to go away because they could cause problems with the blood.
So the next 10 days will be interesting, LOL!! Have to laugh, keeps me positive and I try not to think about the pain!
Hope this helps, I have sympathy and empathy for you, as I know what you are going thru. What I tell everyone when they ask how I am
feeling is: Taking it one day at a time!!
Take care,
Navygal - Jeanne
God Bless the USA,
Jeanne
Cymbalta made me feel like I had the flu…body aches worse, nausea, and low grade fever. I’m now trying to control my symptoms naturally. Taking magnesium, vitamin B complex, iron, and turmeric. I’m also drinking bulletproof coffee in the morning, seems to help me function better.
Hi Jen: I hear you. I just had a hip replacement in August. I’m still having the same problems as you At night I keep an ice pack on my upper leg. I also have a bennie I heat up cause I get so cold. Swimming helps with the pain & the stretching also helps. Just keep moving.I take Tramadol & I also take Nerve Tonic which is a herb, you can get at most stores. Also massages help. For a week know I’ve been using Help CBD Oil I rub all over my leg. It has really help with the pain. Hope this helps you. God Bless!
Hi Justjen (et al!),
It’s been a few months since your last post Justjen, so wondering how you’re doing now. I hope better.
I’m a retired physical therapist with depression, fibro, and osteoarthritis to mention a few. When you all started discussing exercise, especially pool exercise, I remembered what I have learned an experienced about pool therapy, especially in a warm pool. I once had P.T. in a “therapeutically warm” pool for a back problem years ago. It really felt great. Of course any pool therapy is good for many people who suffer from joint or muscle issues, due to the buoyancy of the water, etc. Anyway, after reading your posts I discovered there is a “therapeutically warm” pool, in a PT clinic, close by to me where I now live. The “warm” factor is an added benefit for sufferers of pain or arthritis, because the heat also helps with pain. Anyway, I have avoided exercise entirely lately, since flaring about 6 months ago after foolishly doing a strenuous yoga class at my gym (I flared badly after the class). But I think I can do the “arthritis” classes at this warm pool. So you may want to google “therapeutic warm pool” in your county. That’s what I did, and in spite of the fact that I now live semi rurally, this pool amazingly popped up! Thanks all of you for that. Anyway, hope you are doing better Justjen. Please let me/us know how you are now!