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Physical Therapy


Deb

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I'm gonna start a PT thread since Heidi and I are both starting it and I think that there may be others who are going thru PT (or have gone) and wanna chat about it.

Last week was my first time and my therapist said he was going to go easy on me since it was my first time. Later on that evening it crossed my mind that if going easy on me caused that much pain, it was reeeeeeally gonna hurt when he got serious. I was right.

Today was my second visit and after warming up on the treadmill (twice the amount of time I do at home which leaves me exhausted all by itself), he had me start on the rubberbands. Who knew that rubber bands are torture devices when attached to one's ankles? After more leg stretches that I care to think about, we moved to the pilates machine. He got on the machine and showed me how I would be doing the first exercises and it looked fairly easy. Yeah, I can do that. Then he got off, leaned down and added two more springs of resistance!! Hey!!! Wait a minute! This guy is in his late twenties and in great shape! I'm 47, have arthritis, degenerating discs, bone spurs and fibromyalgia and he increases the resistance! I want the young healthy guy resistance too!

I got thru the first set okay and then he told me that the second set would be bracing my feet on the bar at the end of the machine and while I'm laying on the sliding plate, to do 30 pelvic lifts ***without moving the sliding plate I was laying on***!! Who thinks these things up?

After that we went to the rubber ball. He told me to sit on it and balance myself in the center of it. Uuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh............okay. Sitting on a ball sounds easy but it's a lot harder than it looks. I don't have much of a center of gravity anyway (I think my center of gravity is located somewhere slightly northwest of my belly button) so sitting on a big ball and not falling off was a challenge. Then he told me to lift my feet off the floor one at a time and hold them up for 5 seconds. Now by this time my back was already screaming because of all the other things I'd done to it so sitting on a ball and lifting my feet two inches off the floor sent crossed me from tolerable pain to "please don't make me do this anymore".

Fortunately that was the end of the exercises and he told me to lay on a table so he could stretch my legs. Okay, that sounds alright. I like muscle stretches. Lemme rephrase that. I used to like muscle stretches. One at a time, he took my feet in his hands and raised them up over his head, over my head, bent my knees into my chest, tilted my knees out and put my feet up around my hips. There were several other positions that I didn't even know I could do anymore and I used to do yoga. It didn't hurt at the time but he told me that I'd be in pain from it tonight and probably worse tomorrow. He was right.

He's a nice guy and a good therapist. I know that he's good at what he does, he genuinely cares and that all this is good for me. I know that it's going to make me better. I know that strong muscles take the strain off deteriorating bones so daily pain lessens and mobility increases. But tonight my body doesn't know any of that. All it knows is that it hurts more than it's ever hurt in my life.

The PT said that they are aware of the increased pain and sensitivity to exercise caused by the hardening of the tissue covering muscles caused by fibromyalgia but they don't have a way to get around that. The bottom line is that the fibro is going to make already painful exercises even more painful. And to top it all off, there's a storm rolling in and my arthritis is really, really bad today.

I'll stop whining now. Tomorrow my outlook will be better but tonight, I just hurt a lot and need a good cry.

Deb

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You have my deepest sympathy Deb. I went through 6 weeks of physio therapy last June for a torn shoulder rotator cuff ligament tear (actually several tears). It was agony. After going 3 times a week for 6 weeks, I went back to my doctor because my shoulder hadn't budged an inch. My doctor stopped the physio therapy and was angry with the young p.t. as his instructions were for gentle stretching exercises and not the grueling pulling that the p.t. put me through. Thankfully, my shoulder had locked (frozen shoulder) which, while very painful, prevented my shoulder from moving and causing more tearing.

Anyway, its mending - but slowly.

I do remember those elastic tubes. One or two pulls was okay, but having to do 10 in a row three different ways was very hard. I also remember my 30-something physically fit p.t. dropping down on the floor and doing these pushups where only his toes and finger tips were touching the ground. He told me to start with 10 and then work up. I just looked at him and told him that I 10 years ago, and before my shoulder injury, I couldn't do push ups. As a matter of fact, with the extensive abdominal surgery I had 10 years ago, I have a great deal of difficulty even getting down on the ground and then getting back up. I didn't do push ups. LOL

Remember to check in with your own doctor from time to time. While the physio therapists do good work, sometimes I believe that they can place unrealistic expectations on older patients. Our bodies don't heal like they did when we were in our 20's and 30's.

My doctor told me that my shoulder will probably take about 2 years to repair itself. Surgery on a torn rotator cuff is risky, as often the surgery fails or the ligament tears again after the repair.

I'll be thinking of you and Heidi as you go through this.

Hugs

-Susanne

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Been there done that, Deb. My thoughts are with you. Do like Susanne said though and keep checking in with your doctor. Until someone's actually been there they just don't know. My friend had been in a MVA and broke FIVE ribs. Her doctor later broke ONE and appologized to her for not being more empathetic to her pain. Remember to drink lots of water...that's the bodies natural lubricant.

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Thanks guys! I knew there would be good advice from others who have been thru this kind of thing. I'm definitely keeping in touch with my doctor. My rheumatologist is the one who prescribed the PT and gave the therapist specific instructions. I see her again on the 20th and she'll have a report from the PT about how things have gone. I know there's a series of xrays and stuff that are scheduled for that appointment too.

I've got four weeks to go and then I'll continue on my own. I bought one of the big balls this afternoon so I can practice on it coz darned if I'm gonna fall off a ball in front of other people! A girl's gotta have some pride (and it's bad enough that I'm out in public in sweat pants). But perching on that ball is not an easy thing to do. I've developed a whole new respect for circus poodles.

Deb

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Ooookkkaaayyy. Yeah. I want to sign up for some of that.

I should have never read this..LOL Do I get to slap them in the head with my limp leg if it hurts? I think I want to sign up for massage therapy. Yeah. That sounds better. Acupuncture. Yeah. I will take the needles instead.

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Yeah, before it became somewhat politically incorrect, a lot of us referred to our PT's as "Physical Terrorists"... :) But yes, do check with your doctor, and remind her of your underlying health conditions. Sometimes the PT's don't always "get" what's going on, and get you going on something that really won't benefit, and may harm. I gotta get back to doing the exercises my PT suggested, some months ago now.. <_<

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I need to do this though. I was so physically fit in my younger years. I had popeye calves for gosh sakes. I walked everywhere. Steep hills were the best because you could feel the burn.

I have not felt the burn in a really long time.

So I will suffer. I guess I will not be driving myself to PT though. I may not be able to drive myself home..LOL My friend is lying in wait like a cougar. Once she sees that I am better, she said she is going to drag me to the gym to sign up. We have a place here called Planet Fitness. You pay a small fee (like $30) for initial and then it is $10 a month.

She needs to lose weight also and she wants someone to huff and puff next to her.

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There are actually sound medical reasons for the agonies of PT; pain is the sound of a body growing stronger (unfortunately). Once your muscles & the nerves that work them get used to the extra motion of the stretching the pain goes away and you can move further & better. Unfortunately, just because some hotshot therapist jock can stretch your body parts to he** and back doesn't mean he's familiar with the medical reasons, and certainly not the limitations of your particular body. I have learned that there are times that a lovely blood-curdling shriek in response to sharp pain will get the therapist's attention.

One of the nice things about a Nursing education is that whenever the doctor has suggested PT (like my tumble downstairs last November) I go home and diligently do stretching exercises until everything works again (and DH goes outside so he doesn't hear me scream; he only worries and checks on me when I'm quiet). No sense wasting money better spent on a new carbon-fiber bent paddle for narrow creeks, or thicker neoprene boots for cold weather. I'm seriously thinking about a wetsuit for paddling. (Definitely next cold weather paddle I'm digging out my long nylon cycling pants! to wear under my paddling pants for insulation.)

Deb, I hope you have a sense of balance! Whereever my COG is, it causes me to list 10 degrees to starboard; which is why I cannot ride a bicycle without falling off.

Heidi, look at it this way; you have endured the worst pain in your life so far and you're here, if you don't get the PT you're subject to repeating the experience at any time; and after the PT, which you will know is coming, you will be better.

For both of you, and anyone else undergoing PT, talk to your doctor about pain management. Take a Percocet or Lyrica or whatever your doctor prescribes for you enough ahead of time to get you through the PT session, and then when the aftermath of the PT sets in and you think you'll die, it's probably time to take another one, anyway. Ice is your friend, and so is heat, in moderation. A massage pad is lovely to help soothe those savage beasts tearing at you from the inside.

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im going thru PT again too

if u feel like u have had enough then tell them they cant force u to go thru so much if u know that if u do more u r going to suffer too much then stop and continue next session. PT is ment to help and not leave u in unbarable pain.

my first session this time had a lot of forms to fill in and history to go thru then it was onto the bed for some stretches then it was home not too bad i thought. it took me 3 days to recover from it tho but thats due to my illness.

the next session was starting out with the same stretches and then added some more i thought ok he is slowly building it up. then he said he wants me in evewry wednesday and friday my thoughts were i wont have enough time to recover between sessions.

my third visit i was having a bad day and had very little energy i was put thru all the stretches and then i was given a very large roll thing like what is in a kids play area, i was to have my legs up on it while doing the stretches. baring in mind i cant move from the waist down and in lots of pain with every touch or movement. then i was put on the bike that is aoutomatic and moves the legs for me that was ok then he pulled out the contraption that forces a person to stand up so there i was hooked up to this thing jammed in tight and standing upright for the first time in 2 months, so what do i do thats right i black out and hit my head on the board im resting on. it was only for a few seconds then i was back awake and still up right lol i got a cup of blackcurrent and then was let back down. that ended my session and im so glad.

i had to cancell the friday because of a neurology appointment and im glad as it is saturday now and im still suffering since wednesday. the neurology appointment was my last appointment basically he has given up on me im not to have any more tests and they cant figure out a speciffic diagnossis im to get CT to help with the symptoms but there is no more investigation into the disease as he put it.

i always thought that i would feel relieved when the end of the investigation came but i just feel abandoned. i am getting my diazapam back for the spasams which is good and im getting constant physio for the rest of my life so when i am back to walking i will still be going so i dont have a set back which is good i supose.

the doctor is that closed minded he has even said that it may be ME/CFS but he has put it as dissasociative neurological dissorder. my nerves work but its the way that they work is not normal.

im to get PT for the rest of my life every week or two after i am back walking again so i dont relapse and im to have my meds for good too ill be on codydromol for pain, diazapam for muscle spasms, amatryptiline for sleep problems and tramadol for extra pain relief. im also on iron tables as im aneamic. but on the up side no more tests.

sorry i have rambled on but it is good to let it out thanx for the thread it is a great idea

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I can sympathize with you Deb, especially about the dreaded rubber bands. I have a set of 4 hanging in my closet. I had 10 weeks of physical therapy when I broke my leg/foot. Not only breakage, but loss of balance as well, so they added dance steps to the rubber bands, treadmills and medicine balls. Of course my therapist was Viggo and he was handsome to a T, however, cruel as Cruella!

Anyway tough it out girl!

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Dawn, I think it's so frustrating to have a doctor just seem to give up like that on a diagnosis. The only problem with being on the meds forever is constantly monitoring yourself for the side-effects. Will your medical plan allow for a second opinion, or has your physician already done consults? It almost sounds like symptoms of MS, but there are so many neurological conditions out there.

I am here rooting for you all! One thing you might try when it begins to hurt but before you tell the therapist where to shove it is to close your eyes (without blacking out!lol) and visualize yourself on a tropical beach, the most beautiful one in the world, with a scantily-clad beachboy that is the hunk of choice to wait on you hand & foot.

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there is one place id like to tell the therapist to shuv it but im married lol

unfortunatly the neuro specialist is the only one near to me the rest r in england and im in scotland so it is a distance to travel. i dont have a medical plan i just have to get on with it. im hoping the PT will help tho

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Two years ago I fell and tore the rotator cuff on my left shoulder. Altho at the time I fell I din't realize what I had done. One day three weeks later I could not lift my hand higher that midchest level. My Dr recommended Pt 3 times a week. I did not have the same therapist each time. One of the stretches they did, and most therapists where very gentle doing it, was to lift my left arm and raise my hand above my head. Done slowly it felt so good. One time a new rather rough therapist, took my arm and slammed my hand down on the table above my head. My scream stopped all the other patients from doing their therapy for a long few seconds . The physical therapy department was engolfed in dead silence. I ,very, very emphatically told her to never do that again to anyone. One therapist insisted that ice packs would help, which really only made the entire shoulder hurt. She told me to never us heat. Well at home heat felt good so I applied medium heat to the shoulder before doing the exercises. When I hurt my r shoulder last fall I just got my rubber bands out and did the exercises at home. No way was I going to chance the therapist that did the rough treatment. Now when I get very cold both shoulders and my right knee hurt. Getting old is not for sissies. Go slow and let them know when the pain is intolerable. Good luck. Rita

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I had PT for a shoulder a couple of years ago. When I started, I couldn't reach my left hand behind my back. The cause was a bone spur on my clavicle. I finally decided to do something about it when I realized I was looking for front-hooking bras because I couldn't dress myself. The orthopedist wanted to operate, but I opted for PT first, to see if I could get the use of the arm back again. I used some of the machinery in the PT room, but had a number of exercises with the rubber bands to do at home. I was told in the beginning to do reps until it began to get painful and then to stop. Every day I could do more and more. I think the fact that there was no excruciating pain was what kept me going so faithfully on my at-home exercises.

I really can't believe that something that is so painful as to cause one to scream out can possibly be helpful, short of popping a dislocated shoulder into place, especially when soft tissue -- muscles -- are involved. Pain means they are being damaged. Do go slowly and warm up before straining your muscles and causing even more damage.

BTW, the PT did not clear up the problem entirely, although it did help get the strength back in the unused muscles ... but I took some hecla lava on the recommendation of a naturopath and the pain from the bone spur disappeared. It was the pain that was causing me to favor the arm so the muscles deteriorated. I haven't had but a mild twinge now and then ever since. And I can hook my bra in back without hesitation. :popcorn:

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Deb, I hope you have a sense of balance! Whereever my COG is, it causes me to list 10 degrees to starboard; which is why I cannot ride a bicycle without falling off.

It must be genetic Sis coz I have NO sense of balance whatsoever. I fall over when I'm standing flat on my feet and always have. But I've been practicing with the ball and am beginning to figure out how to stay on it without wobbling too much. I'm working on just lifting my heel off the ground and keeping my balance for the first few days and will work on lifting my whole foot in a couple of days. Baby steps.

I need to do this though. I was so physically fit in my younger years. I had popeye calves for gosh sakes. I walked everywhere. Steep hills were the best because you could feel the burn.

I have not felt the burn in a really long time.

Oh Heidi, I do so relate to that statement! I used to walk 4 miles a day and worked out at least five days a week. I had biceps that were so scultped that when I moved my arms, the muscles rippled. It was after I got so sick with mono that things started going downhill. I've never full recovered from that. But I discovered something that you should know! Muscles have memories!! Somewhere underneath all this mess, those muscles remember what it felt like and which way they should move. There's a feeling tickling at me from somewhere deep inside that they'll make a comeback of some kind. Realistically, I know that with the fibro it won't be what it used to be but I'll take whatever I can get.

Wanna know the most painful thing of all? The PT suggested that I might want to consider water therapy in a pool. He said that it's really popular with senior citizens.

<raising one eyebrow>

I'm 47.

I considered pointing out to him that the pilates machine does have a resemblence to a horizontal guillotine.

Deb

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I have not been in PT, but I seen what my second eldest daughter went through when she fell off a bicycle bridge, about 25 feet down, and had severe damage to the soft tissue in her legs. We did not think she would walk again, at least not narmally. It took months of these excruciating painful exercises, many tears(by both of us) as each daily session seemed to make her even worst, and less able to move, many times she just wanted to give up and accept her fate. In the end however, it was all worth it. She can walk normally, run and she doesn't even limp. Don't give up!. My heart goes out to you, and I'm sorry to hear you are hurting so much, but I do beleive it will help. Many hugs, and feel free to whine and cry on our shoulder, anytime you need too.

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Wanna know the most painful thing of all? The PT suggested that I might want to consider water therapy in a pool. He said that it's really popular with senior citizens.

<raising one eyebrow>

I'm 47.

I considered pointing out to him that the pilates machine does have a resemblence to a horizontal guillotine.

Deb

And he is still alive and not hurting???? Sheeesh, the nerve of some people!

Hugs

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Deb. water therapy is WONDERFUL for fibromyalgia. I did it for a bit when I was first diagnosed. I did not continue because of the pool. We only have a few pools in our area and the one they were using was over chlorinated..it was at a hotel.

I had to choose between better muscles or not having an all over rash from the chemicals. I chose my skin.

If you can get it, you should try it. There are also those exercise bikes that are low impact on your hips. When you sit, your legs are stretched out in front of you instead of underneath you.

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...Wanna know the most painful thing of all? The PT suggested that I might want to consider water therapy in a pool. He said that it's really popular with senior citizens.

<raising one eyebrow>

I'm 47.

I considered pointing out to him that the pilates machine does have a resemblence to a horizontal guillotine.

Deb

I could think of a lot of things you should have pointed out to him. And I agree about the well-placed piercing scream...
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I have memories of nice toned muscles too. Just memories. Between the belly dancing and delivering newspapers (sometimes right after being at the bar, so in a cute dress and high heels) I was in great shape. But then the kids came and a sit down job and the muscles are now flabby jelly.

Swimming is the best exercise. If I wasn't worried someone would call Greenpeace about a beached whale, I would find a pool and swim a few times a week.

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