Mobility

[Feline4]

I'm currently dealing with several new thoracic fractures, very painful. Already fractured L1 and L2 and T5. The worst problem for now is being able to hold myself up. All of my abdominal and back muscles are really painful and I can't move without holding onto something for support. Analgesia doesn't help. Has anyone got experience of this and any advice that might help? I really want to get out walking again but at the moment that's impossible.

[springcross]

I completely sympathise with you Feline4 as I remember that feeling only too well. I had two wedge compression fractures to T4 and T5 twenty years ago and was hospitalised for three weeks. I also had a problem holding myself up and at times thought my top half was going to collapse over my abdomen!!! I'd been told to walk as much as I could by the nurses and I did my best but it was so very difficult. I was given Co-codamol, Oramorph, another liquid I can't remember the name of but similar effect to morphine and Amytriptyline (I had to stop this as it brought my back out in a nasty rash). I was still in a lot of discomfort and became extremely constipated for three weeks because of the drugs I was taking!!!!!!! When I eventually went home I propped myself up with cushions etc which gave me some semblance of support but it was so very hard. After three months, I started seeing my osteopath (I was told I wouldn't be able to have any treatment prior to that) and she made things a lot more comfortable for me. I sincerely sympathise with you having been there and done that and I hope you can find comfort some way or another. 🤗

[Feline4 in reply to springcross]

Thank you Springcross. I hope to see my amatsu therapist soon. He was a great help with my previous fractures. Being on this wonderful forum is a great help too.

[springcross in reply to Feline4]

Good luck, I hope you can get some relief.

[Sleeplessinlife]

Hi feline4, I know exactly how you feel, my fractures were all around January to March this year.10 months on, I can get up and walk for about 30mins before I feel real discomfort. I find I walk holding on to my abdomen for support. I described it to my gp as if I'm an elastic band, I stretch upright. But as time passes ,the band lossens and it bends(or I do! ) in the middle. I go out most days in the decent weather,and I try to do excercises lying on my back in bed. Last March I needed a zimmer frame to hold my body up, so I have made some progress. I despair at the slow progress though, my abdo protrusion gets me down , but I'm a fighter and keep trying to move more when I can, gentle excercise and time is the only thing that's helped me. I use heat pads(electric), when lying down. It eases my discomfort. Pain meds did nothing for me, had them all, now just taking paracetamol. I hope my experience gives u some positivity. All of us who visit this site gain mental assistance I believe! Best wishes for 2025

[Feline4 in reply to Sleeplessinlife]

Thank you for your encouraging reply sleeplessinlife. Trying my best too.

[Radars in reply to Sleeplessinlife]

sorry to hear about your problems, are you on any meds, can't you have zoledronic acid infusions or prolia to help.

[Sleeplessinlife in reply to Radars]

Hi radars, I am on alendronic acid, that's all they will give me for the osteoporosis, unless I can't tolerate it. Course it doesn't help pain at all. The usual calcium and vit d were prescribed, pain wise I had the cocodamols and 4 different anti inflammatory drugs, plus amytryptyline for nerve pain. They assisted during the acute phase. Now it's chronic discomfort/disablement I have to learn strategies to manage..

[Radars in reply to Sleeplessinlife]

I am on zoledronic acid infusions because of my hiatus hernia no problem, but now it looks like I have proteinuria I will probably be going on prolia sooner than expected, tell them if you can't tolerate them.

[fraid]

Sympathise with you greatly , refractured between my shoulder blades a month ago, maybe two. Worse than all my other fractures, mostly lumbars, as it affects my whole upper body inc. ribs, using my arms. 🙄 Finally improving, found it hard to keep still long enough for them to heal so it took longer.

I'm on loads of pain meds- Fentanyl patches, Gabapentin, Tramadol, Apixaban and occ.Nurofen, am rattling but am slowly cutting down at least on Tramadol every 4 hours, though when I tried last time the pain was too much! Am always on Fentanyl patches and use Tramadol when needed, I have other things like M.E which stop my legs working much though that too is improving. So all I can say is be patient allow time to heal and take it slow, build up very gradually and good luck. 🤞 Happy New Year! 🤗🥳🥂