Author Topic: Only good for a week 'syndrone' (Read 11120 times)

Boydy · « **Reply #255 on:** March 14, 2006, 04:51:39 AM »

Hey Karen,
so nice to hear from you, we have all been thinking about you,

and I do understand some 'time out', sometimes it is what you need........ to just not talk about our knees, muscles etc. It sort of just gives you a break from the whole 'issue'. I have been like that too. Then there are other times when this sounding board is a' life saver', and I would have gone insane if I couldn't have vented my frustrations, and asked my million and one questions to ' someone who understands' !

What you have been discribing , just sums up exactly what I was saying in my last post. The things that you and I have worked out to do ( for ourselves) that seems to be the right thing for our legs, I don't believe a PT or an OS would tell us to do that. They just seem to think you have to put all your effort into building things up, they don't understand that 'we' can't do that !! We can't even go close to doing that, ( I know because I have tried that way about 5 times already) because one little thing over done and we go backwards so quickly !

I am at a good stage at the moment, can do some things that I haven't been able to for awhile, but am going sooooo steady, I am so wary of overdoing something and regressing again, ( I don't think I could stand another set back) and I know if I went to see a PT or OS and he tried to get me to do some movements to see how strong my leg is, I would regress way back, (swell up for weeks and so the saga would continue my muscles would stop functioning once again). My massage therapist is also very happy with my improved muscle tone, ( I wrote about that a few posts back ) so we are at a good place at the moment, lets hope we have worked out enough for ourselves and we continue to do what we know is best for our knee & muscles, ITB ( which I have found out, thanks to you , just how much that helps with my knee & keeping the swelling down ) I heard those valium can be pretty good for short term, just to get you through the tough times and help you relax, Hopefully you will feel better real soon and can do it on your own steam.

Hilde,
your last sentence made very good sense, I think you hit the nail right on the head !!!
Shade,
thanks for the encouragement, I didn't mean to sound so discouraged, because after all ..... I am in a good faze at the moment, but I can still feel 'it lurking' just at the edges and it makes me nervous. $:-\$
Thanks for the chat girls, hope all is well .
Boydy

KarenS · « **Reply #256 on:** March 14, 2006, 12:16:21 PM »

You're right, Boydy, your previous post practically could've been written by me. LOL!

I'm at the point where I'm positive that having the lateral releases years ago both helped me (by sparing further articular cartilage damage or keeping it to a minimum and allowing me to function normally) and hurt me (by setting me up for all of this). I swear, the way the surgery changed the "setup" of my knees/legs a bit, along with the fact that I have miserable malalignment to begin with, is the reason why it's taking so long to sort all of this out. And I'm sure it's why there are so many other factors involved (ankles, calves, hips, ITBs). Ah, well. If I had to do it all again, I honestly think I might have the surgeries again, believe it or not. I was THAT miserable back then, and the surgeries were like "miracles" for me. I just wish I hadn't gone all gung-ho with the exercise after 10 years of having no problems because I'm quite sure I would not be posting this message right now.

At least now I know that I cannot push myself like that EVER AGAIN.

I totally agree that what we're doing goes against all medical advice for "knee conditions." But I think it's because these people have such tunnel vision that they don't realize that, like Hilde said, although there is one main problem, it's the little problems that it's caused that is keeping the main problem from completely healing (very well said, Hilde!

). That is the exact conclusion that I've come to lately, and I'm not listening to anyone else tell me the line of bull about how "you can't just keep doing exercises that are comfortable for you." I'm quite sure that's true for the average person with these types of problems, but I have discovered that it is not true for ME. I actually feel that my "knee problem" has just about completely resolved...but the other problems, especially my "iffy" ITBs, are keeping things on a shaky plateau -- the slightest thing will set everything off again (like Boydy said

). It very well may take another year of this self-prescribed palliative, "wimpy" treatment I'm doing here, but I think that eventually everything will sort out. It really stinks to face that, but I feel I have explored plenty of alternatives that have backfired on me, and I'm just sticking with the acupuncture because it's the only thing that makes me feel good. And when I even get the slightest of flareups (which did happen recently when I -- heaven forbid! -- tried to add a few side leg raises to the mix), the acupuncture knocks everything right back to where it was. So it's really a necessity to me -- my "crutch"!

The kicker is, I can't even do the stretches anymore. I discovered that the hamstring stretches did, in fact, cause that medial knee pain. It's finally almost completely resolved (thank goodness -- it was SO annoying!!!), and yesterday I tried doing a light hamstring stretch just as a test. I totally didn't expect to feel anything right away...figured it would take a day or so to see if it affected that area again. But BOOM! Right away I felt it. So, no thank you. You can keep your freaking stretches, too. Thankfully my hamstrings have stretched out quite a bit from all those months of stretching, so I don't have an extreme tightness problem there anymore, anyway. And I tried some calf stretches, and there's really no big tightness problem there anymore, either. So, no stretches. See? Totally against any medical advice! Who the heck tells you not to stretch?? $:-\$

Well, good luck to all. And I will be around from time to time to check on you all. I have an OS appointment today for my 3-month checkup. What a waste of time, but I might as well see what she has to say. Hopefully she will agree that there's been improvement in muscle tone and have something positive to say. I hope she agrees to renew the lease on the e-stim, although I only use it on a rare occasion. I was going a little crazy using that thing, and it was beginning to cause some problems so I've had to back off on that, too.

This is all nuts, I tell you! LOL

Shade, how are you doing? When is your surgery? I looked back at a few of your last posts and didn't see much info about how you're feeling...

shade · « **Reply #257 on:** March 14, 2006, 12:41:13 PM »

Karen,

Good luck with your appointment today.
Agree with you guys about these knees of ours. I'm sore, but probably due to the weather changes we've been having or I've been moving around too much. If I just sit and do nothing at all I'm pretty pain-free, but that just isn't an option..... When I move around the lesion gets irritated and is painful so, that is where I am. Waiting for surgery.... March 29th.
I'm also trying to get the heel wedge made for my foot and hopefully today the guy will have mine ready. If I can get the hindfoot valgus corrected it should help my knee also.
I'm with you Karen, we know ourselves best and have to do what feels right for us. I've tried all the PT routines, different alternative therapy etc..... Some things work and other's don't....
Have a great day!! ~Shade

misshilde · « **Reply #258 on:** March 14, 2006, 05:21:04 PM »

Hey hey..totally against medical advice...well.....the difficulty for any doctor is that every body is different..yes most people are constructed alike, but like finger prints we are all unique....and thats why there are specialists...poor gp..who is supposed to know everything..anyway each of us that have certain problems know best...after a long time .....what works for us...so yeah , Karen and Boydy..Shade and the rest...you do what needs to be done to feel ok..I have realized over the years..what applies to most people doesn't apply to me..so again I do what I need to do...and again this board is great..cuz I get to whine and advice and feel connected to ladies like you....besides feeling sore I don't have musch pain these day, so I'm doing great, but I have finally come to the conclusion that my dancing days are OVER

..and I am ok

with that..now I just have to shopping for normal clothes..yeah!!!!!! no more leotards and tights..not that I have been wearing them lately anyway..but..shopping yeahhhh!!!!..so have have a great day..see ya..

Hilde

Boydy · « **Reply #259 on:** March 15, 2006, 08:40:26 AM »

Karen, Hilde & Shade,
girls, I'm just sending you all a big hug, I feel we are all at a stale mate, we all seem to be just marking time, Shade waiting for her surgery and the rest of us just going from day to day, trying to accept the things we can do ( and the things we can't anymore

) But, just felt the need to send a hug your way, and say I think we all know how each other are feeling, and we still have a tough & frustrating road ahead, but it is great to have all this support and encouragement. Thanks girls for your friendship.

It makes the tough days that much easier to get through.

Boydy

misshilde · « **Reply #260 on:** March 15, 2006, 05:00:50 PM »

THANKS...hugs are always appreciated.....

hilde

shade · « **Reply #261 on:** July 03, 2006, 11:20:19 AM »

Ladies.................

Wondered how everyone was doing? It's been awhile since we've chatted.

What's everyone up to this summer? Any great vacations planned??

Had to dig back quite a few pages to find this post. Wow, it's been awhile...... ~Shade

misshilde · « **Reply #262 on:** July 03, 2006, 06:07:17 PM »

Yeah, it sure has been a while..no plans for summer...just teaching and teaching...my knee is about the same, but my vmo just wouldn't catch up and my rectus femorus took over and my hip and back is killing me....so no more dancing for a while until my brain figurs out to use the vmo and not the rf....I can't control it and it drives me crazy....other than that was just thinking about you all cuz I saw a reservation for a knee forum in the newspaper..a live one on July 18th..it's free and I think maybe I'll go..it's for women only, well it's specialized TKR and PKR for women only...thought I gather lots of questions and go...sure couldn't hurt..gotta go...we're going to friends for some swimming as it is already 94 degrees and it's only 11 am...

hugs

hilde

KarenS · « **Reply #263 on:** August 21, 2006, 10:06:32 PM »

Hi, everyone!

I hope summer is going well for everyone. I just wanted to pop in to say that I'm doing SO much better. I'm almost back to the level of functioning I was at before (minus the overdoing of the exercise at the gym, that is!). In early July, I was finally able to do whatever I needed to do during the day without much of a problem -- just the occasional late-night warmth in the left or right knee. And that has almost completely disappeared, so I've started taking brief walks (about 10 minutes or so), especially on days when I haven't been very active. My quads are getting back in shape. My right leg is still pretty weak, but a LOT better than it was. My acupuncturist is pleased with my progress. And I only go for treatment once every three weeks now. Soon I'll be able to stop altogether -- thanks goodness. My wallet is really hurting from this, but the acupuncture has really been my crutch through all of this. I know EXACTLY where I'm going if I ever have a problem in the future!

I've come to the conclusion that my previous surgeries (lateral releases) left me with a vulnerability toward these types of problems (muscle and tendon injury/tightness) because of the fact that it changed the mechanics of my legs. So although I need to keep in shape and continue to exercise throughout my life, I also need to remember that I am not cut out to overdo, either. There seems to be a fine line between what I can and can't do. I think (and pray!) that I know what that is now. I will never be "adventurous" at the gym again. I'm just so thankful that I am not in pain anymore and that I can walk without having to agonize over every step. (And I'm sure my kids are thrilled about this, too -- they finally have a mother who smiles instead of growls at everyone!)

I would be interested to hear how everyone else is doing. I've really lost touch with this board. There's been a lot going on in my life, and it's been a busy summer!

Karen

misshilde · « **Reply #264 on:** August 21, 2006, 11:30:15 PM »

Karen, nice to hear you're doing so well...as for me..the knee's ok..vmo is getting better so is the quad, but my hip is still killing me...going to a doc who specializes in arthoscopics for hips tomorrow, so hopefully I'll find out more then..had an mri of the hip, but they couldn't find anything except a mass on my ovarie..fun fun

, going for an ultrasound for that tomorrow too..other than that..no more dancing , but I got a job in LA Vegas doing costumes for a show..lot's of work, but lot's of fun too, just got back after being there for a a week with my famile, who took their vacation at the pool....111 degrees farenheit..help...anyway...good to hear you're great and keep up the good work..

Hilde

shade · « **Reply #265 on:** August 22, 2006, 12:38:21 AM »

Karen,

Hey, your news is GREAT!! Maybe you've got to slow down but to be without pain is FANTASTIC!! Seems like the acupuncture has really been awesome for you.
Very happy to hear how well things have progressed with your hard work. Take care.

Hilde,

Congrats on the LasVegas job of customes for a show, that'd be a cool job.... Sounds like Vegas was a great family time, good for you.
Sorry about the hip and the other condition, hope you get treatment options right away. Keep us posted on your progress.

I've been doing really well with my RL - it's getting stronger each day - so far so good.

Have a good evening ladies. ~Shade

misshilde · « **Reply #266 on:** August 27, 2006, 06:17:05 AM »

Hello ladies..good news..the mass on my ovarie was nothing..normal bunch of cysts (5 small ones)....as for the hip..no answers yet..had an ultrasound of the hip yesterday and the docs were in awe over the loud clicking I produce..I got to see how the bone clicks and the tendon snap over the bone..weird..going to have an other mri next week with dye infusions..tomorrow I'm going to Vegas again..long drive, but I like the scenery..the desert is beautful and scary...luckily I have cruise control..helps the knee and the hip.....will let you know what we find, if anything after the mri next week..hope ya'll doing well...

hilde

Boydy · « **Reply #267 on:** August 28, 2006, 04:49:45 AM »

Hi Girls !!

I just popped on for a sqizz and was delighted to find this old post up and running again, (thanks to Shade ) and to find out that my ole comrades are doing so well !!

I also have been absent for quite some time just having some 'time out' from my 'knee', and am happy to say I am probably exactly in Karens catergory (as usual, we seem to hurt and mend at the same pace Karen). But it is wonderful to have a life back, even though I have to depend on the brace for fast walking, I haven't limped in months. And have manged to get some teachers aide work at the primary school and that sort of work doesn't agravate my knee at all.
Hilde, I am so pleased to hear your ultrasound was not too serious, those sorts of things can give you quite a scare

. My husband has bad hip pain, and I must admit that is a very hard thing to get under control. Good luck, ( he has found orthotics inserts in his shoes has helped a bit). Keep up the good work girls.
Boydy

misshilde · « **Reply #268 on:** August 29, 2006, 05:03:18 PM »

Hey girls, greetings from Lss Vegas..hot and hotter, busy as heck, but enjoying myself..was supposed to leave today, but got more costumes to do...hip and knee doing quite well, the drive was ok and the heat seams to agree with me..then again I have mostly been sitting and walking so I haven't really had time to do any more damage to myself, but next week ballet starts again, so we'll see..old habits die hard..until then, I have one ,....make that two margaritas on you...

hilde

KarenS · « **Reply #269 on:** August 30, 2006, 12:48:00 PM »

Boydy -- I'm so glad to hear you're doing so much better! Yes, we do seem to heal at the same pace, don't we?

Shade -- I'm happy to hear you're healing well, too!

Hilde -- I'm glad everything turns out okay with the ovary situation. Be careful with the ballet, though!

Take care, girls!