Spending New Years in the hospital

[Catrin]

Glad to hear you are home again! Take it slow, don't push yourself getting back on the bike. The stronger you are when you start riding again the less the chance of re-injury or pain. <<<<Gentle hugs>>>>

[Swan]

Muireen, would be good to talk to you about DDD and cycling. Anything you think I should know about positioning/braces/etc (I have no clue!)? I skipped out of there with a final diagnosis of trigger points/tendinitis, DDD and mild scoliosis. Crazy! The doctors are completely baffled by the DDD at my age (not even 22), but ah well... All we can do now is treat it.

Catrin, great advice, thanks! It's funny how simple it is, yet here I was about to go do 200% as soon as I could... Thanks for reminding me to stay sane lol

[Catrin]

Catrin, great advice, thanks! It's funny how simple it is, yet here I was about to go do 200% as soon as I could... Thanks for reminding me to stay sane lol

Been there, done that myself and just reinjured myself. Multiple times as some of the longer memebers here will remember who have been so patient with me

[murielalex]

Glad you're out of the hospital, though sorry about your diagnosis. It sounds like you really need to be careful, and I agree with the person(s) who posted that you should take it slow getting back on the bike (have some fun short rides), and look into getting a fitting. You don't want to aggravate anything, and end up in worse shape while trying to get better.

[Swan]

Thanks, ladies! I'll be sure to take it slow. My physical therapist recommended cycling, yoga and swimming as means to help my back, and since I'm already doing two (swimming and cycling), I think I'll do well with therapy. Yoga seems a little frightening without an instructor, though, so I'll just do gentle stretches each day.

I'm still not on my bike, but I'm well enough that I was able to spend time with my bike by cleaning her up more than the usual wipe down before and after rides. It was a very satisfying way to pass the time. I've also noticed that since I started riding my bike, a lot more people are doing the same thing in the immediate area! I saw two high school kids, for instance, and the old couple I was biking with... None of them were wearing helmets, but it's really exciting to see people pick up cycling way out here.

Actually, all this stuff is probably really boring to slugg through, right? Maybe I should just start a bicycling blog...

[goldfinch]

Not boring at all! We all learn from each other's journey.

[Swan]

Thanks goldfinch

I've been referred to a PT clinic, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to get into aquatic therapy. *crosses fingers* The doctors and physical therapists I've seen thus far have all agreed that cycling will be very beneficial to my back pain, provided I don't hurt myself doing it. I'm so relieved about that! I have an appointment on Wednesday at the PT clinic, so we'll see how it goes from there. Since being home, my back seemed to get better, but I over the past two days I think I've overdone it a bit as it's beginning to hurt quite a lot again... maybe PT will sort me out

[Swan]

PT is a nightmare. I really don't think the therapists know what they're doing, as I always end up in extreme pain and crying within the first few minutes of every appointment. I don't want to keep going, and I can barely convince myself to keep doing the stretches they put me through when it hurts bad enough to cry like a baby. I felt like I was getting better before, but every day after PT, even after the hotpacks and EST and massages, I feel worse and worse. My back is almost as bad as it was when I had to go to the hospital, but I'll spare anyone that reads this the long-winded horror story of my PT experiences. I'm just really frustrated and upset and I don't want to bother with this anymore, even though I want to heal up.

[Catrin]

{{{{Swan}}}} sending you lots of very gentle hugs, I hope they can give you relief soon! Have you considered going to another physical therapist? There are certainly a range of skills and experience out there...

[goldfinch]

Ask them why it should hurt so much and if it is "normal." Call you doctor and ask the same questions.

[luvmyguys]

More gentle hugs . . .

Dh has had to do physical therapy for more than one issue, and he finds that often, it does hurt at first, and then it gets better. That said, asking the doctor if the pain is normal is a good idea.

[emily_in_nc]

It shouldn't hurt to the point of tears! The PT I had after I fractured my pelvis and had surgery to pin it back together in '05 didn't even hurt that bad. It was challenging and there was "discomfort", but not to that point. Definitely talk to the PT about your concerns.