Not much to add lately...I am about to go to my next PT appt. Sadly, I think it's going to take more PT than I hoped to get myself "fixed up", if you will, but the good news is that I am having more pain free days and am able to actually squat...in my daily life and in weight lifting. I have been working on my upper body strength and that has improved, but I am still not able to use that much weight for squats or lunges...baby steps, baby steps...
The last run I attempted was several days ago and it didn't go very well...my hips were more sore than expected, my right IT Band was acting up and overall, I felt crappy. I tried to go after work and the weather was rather warm. I think I was a bit dehydrated from not being able to drink much water that day, and I just felt like a limp noodle! I hope to attempt it again this week.
Skip and Kim are running the Capital City Classic this coming weekend. I did that race last year and I'm sad that I can't do it again this year. I thought about signing up anyway, but I haven't even WALKED 6 miles in the past few months...best to wait, I think. I'm hoping to do a 5k in May and definitely not for speed. I will be out of town this year for the Catholic High Rocket City 5k....boo...but maybe this year I can do the Dino Dash? It's pretty hilly, so I will see...Off to PT!
Background
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
PT! PT! PT!
Well, it is def time for an update!
Good news folks: I am going to PT!
It all started with the LR Marathon Expo....I ended up going to the Expo with Skip (aka Cheryl) and Kim...(1) in support of them, (2) to check out all the latest cool running stuff, (3) to meet a new pal Jamie, whom I met via the blogging world. My friend and fellow hip-pain sufferer, Kelli, was there volunteering with packet pick up. Cheryl and Kim immediately went to pick up their packets and Kelli told me about a booth at the expo for a clinic called Innovative Spine Rehab. Well...I would have walked right by the booth, mostly based on the name, but she showed me the brochure she picked up and it said that they specialize in knee and hip problems too. Not only that, but there was a coupon inside for a FREE, yes folks you read that right..a FREE CONSULTATION. Well...needless to say, I hightailed it over there! Darby, the PT, asked about my problems/issues and said that I should call Monday to set up my appt. He said he would get me in within 48 hours of my call! I was EXCITED!
Of course, I called upon the clinic opening on Monday morning and was scheduled for an appt. on Wednesday morning! Wednesday morning came and I was excited but apprehensive..what if he couldn't do anything for me? It was the last thing I knew to do and I was worried...He, of course, did a series of tests in flexibility, alignment, etc. and told me that if it truly was a muscular issue, I would greatly benefit from 3-4 weeks of PT. Verdict: VERY WEAK HIPS. What surprised me most was that he didn't just say "here's what's wrong with you.." and push me out the door. He actually treated me that day, at no charge! He did Ultrasound, stem, exercises and ice. I was there for about 2 hours! Finally...HOPE on the horizon...I could immediately tell a difference in the tightness I had been feeling.
Now to the financial part of things...I was worried (yes, I'm a big worrier) that I wouldn't be able to afford the sessions at $75 each. Unfortunately, my insurance company would not pay until I met my deductible and because the PT clinic was "out of network", if I used them, they would double my deductible before they paid anything!!! Nothing short of HIGHWAY ROBBERY! Liz, an office manager, said that she would "work with me" on the fees and as long as I paid a little each visit, I would be okay...kind of like the old days of having a "tab" there...This was even better than having to put my therapy on my credit card!! I have had 3 sessions so far and I can't believe how weak my hips are!! But I am hopeful that I am on the road to recovery!! I can tell a difference, in general, in my flexibility and can now squat and lift my legs a little toward my chest. He hasn't banned me from running and I hope to get back to it soon...man, I MISS it! He did tell me not to run this weekend ( I had a strenuous workout yesterday) and I was glad I didn't try it (although, I thought about it) cause I am really sore! But, it's a good sore, not the usual "catch" feeling and tightness. I will ice today to help that, and my next appt. is on Monday! I am so thankful that I have been able to go. I really feel like God provided for my needs here and that means everything...especially since I have been feeling so hopeless and depressed. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to hang in there and helped me keep things in perspective!!!!
Back to the expo...I met a great gal named Jamie!! We have been emailing back and forth for a few months after "meeting" via blogland. We don't know each other that well, but it was like running into an old friend when we met... SUPER encouraging, she has been praying for me and sending me uplifting emails for a while! Jamie, you are a lifesaver! I hope we can bond soon in person! The day of the marathon was, like I said, bittersweet...but it was fun cheering on all the runners with my sign "Good Luck Runners"...the same sign a friend made for me last year when I ran the race!..People loved it...even though I spilled coffee on it that morning and there was a big brown trickle down the front...haha..
I hope that I will have more positive results to report in the days to come. I'm keeping my expectations light...After I started feeling a little better, I started to imagine all the races I wanted to do..I had to reign myself in, cause I was putting pressure on myself. I would like to build up a good base, so I can start training this fall with the LRM group again to do the Hobbittom Challenge and LR Marathon next year in March. Not worried about speed, just wanting to run, PERIOD!
Good news folks: I am going to PT!
It all started with the LR Marathon Expo....I ended up going to the Expo with Skip (aka Cheryl) and Kim...(1) in support of them, (2) to check out all the latest cool running stuff, (3) to meet a new pal Jamie, whom I met via the blogging world. My friend and fellow hip-pain sufferer, Kelli, was there volunteering with packet pick up. Cheryl and Kim immediately went to pick up their packets and Kelli told me about a booth at the expo for a clinic called Innovative Spine Rehab. Well...I would have walked right by the booth, mostly based on the name, but she showed me the brochure she picked up and it said that they specialize in knee and hip problems too. Not only that, but there was a coupon inside for a FREE, yes folks you read that right..a FREE CONSULTATION. Well...needless to say, I hightailed it over there! Darby, the PT, asked about my problems/issues and said that I should call Monday to set up my appt. He said he would get me in within 48 hours of my call! I was EXCITED!
Of course, I called upon the clinic opening on Monday morning and was scheduled for an appt. on Wednesday morning! Wednesday morning came and I was excited but apprehensive..what if he couldn't do anything for me? It was the last thing I knew to do and I was worried...He, of course, did a series of tests in flexibility, alignment, etc. and told me that if it truly was a muscular issue, I would greatly benefit from 3-4 weeks of PT. Verdict: VERY WEAK HIPS. What surprised me most was that he didn't just say "here's what's wrong with you.." and push me out the door. He actually treated me that day, at no charge! He did Ultrasound, stem, exercises and ice. I was there for about 2 hours! Finally...HOPE on the horizon...I could immediately tell a difference in the tightness I had been feeling.
Now to the financial part of things...I was worried (yes, I'm a big worrier) that I wouldn't be able to afford the sessions at $75 each. Unfortunately, my insurance company would not pay until I met my deductible and because the PT clinic was "out of network", if I used them, they would double my deductible before they paid anything!!! Nothing short of HIGHWAY ROBBERY! Liz, an office manager, said that she would "work with me" on the fees and as long as I paid a little each visit, I would be okay...kind of like the old days of having a "tab" there...This was even better than having to put my therapy on my credit card!! I have had 3 sessions so far and I can't believe how weak my hips are!! But I am hopeful that I am on the road to recovery!! I can tell a difference, in general, in my flexibility and can now squat and lift my legs a little toward my chest. He hasn't banned me from running and I hope to get back to it soon...man, I MISS it! He did tell me not to run this weekend ( I had a strenuous workout yesterday) and I was glad I didn't try it (although, I thought about it) cause I am really sore! But, it's a good sore, not the usual "catch" feeling and tightness. I will ice today to help that, and my next appt. is on Monday! I am so thankful that I have been able to go. I really feel like God provided for my needs here and that means everything...especially since I have been feeling so hopeless and depressed. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to hang in there and helped me keep things in perspective!!!!
Back to the expo...I met a great gal named Jamie!! We have been emailing back and forth for a few months after "meeting" via blogland. We don't know each other that well, but it was like running into an old friend when we met... SUPER encouraging, she has been praying for me and sending me uplifting emails for a while! Jamie, you are a lifesaver! I hope we can bond soon in person! The day of the marathon was, like I said, bittersweet...but it was fun cheering on all the runners with my sign "Good Luck Runners"...the same sign a friend made for me last year when I ran the race!..People loved it...even though I spilled coffee on it that morning and there was a big brown trickle down the front...haha..
I hope that I will have more positive results to report in the days to come. I'm keeping my expectations light...After I started feeling a little better, I started to imagine all the races I wanted to do..I had to reign myself in, cause I was putting pressure on myself. I would like to build up a good base, so I can start training this fall with the LRM group again to do the Hobbittom Challenge and LR Marathon next year in March. Not worried about speed, just wanting to run, PERIOD!
Monday, March 1, 2010
This is getting old...........
I wish I could say that a lot has changed and that I am running and exercising up a storm...but alas, that is no where near reality!
About 10 days ago I finally got an appt with my Ortho MD and he confirmed MY diagnosis of hip flexor strain/tendinitis...I swear, I should be my own MD....Anyway, he pretty much said "If it hurts, don't do it..." and didn't ban me from running, although he did prohibit cycling, which he believes was the culprit this time. I asked about steroids and PT and he was agreeable to both. I am NOT one to push medications if I can avoid it, but I have been on NSAIDS for a month with no noticeable results, so I was hoping that steroids would decrease the inflammation long enough to start the healing and I would be able to start stretching/exercises that would help me bounce back. Well, I got my steroids without much problem...but the PT, that was another story...Basically, down to brass tacks, I can't afford it. I haven't met any of my health insurance deductible for this year and would have to pay totally out of pocket for all of it. The first visit alone, the assessment, is between $250 and $300...too rich for my blood!
Now, 10 days later...I am fatter and sleep deprived, but the steroids don't seem to have helped at all. As a matter of fact, my hip has hurt worse this week than the past few weeks combined. I'm not sure if I pulled it again or what...but I am about to pull my hair out! The Doc did do an x-ray, nothing spectacular there..and suggested that an MRI might be more definitive but didn't feel that it was especially necessary at this point. Kelli, my fellow running pal and hip pain sufferer, had a mini Ortho massage last week and said that it really seemed to help her. I am now contemplating the same thing. I have a recommendation from a fellow runner that swears by the guy she sees...I asked a PT friend at work if he thought it might benefit me, and he said it could help, as long as I don't get a deep tissue massage, which, in his words, "basically bruises you up on the inside!"....The suggested massage guy only takes appointments by recommendation and an hour and a half massage is $85..we'll see....
Today is the beginning of the Women Can Run Clinic in Cabot and I am signed up...I really thought that by now I would be ready for it...but I am wondering if I will even be able to do it at all... I haven't run in over a week, since my hip has been hurting worse...but I guess I can walk for now and get some sort of exercise...Sigh...There was hope on the horizon in telling myself that this whole thing was temporary and that I would be able to exercise again...but....I am helpless as to how long it takes for my body to heal and, aside from the massage, I've done all I know to do. I guess it could be worse, and I'm thankful it's not...but I REALLY miss being active. This next weekend is the Little Rock Marathon and it is definitely bittersweet...I was really wanting to do the Half and am relegated to being on the sidelines. Don't get me wrong, I love cheering on my running pals and I definitely have a lot of friends doing the race...I miss being out there myself...I miss the good kind of soreness from a great workout, working up a good sweat, and the time with friends that share the same activities.
Not to moan and groan, folks....but this is getting OLD!
About 10 days ago I finally got an appt with my Ortho MD and he confirmed MY diagnosis of hip flexor strain/tendinitis...I swear, I should be my own MD....Anyway, he pretty much said "If it hurts, don't do it..." and didn't ban me from running, although he did prohibit cycling, which he believes was the culprit this time. I asked about steroids and PT and he was agreeable to both. I am NOT one to push medications if I can avoid it, but I have been on NSAIDS for a month with no noticeable results, so I was hoping that steroids would decrease the inflammation long enough to start the healing and I would be able to start stretching/exercises that would help me bounce back. Well, I got my steroids without much problem...but the PT, that was another story...Basically, down to brass tacks, I can't afford it. I haven't met any of my health insurance deductible for this year and would have to pay totally out of pocket for all of it. The first visit alone, the assessment, is between $250 and $300...too rich for my blood!
Now, 10 days later...I am fatter and sleep deprived, but the steroids don't seem to have helped at all. As a matter of fact, my hip has hurt worse this week than the past few weeks combined. I'm not sure if I pulled it again or what...but I am about to pull my hair out! The Doc did do an x-ray, nothing spectacular there..and suggested that an MRI might be more definitive but didn't feel that it was especially necessary at this point. Kelli, my fellow running pal and hip pain sufferer, had a mini Ortho massage last week and said that it really seemed to help her. I am now contemplating the same thing. I have a recommendation from a fellow runner that swears by the guy she sees...I asked a PT friend at work if he thought it might benefit me, and he said it could help, as long as I don't get a deep tissue massage, which, in his words, "basically bruises you up on the inside!"....The suggested massage guy only takes appointments by recommendation and an hour and a half massage is $85..we'll see....
Today is the beginning of the Women Can Run Clinic in Cabot and I am signed up...I really thought that by now I would be ready for it...but I am wondering if I will even be able to do it at all... I haven't run in over a week, since my hip has been hurting worse...but I guess I can walk for now and get some sort of exercise...Sigh...There was hope on the horizon in telling myself that this whole thing was temporary and that I would be able to exercise again...but....I am helpless as to how long it takes for my body to heal and, aside from the massage, I've done all I know to do. I guess it could be worse, and I'm thankful it's not...but I REALLY miss being active. This next weekend is the Little Rock Marathon and it is definitely bittersweet...I was really wanting to do the Half and am relegated to being on the sidelines. Don't get me wrong, I love cheering on my running pals and I definitely have a lot of friends doing the race...I miss being out there myself...I miss the good kind of soreness from a great workout, working up a good sweat, and the time with friends that share the same activities.
Not to moan and groan, folks....but this is getting OLD!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)