Almost 4 weeks out and frustrated!!

This is my first time posting however I have enjoyed reading messages from many others.

I had a TAH on 1/12 so I'm almost 4 weeks out. My energy levels have been great until later in the day. My biggest frustration is the lower back fatigue and muscle spasms or whatever you want to call this horrible pain. The pain is in the lower back muscles and the muscles around my hip bone.

Has anyone else experienced muscle pains or spasms?

Ever since the first few days after surgery, particularily in the mornings, all my muscles in my abdominal area would tighten up on their own. It was like I had no control over them. Talk about pain and fear that your going to tear something loose.

You may think I'm crazy but the primary reason I did this was because of a fibroid outside the uterus on a stalk located on the back side. I was having this horrible muscle pain before the surgery in the muscles surrounding my hip bone. Went to a PT and they said all my back muscles were very tense. They couldn't explain why. Nothing they did helped. Went to a Chiro who used some therapies to relax the muscles. He had success eliminating the pain but after about 10 days, it would come back He said the fibroid could be causing it if the fibroid was putting preasure on my back. I took my chances and had the TAH. Had no pain in the hip bone area for 3 weeks.

Now it's back worse than ever and my back is also sore. I'm tired of feeling like this. Made an appointment with the Chiropractor next week. Don't know what else to do. Maybe I should be taking the pain pills and waiting this out if it's normal. Any ideas or suggestions??

Hi AgilityAddict

I'm sorry that you're having to deal with this back pain. your should consult with your doctor. If you have pain pills, take them as directed to see if they give you some relief. I found my lower back was achy starting a few weeks post-op. I tightened my abs carefully a few times a day and the soreness went away as my muscles started supporting my back again. I've found an ice pack can also give some relief.

Please talk to your doctor about your pain and also let him know that you are planning on seeing your Chiro.

Best wishes and s
Wendy

Agillity Addict

Hi to you, from a fellow agility addict! (My goal is to get back running my dogs...it helps me see forward). My football-size fibroid (and I'm 5'1" 108 lb.) was lying behind my uterus, against my bowel, and gave me horrible back spasms that caused pain to run down my left leg. I didn't realize it was all the fibroid until after my TAH. Also, I get twinges at the edges of my incision, which is pretty much located hip-to-hip. I can be lying still and all of a sudden sharp twinges start near my hips. My gyn. said this is due to some of the stretching that was necessary with retractors to help open me up for removal of all the organs & fibroids. Rather than dealing with your chiro on this, IMO, it might be wiser to be discussing your concerns with your surgeon. It is probably easily explained. Also, the pain pills are prescribed to help you heal, and it is not "unhealthy" to take them - taking pain pills can assist your body by reducing the production of adrenalins and other substances that pain can cause your body to produce, which slows your healing.

Best wishes for feeling better fast. You did the right thing getting the fibroid removed, and I would guess your surgeon can shed light on the reasons you are not feeling better. Also, good luck in your agility endeavors!

Mar
TAH/BSO
Run Jack Russell Terriers in agility

Hi AgilityAddict
I'm sorry you're having this back pain again. I can't be sure what is happening in your body, but I wanted to assure you that some back pain is very common after a hyst. I had a lot of lower back pain. I saw a physical therapist for help in managing it and to aide in relieving muscle tension. This therapist specializes in therapeutic massage and it helped me a lot. I also found that I needed to very gently begin to do things to strengthen my abs as soon as my dr released me to do that. When the abdominals aren't doing their fair share it puts additional strain on the muscles in the lower back. You could have a combination of things going on.
I also wonder if any of it could have to do with where they removed your fibroid. Sometimes there is pain where internal work was done. You might not feel it at first, but as you begin to be more active it is aggravated and hurts more.
I see (((spinflyer))) liked to use ice, I found heat to help a lot with mine. You could see which one provides the best relief for you.
Make sure your dr knows what is going on. I hope you can find the answers you need. I have lived with back pain too and know how miserable it can be.
's,Rita

Thanks for the feedback.

We've entered in an agility trial in early April. It's my light at the end of the tunnel. My little Shelties are wondering why we don't play anymore. Been reading a lot of agility books to keep feeling a part of it.

Good Luck to you. Run fast, run clean.