Encouragement needed/hamstring question

[Catrin]

I need some input. I am getting SO frustrated with this pulled hamstring that just does not seem to really be improving. First it seems to be, then it doesn't seem to be. The quad tendonitis no longer troubles me, occasionally the tendon that attaches the top of my hammie does ache.

All I am am asking for is an idea how long it has taken for other people to have such an injury heal. It has been about 2 months now, is that normal for a pulled hamstring to take that long? If it is normal then I will try to relax about it. I am doing what I have been advised to do...and I see my fitness starting to decrease due to the total lack of real exercise outside of upper-body workouts. I am also concerned about my diabetes (type 2) for the same reason.

The light spinning I have been cleared to do doesn't get my heart rate over 85 so it does not count, and walking is the same of course. Of course if I don't allow this to heal then I will have larger issues to worry about so I am following orders...sigh

We know exactly where it is pulled of course, it is in the largest of the three muscles that make up the hamstring - to the right of the center of my thigh and about 10-11 inches above the back of my knee. At least it doesn't get warm/hot any longer, so that is at least a sign of improvement. It just aches, and also causes pain in the back of my knee of course.

Basically I need some encouragement...

[Rebecca19804]

I don't have any advice to offer as I've never had a hamstring problem (touch wood) but you have my full sympathy! (I'm feeling quite disheartened with how my recovery from my arthroscopy is going (or not going...) and so frustrated that I'm not out on my bike chasing down the miles through crunchy autumn leaves...)

What does your doctor and/or physiotherapist say about your progress? And do they 'get' how emotionally, not just physically, difficult this is for you?

Wishing you a thorough and speedy-as-possible recovery

[Catrin]

I think my PT knows how hard this is on me, he told me that at the beginning. Of course, this had been ongoing for 6 weeks before he ever saw me. I did see him this afternoon, and there are encouraging signs. My abductors are getting stronger to help balance things out, outside of the actual muscle strain and one particular tendon the pain actually is much less than it once was. He taped several parts of my leg today to help relieve pressure, and next week will do something else to help the inflammation after he gets my doctor's permission - some kind of pad that uses electricity to apply an anti-inflammatory to the tendon in question?

We can share the same frustration about not being able to ride through the nice crunchy leaves. I have not given up hope that if I do what I need to do that over the next couple of weeks I should be able to slowly start working my way back on the bike - and find a few of those remaining crunchy leaves.

I am feeling a little better this afternoon, attitude wise.

[Rebecca19804]

Good, that does sound promising. Hope the taping helps. Relieving pressure sometimes proves to be half the battle.

Let us know how you're feeling over the next few days, okay?

My bad-mood morning threatened to stretch into the afternoon but fortunately a good friend 'talked me out of my tree'. :p :) Like you, feeling better now, a bit more patient and yes, hopeful.

[Crankin]

Catrin, I can feel your frustration. You will regain your fitness. It doesn't matter, really. As long as you are on your bike, no matter how slowly you go,or how long, you will be out there. It will just be another challenge.

In 2007 I rode my bike 4 times between September 30 and December 7th. Without going into great detail, I was sick, and having anxiety issues, too. Yet, I was able to walk/hike and do yoga. When December came, I got out the x country skis and was so happy to see the snow. I rode the trainer, too. And when March came, I got back on the bike outside. I may have been slower, but I still rode. I just started where I was and tried to enjoy it more, rather than focus on my fitness.

[Catrin]

I know Crankin, I just worked so very hard to lose all of that weight over the last year, that it is just frustrating to not be able to exercise. I think part of that is a fear that the weight will return, but am being strict with my diet. However, that is life, and this is not a permanent condition. Indeed, if I weren't so stubborn it probably wouldn't have gotten quite so bad. My physical therapist hasn't seen anyone before with quite so many things wrong with the same leg at the same time...

I do appreciate hearing about your experience, it does help. In the end I really just want to go ride my bike...and that time will come :)

[jessmarimba]

I hope the taping helped! I think I pulled my hamstring in college (when I never went to the doctor for anything) and I was out of gymnastics for around 8 weeks. After that as long as I kept it wrapped (I would've LOVED kinesio tape back then) it was ok for easier stuff. Good luck - I hope you're completely fixed soon!

[Catrin]

The taping has helped immensely! My leg feels better than it has in almost 2 months :D

[malkin]

Glad the tape helps.
Just a little suggestion while you're rehabbing--try to spend some time in the sunshine or at least outside in the daylight. It always amazes me how much a little time in the sun can help both mind and body.

[emily_in_nc]

Great news - hang in there! This too shall pass, and will eventually be forgotten. I remember when I had a bad bout of ITB syndrome back in 2003, I think it was, and had to lay off the bike for many weeks, eventually coming back very slowly. Now that seems like another life; I can barely remember it. In the overall scheme of things, what you're going through now is but a blip. Not trying to minimize your pain or frustration, but there are many more rides in your future!

[Catrin]

Great news - hang in there! This too shall pass, and will eventually be forgotten. I remember when I had a bad bout of ITB syndrome back in 2003, I think it was, and had to lay off the bike for many weeks, eventually coming back very slowly. Now that seems like another life; I can barely remember it. In the overall scheme of things, what you're going through now is but a blip. Not trying to minimize your pain or frustration, but there are many more rides in your future!

One of the women on the Bike Forum said something very wise - she reminded me that I am not 18 and while I have made great progress in the last year, I have to allow time for my tendons and muscles to catch up with my mind.

I got to thinking about it, and 10 years ago I took up Taikwondo for a time and I did a major number on my knees! I started at 210 pounds (at 5'3) and had been very sedentary for years. My poor knees didn't know what hit them and I was in great pain for some time. It hurt to step off a curb, to step on a curb, steps were sheer agony, or to do pretty much anything but to walk on a flat surface. I did not stop - nor did I see a doctor - just backed off a little and eventually it passed. Eventually I got away from martial arts - it just isn't for me, but one knee has never been quite the same. While I did gain much of the weight back, I never was in as bad condition as I was when I started. I should have remembered that lesson.

Of course, ignoring the knee pain did work - which just added to my experiences of how ignoring pain makes it go away :o

Thanks for the tip Malkin, that is so true about sunshine and so easy to forget. I've been told that I may take a spin for no more than 2 miles - if it isn't windy and on flat ground as long as I promised to stop at the first sign of discomfort of any kind. Tomorrow is supposed to be 65 and sunny - so guess what I have planned for tomorrow afternoon :)

[Veronica]

It took ten months for my quad to heal from "runner's knee." I spent the first two months doing very little.

Veronica

[jusdooit]

Wishing you luck! No words of wisdom, I have been battling a hamstring injury all season. It is very frustrating. Remember as cyclists our hammies get tight and we need to learn to stretch.

[Catrin]

Wishing you luck! No words of wisdom, I have been battling a hamstring injury all season. It is very frustrating. Remember as cyclists our hammies get tight and we need to learn to stretch.

Yeah....for some reason I never thought of that, and I was so flexible that I never dreamed my hammies were that tight! I am finally getting patient with the process, so am hopeful that in another month or so that things will be healed.

The hamstring strain appears to be healed now - only the tendinitis remains.