Physical Therapy with or without pain medication?

Thank you for the response and concern.

I don't use CBD per se, I inhale burning 'flower' via water pipe.

'We' built up to 90mg of Cymbalta over a several month period, carefully watching for changes.

ALL of my 'health care team' - GP, cardiologist, pulmonary specialist, pain specialist, psychiatrist, internist (hernias), AND physical therapist OUGHT be aware that I am in the state's Medical Marijuana program, as I am not shy about it when we discuss my formulae, aches, or pains.

It has been a few months since my last blood workup, but with no issue apparent, there isn't really a need.

I have a dietary disorder that also keeps me on my toes about the 'big picture'. I am on the dietary list here at the Mayo for issues from repair of an 'esophageal stricture' and extreme GERD.

I either cannot or will not eat, 'we' are not sure which. See that thread for those issues.

Three of my meds list 'dizziness' as a 'possible side effect'.

Insomnia and agitation are more influenced by my pain level at the moment. When 'Spike' bites, 'polite' gets lost.

And I do have some 'motor' and dexterity issues, but I blame that on the neuropathy, neuralgia or radiculopathy from the damage in my neck.

I can't really say I experience any of the other symptoms on the list. But I will be diligent in being alert.

Once again, thank you for the heads up.
KK

Take the pain meds, smallest effective dose as prescribed. The workouts will be more effective, even though not completely pain-free. Most worthwhile goals involve at least a little pain, but too much pain can cause you to avoid effective exercises and other therapies. How much pain or pain meds is too much? Your physical therapist can help you figure that out.

Ok but how about swelling. My knee is all swollen, the hip is too. How long does that take to go down? I know we're all different but in general what about the swelling.

Ice packs wrapped in a towel? A bag of frozen peas works nicely.

I assume you’re seeing your clinic to rule out infection?

I have a serious T12 Fracture and they tell me it is healed but I can not pick up any weight over 5 lbs but now I can not do any PT they tell me my back is in spazams any excursive I try works for 1 month then I go in severe pain with my BACK I don't know how the correct the spazams any one had this problem?? (very serious in feel like I'm am fading away)

I have a T12 fracture that occurred in 2006, as the result of a traumatic fall. Since then I also have not been able to lift much weight. At first I could not lift a glass of water but it did improve from that!

At this point I have 7 fractures total. T4, T6, T11, T12, L1, L2 and L5. Three are non-traumatic and from osteoporosis and one unwise movement a year and a half ago.

I have tried PT a few times and it makes things worse for me. I recenlty withdrew- again. Capsaicin patches help the muscle spasms and I take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory called flurbiprofen. Tai chi helps me.

Things DO get better. Try to stay active if you can.

Sorry I just got your response ty it was in my spam i will look into your advice are you still having pain?

Yes but I can function, take walks, am better able to lift a little, and generally tolerate it. Sometimes I make mistakes with movement or with lifting and suffer for it but so far it is for a few days.

Hi, for me, I prefer to have PT after taking pain meds.

After all my assorted surgeries (2 shoulder repairs, 1 knee scope, 1 TKR), I never took pain medications before or after PT. Ice, yes. While I dread pain, my thinking was that I have a better way to judge progress when I compare the pain level at PT with the pain level of the same exercises done at home. Hopefully, and usually, the pain decreased some with each session, so I could see progress, without being shocked or surprised when the exercises at home hurt much more than during the PT hour. Plus, I wanted to be clear-headed to drive myself - both to PT, and generally being self-sufficient and mobile.

I want to add that I had an excellent PT person, who was aware of my abilities, pain tolerance, and compliance, so he pushed, but did not force me beyond what was necessary for quick progress.