I had lower surgery 8 weeks ago.  Healing fine except for part of my incision in the perineum.  Annoying but not a major issue (yet).  Did rest and relax for those 8 weeks, sitting in a comfy chair.  But, did do stairs multiple times a day (have to walk the dogs), was strong enough in later weeks to carry laundry up and down said stairs, carry groceries, etc.  Yes I took it very easy but it's not like I didn't move or lift a finger.

Went back to work this past weekend.  My job is not physical or strenuous; there is some walking and bending involved, but no heavy lifting.  Everything seemed fine over the weekend and Monday.

Yesterday I woke up with both knees very painful, one shoulder painful, a b*tch to do the stairs, or even just to bend the knees to sit on the can and do my business!!  I'm fine if I'm sitting (legs straight or bent) but painful when I move them.

Has this happened to any of you post surgery?  I'm trying to figure out if it's just my body rebelling for working 3 full days and being more physically active (I do have to squat at work to use the microwave because it is 6" off the floor, but it's not like I didn't squat at home to pick up stuff off my own floor) or whether it's something else.  As I'm nearing age 50 my mind thinks of things like rheumatoid arthritis, Lyme disease, and of course a bad reaction to my silicone implants (which have not ruptured as far as I can tell).

Yesterday ibuprofen didn't dull the pain at all; today I am trying Percocet.  Figure I'd cover my bases before bothering my doctor.

thoughts, anyone?

Jay, who is rapidly turning into an old man!!!!  Dammit!!!  LOL

This could be due to the fact that your body is using up it's collagen reserves to heal your surgery site.  Collagen is responsible for all connective tissues in our body which includes joints and ligaments.  You may want to try upping your vitamin c intake to 2000mg/day and adding a zinc supplement of up to 50mg/day.  Both vit c and zinc, along with the amino acid proline are all responsible for collagen production in our bodies.  You can get the extra proline from a reliable protein supplement.  Protein is also very important in the healing process.  Some suggest over 70 grams a day which is difficult to get from food sources alone.  Just something to consider.   

My sister who's just 39 developed serious RA a few years back....she had to come of the heavy meds to conceive... she's got it primarily in her feet...

And as she's a nurse this makes things tricky...with work.

I had appalling pain in my knees circa twenty-something I think brought on by my motorbike 80 mile commutes in the winter to Art School....(I still hold a full bike licence)....

HRT for me cured this totally, so I think hormones can be affecting with things rheumatoid....but in my case very positively...

I had a BA over 20 years ago... and have never experienced and problems re silicone....

However I do take Glucosamine, Flaxseed oil, Aloe Vera and Omega 3 supplements daily... and keep uber active...

I'm 52 now.... the only time I'm careful is when offshore sailing, and minimise the cold and damp....

I also get hip twinge it seems fall/spring time with a change in the seasons.... but it only lasts a few days at most...though is v.painful....

But a true cure is an AZ or Canary Islands climate, 24/7 dry warm air.... helps loads.... RA is northern clime problem for sure....

I'm an advocate for glucosamine, although I do realize some people get zero benefits from it.
I've found glucosamine HCL to be better than glucosamine sulphate.
Usually the chondroitin is as a sulphate.
I take the stuff with MSM, but I'm not sure if that does anything.

Could just be first week back at higher activity level thing. My first week back to work nearly did me in! I was beat by the end of it, and it's not strenuous, I'm a bank manager. I was, however, on my feet all day, and constantly moving and going. It took me a week or two to get back to that level of activity and not feel like I was run over by a truck.

Quote from: katgirl74 on September 01, 2010, 09:46:44 PM
Could just be first week back at higher activity level thing. My first week back to work nearly did me in! I was beat by the end of it, and it's not strenuous, I'm a bank manager. I was, however, on my feet all day, and constantly moving and going. It took me a week or two to get back to that level of activity and not feel like I was run over by a truck.

Yeah, I'm starting to think it was because I did have to squat (deep squats to floor level) multiple times Sunday night, and my shoulder always acts up after I work.  My knees are killing me!! It was bad yesterday, but better today before I took pain drugs, so I think that's what it is.  But for a minute there I was envisioning moving to a single story house and being on life-long disability!  LOL  OUCH.


Jay

P.S. That's also why  I posted here; I figure many of you have been in my shoes (going back to work after being off for several months post-op) and are also around my age.  My other surgeries didn't lay me up for as long and I went back to work pretty much right away.