All right, where was I. I had an epidural at my blown out L4-L5 disc on 09/01/11. I had weird numb and tingling feelings on the outside of my leg. My pain was numb for about 4 hours before conveniently returning. The doc said it might get worse before it got better. I was in a good amount of pain for about a week straight.
A week later (09/08/11, if you're keeping track), I went to see Good Doc. He has hired a D.O. to work in his office, and invited her in to check me out. I explained what all had happened over the past 7 months, and she said, "Well, perhaps it's Maigne's Syndrome." I hadn't heard of that before. Neither had GD. It's amazingly simple really. The muscles around the spine where the thoracic vertebra and lumbar vertebra meet (thoracolumbar (TL) junction) get super tight and pull on the crest of the pelvis where all these nerves are. The ones that feel like SI Joint pain and herniated disc pain. The treatment is manual therapy and adjustment of the TL junction, which GD did. When I jumped up, I felt amazazing! I had gone into the office at a pain level of about 4. I left with it at about a 1.
The following day, I had a followup for my epidural with Dr. Sean's PA. I told her what had happened the day before (I still felt pretty good). She had never heard of this Maigne's Syndrome either, but tried to look it up on some medical diagnosis website. It wasn't there, so she googled it. After reading for a moment, she mentioned that it was more of a chiropractic diagnosis. Um, okay, but that really doesn't matter to me. Then she did an exam of me and asked where my pain was. I pointed to a spot on my back/upper butt. She said, "Oh, that's an inflamed gluteus medius muscle. It's common after injections." Derp. That's what she said before.
I got back to the chiro on Wednesday. Until them I am rolling on my foam roller and tennis ball and having very little pain. It's crazy that I've been so tortured for so many months by something that is actually relatively simple to remedy! I'm glad the new D.O. knows her stuff, or I would still be running in circles!
Showing posts with label doctor visit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doctor visit. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Easy Does It
I have been going to crossfit rather sporadically over the last month. When the new barbell club plan came out this week, I decided to give it a try because I've lost a lot of strength over the last 6/7 months of not exercising. This is what the plan looks like:
Day #1 Max Effort Deadlift
Start with bar. Do sets of two, adding weight until it gets hard. Then, go to 1 rep until failure in form, not failure of weight. After getting to single attempts, try to do no more than 3-5 singles.
Accessory Work
3 Sets of 15 reverse hypers, add weight each set.
3 Sets of Glute Ham Raises (let your legs do the counting, but if you can do more than 20 add weight)
100 Hollow Rocks (broken into as many sets as needed)
Foam Roll, and stretch for recovery.
Day #2 Dynamic Squat (50% with 25% band tension)
Do the posted WOD
Accessory Work
Skill work, GHD and reverse hyper. Prowler Drag, heel first and pop your hips to move the sled. This is not conditioning, so no running. Do a pass in the gym and add weight. Keep going as time allows.
Day #3 Max Effort Floor Press
Start with a barbell. Gradually add weight doing 2 reps per set until it gets hard. Start doing one rep each set until failure of form, not failure of weight. After getting to single attempts, try to do no more than 3-5 singles.
Accessory Work
3 Rounds:
Max Reps Chin ups
Max Reps Dips
Max Reps Rows with barbell
Day #4 Dynamic Bench
9×3 with bands and 50% weight
WOD:
Team WOD or
5 rounds
3 Stone to Shoulder
6 Dips (with weight on Matador or on rings)
9 Kettle Bell Swings (Heavy)
So yesterday was Day 1, and it went well. My new deadlift 1 rep max is a whopping 135#. Part of my little victory is just being able to lift. Since this started, I've gained about 5 lbs. It isn't much, but I notice quite a bit of change in body composition. My clothes have gotten uh, tighter. In the past, I've had great success with losing fat and maintaining that loss with lifting. I try to eat fairly healthily, but I'm not very strict and love some good comfort food. So it will probably take me awhile, but as long as I can keep chipping away, I'm good with that.
Following my workout, I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Sean's PA. I showed her where I was having pain, and she thought it is from an inflammed bursa along my pelvis. She shot some cortisone into it and told me to take it easy for the rest of the day. I contemplated going to work, but was sooo glad I didn't. As the evening wore on, I hurt more and more and may have gotten to a level 6/7. I feel better today. I'm not sure that's the only place where I had pain though. I go back in a week. Maybe it will be somewheres else then. It kind of seem like we're dealing with all the residual separate issues that are related to the si problem. Hopefully when it's all said and done, I'll be back 100%
Barbell Club
8/22/11- 8/27/11
Warm up with the class. Write down your numbers on the tracking sheet with comments.
Day #1 Max Effort Deadlift
Start with bar. Do sets of two, adding weight until it gets hard. Then, go to 1 rep until failure in form, not failure of weight. After getting to single attempts, try to do no more than 3-5 singles.
Accessory Work
3 Sets of 15 reverse hypers, add weight each set.
3 Sets of Glute Ham Raises (let your legs do the counting, but if you can do more than 20 add weight)
100 Hollow Rocks (broken into as many sets as needed)
Foam Roll, and stretch for recovery.
Day #2 Dynamic Squat (50% with 25% band tension)
Do the posted WOD
Accessory Work
Skill work, GHD and reverse hyper. Prowler Drag, heel first and pop your hips to move the sled. This is not conditioning, so no running. Do a pass in the gym and add weight. Keep going as time allows.
Day #3 Max Effort Floor Press
Start with a barbell. Gradually add weight doing 2 reps per set until it gets hard. Start doing one rep each set until failure of form, not failure of weight. After getting to single attempts, try to do no more than 3-5 singles.
Accessory Work
3 Rounds:
Max Reps Chin ups
Max Reps Dips
Max Reps Rows with barbell
Day #4 Dynamic Bench
9×3 with bands and 50% weight
WOD:
Team WOD or
5 rounds
3 Stone to Shoulder
6 Dips (with weight on Matador or on rings)
9 Kettle Bell Swings (Heavy)
So yesterday was Day 1, and it went well. My new deadlift 1 rep max is a whopping 135#. Part of my little victory is just being able to lift. Since this started, I've gained about 5 lbs. It isn't much, but I notice quite a bit of change in body composition. My clothes have gotten uh, tighter. In the past, I've had great success with losing fat and maintaining that loss with lifting. I try to eat fairly healthily, but I'm not very strict and love some good comfort food. So it will probably take me awhile, but as long as I can keep chipping away, I'm good with that.
Following my workout, I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Sean's PA. I showed her where I was having pain, and she thought it is from an inflammed bursa along my pelvis. She shot some cortisone into it and told me to take it easy for the rest of the day. I contemplated going to work, but was sooo glad I didn't. As the evening wore on, I hurt more and more and may have gotten to a level 6/7. I feel better today. I'm not sure that's the only place where I had pain though. I go back in a week. Maybe it will be somewheres else then. It kind of seem like we're dealing with all the residual separate issues that are related to the si problem. Hopefully when it's all said and done, I'll be back 100%
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Back Pain is the Devil
So I got a second injection into my SI Joint. It didn't hurt nearly like the first one did, and so I'm thinking I probably didn't need that one. Swell, but whatever. A week later, I was visiting a different physical therapist (mine was on vacay in Mexico), who thought my continued pain sounded like disc stuff to her. She called the doc, who I was going to see that day for a followup. The doc did an exam and told me that while my pain feels the same, it has actually moved. I don't know how that works, but okay. Doc said now I have an inflamed gluteus medius muscle, put me on muscle relaxers, and sent me back to work (on light duty). I don't know about all this. Some days it feels practically awesome. Most days it does not. I couldn't get comfortable last night and woke up in pain many many times.
I've continued to see my chiro and do my p/t religiously. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it does not. I probably should not have done a blog post today. I'm having a crappy day, punctuated by lack of sleep.
I got a SI belt. It helps.
Back pain is the devil.
I've continued to see my chiro and do my p/t religiously. Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it does not. I probably should not have done a blog post today. I'm having a crappy day, punctuated by lack of sleep.
I got a SI belt. It helps.
Back pain is the devil.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Shot Followup
I made Hubs go with me to my followup appointment because I was sad and needed support. My SI felt AMAZAZING on Tuesday. I classified it at a level 1 on the pain scale because it didn't really hurt, but I could still tell it was there. So it wasn't 100%, but it was something I could definitely work with. I went to Good Doc and jumped around and told him about how great this was and YAY!
Wednesday brought me back to Earth. I awoke and could feel sharp pain. Since the pain had changed after the shot to that achiness, I was scared something was amiss. My first PT appointment with Megan went well, but my back continued to get worse throughout the day. At night I cried, a little because it hurt, but a lot because I was so disheartened. I moped around on Thursday and got a massage.
Yesterday I had a followup appointment with Dr. Sean's PA. She was only about 45 minutes late. I understand sometimes things come up, because I have a job where that happens. I have never been more than 10 minutes late to an appointment with a "client." Sometimes I have to cancel appointments, but I always think it's better to do that, rather than have someone sit around, waiting. Then of course, I totally felt she was rushing through my appointment. I had questions, though, and I wasn't letting her leave until I got them all answered.
The PA said when someone has pain for so long, sometimes one injection isn't enough to get rid of the inflammation. She told me I have another option, and I forgot what it was called. Basically, they would sedate me slightly and do a minor surgery where the doc would burn off the nerves that go to the si joint that are causing pain. They grow back in about 6 months. First though, I can try another injection, which is scheduled for next week. I asked if they put different amounts of medicine in, or use a stronger type, and she said no.
Well, here's to hoping.
Oh, about Wednesday... The PT did her initial evaluation and gave me 2 exercises to do. The first I call "fat-skinny." I don't know what it's called in real life. Basically, I get on all fours and keep my back flat. Then I let my stomach hang out and suck it back in. 2 rounds of 20 reps, 2-3 times per day. The other is "nerve flossing," where I lie on my back, hold my right bent leg behind the knee, then straighten it and stop before there's pain. I'm not sure she realizes I don't have nerve pain, but whatever. I'll see whatever other crazy stuff she has me do on Monday.
Wednesday brought me back to Earth. I awoke and could feel sharp pain. Since the pain had changed after the shot to that achiness, I was scared something was amiss. My first PT appointment with Megan went well, but my back continued to get worse throughout the day. At night I cried, a little because it hurt, but a lot because I was so disheartened. I moped around on Thursday and got a massage.
Yesterday I had a followup appointment with Dr. Sean's PA. She was only about 45 minutes late. I understand sometimes things come up, because I have a job where that happens. I have never been more than 10 minutes late to an appointment with a "client." Sometimes I have to cancel appointments, but I always think it's better to do that, rather than have someone sit around, waiting. Then of course, I totally felt she was rushing through my appointment. I had questions, though, and I wasn't letting her leave until I got them all answered.
The PA said when someone has pain for so long, sometimes one injection isn't enough to get rid of the inflammation. She told me I have another option, and I forgot what it was called. Basically, they would sedate me slightly and do a minor surgery where the doc would burn off the nerves that go to the si joint that are causing pain. They grow back in about 6 months. First though, I can try another injection, which is scheduled for next week. I asked if they put different amounts of medicine in, or use a stronger type, and she said no.
Well, here's to hoping.
Oh, about Wednesday... The PT did her initial evaluation and gave me 2 exercises to do. The first I call "fat-skinny." I don't know what it's called in real life. Basically, I get on all fours and keep my back flat. Then I let my stomach hang out and suck it back in. 2 rounds of 20 reps, 2-3 times per day. The other is "nerve flossing," where I lie on my back, hold my right bent leg behind the knee, then straighten it and stop before there's pain. I'm not sure she realizes I don't have nerve pain, but whatever. I'll see whatever other crazy stuff she has me do on Monday.
Friday, July 1, 2011
boring
My dogs are mopey. It's almost pathetic how they follow me from the living room to the office, flopping their not-so-little bodies on the ground with a grunt.
It's hot out, and I hurt. Even if I felt like taking them for a walk, the dark one would wimp out after the first quarter mile. In the past I have pulled her along while she plodded at the end of her leash like a mule. She's the size of a small mule.
I got injected today. My mom-in-law decided yesterday that she should take me. She's slightly nutty, but I really didn't mind. The last few days, I had started to get nervous about needles being stuck deep into my bottom. We arrived to the doc's office at 0830. I waited briefly in the lobby and then longer in an exam room. The nurse gave me the same pretty shorts I had had at the other doctor's office. I honestly tried getting a photo of them, but it wasn't working out. Just imagine the 80's. And a pair of paper shorts 8 sizes too big.
The doc stopped in for a moment, and we chatted. He asked if he could pray. I think it's cool my doc and I are on the same religion page. Off he went. I think the nurse took me to the injection room around 0930. I went face down on their table, while some unseen force swabbed iodine-ish stuff across my right butt cheek. The three voices in the room tried to carry on their conversation in a way that would not offend the patient. It was funny. A song came on their radio about sex. Somebody changed it, while a smartass chided, "What was that song about?" "Fornication," I giggled. The doc came in and explained to them the plan was to inject the SI joint and possibly do an epidural. "So we're going to flip a coin to see if she gets the epidural?" The smartass was at it again. "Yeah, that's it," the doc told him. I put in my two cents, "Hey, I feel good about that too."
The doc stuck something like sticky paper to my butt. He said, "Big stick," and by the time I could process what he was saying, he was jamming a needle in my ass. That part didn't really hurt much, but my involuntary butt twitch activated anyway. He pushed the needle in further until he got the the joint. I grabbed onto the table and worked my feet to dissipate the pain. Doc asked for the pain level. 8. He made it hurt a little longer and then backed out. I think he disappeared into thin air after that. I don't remember seeing him as I sat up and slid off the table. The nurse/techs were asking if I had any numbness or weakness. I did not. They wheeled me into the next room, where another lady stoodby with my clothes. I changed, she asked me what my pain was and walked me out.
This is not fairy dust. I guess it takes a few days to really feel better. The joint doesn't hurt the same way it had been, which was more of a stabbing/burning pain. This is sore and achey. I'm hopeful that pain will leave over the next few days. I realize that some of these muscles have been tight and painful for the last 6 months, and it might take some time to get them back to their previous level of flexibility. I'm especially frustrated today because I want to stretch the frack out of them, but cannot. They told me to take it easy today, and I'm afraid if I get started on something, I'll forget and overdo it. Or it will just mess with the joint.
Patience. I still don't has it yet.
It's hot out, and I hurt. Even if I felt like taking them for a walk, the dark one would wimp out after the first quarter mile. In the past I have pulled her along while she plodded at the end of her leash like a mule. She's the size of a small mule.
I got injected today. My mom-in-law decided yesterday that she should take me. She's slightly nutty, but I really didn't mind. The last few days, I had started to get nervous about needles being stuck deep into my bottom. We arrived to the doc's office at 0830. I waited briefly in the lobby and then longer in an exam room. The nurse gave me the same pretty shorts I had had at the other doctor's office. I honestly tried getting a photo of them, but it wasn't working out. Just imagine the 80's. And a pair of paper shorts 8 sizes too big.
The doc stopped in for a moment, and we chatted. He asked if he could pray. I think it's cool my doc and I are on the same religion page. Off he went. I think the nurse took me to the injection room around 0930. I went face down on their table, while some unseen force swabbed iodine-ish stuff across my right butt cheek. The three voices in the room tried to carry on their conversation in a way that would not offend the patient. It was funny. A song came on their radio about sex. Somebody changed it, while a smartass chided, "What was that song about?" "Fornication," I giggled. The doc came in and explained to them the plan was to inject the SI joint and possibly do an epidural. "So we're going to flip a coin to see if she gets the epidural?" The smartass was at it again. "Yeah, that's it," the doc told him. I put in my two cents, "Hey, I feel good about that too."
The doc stuck something like sticky paper to my butt. He said, "Big stick," and by the time I could process what he was saying, he was jamming a needle in my ass. That part didn't really hurt much, but my involuntary butt twitch activated anyway. He pushed the needle in further until he got the the joint. I grabbed onto the table and worked my feet to dissipate the pain. Doc asked for the pain level. 8. He made it hurt a little longer and then backed out. I think he disappeared into thin air after that. I don't remember seeing him as I sat up and slid off the table. The nurse/techs were asking if I had any numbness or weakness. I did not. They wheeled me into the next room, where another lady stoodby with my clothes. I changed, she asked me what my pain was and walked me out.
This is not fairy dust. I guess it takes a few days to really feel better. The joint doesn't hurt the same way it had been, which was more of a stabbing/burning pain. This is sore and achey. I'm hopeful that pain will leave over the next few days. I realize that some of these muscles have been tight and painful for the last 6 months, and it might take some time to get them back to their previous level of flexibility. I'm especially frustrated today because I want to stretch the frack out of them, but cannot. They told me to take it easy today, and I'm afraid if I get started on something, I'll forget and overdo it. Or it will just mess with the joint.
Patience. I still don't has it yet.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Day after Tomorrow
I'm getting shots in my SI Joint.
I went to see Dr. Sean, a pain management specialist. He is a sweet guy and was really good at explaining stuff. It was most of the stuff that has been explained to me before about my back, but he threw in some extra info that made me say, "ah ha," a few times. The Doc. also talks really really fast, so it wasn't as though he was boring me. He agrees that my pain looks like SI Joint less than herniated discs. He also said my MRI shows pretty significant damage to one of my discs.
The plan for Thursday is to get up at the crack of dawn and go to his office for my injection(s). He is going to shoot some numbing stuff into the joint, and if there is instant relief, he will know that is where the problem lies. If there is no relief, this would indicate that my disc is the problem, and he will do an epidural at the offending spinal locale.
Following that party, I will do physical therapy, the importance of which had not been explained to me in detail before (or perhaps, I just understood the new doc's explanation better). Dr. Sean said that due to the weakness in my core/spinal muscles, my other muscles contract to try to compensate, causing unnatural tension and the ensuing discomfort and pain in my SI joint. In order to alleviate the over-compensation, I need the physical therapy to isolate and strengthen those core muscles.
I've already started with a few of my previous PT exercises. After the family crisis, I didn't sleep, eat, or do much of anything besides get through the day for a few weeks. I'm doing much better now, and am ready to get back on track.
I went to see Dr. Sean, a pain management specialist. He is a sweet guy and was really good at explaining stuff. It was most of the stuff that has been explained to me before about my back, but he threw in some extra info that made me say, "ah ha," a few times. The Doc. also talks really really fast, so it wasn't as though he was boring me. He agrees that my pain looks like SI Joint less than herniated discs. He also said my MRI shows pretty significant damage to one of my discs.
The plan for Thursday is to get up at the crack of dawn and go to his office for my injection(s). He is going to shoot some numbing stuff into the joint, and if there is instant relief, he will know that is where the problem lies. If there is no relief, this would indicate that my disc is the problem, and he will do an epidural at the offending spinal locale.
Following that party, I will do physical therapy, the importance of which had not been explained to me in detail before (or perhaps, I just understood the new doc's explanation better). Dr. Sean said that due to the weakness in my core/spinal muscles, my other muscles contract to try to compensate, causing unnatural tension and the ensuing discomfort and pain in my SI joint. In order to alleviate the over-compensation, I need the physical therapy to isolate and strengthen those core muscles.
I've already started with a few of my previous PT exercises. After the family crisis, I didn't sleep, eat, or do much of anything besides get through the day for a few weeks. I'm doing much better now, and am ready to get back on track.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Blur
We've had a family crisis around here. It has been kind of life-changing, and I (for one) am reworking my priority list.
In the meantime, my back has totally turned on me. I'm not going to work until it's better. I have an appointment coming up with a new pain management guy, so I'm hoping for some resolution there. In the meantime, I went to my primary care doc. She didn't like the copious amounts of ibuprofen that I have been ingesting, and put me on naproxen sodium. I haven't really noticed it doing much, but then it apparently has to build up in the system. She also prescribed Lortab for pain. I'm not totally impressed with it, because I think you have to kind of take it all the time for it to work. I took it as prescribed (1-2 every 4-6 hours) one day, and it did seem to help. It also made me crazy tired, and I passed out for a good 11 hours. Then I woke up in pain anyway. I haven't done that again! I've taken 1 at night when I'm going to bed, but I can't tell it does anything.
I've been attempting to keep moving. I limp when I walk now. I try to keep my hamstrings and everything good and stretched, but nothing appears to want to cooperate. I bought some kava tea yesterday, and will see if it helps. It's supposed to be a natural muscle relaxant. We shall see.
In the meantime, my back has totally turned on me. I'm not going to work until it's better. I have an appointment coming up with a new pain management guy, so I'm hoping for some resolution there. In the meantime, I went to my primary care doc. She didn't like the copious amounts of ibuprofen that I have been ingesting, and put me on naproxen sodium. I haven't really noticed it doing much, but then it apparently has to build up in the system. She also prescribed Lortab for pain. I'm not totally impressed with it, because I think you have to kind of take it all the time for it to work. I took it as prescribed (1-2 every 4-6 hours) one day, and it did seem to help. It also made me crazy tired, and I passed out for a good 11 hours. Then I woke up in pain anyway. I haven't done that again! I've taken 1 at night when I'm going to bed, but I can't tell it does anything.
I've been attempting to keep moving. I limp when I walk now. I try to keep my hamstrings and everything good and stretched, but nothing appears to want to cooperate. I bought some kava tea yesterday, and will see if it helps. It's supposed to be a natural muscle relaxant. We shall see.
Friday, May 20, 2011
I forgot...
and I don't even have any good excuses. On the other hand, constantly updating the blog with things like, "I am currently rolling around on the living room floor in pain," and "my husband is not allowed to look at me funny because my back pain is unbearable and I will scream obscenities at him," aren't how I like to spend my blog posts. That was pretty much how it went all week. During my 4 day pity party, I tried to figure out why my muscles get so tight. Because it seems like, if they would just chill the freak out for a minute, the pain would go away. I always feel loads better after exercise, yoga, GD visit, and any other type of loosening up movements. Of course, even after those things, the pain is still there, but it's mellow and doesn't control everything I do.
For the record, last weekend sucked. I worked all weekend with a co-worker I can barely stand to be around, and we had to put in some overtime that was basically a huge waste all because of her. I know, right? Total drama. I don't if it's stress or what, but I had been waking up in the middle of my sleep all week. Sometimes I couldn't get back to sleep, or I would, but then wake up more. Generally, I dragged my butt out of bed when the dogs started whining, let them out, and fell back asleep on the couch. I slept a lot this week (to the point, I was REALLY starting to wonder what was wrong with me)!
Today I had a GD visit scheduled at 0930. I seriously was dreading getting up that early because I just haven't been able to get moving in the morning. To help me drift off into a peaceful slumber, I popped a melatonin before crashing out. I don't like taking anything for sleep because it all makes me feel groggy when I awake. Even though it's supposed to be natural, even melantonin makes me feel like I drank a case of beer in bed, so I just generally try to avoid it.
For the record (Mom), I have never drunk a case of beer. Shortly after I turned 21, I decided to try a 6 pack in one night. I was done after 3. That's how I roll.
This morning I awoke kind of freaked out. Mostly because I didn't hurt. I moved around a little and still didn't hurt. I thought, "I need to get out of bed and try this out." Well, that's when I hurt. But nothing like the past 4 days! I felt freaking awesome! I wasn't all stiff and painful when going from sitting to standing and reached to about my knees before I had to stop.
Fairy Dust.
or perhaps a good 8 hours of non-interrupted sleep.
and maybe the coconut water I drank yesterday helped?
I don't know. I heard it has a lot of electrolytes and is good for muscles, but I'm not convinced it's a miracle cure. I'm not convinced it isn't helpful though. And how can I go wrong getting plenty of sleep and sucking down some not-so-delicious nectar of the Gods? I put some in a protein shake today to hide the weird flavor. It worked.
Now on this sleep thing, I don't want to take stuff to put me out everynight. I need sleep therapy.
For the record, last weekend sucked. I worked all weekend with a co-worker I can barely stand to be around, and we had to put in some overtime that was basically a huge waste all because of her. I know, right? Total drama. I don't if it's stress or what, but I had been waking up in the middle of my sleep all week. Sometimes I couldn't get back to sleep, or I would, but then wake up more. Generally, I dragged my butt out of bed when the dogs started whining, let them out, and fell back asleep on the couch. I slept a lot this week (to the point, I was REALLY starting to wonder what was wrong with me)!
Today I had a GD visit scheduled at 0930. I seriously was dreading getting up that early because I just haven't been able to get moving in the morning. To help me drift off into a peaceful slumber, I popped a melatonin before crashing out. I don't like taking anything for sleep because it all makes me feel groggy when I awake. Even though it's supposed to be natural, even melantonin makes me feel like I drank a case of beer in bed, so I just generally try to avoid it.
For the record (Mom), I have never drunk a case of beer. Shortly after I turned 21, I decided to try a 6 pack in one night. I was done after 3. That's how I roll.
This morning I awoke kind of freaked out. Mostly because I didn't hurt. I moved around a little and still didn't hurt. I thought, "I need to get out of bed and try this out." Well, that's when I hurt. But nothing like the past 4 days! I felt freaking awesome! I wasn't all stiff and painful when going from sitting to standing and reached to about my knees before I had to stop.
Fairy Dust.
or perhaps a good 8 hours of non-interrupted sleep.
and maybe the coconut water I drank yesterday helped?
I don't know. I heard it has a lot of electrolytes and is good for muscles, but I'm not convinced it's a miracle cure. I'm not convinced it isn't helpful though. And how can I go wrong getting plenty of sleep and sucking down some not-so-delicious nectar of the Gods? I put some in a protein shake today to hide the weird flavor. It worked.
Now on this sleep thing, I don't want to take stuff to put me out everynight. I need sleep therapy.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Magic
Good Doc sprinkled fairy dust on my hip today, and now it's all better.
I wish it were true. I'm hopeful that day is getter closer. GD continues to tell my my back feels better to him, and I think perhaps we have found a recipe that is starting to work. I go to yoga and crossfit. He digs his elbows into my fleshy posterior bits. The si joint feels just lovely today. I know there is still something going on back there, but it isn't controlling my every thought and action.
I wish it were true. I'm hopeful that day is getter closer. GD continues to tell my my back feels better to him, and I think perhaps we have found a recipe that is starting to work. I go to yoga and crossfit. He digs his elbows into my fleshy posterior bits. The si joint feels just lovely today. I know there is still something going on back there, but it isn't controlling my every thought and action.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Good Day in the Books!
Yesterday was a good day! It was very much needed. Hubs and I were both off work, but he sleeps until about 3 pm (yay night shifters!). I planned the early part of my day all around my back.
1030-1130 Yoga
The instructor was new to me and perhaps better than the lady who does the evening classes. Her poses were very different, and it felt less like she was trying to cram a bunch of everything into the hour. Forward folds and down dogs are still kicking my butt.
1200-1300 Crossfit
I heart being able to go to CC's class. He had me deadlift out of the rack to protect my back, and I only picked up 113# from there. I'm not worrying about what my previous PR's were because that's a good way to get frustrated. Everything starts over, and I just have to laugh and shake my head at my numbers. I did the WOD in 17:15, scaling 15# dumbbells for the bar on squat cleans, a 4# ball on wall balls, and assisted dips. I actually wouldn't really describe what I was doing as "cleans" either. I was really just flinging the dumbells up to my shoulders. Hey, it didn't hurt my back that way. It felt so good to go there and workout with my peoples. I loved it.
1400-1430 Good Doc
Okay, Good Chiropractor, whatev. He ultrasounded, manual therapy'd, and electrified my back. Don't you wish I knew the names of what he was actually doing? Sometimes I ask, then I forget. He said my back felt better...not so tight and icky. So I don't have to go back for a week and a half. I told him about all my core exercises, and he was down with that. I've also been rolling my back and legs on my foam roller pretty hard core the last few days. It's heavenly.
Then I went home, made Hubs take me to get the oil in the car changed. I freaking hate getting my oil changed. I hate that the dudes lie about what needs to be fixed. I know they're just trying to make a buck off of an ignoramus, and I'm not down with that. Hubs has a mechanic that we use because we trust him, and he doesn't jerk us around. I wish I could find an oil change place that was the same way. This place has been telling me I need new rear shocks for the last two years. The mechanic tells me otherwise. Yesterday, they told me I needed new rear brakes and a new air filter, as well. I don't know anything about cars, but I do know how to change my air filter. Go me. And it isn't like I'm going to trust them about the brakes thing now. grrr. I would complain, but I'm afraid they'll sabotage my car or something.
Back to my good day, Hubs and I went out to eat. I was still running on the Clif Bar I had eaten around 0930. Then he bought me a giant exercise ball. Yes! I'm going to sit on it at my desk because sitting on my little one at home hurts less than sitting on a chair. I'm sitting on it now.
Yeah, it was a nice little Monday.
1030-1130 Yoga
The instructor was new to me and perhaps better than the lady who does the evening classes. Her poses were very different, and it felt less like she was trying to cram a bunch of everything into the hour. Forward folds and down dogs are still kicking my butt.
1200-1300 Crossfit
I heart being able to go to CC's class. He had me deadlift out of the rack to protect my back, and I only picked up 113# from there. I'm not worrying about what my previous PR's were because that's a good way to get frustrated. Everything starts over, and I just have to laugh and shake my head at my numbers. I did the WOD in 17:15, scaling 15# dumbbells for the bar on squat cleans, a 4# ball on wall balls, and assisted dips. I actually wouldn't really describe what I was doing as "cleans" either. I was really just flinging the dumbells up to my shoulders. Hey, it didn't hurt my back that way. It felt so good to go there and workout with my peoples. I loved it.
1400-1430 Good Doc
Okay, Good Chiropractor, whatev. He ultrasounded, manual therapy'd, and electrified my back. Don't you wish I knew the names of what he was actually doing? Sometimes I ask, then I forget. He said my back felt better...not so tight and icky. So I don't have to go back for a week and a half. I told him about all my core exercises, and he was down with that. I've also been rolling my back and legs on my foam roller pretty hard core the last few days. It's heavenly.
Then I went home, made Hubs take me to get the oil in the car changed. I freaking hate getting my oil changed. I hate that the dudes lie about what needs to be fixed. I know they're just trying to make a buck off of an ignoramus, and I'm not down with that. Hubs has a mechanic that we use because we trust him, and he doesn't jerk us around. I wish I could find an oil change place that was the same way. This place has been telling me I need new rear shocks for the last two years. The mechanic tells me otherwise. Yesterday, they told me I needed new rear brakes and a new air filter, as well. I don't know anything about cars, but I do know how to change my air filter. Go me. And it isn't like I'm going to trust them about the brakes thing now. grrr. I would complain, but I'm afraid they'll sabotage my car or something.
Back to my good day, Hubs and I went out to eat. I was still running on the Clif Bar I had eaten around 0930. Then he bought me a giant exercise ball. Yes! I'm going to sit on it at my desk because sitting on my little one at home hurts less than sitting on a chair. I'm sitting on it now.
Yeah, it was a nice little Monday.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Neurologist...Smeurologist
I waited a while to update the blog because I was hoping for great things after the neurologist visit. Needless to say, I'm still waiting. In the meantime, sit back, grab a beer, and I'll tell you a story about the doctor I fired this week.
Thursday morning, my phone rang and it was MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.)'s office on the other end. They'd had a cancellation at 2pm and wanted to know if I would like to move my appointment up an hour. It didn't really matter to me. The way I've understood doctor's offices to work in the past, they set up all the appointments and then run late. The later in the day it is, the later they are for your appointment. One hour isn't much, but I decided it might save me a few extra minutes of waiting. I had already filled out my new patient forms online, but they requested I arrive at 1:45 pm, so they could get my insurance information.
Of course, I was there at 1:40, insurance card in hand. I gave it to the receptionist, who gave me a pager and told me a number would light up and to go to that booth where I would get checked in. You know, kind of like an assembly line. Awesome. I sat in the waiting room and waited. A lady called me over to the booth, verified some of my information, and took my copay. She then told me to have a seat, and the pager would go off when the nurse was ready to take me back. I had my seat. I sat for a long time. My back hurt. Bad. I would estimate it was about a 9.728 on the pain scale. My pager went off, and I met the nurse past the row of booths. She told me she had made a mistake and paged me too early. Please have a seat, and I'll page you again when MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) is ready.
I sat. I don't know what time it was when she originally paged me. I sat there in pain fighting back tears of anger and pain. It hurt to stand. It hurt to sit. I nearly walked out. I realized I had already paid my $30 and sat here this long, so MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) was going see me. I tried to readjust my attitude before my pager went off. It didn't buzz again until 2:40 p.m.
I gave the nurse my xrays and mri. She weighed, measured me, and took my temp. She told me MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) would be in to see me in a few minutes and to please put on some paper shorts. They were extremely flattering. I should have taken a picture for you. I couldn't stand or sit any longer. I supined out on the exam table.
MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) came in, and I sat up while he conducted a short interview...when the pain started, what I had done for it (ibuprofen), who I had seen (Good Doc). Then he did his exam, which mostly consisted of me pushing and pulling against his hands with various parts of my legs and feet. He asked me to lie back down, and he lifted my left leg. I shrieked. He did the other slower and asked about the pain. I told him the pain was always on the right.
He sat back on his doctory chair and told me I had a disc problem. "Really," I said. "Why wouldn't you think SI Joint?"
I didn't think my question warranted his snarky response. According to MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.), "Well, as a physician, my medical opinion is that you have a [disc problem]." (I don't remember exactly what terminology he used. It was the same old herniation pressing against the nerve story. I'm not a moron. I don't need it explained to me a thousand times, but I let him talk). He then went on to explain the one apparent test for si joint dysfunction that he did, which did not cause pain. He explained the pain I had when he lifted my legs was indicative of the disc problem. Yeah, but it's also indicative of an si joint problem. Then he talked about the MRI and blah blah blah. So he was deciding to treat my MRI and not my back pain.
I didn't ask the question as a challenge. I legitimately wanted to know what he had learned from 5 minutes in a room with me that made him so sure. When MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) gave me attitude for asking a simple freaking question, we became not friends very quickly in my little bird brain. As I explained to MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.), "It's all well and good that you can put M.D. after your name, but you still don't know where my pain is. If you'd like, I can go ahead and show you now."
As I stood up and turned around to show him, he proceeded to push on the lower part of my back, while asking if it hurt. "It hurts because you're bouncing me around, but where you're touching doesn't hurt."
Then he showed me where my si joint is. Like I don't know. He said, "This is your si joint..." I interrupted before he got out the crayons to draw me a picture. I told him, "I know. And that is where my pain is." He said maybe I had both a disc problem and si joint problem.
I have to admit, I didn't listen to much more of what he said. He offered to treat me with a steroid dose pack or injections. I did some quick mental acrobatics. I don't want some idiot poking stuff around in my spine, especially if that isn't where the problem lies. I have to do something though because this pain is freaking out of control. I thought if I go for the dose pack, then that should treat the si joint too. So I got a prescription from him. I told him about the core exercises I've been doing. He suggested that I stop and do these dorky easy ones on a piece of paper he gave me. He walked me out saying how I should call and let him know how it goes. I said, "Yeah, we'll see." And that was that. I didn't actually come out and fire him because I wanted to try this dose pack thing and I'm tired of freaking waiting around for something to get better.
I called my mom to ask her what she thought. I cried. She was already angry and frustrated with my sister's recent doctors' appointments. She listened while I ranted. I listened while she ranted. (Lil Sis possibly has compartment syndrome. She is still in high school and under my parents insurance, which is good for her because without Mom, I don't know if she could navigate all the doctors and stuff. Shoot, I'm 30 years old and still need my mom's help with this.)
Mom is an RN. She thinks steroids are the devil but pretty much believes that about most medicine. She told me it's a miracle drug and will mask the problem, so I have to keep up with pt and treating the actual cause of the pain. Since this crap has taken over my life though, she said in my shoes, she would try it too.
So I am. I guess it takes a couple of days to build up or something. I started the dose pack Friday morning and have seen no improvement yet...
Thursday morning, my phone rang and it was MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.)'s office on the other end. They'd had a cancellation at 2pm and wanted to know if I would like to move my appointment up an hour. It didn't really matter to me. The way I've understood doctor's offices to work in the past, they set up all the appointments and then run late. The later in the day it is, the later they are for your appointment. One hour isn't much, but I decided it might save me a few extra minutes of waiting. I had already filled out my new patient forms online, but they requested I arrive at 1:45 pm, so they could get my insurance information.
Of course, I was there at 1:40, insurance card in hand. I gave it to the receptionist, who gave me a pager and told me a number would light up and to go to that booth where I would get checked in. You know, kind of like an assembly line. Awesome. I sat in the waiting room and waited. A lady called me over to the booth, verified some of my information, and took my copay. She then told me to have a seat, and the pager would go off when the nurse was ready to take me back. I had my seat. I sat for a long time. My back hurt. Bad. I would estimate it was about a 9.728 on the pain scale. My pager went off, and I met the nurse past the row of booths. She told me she had made a mistake and paged me too early. Please have a seat, and I'll page you again when MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) is ready.
I sat. I don't know what time it was when she originally paged me. I sat there in pain fighting back tears of anger and pain. It hurt to stand. It hurt to sit. I nearly walked out. I realized I had already paid my $30 and sat here this long, so MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) was going see me. I tried to readjust my attitude before my pager went off. It didn't buzz again until 2:40 p.m.
I gave the nurse my xrays and mri. She weighed, measured me, and took my temp. She told me MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) would be in to see me in a few minutes and to please put on some paper shorts. They were extremely flattering. I should have taken a picture for you. I couldn't stand or sit any longer. I supined out on the exam table.
MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) came in, and I sat up while he conducted a short interview...when the pain started, what I had done for it (ibuprofen), who I had seen (Good Doc). Then he did his exam, which mostly consisted of me pushing and pulling against his hands with various parts of my legs and feet. He asked me to lie back down, and he lifted my left leg. I shrieked. He did the other slower and asked about the pain. I told him the pain was always on the right.
He sat back on his doctory chair and told me I had a disc problem. "Really," I said. "Why wouldn't you think SI Joint?"
I didn't think my question warranted his snarky response. According to MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.), "Well, as a physician, my medical opinion is that you have a [disc problem]." (I don't remember exactly what terminology he used. It was the same old herniation pressing against the nerve story. I'm not a moron. I don't need it explained to me a thousand times, but I let him talk). He then went on to explain the one apparent test for si joint dysfunction that he did, which did not cause pain. He explained the pain I had when he lifted my legs was indicative of the disc problem. Yeah, but it's also indicative of an si joint problem. Then he talked about the MRI and blah blah blah. So he was deciding to treat my MRI and not my back pain.
I didn't ask the question as a challenge. I legitimately wanted to know what he had learned from 5 minutes in a room with me that made him so sure. When MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.) gave me attitude for asking a simple freaking question, we became not friends very quickly in my little bird brain. As I explained to MrBigShotNeurologist (M.D.), "It's all well and good that you can put M.D. after your name, but you still don't know where my pain is. If you'd like, I can go ahead and show you now."
As I stood up and turned around to show him, he proceeded to push on the lower part of my back, while asking if it hurt. "It hurts because you're bouncing me around, but where you're touching doesn't hurt."
Then he showed me where my si joint is. Like I don't know. He said, "This is your si joint..." I interrupted before he got out the crayons to draw me a picture. I told him, "I know. And that is where my pain is." He said maybe I had both a disc problem and si joint problem.
I have to admit, I didn't listen to much more of what he said. He offered to treat me with a steroid dose pack or injections. I did some quick mental acrobatics. I don't want some idiot poking stuff around in my spine, especially if that isn't where the problem lies. I have to do something though because this pain is freaking out of control. I thought if I go for the dose pack, then that should treat the si joint too. So I got a prescription from him. I told him about the core exercises I've been doing. He suggested that I stop and do these dorky easy ones on a piece of paper he gave me. He walked me out saying how I should call and let him know how it goes. I said, "Yeah, we'll see." And that was that. I didn't actually come out and fire him because I wanted to try this dose pack thing and I'm tired of freaking waiting around for something to get better.
I called my mom to ask her what she thought. I cried. She was already angry and frustrated with my sister's recent doctors' appointments. She listened while I ranted. I listened while she ranted. (Lil Sis possibly has compartment syndrome. She is still in high school and under my parents insurance, which is good for her because without Mom, I don't know if she could navigate all the doctors and stuff. Shoot, I'm 30 years old and still need my mom's help with this.)
Mom is an RN. She thinks steroids are the devil but pretty much believes that about most medicine. She told me it's a miracle drug and will mask the problem, so I have to keep up with pt and treating the actual cause of the pain. Since this crap has taken over my life though, she said in my shoes, she would try it too.
So I am. I guess it takes a couple of days to build up or something. I started the dose pack Friday morning and have seen no improvement yet...
Friday, April 22, 2011
Dear Adam,
Your witch doctor hurts me. Also, he is apparently interested in what you were wearing yesterday.
After visiting with CC and lots of the boys at work who have back owies, I was quite sure that CC was completely right about my back. Why wouldn't he be, right? It's the old SI joint after all. Yesterday I visited GD and spoke with him about my revelations. He agreed and explained that when we got the MRI results, he did not want to aggressively work on the si joint without being sure I wasn't having disc pain. Apparently, in GD's language "I have no disc pain" is code for "please hurt me as much as possible." After ultrasounding my back/hip, he dug into my hip and glutes. There may have even been a flying back elbow move thrown in for fun. He stuck on the electrodes, zapped me and ended with a little TLC for my discs. Oh wait, he then ended by adjusting my si joint.
While all this was going on, we had a grand ol' time. Seriously, I've never had more fun at a hospital than talking to this guy while he tortures me. He told me a story about our bud, Adam, who referred me to GD. Evidently GD was being funny that morning and sent Adam a text: "Hey Sexy, what are you wearing?" Except that he had misplaced that Adam's phone number and sent it to another Adam, with whom he doesn't have that sort of relationship. Oops! Other Adam didn't respond, and we decided that was kind of crappy. I've received/sent a couple of messages intended for someone else, and it's kind of necessary to acknowledge them. That way, both parties know a mistake was made and silent awkwardness about it can be replaced with laughter.
Next Thursday I visit the pain dude. Even though it's been a long wait and there haven't been improvements, I'm glad we finally got the pain narrowed down to the actual problem.
So how do I feel today? I was hoping yesterday was my miracle cure day, that the adjustment would make it all better. Suddenly, I would be able to skip and jump and reach for my toes without pain. Sadly (and as you could probably guess), this is not the case. In fact, I feel just awful today. The kind of awful that I would happily commit to recliner-land, never moving from my favorite comfy chair. However, being the responsible adult that sometimes I wish I weren't, I thought being still, confined, and not moving would probably not be the best idea in the long run. So I dragged my butt to yoga. It hurt. Then I went grocery shopping. It frustrated me. I came home and put groceries away. Originally, I had awakened this morning with grand schemes for what I felt like cooking. I haven't felt like cooking lately, so I was excited. Following my morning activities (punctuated by pain, naturally), all I felt like doing was taking a nap. So I did. It was glorious. By the time, Hubs got up (he works nights), I still didn't feel like cooking. Luckily, I felt obligated to. I whipped up some chicken breast stuffed with bacon/spinach/cheese and covered with jalapeno cream sauce. Afterward, I was quite happy with my decision to make dinner because I felt like I had won a small battle in this war between me and the back pain. Or hip joint pain. Whatever.
After visiting with CC and lots of the boys at work who have back owies, I was quite sure that CC was completely right about my back. Why wouldn't he be, right? It's the old SI joint after all. Yesterday I visited GD and spoke with him about my revelations. He agreed and explained that when we got the MRI results, he did not want to aggressively work on the si joint without being sure I wasn't having disc pain. Apparently, in GD's language "I have no disc pain" is code for "please hurt me as much as possible." After ultrasounding my back/hip, he dug into my hip and glutes. There may have even been a flying back elbow move thrown in for fun. He stuck on the electrodes, zapped me and ended with a little TLC for my discs. Oh wait, he then ended by adjusting my si joint.
While all this was going on, we had a grand ol' time. Seriously, I've never had more fun at a hospital than talking to this guy while he tortures me. He told me a story about our bud, Adam, who referred me to GD. Evidently GD was being funny that morning and sent Adam a text: "Hey Sexy, what are you wearing?" Except that he had misplaced that Adam's phone number and sent it to another Adam, with whom he doesn't have that sort of relationship. Oops! Other Adam didn't respond, and we decided that was kind of crappy. I've received/sent a couple of messages intended for someone else, and it's kind of necessary to acknowledge them. That way, both parties know a mistake was made and silent awkwardness about it can be replaced with laughter.
Next Thursday I visit the pain dude. Even though it's been a long wait and there haven't been improvements, I'm glad we finally got the pain narrowed down to the actual problem.
So how do I feel today? I was hoping yesterday was my miracle cure day, that the adjustment would make it all better. Suddenly, I would be able to skip and jump and reach for my toes without pain. Sadly (and as you could probably guess), this is not the case. In fact, I feel just awful today. The kind of awful that I would happily commit to recliner-land, never moving from my favorite comfy chair. However, being the responsible adult that sometimes I wish I weren't, I thought being still, confined, and not moving would probably not be the best idea in the long run. So I dragged my butt to yoga. It hurt. Then I went grocery shopping. It frustrated me. I came home and put groceries away. Originally, I had awakened this morning with grand schemes for what I felt like cooking. I haven't felt like cooking lately, so I was excited. Following my morning activities (punctuated by pain, naturally), all I felt like doing was taking a nap. So I did. It was glorious. By the time, Hubs got up (he works nights), I still didn't feel like cooking. Luckily, I felt obligated to. I whipped up some chicken breast stuffed with bacon/spinach/cheese and covered with jalapeno cream sauce. Afterward, I was quite happy with my decision to make dinner because I felt like I had won a small battle in this war between me and the back pain. Or hip joint pain. Whatever.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
My favorites
Sometimes I meet certain people (or as I get to know said people better), and I think "So&So is my favorite." Today I had two favorites: Good Doc (G.D.) and my favorite crossfit coach (C.C.). He's always my favorite though.
I visited GD this morning after my stupid dogs kept me awake all night. After I had fallen asleep, Sonny barked twice. They never bark at night, so it kind of freaked me out. I had to grab some defense and clear the house. Later, I awoke to the sound of licking. It had to have been the loudest licking in the history of licking because I heard it though my ear plugs. I yelled at them, and Hubs let them out of the room. When Hubs came to bed, Lucy stuck her nose in my back and woke me up again. I wouldn't be opposed to moving their happy little doggy beds outside the room. Somebody else is though.
GD said I looked very yellow. I think he was talking about my energy which is kind of different and whatever. He ultrasounded me and did some flexion and distraction. Then he evaluated my pt exercises. Apparently I sucked at them, but he gave me a new one to do. Lie on the ol' back and lift the hips up to make a bridge.
As I was about to walk out, GD said something like, "I only gave you one new exercise, right?"
"Yeah. The bridge thing."
"Right. Because you didn't do your other ones last week."
This is my artistic rendition of how I felt about that comment:
*By the way, I was wearing a headwrap/band thing because I had just rolled out of bed and it keeps my hair sticking out in a similar direction and not all in my eyeballs. Serious face. I full-on protested because GD basically called me a liar. I hate liars. With a little head-weaving confrontation, he backed right down though. I couldn't believe he accused me of not doing my stuff! I busted my butt (which hurt like a hot knife slicing through it at times) to get all my stupid leg lifts and kegels in! I should have gotten extra credit for going to yoga and freaking learning how to stretch my hamstrings in ways that don't hurt my back!
So how is GD still a fave? It was a joke gone wrong. He really is a good dude and probably didn't expect me to react like I did. In his defense, I'm sure 99% of the people he sees don't actually do their homework, and he probably has to chastise a lot of adults who act like children about it. He's a super nice dude though, and he does good things for my back. On that note, I'm going to do my exercises. That GD isn't going to know what hit him next week. (probably all a part of his plan, right?)
So then I visited CC's class. I don't know how to describe CC, except to tell you he's my fave. He knows all about body stuff and movement and is good at everything involved with those. Maybe I like him so much because that's how I hope I am about my stuff (which is not bodies and athletic stuff). In addition to giving me more core exercises, CC poked around on my hip and back and told me my pain does not sound to him like typical disc hernation pain. Possibly that even though the MRI shows those disc problems, the pain may still be from something else. Which I can see because really, it feels like how SI Joint dysfunction is described. So now I'm all confused.
I visited GD this morning after my stupid dogs kept me awake all night. After I had fallen asleep, Sonny barked twice. They never bark at night, so it kind of freaked me out. I had to grab some defense and clear the house. Later, I awoke to the sound of licking. It had to have been the loudest licking in the history of licking because I heard it though my ear plugs. I yelled at them, and Hubs let them out of the room. When Hubs came to bed, Lucy stuck her nose in my back and woke me up again. I wouldn't be opposed to moving their happy little doggy beds outside the room. Somebody else is though.
GD said I looked very yellow. I think he was talking about my energy which is kind of different and whatever. He ultrasounded me and did some flexion and distraction. Then he evaluated my pt exercises. Apparently I sucked at them, but he gave me a new one to do. Lie on the ol' back and lift the hips up to make a bridge.
As I was about to walk out, GD said something like, "I only gave you one new exercise, right?"
"Yeah. The bridge thing."
"Right. Because you didn't do your other ones last week."
This is my artistic rendition of how I felt about that comment:
*By the way, I was wearing a headwrap/band thing because I had just rolled out of bed and it keeps my hair sticking out in a similar direction and not all in my eyeballs. Serious face. I full-on protested because GD basically called me a liar. I hate liars. With a little head-weaving confrontation, he backed right down though. I couldn't believe he accused me of not doing my stuff! I busted my butt (which hurt like a hot knife slicing through it at times) to get all my stupid leg lifts and kegels in! I should have gotten extra credit for going to yoga and freaking learning how to stretch my hamstrings in ways that don't hurt my back!
So how is GD still a fave? It was a joke gone wrong. He really is a good dude and probably didn't expect me to react like I did. In his defense, I'm sure 99% of the people he sees don't actually do their homework, and he probably has to chastise a lot of adults who act like children about it. He's a super nice dude though, and he does good things for my back. On that note, I'm going to do my exercises. That GD isn't going to know what hit him next week. (probably all a part of his plan, right?)
So then I visited CC's class. I don't know how to describe CC, except to tell you he's my fave. He knows all about body stuff and movement and is good at everything involved with those. Maybe I like him so much because that's how I hope I am about my stuff (which is not bodies and athletic stuff). In addition to giving me more core exercises, CC poked around on my hip and back and told me my pain does not sound to him like typical disc hernation pain. Possibly that even though the MRI shows those disc problems, the pain may still be from something else. Which I can see because really, it feels like how SI Joint dysfunction is described. So now I'm all confused.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Kegels?!
I know what you're thinking. Kegels? Who even does those anymore? Well they aren't to make me a better pee-er, but apparently they do work a muscle down there that is attached to the spine. And we are ALL ABOUT THE SPINE! According to Good Doc, I'm to do 200 of them each day. This doctor visit involved a lot of giggling. I didn't know how to do kegels properly, so the man had to explain... giggles.
In addition to kegels, I am to do 3 sets of 10 leg lifts twice per day. Lying flat on my back, the leg lift sequence goes: fat tummy (giggles), kegel, suck in tummy, lift legs. Cool. Got it.
So that isn't much, but the focus is on some core muscles. The Good Doc will add more next visit.
This visit, he ultrasounded my back and did some manual stretches. He stretched out my hamstrings, which I've struggled to do on my own. That felt awesome, so I said, "My husband has to do this for me at home, right?"
Good Doc: "Absolutely! And you guys can probably barter some kind of payment!"
Me: "Heck yeah! I gots skillz!"
Good Doc turned red... giggles! "Well, I meant maybe you could cook him his favorite dinner!"
Me: "Right. Like I feel like standing in the kitchen!" ...giggles.
The Good Doc also said that my pain is probably more from the bulginess of the disc running into the nerve, so I'm pretty much allowed to do anything that doesn't hurt. Unfortunately, a lot of things still hurt me, like running, jumping, you know, the fun stuff. I asked if it was cool for me to do yoga and go swimming, and he was all about that.
Sweet! I have been doctor approved to attempt movement! Yoga and swimming are good because I stick with things better when I have to leave the house to work out. The same old thing day after day, week after week gets BORING! (If you're into that, try P90X. Blech.) We have a really really super duper cheap membership to a local community center/gym because Hubs works for that city. Unlike some other community centers, they don't charge extra for most classes like yoga and water bootcamp. But really, I'm going to start slow with the swimming thing. Well. And yoga. I'm not good at either.
In addition to kegels, I am to do 3 sets of 10 leg lifts twice per day. Lying flat on my back, the leg lift sequence goes: fat tummy (giggles), kegel, suck in tummy, lift legs. Cool. Got it.
So that isn't much, but the focus is on some core muscles. The Good Doc will add more next visit.
This visit, he ultrasounded my back and did some manual stretches. He stretched out my hamstrings, which I've struggled to do on my own. That felt awesome, so I said, "My husband has to do this for me at home, right?"
Good Doc: "Absolutely! And you guys can probably barter some kind of payment!"
Me: "Heck yeah! I gots skillz!"
Good Doc turned red... giggles! "Well, I meant maybe you could cook him his favorite dinner!"
Me: "Right. Like I feel like standing in the kitchen!" ...giggles.
The Good Doc also said that my pain is probably more from the bulginess of the disc running into the nerve, so I'm pretty much allowed to do anything that doesn't hurt. Unfortunately, a lot of things still hurt me, like running, jumping, you know, the fun stuff. I asked if it was cool for me to do yoga and go swimming, and he was all about that.
Sweet! I have been doctor approved to attempt movement! Yoga and swimming are good because I stick with things better when I have to leave the house to work out. The same old thing day after day, week after week gets BORING! (If you're into that, try P90X. Blech.) We have a really really super duper cheap membership to a local community center/gym because Hubs works for that city. Unlike some other community centers, they don't charge extra for most classes like yoga and water bootcamp. But really, I'm going to start slow with the swimming thing. Well. And yoga. I'm not good at either.
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