Been away for 4 days from VR.COM

[Carolyn Russo]

Well, I haven't been posting much on VR - I guess I should have - I am having trouble with my right arm - it throbs like a tooth ache. I'm beginning to think it's the way I sleep - not sure yet. But, it feels like a pinched nerve.
It begins in the wing of my right sholder/back and goes number the sholder bone and down the arm into the the elbow into the wrists and down my thumb. I walk the floors at night with pain. Even perks don'e relieve it. Now, I'm taking tylenol - I hope this helps.
Also, I can't seem to hold my eyes open at night - I always want to nap - then I'm up all night. I end up falling asleep at 5-6 then I try to go to bed at 8-9 and end up waking up at 3 in the morning with pain.
I go to the doctors on Monday - I hope he can shed some light on this.
Also, I can't seem to wear a bra - it makes me sweat around the incision - but, I was in mixed company over coffee this AM and had to wear my underwear - it was wonderful to get it off - does other women have this issue?
Other than my right arm - I'm feeling very well post op.
I am hoping the doc tells me I can drive on Monday - what do you all think?
Hate this cabin fever.
Carolyn

 

[Missy]

I also have this problem with my arm and now my leg is starting it. I attribute my arm problems to atrial fibrillation. I can only lay and sleep on my right side for any length of time. After years of this it is bound to do something to the nerves or cause some sort of disorder. I should have it checked but just haven't. Another one of those things that I just put up with as a result of heart problems. Seems like one thing causes another.

I also am on the compute quite a bit with my work and here. That probably doesn't help it.

 

[Granbonny]

Welcome back, Carolyn

Welcome back, Carolyn

We are here to help you..but slow on weekends..sorry to hear you are in pain in shoulder..Most are..but you are 2 weeks post-op and should be feeling better..a big NO.No on driving..Just think what it would take for you to drive..opening heavy car door. seat-belt, ect..Plus, still on pain meds..and throw the bras away.. who cares....I am sure no one would notice..if you had on a thick blouse.........Take care..Bonnie

 

[Lynlw]

Hi Sorry you are having problems, usually driving won't be cleared for about 6 weeks post op, for all the reasons Bonnie mentioned plus there could be huge problems if you were in an accident and/or the airbags went off.
A lot of people have shoulder/arm pain, it is probably do to how they have to position you during surgery. is it possible to have someone massage your shoulder? that seems to help the best for many people.
Would it be possible to try and take a nap in the middle of the day since you are having trouble sleeping at night? Justin was having the same problem you were, falling asleep around 5-6 then not being able to sleep at night. So he would try to nap around 2pm and then he was tired enough to fall asleep at night. Honestly though this close to surgery it may be awhile before you sleep all night. How/where are you sleeping? if in your bed, maybe you could try sleeping in a relcliner or propping pillows so maybe that would help with the arm/shoulder pain?
I hope you feel better soon.Lyn

 

[WayneGM]

My doc told me 6 weeks before driving, other than as a passenger. I had neck, shoulder, and back pains post op. They reduced over time, and I took the occasional Tylonol Arthritic formula to cope. However it was about a year before I was really feeling "normal". That said, even today I still the occasional sharp pain if I turn my head too suddenly (something you tend to do when riding a motorcycle).

Best wishes and hope you are feeling better soon, but pace yourself.

 

[Carolyn Russo]

Here I am up at 10:14 PM and I'm normally in bed sleeping - I've noticed, If I don't lay down to sleep, I don't get the pains in the right arm. I fell asleep with my feet up on my chair foot stool/sitting up. I don't seem to have any pain. Maybe this is the way I have to sleep for a while? This isn't good is it?
But, at least there isn't any pain. Infact, I stopped taking the perks and I'm on Tylenol only - seems to be ok. No pains. Am I ok sleeping sitting up with my feet up on the foot stool?

 

[Lynlw]

Here I am up at 10:14 PM and I'm normally in bed sleeping - I've noticed, If I don't lay down to sleep, I don't get the pains in the right arm. I fell asleep with my feet up on my chair foot stool/sitting up. I don't seem to have any pain. Maybe this is the way I have to sleep for a while? This isn't good is it?
But, at least there isn't any pain. Infact, I stopped taking the perks and I'm on Tylenol only - seems to be ok. No pains. Am I ok sleeping sitting up with my feet up on the foot stool?

IF you do a search for "recliners" here, you will see that many people prefer to sleep in recliners for a while post op. I don't think it would be a problem. Lyn

 

[sonavogel]

I likely shouldn't be posting this, since I'm not a former OHS patient with all the attendant experiences, but your initial comment/post, Carolyn, rang a bell. You're not that far away from your surgery, so this pain could be representative of many things, I guess, but here's one thing to consider as you get stronger, if the pain continues:

It sounds so much like referred pain from a structural/skeletal misalignment in your back or neck, which could have happened so easily, it would seem, from the very unnatural, pretzeled position they hold you in during surgery. I have this problem from time to time from having fallen onto the right side of my neck (clocked into from behind by two playing dogs).

I have a regular chiropractor, who by now knows exactly what to do to realign me. A first-timer would require a more extensive examination by a good chiro or ART therapist, and it isn't taken care of in one visit. But if this is the problem, it CAN be taken care of--and it's amazing when that referred pain (starting, say, in the neck or shoulder and radiating down the arm) goes away. Massage is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't realign anyone--and if that is the problem, massage won't take it away.

It's just a thought, and as I said, so many things can be causing or contributing to this from the surgery that I have no knowledge of, I felt almost foolish for bringing this up. But skeletal (back, neck) misalignment is something I do know about, so...

Good luck, Carolyn.

Best, Sona