Wow!

I was so overwhelmed by all the support and kind words. As one of you said, surgeons are generally prone to downplaying aftereffects. I have known this doc for 15 years, and I am hoping that he really feels that I am a fast healer, hence his comments. After my ACL surgery, I was walking without a limp or brace in less that 10 days, and was playing tennis in 6 months (with an unloading brace). I later found out that this is unusual.

These days I am walking my friend's dog for her because she's ill with cancer. I try to get out every day and am taking vitamin D as well. It's still hard to stay up. I think that once I start the active phase of PT, it will be easier to cope.

I am so sorry to hear that many of you also went through this. There definitely is a wearing effect when pain continues over a long period. The boredom, pain, and frustration sure can take a toll.

This discussion brought back the struggle I went through earlier this year. After the third surgery, the OS was insisting I was "fixed" because the tendon was reattached, but I was still in a lot of pain. Went through all the visits to mental health, psychiatrist, etc because both pain management and OS wanted me off pain meds.

I did try Cymbalta as the pcp and pain doc said tri-cyclic (?) anti-depressants could help with chronic pain. That was the WORST drug I have ever taken - ruined my vacation (shouldn't have taken it then!) I have taken anti-anxiety meds for a short time when going through a dreadful experience, and they worked fine for that period of time and helped quite a bit.

Anyway, I guess I should feel vindicated that my pain was real - I was not "fixed" and there was a physical reason. Somehow, I don't - possibly these 4 surgeries could've been done in one rather than dragging it out, and putting me through multiple surgeries that will take a LONG time to recover from.

I spoke with a couple people at my conference - they all have heard that in terms of pain and recovery, shoulders FAR outweigh knees and hips, but then we all know that... right?!?!?

I have had 2 foot recontructions, 2 knee scopes, 3 meniscotomies, ACL repair, and now bicep tenodesis. I have to agree that the rehab from this is snail's pace and much more painful.

Oddly enough I am having more trouble with the inactivity than the pain, which is considerable. What represses me is the fear of going through this whole thing and not seeing significant improvement.

i think a big part of it is the problem is inactivity for me too. I completely lost my cool at the gym tonight and started crying and had to leave. i was in so much pain that i couldn't do half of what my trainer was having me do, and what i could do i was struggling wtih because i've gotten so out of shape from sitting on my butt. its terrible to finally be in a place where i want to be active and just not be able to be there physically.

i'm hoping that my OS can help me get my pain under control....or at least sends me to a pain doc. i'm taking so many different pills i'm sure it's making me sick...everything i have for pain is either too strong, or not strong enough. what does everyone else take? i'm just curious....i go to the OS next week and he's going to have to give me something else because what i'm taking now isn't cutting it. and without pain relief i thin i'm totally going to loose it!

happy belated birthday riderk!

Perhaps it would be best to lower your expectations for awhile at the gym, start low and try to be content with what you CAN do. Easy for me to say I as don't do gyms, and my perferred activity is letting a beast do all the work (horses.) Can't ride, so I just go out and brush them, because I know I could not control them. Just what I'd need, have my arm yanked by a 900 pound animal.

As for meds, that is very individual. For as long as I have taken them - been at pain management for almost one year now, the pain has never been under complete control, or gone, just very slightly muffled. I've never asked for enough to get it down to 1 or even 2 on their scale. Best is 3/4. The GOOD thing is that I was given extended relief, which moderates the levels and immediate relief for breakthrough pain. It is ALL a MAJOR hassle, going every month, the whole 9 yards. But he is compassionate, which is more than I can say for the OS who sent me to him. I had no idea - thought it was going to be biofeedback and mediation or something like that!

I think pretty much everyone on this forum struggled with post surgery depression. I'm a pretty positive guy and I still lost 8 pounds and drank too much over the first 8 post-surgical weeks. I was able to find a few exercises that I could do with the sling on : stair master, various balance exercises, reverse crunches, and long walks in the nice spring weather. That helped a little.