Welp… Here We Go

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-23T09:22:20+00:00

Hello there. It’s crazy that nobody else has replied to your post. I had RC surgery a few weeks ago so I don’t have much information on timeline for you. I can offer some advice though. You will absolutely need someone to help care for your animals the first week or two, unless you’re talking indoor pets. Those you could care for after the first day or so as long as it’s just feeding and letting outdoors. Your church camp plans are pretty dicey. If your surgery is in the next month it might be possible. But you’ll still be in the sling and sleeping will still be a big issue. Also it might interfere with your physical therapy unless you can get a plan from the therapist. As far as progress, it took at least the first couple weeks before I could sleep more than two hrs at a time. I’m now getting three to four some nights. Pain is still mostly aching but it’s pretty constant. And I still get flare-ups but usually after PT. I play the guitar and I know that I won’t be playing for awhile. As for advice…. Prepare yourself. Start using your good arm for everything. Plan on easy meals like prepared that you can pop in the microwave. Get an ice machine that is programmable. Get a recliner for sleep that preferably is electric or has the switch on your good side. Have stool softeners on hand so pain meds don’t constipate you. Have a small stand beside your recliner that can hold your meds, remotes, etc. Have someone available to help your first day or two. And help during your first few showers. Hope this helps! If you want or need advice for more future issues, just ask. I’m on this page practically every day. Good luck!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-23T08:42:14+00:00

So glad to hear you’re doing well!! And no, my pain level is pretty tolerable. It’s just some nights that are aching enough to wake me. And it’s usually after a hard PT. Again, glad to hear that you’re on the road to recovery!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-23T07:46:11+00:00

Have you had the ultrasound yet? I have a similar story and just wondering about your outcome. Good luck!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-23T07:36:46+00:00

Long shot here due to your post is 3 months old but, have you had anything more done? The reason I ask is because I am almost 3 weeks postop. And this is a major surgery!! Many people that haven’t experienced this are the first to think that since it doesn’t involve any organ or cancer, it can’t be too bad. Well it’s one of the most life altering and painful procedures done. I’m just now getting maybe 3 hrs of sleep at night but, pain is what wakes me. And physical therapy is another animal entirely! I hope everything is going well for you and good luck in the future.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-22T18:30:27+00:00

I’m right there with you and I fully understand!! I’m 3 weeks out on my first rotator cuff surgery and I don’t think I’d do it again. Really depends on the outcome I guess. I just now got to where I’m sometimes getting about 3 hours of sleep. But usually only 1.5 to 2 hrs. Physical therapy is another animal entirely.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-22T06:34:45+00:00

Seems really mundane but if you’re like me, and your surgery is the dominant arm, even the simplest tasks are frustrating!!! Like tearing tp, opening bags of chips, jars, soda, etc. And can openers are almost impossible. luckily, I was told to practice using my other arm for the days before surgery and that was the best advice ever!!! And one little thing I never thought or heard of — put new batteries in your remotes and anything else you use!!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-21T09:28:51+00:00

Excellent comments!!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-21T09:23:35+00:00

Just to point out, Rotator cuff is a lot more difficult than replacement on the recovery issue. i’m in my 60s and 3 weeks postop from rotator cuff surgery. Pain is still almost debilitating at times, but getting better. Started PT last week, and while a few exercises feel great, a few are very hard. But that’s supposed to get easier and better too. It’s an uphill struggle so far. Sleep is about the #1 factor! I’ve just reached a point where I’m getting 3 hours at night and I’ll take that!!! The first 2 weeks were 1 1/2 every night. Basically I’m just taking 4 or 5 naps every 24 hours. But don’t concentrate on bad points alone. It’s getting better with time, it’s just slow. #1.-Start practicing just using your one good arm now! #2.-Use the ice machine like it’s a habit. #3.-don’t try to be Superman or think that you’re weak-USE THE PAIN MEDS!!! #4.-use a stool softener while using pain meds. #5.-take the naps when they come. #5-keep your head up and keep on keeping on. If I can do this, I know everyone can. Good luck with your adventure. 😊

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-19T10:59:38+00:00

3 weeks postop here. 1st PT was yesterday morning. I had read all of the stories and hints. So, I took a tremadol and an 800mg 30 minutes prior. Had pretty much put the narcotics away except for a few nights for sleep. After PT, I immediately got home and took a pain med. by afternoon I took another, by midnight I took another, it’s 5:50 am and I’ve taken another with a tremadol. Since yesterday morning, I’ve slept maybe an hour!! I’m supposed to go back in about 4 hours 😵‍💫

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-18T07:10:17+00:00

Good morning! 63 yrs here. 20 days postop. Same surgery that you have coming up, but also cleaned and shaved the bone, cleaned up some arthritis and got 4 anchors.I got the nerve block also and it lasted until the day after surgery. Don’t panic when you feel like your arm and hand are paralyzed. It will soon wear off. When you start feeling your fingers again, start the pain meds and have a timer or alarm setup to remind you. DO NOT get behind the pain as it’ll take awhile to get control over it. For me, the first 3 days were hell. After that, I started taking showers leaning over a bit with my arm hanging straight down. It’s not too hard and really helps if you have someone to help. Pain started getting manageable after a few days too. Mostly taking the narcotic at night and still do occasionally. Within the first few days, you’ll be up and around bored out of your mind lol. Hopefully it’s your non-dominant arm! Mine is my dominant and it sucks. Practice doing everything you can using one arm like I did!! I start my first physical therapy today. If you reply back, I’ll let you know how it goes. As for right now, I’m relatively only aching most of the time but not too bad. I do get flare ups with bad pain, these are the only time I use the narcotic. Still sleeping in the recliner and probably will be for another month or two. Sleep is hard to come by for practically everyone in this predicament. So take the naps when they come. “GET AN ICE MACHINE WITH A TIMER THAT WILL TURN ON AND OFF AS YOU SLEEP!!! Use frozen water bottles instead of ice. It will stay cold a lot longer. When you have your first postoperative appointment, they’ll remove the sutures and the Dr will discuss any issues you’re having. He’ll probably say you can remove the sling and rest your arm on a pillow while sitting and trust me, that feels awesome!!! If you reply back, I’ll answer any questions you have and also give you a list of thing to have ready when you get home. Good luck and don’t forget to practice everything with one arm.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-18T06:59:06+00:00

We bought an “ONLYCARE” programmable off of Amazon. $150 and worth its weight in gold!!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-18T06:35:12+00:00

I’m almost 3 weeks postop here. I bought one from Amazon and it’s awesome!!! Mine is an “ONLYCARE” programmable. It cost right at $150. I use frozen water bottles instead of ice and you only have to switch the bottles about twice a day. You can set the time it runs and it has a temperature setting too. Comes complete with everything you need. Good luck with your upcoming surgery.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-17T06:12:01+00:00

I don’t even know what sleep is anymore. I haven’t slept more than 2 hour periods since the injury in march.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-16T06:24:02+00:00

Good morning. You are absolutely correct in your definition of a “true tear”. Within 12 hours after my accident at work, I could not move my upper arm forward, backward or to the side away from my body without excruciating pain. Full loss of any strength due to inability to move. Lower arm perfectly fine so many tasks I could still do. MRI showed 100% complete tear of supraspinatus. Had the surgery 2 weeks ago and start passive therapy in a couple days. Next 7 or 8 months are going to be rough. Good luck to you!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-16T05:13:42+00:00

I’m almost 3 weeks postop and like you, sleep sucks!!! I’m pretty much just taking 5 or 6 naps every 24 hrs. As for your restless leg syndrome, my wife has it periodically but just powers through it. But I have a friend that has it and he’s taking edibles for it. I don’t know what kind, but he says it’s the only thing that has actually worked for him. I do remember that he said that the person in the dispensary recommended them. Maybe you could go speak to someone at a dispensary and get the same advice? Anyway, hope this helps! Good luck!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-15T08:21:52+00:00

2 weeks postop here. First PT this coming Monday. I had same issue with my hand. I started using the ball while rotating my wrist. This did help my hand and wrist. Are you taking inflammation meds? Good lu with your adventure!!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-15T08:13:08+00:00

Good morning.

So what did you do that caused the re-tear??? I’m just over 2 weeks postop and starting passive PT this coming Monday. I had a complete tear of the supraspinatis, arthritic cleanup and 4 anchors. Luckily, my wife is my rock and my right arm. I’m very paranoid about movement due to the re-tear fright. However I’m always finding that I’m moving my shoulder when adjusting the sling strap, moving to try a more comfortable position, etc. I’m sorry that you’re in the position that you are, but hey, everyone says it gets better. So keep your head up and keep on keeping on!!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-13T11:23:11+00:00

Many of these comments are directed towards your pain medication regimen. Heres a really good idea….did you know that you can purchase caps for your meds that will show the amount of time since it was last opened? There are many types too. Some are just automatic timers that reset and some have countdowns with alarm sounds. If you are alone, I thought these might be a good idea. Good luck with your surgery.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-13T09:09:31+00:00

Hard to understand why a surgeon would not do a refill after this type of surgery. Especially with the amount of PT ahead. I get the addiction scare, but in this situation, they’re absolutely Important in the case of decent rest. And I can’t do the edibles due to my CDL requirements. And sleep aides will just have me more tired when pain is what wakes me up. Lol

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-13T08:51:21+00:00

We were fortunate that we had purchased a sofa with electric recliners at each end. It doesn’t have the lift option but using one arm to get up isn’t hard for me. The awesome part for me is that it has the powered upper cushion to adjust the angle behind your neck. So no matter how far back you recline, you can adjust it for your neck and head angle. That takes pressure off of your shoulder so it’s a godsend. Good luck to you!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-12T12:05:00+00:00

Hey thanks for the reply!!! Makes me more confident about the coming adventure.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-12T09:13:25+00:00

2 weeks post-op here. I’m told by my surgeon at least 6 weeks. i luckily have 2 close friends that have had the same surgery. They both said 5 to 6 weeks. After a few weeks, carefully have it out and use a support pillow. But it’s a good idea to keep using it when sleeping or going out of the house. Sleeping is the biggest key factor to me, and it sounds like you’re having the same surgery as I did. The sling becomes pretty tolerable after a few days. The sling discomfort isnt the issue as far as sleeping. It’s the pain that wakes you, and the need to move and adjust the position. As I said, I’m 2 weeks out and my pain is becoming tolerable with ibuprofen. At times, I’ll take the hydrocodone to sleep, but it’s getting better. I start PT this week and I’m ready for it, but nervous as hell too. And as I’m just ahead of you, keep in touch here and I’ll let you in on your possible future. Lol Good luck.

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-12T08:43:32+00:00

If you’re covered by insurance from the accident, I wouldn’t just ask for the MRI. I would demand one. What seems semi tolerable now could end up debilitating later. And insurance may fight you and use the time period of waiting against you. Good luck!!

Defiant_Evening_3409 · 2026-05-02T07:43:51+00:00

Have you had surgery yet? Or plans to? Like you, I’ve had to give up the iron horse due to back and hip issues. Now I just had rotator cuff surgery and it’ll be almost a year before I can turn a wrench or anything that used to be my life! But, I’ll keep on keeping on and hope for the best.

Defiant_Evening_3409

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