Impending shoulder surgery

[Vic303]

I wish I could remember how long it was before I drove again, post op. I remember I slept flat on my back for a month, under a woobie, because sheets and blankets were too heavy. The heating pad was my best friend for nighttime pain relief. How many bone anchors did you get? I do remember driving, while still in the pillow and sling, so in my case I was driving in less than 8 weeks. Probably inside of 3wks, as I wasn't on any scrip meds.

[chuckman]

I had shoulder surgery September 2013. Aside from PT I could not do squat with the affected arm until February, and was not declared 100% until September of last year. Even today I can tweak it the wrong way and it'll remind me I had surgery. I slept in a recliner for 8 weeks, sling, ice machine, the whole enchilada. If you choose to not do the surgery route, get a really good physical therapist, one with a sports med-type of background as they will understand how to supplement with exercises so you can remain active.

Flyinghunter on here is a PT, gave me lots of good gouge when I went under the knife.

[FlyingHunter]

I had shoulder surgery September 2013. Aside from PT I could not do squat with the affected arm until February, and was not declared 100% until September of last year. Even today I can tweak it the wrong way and it'll remind me I had surgery. I slept in a recliner for 8 weeks, sling, ice machine, the whole enchilada. If you choose to not do the surgery route, get a really good physical therapist, one with a sports med-type of background as they will understand how to supplement with exercises so you can remain active.

Flyinghunter on here is a PT, gave me lots of good gouge when I went under the knife.

Glad the shoulder is doing better Chuck!

[afff_667]

I wish I could remember how long it was before I drove again, post op. I remember I slept flat on my back for a month, under a woobie, because sheets and blankets were too heavy. The heating pad was my best friend for nighttime pain relief. How many bone anchors did you get? I do remember driving, while still in the pillow and sling, so in my case I was driving in less than 8 weeks. Probably inside of 3wks, as I wasn't on any scrip meds.

Seven bone anchors: 1 in the bicep tendon; 3 on major part of the cuff; 3 on minor part of cuff - pardon the terminology. I went to therapy today, and it sucked. Doc visit went well, and I should be able to drop the sling at the end of April. That's a long way from now..

I stopped the narcotic pain meds last week. All of the negative side effects, according to the doc today, were likely tied to those. I have slept better the past couple of nights, and he suggested some alternative, natural sleep aids instead of some kind of Rx. We'll see how it goes...

[Vic303]

Melatonin works great to aid in falling asleep. No side effects like with benadryl.

[hatidua]

I've had my left shoulder rebuilt twice (shredded labrum each time, just bad luck getting a second go-round). I can't take the Rx pain medication at all, I tried the stuff they prescribed but I'm not a good candidate for that stuff.

Good luck with your shoulder, I found the every-other-day trip to the physical therapist helpful, albeit painful.

[Vic303]

got hit this past week with an active gut infection. Surgeon says must reschedule the shoulder repair. Oh well...

[afff_667]

got hit this past week with an active gut infection. Surgeon says must reschedule the shoulder repair. Oh well...

Hang in there...hope the gut infection isn't serious.

[Vic303]

The infection was potentially serious, diverticulitis, but treated easily. I finish the nasty meds tomorrow night.

[dave5339]

And she's off to surgery in a couple of hours. Will post an AAR while she's still drugged up after I hide all her guns and knives..

Semper Fi