So I mentioned the other day that I had an appointment with a physical therapist yesterday. After an hour and a half of evaluations, we have pinpointed that there is no shoulder injury at all and my pain, numbness and tingling are in fact caused by a bulging disc in my neck (C6 if you follow that kind of thing ;]). I'm really happy to have figured this out finally because over the last 6 months it has really gotten bad. I probably downplay it a bit but the truth is that my shoulder hurts most of the time, and when I do something to aggravate it I get numbness and pain down my left arm and into my thumb and pinky fingers. One major reason why I hate running is that 9 times out of 10 I will get off of the treadmill with horrible pain, numbness and tingling. The impact must aggravate it because it is terrible. I'm probably really lucky that the disc isn't herniated given the amount of impact that I put my body through between the running, jumping and fight training that I do.
I'm clearly a stubborn girl because none of this has stopped me in the past. I was advised to put the activities that involve impact on hold for a few weeks and I definitely need to listen. I'm tired of being in pain and struggling through it. I've been training probably at 60-75% for the past 6-12 months and it is really sad because I remember all of the things I used to do and want to be able to do them again. So I'm going to have to take it easy for the next month at least. I'm working on figuring out a new workout plan that will help me get back to 100%. I'll definitely keep you posted on that. I have an idea but I'm going to run it by the physical therapist first. For now I'm replacing running with the elliptical (did 30 minutes of intervals this morning) and doing all strength training with my trainer (45 minutes this evening... omitting overheard presses for a few weeks).
Anyway, I know this seems negative but I'm really happy that after 3 years of searching for answers I finally have one. I'm disappointed that I have to stop my Tough Mudder training for a little while but I know that it is the smartest decision to avoid more serious injury. I'll have to play it by ear in terms of Tough Mudder. It's pretty clear to me now that I'm going to avoid all obstacles that may aggravate or worsen the problem. Side note - I told my physical therapist that I was training for it and he said he was doing it to! How funny!
Anyway, sorry for the long update but you've all been so supportive throughout the whole thing so I figured I'd keep you in the loop. I may be on the sidelines for a bit but I can definitely still kick ass ;)
So I can't do a post with no food to show you so I am going to show you my mini grocery haul! I'm working weddings on Saturday and Sunday this week so I didn't get too much because I won't be home all that much. Check out the haul!
2 Two Mom's in the Raw bars (to bring to work as a substantial snack), Goji berries (finally!), organic salsa, stuffed grape leaves (shocking) and some golden sesame tofu.
For produce I got organic blackberries, spring mix, some corn, carrots and some tomatoes on the vine. Yum!
Thank you all for sticking with this long post :) And thank you all for reading, following, supporting me, and inspiring me. You are the best!
I hope all of my Northeast Friends are doing ok in this heat wave. My air condition isn't doing anything because my room is above ground level and therefore like 120 degrees. I just cleaned out the filter so hopefully that'll help a little. Wouldn't you know I locked my keys (and phone) in the car AGAIN today. On the hottest day so far. I'm just good like that ;)
Have a great night friends!
Congrats on 100 followers!
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you found out what's wrong. Like you said, it gives you something to work off of and you know what you need to avoid. I think that backing off a bit is very reasonable, and smart. I've had to do it quite a few times in the past, which was hard, but always worth it.
That's quite the heat wave! We just had it here and today was finally a decent temperature. It really stinks that you locked your keys & phone in the car!
Great grocery haul, especially the blackberries. YUM!
Thanks Molly! It is definitely good to finally have an answer. Now we just need to work on the solution. I'm hoping to find something that works that will allow me to not take the meds anymore. I really hate that I'm taking them. It is definitely hard to back off but if the PT agrees with my plan I'll still be participating in some activity... which will hopefully prove to be healing!
DeleteIt is oppressively hot here. I can't get my room to cool off. Hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep because it is hard for me to sleep when it's this hot. Lol you can imagine the thoughts (and four letter words!) going through my mind as I stared at my keys and purse sitting on my front seat.
Thanks! I'm most excited about the blackberries! :)
oh i'm so happy for you that you finally got some answers!! i'm sorry that you have to put your Tough Mudder training on hold, but just think...after this short "rest" period, you'll be back at 'em 100% and be able to do all those things you miss doing! yay!
ReplyDeleteand it looks like you've got some great groceries! gotta love blackberries! Have a great Friday! yay Weekend!!
Thanks Caralyn! I agree, the short rest will be way better than the way longer rest I'd have to take if I do more damage by being stubborn. Hopefully I'll find a happy medium because even the elliptical caused some pain. Working on it! ;)
DeleteThanks! Blackberries are the best! Unfortunately my next day off is NEXT saturday so I'm one of the rare people hoping the weekend goes quickly :X Sorry lol!
Soo...yay? I want to be happy for you now that you finally know what the problem is, but a bulging disc is serious! I know you're a tough chick, but I still worry about you. :(
ReplyDeleteI hope taking it easy for a while helps with the pain. If the treadmill and the elliptical cause pain, then what are you supposed to do? Swimming?
Congrats on getting 100 followers! That's really wonderful, and it shows just how special your blog is. I set up Google Analyics on my blog, and it's weird when I get only a few comments but there are hundreds of "lurkers". It's funny because I was a lurker on other blogs for a long time before I started my own.
Thank you Sage, I appreciate your concern :) I'll be ok and trust me, I don't want to do anything to cause more damage. I don't have pain when I use the arc trainer and I can also walk with hills. I'll probably have to hold off on strength training and working out with my trainer for a bit but I'll find something that will help rather than hurt. I wish swimming was an option but I don't have access to a pool. Wah!
DeleteThank you! I was a lurker for a long time too. I usually wonder how many people are looking but not commenting. There are some settings here that let you view your page states but it isn't super specific so I'm curious. I am very grateful to everyone that looks!
Thanks for your kind comments and I assure you that I'm going to be taking care of myself. I'm stubborn but I won't let it get any worse, that's for sure!
So glad to hear you got your shoulder problem figured out! You must feel so relieved that now you can begin recovery. I'm so glad a more serious injury didn't occur as a result!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 100 followers! You deserve every single one and way more!
Nice on the goji berries! I hope you love them.
It's swelteringly hot here too. I hope you're not melting! Just drink lots of smoothies :)
Thank you Gabby! I'm glad too, especially given the type and intensity of workouts that I do. I consider myself lucky that it isn't worse!
DeleteThank you so much! That is so sweet of you to say!
I'm excited to try the goji berries! They have a dry texture and feel to them, is that normal? Am I supposed to hydrate them or is that just how they are?
A smoothie is on the menu for breakfast for sure! This heat is an appetite killer for sure! Stay cool!
Haha that's just how they are, which is why I tend to incorporate them into smoothies and such after soaking. I know you can get softer ones, but the ones I always find here are a little harder.
DeleteHooray! Another milestone because you are 100% awesome! I am SO happy for you to have some answers. I can only imagine the amount of relief and gratitude you must be feeling! I am constantly amazed at our spine - one thing goes wrong, and we can feel it all over our body. It makes so much sense that it wasn't your shoulder, but a disk! The plan for recovery sounds perfect, and I'm sure your trainer and therapist will have great suggestions to keep you moving towards your goal. :)
ReplyDeleteI have yet to try goji berries (I just think of that video "The Life Organic" from those hot Aussies, whenever I hear goji berries - ha!). Let me know how they are! Lovely summer produce!! Hoping to get to a Farmer's Market to show you all this weekend. . .
I hope the weddings go well this weekend, and that you'll be able to rest up when you have time!
Awww thank you Ingrid! Im happy to have answers too so hopefully it'll just get better from here. I am trying to figure the whole thing out, especially how it will work with Tough Mudder. That's the one thing that makes me nervous about the whole thing.
DeleteHaha those guys are hilarious! I will definitely let you know how they are :) Oooh I would love to see a Colorado Farmer's Market! I bet you'll find some great stuff!
Thanks I hope so too, especially because I'm feeling yucky right now. I'm supposed to go to a friend's house so I'm going to probably make that quick then relax. I need to feel better by 5am tomorrow when I wake up. Oy!
Mr. SV has sciatica -- something bulging/herniated? between L4 -L5. We were going to ask you about the MRI experience before he had his last week. Anyways, the point is -- he is using an elliptical now as well. Glad you're onto that low impact stuff. It's incredible you maintain such a positive attitude with so much pain.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shen, I appreciate that. Being angry or sad or helpless about it won't help at all so I figure why waste my time being negative? That is horrible that he has to deal with sciatica and a herniated disc. My mom deals with the same exact thing as him and she is constantly in pain. I know he must be in pain but it is good that he is still being active. In the future please feel free to ask whatever you'd like! Hope the MRI experience wasn't bad for him and while it really sucks that he has to deal with that, at least he knows what it is now and can take the proper steps to treat it and alleviate some pain!
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