Post-anaesthetic spasms

Starburst
Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
edited 9. Oct 2012, 16:16 in Living with Arthritis archive
Evening all,

I've been lurking at the last couple of weeks have been extremely busy - back at university and starting my placement. All is going well, although I have never experienced tiredness like this! I hope you lovely people are all well and I hope to get my head around catching up on the forum goings-on asap.

Lucky me, I got to to spend my day off at hospital having 2 pesky wisdom teeeth removed under general. Surprisingly, I'm not in much pain and I can eat and drink, so that's good. However, my calf muscles are in total spasm. They have been tight over the past few days (which usually means the RA in my feet is raging away which ties in with dropping my prednisolone dose) but when I woke up, I was in agony. They'd given me strong drugs - fentanil (sp?) and morphine - but it made no difference. The nurse was puzzled, massaged my legs for me (she was a true angel!) and said to contact my specialist if the muscles remain so tight. I just wondered if anyone else had experienced this? I can barely walk and the pain is just....horrific. :(

I see my rheumatology physio on Tuesday and I'll call her/someone else on Monday if need be. Just hoping someone may have some helpful hints.

Comments

  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Guess I am/was alone in this. My shoulder and neck are in spasm too but eased off a bit today. Very miserable and generally very sore, not sure if it's related but hey ho.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I'm sorry, Starburst. I did see your original post but couldn't relate to it at all so I left it for someone else. Then forgot :oops: I still can't relate to it. Is it today you see someone? I hope they can help. It seems a really odd thing but we can all have odd reactions to anaesthetics. I do hope it eases off soon one way or another. ((()))
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's the same with me too, I apologise Starburst. :oops: My MIL was in hospital at the time and died last Thursday so life has not been going in its usual way. I am so sorry, I hope you are able to get some answers and some help. Please let us know, yes? I promise to reply this time. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh no, it's ok really! I know people have lives going on. I guess I just wanted a magic cure/answer. I really need to stop expecting that sort of thing. :lol:

    I'm seeing rheum physio in about an hour. Desperate for a chat/vent/cry, very tired and miserable. Sorry for being a grumpy guts! This whole university and placement thing is really tough work for a weakling like me!!
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Nope. I'm not buying that, Starburst. You are not a weakling, not by a long chalk. Your body has its wobbles but your determination amply compensates for that. And university and placements are tough for everyone, even those with all bits fully working.

    I hope you feel a bit better after your appointment but, whether or not, let's know. You can 'chat/vent/cry' to your heart's content. Things are tough. We understand.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • frogmella
    frogmella Member Posts: 1,111
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry, I must have missed this one too. I can't remember where you have your arthritis but I have spinal arther and I get calf cramps quite badly. Not antwhere near as bad as yours sound though. I also have tight hamstrings and glutes and I think the whole lot are connected somehow. I do have some nerve damage too.

    I stretch my calves regularly and my hamstrings and glutes too. I also make sure to sleep with my feet at right angles not pointed - that will always cause a cramp. Also no standing on tip toes etc. My physio also suggested tonic water for the quinine.

    I'm not sure how much use any of this is to you. I have never had it after a GA so may all be useless. I hope yours get sorted soon.
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Frogmella has made me think. If her calf cramps are due to spinal problems might it be that your spine was at an unusual angle while you were having the teeth out? I ask because, after one TKR, I had cramp in one arm for about 6 weeks. I put it down to my arm being at a funny angle during the op as I've not had it either before or since. Just a thought.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for the replies. I don't have arthritis in my spine and I know they tipped my neck back, which is why it's quite sore. I did wonder if they'd shifted me while I was asleep. Although they knew about my RA and promised to be gentle! My physio said when you're not in great health, GA can affect you in funny ways. I had a little doze on the sofa after uni and felt a bit brighter. Still heading off to bed soon. Finding everything physically tough but I'm loving the course, so eyes on the prize. :wink:

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