I'm facing another shoulder surgery, and since the injury (torn labrum) i've been able to do minimal impact aerobic exercise (walking). The pain gets severe at times. I'll have to be in recovery for a few months, and then it will take even longer to build back the muscle. How do I keep my sanity, and maintain the weight loss I had achieved without injuring myself? Mostly it's about feeling depressed and frustrated.
Dealing with injury/surgery
- Thread starter kmelli
- Start date
maddiesmum
Cathlete
kmelli:
I sympathize as I am in the same boat. I am now on my third injury in 12 months and this one affects my ability to lift weights at all since it involves my right, dominant hand. Tendon problems for which I am wearing a rigid, weird contraption on my hand for 6 weeks, unable to properly bend all fingers. I totally get the frustration and depressed state, I have them both. Added to that, we are now facing snow here in MI so my usual daily walks will be curtailed this week. I am about to scream at the universe.
Keep walking, walk as much as you can, walk until tired, walk until you feel the need for rest, a cup of coffee and a good book more than you feel the frustration. This is what I have been doing, it's all I have for you. Wish I had more. I put discs from recorded books into my portable CD player, dress in layers and just head out and stay out as long as possible. Mental distraction is what you need too.
In sympathy and understanding,
Clare
I sympathize as I am in the same boat. I am now on my third injury in 12 months and this one affects my ability to lift weights at all since it involves my right, dominant hand. Tendon problems for which I am wearing a rigid, weird contraption on my hand for 6 weeks, unable to properly bend all fingers. I totally get the frustration and depressed state, I have them both. Added to that, we are now facing snow here in MI so my usual daily walks will be curtailed this week. I am about to scream at the universe.
Keep walking, walk as much as you can, walk until tired, walk until you feel the need for rest, a cup of coffee and a good book more than you feel the frustration. This is what I have been doing, it's all I have for you. Wish I had more. I put discs from recorded books into my portable CD player, dress in layers and just head out and stay out as long as possible. Mental distraction is what you need too.
In sympathy and understanding,
Clare
nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
Hi,
I suggest you read positive successful stories. If many people have managed to overcome injuries, diseases, weight loss, depression etc...[emoji4] [emoji4] [emoji4]
why would not you? You can. It is not easy but there must be a way to fight!
Here is the link of success stories.
I hope it lift you up rather than frustrate or depress you more.
http://cathe.com/category/success-stories
Take care and stay mentally strong
I suggest you read positive successful stories. If many people have managed to overcome injuries, diseases, weight loss, depression etc...[emoji4] [emoji4] [emoji4]
why would not you? You can. It is not easy but there must be a way to fight!
Here is the link of success stories.
I hope it lift you up rather than frustrate or depress you more.
http://cathe.com/category/success-stories
Take care and stay mentally strong
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Beth-B-Fit
Cathlete
kmellie, I can empathize with your frustration. I've had past injuries and surgeries as well. I coped with doing what I could do. After foot surgery it was going to the pool and treading water. When my shoulder was rehabbing it was lower body cardio. I also took up some new hobbies-I learned how to fish when my foot was cast! I've taught myself how to make pizza, learned how to can fruits and jellies, and do lots of reading during different forced times away from exercise. You will get through this!
Best to you (and Clare) during your recovery.
Beth
Best to you (and Clare) during your recovery.
Beth
I don't get on the Forums as often as I wish I could but as soon as I saw your post I wanted to give you my moral support. I had a full (4" incision) repair of a complete supraspunatus tendon,tear (like a lamp shade up my arm when I tore it), labrum repair and a bone spur removed on my right shoulder about 4 years ago. After surgery your PT will be your best friend. I had a full month of a weird chair that took my arm up and down for an hour 3 x a day before I could start PT. It's so hard but with support here and the knowledge from Cathe on training smart you will be back to doing workouts. I still will modify my shoulder work. Just can't get those side Flying Side Angels back but I can do push ups and weight work. Now I am 61 years of age but at 58 I found my surgeon didn't believe I wanted to get my shoulder back to working out back to where I was. At my age I was kind'a written off but I fought hard and payed extra out of pocket for extra PT to get me back to my beloved Cathe workouts. I used STS with #1 weight first and did easy cardio to rebuild. Then graduated to #3 and #5. After 3 months I slowly build back up and logged my workouts. At my 6 month check up my surgeon couldn't believe what I had achieved. I'd say it took 9 months to feel good again and 12 months to see a real change. You will get through this! I believe in you! And I feel (felt ) your pain and frustration.
) your pain and frustration.
nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
Thanks cocob1.
I believe this will lift the thread originator. A story like yours is what I referred to when I used the the verb fight ;-). Inspirational story
I believe this will lift the thread originator. A story like yours is what I referred to when I used the the verb fight ;-). Inspirational story
I checked back on my calendar and I lied. The injury was in 2009. Just finished Ripped Hiit Back/Shoulders and Biceps. Cathe just keeps on getting better all the time. I can't do the double cardio on the rotation yet. I'm still having a challenge with the Ripped Hiit Cardio as it is with out the add on cardio from another series. Something to work towards.
Now I have to figure out why my picture is the size of a bill board instead of fitting into the little box. It's fun to put a face to a Cathelete here on the boards.
Now I have to figure out why my picture is the size of a bill board instead of fitting into the little box. It's fun to put a face to a Cathelete here on the boards.
maddiesmum
Cathlete
Another thing you can do if you have access to a gym with weight training machines is use them to exercise your lower body. Leg press, hamstring machine, adductors and abductors and also there's usually a machine to work the glutes too. If you spent an hour, three times per week, and did 3-4 sets of 15 reps at each of these, this would go a long way to helping you stay in shape and feel so much better.
The useful thing about these machines is that your weight is supported while you perform the moves so you don't need to use energy and strength on stabilizing your body. Obviously right now and for the next few months, you can't do lower body moves that require barbell or dumbbells as this would strain your shoulder. That shouldn't happen with machine weight training at all.
If you don't have a gym membership, it might be worth investing in it even if just for 6 months to see you through the surgery and recovery period.
I apologize if my previous post made you feel bad or worse! I actually suffer from depression as a neuro-biological mental health issue and have since I was 15. I rely on exercise to help maintain physical and mental health, and so this year of injuries has posed more of a challenge than usual. This is not your situation, of course. You will do just fine since any "blues" you feel are completely situational. End of situation = end of blues!
A I said earlier, however, mental distraction is a wonderful thing: anything that raises your spirits, whatever works for you. Wishing you well.
Clare
maddiesmum
Cathlete
Nathalie:
You are mistaken. Disease, injury, yes, these can be cured and resolved. Depression is not something that gets cured. It is managed. There is a massive difference. You should reserve stating opinions on issues that are outside of your knowledge.
Situational states of depression are easier to deal with because once the life circumstances change, the depression eases. True depression, as a biological, mental health disorder, is not cured. It is treated, and the treatments are always hit or miss, depending upon the individual.
I find your insinuation here that my post deliberately would have made the original poster feel worse about herself to be insidious and nasty. Your second, snide little post was not much better.
True depression does not alter with little stories of "inspiration." It just doesn't. Situational depressed states, yes, those can be lifted with the right words and images.
You can stand down now: the thread does not need you to remain here as invigilator, deciding which responses might be helpful to the original poster and which might. No-one needs you to do this. It is also condescending to the original poster: why would you think she cannot decide these things for herself?
Clare
jamie vaughn
Cathlete
I guess I must be missing something but I didn't take Nathalie's comments as being directed towards you Clare, but perhaps there is something going on behind the scenes that others are not aware of. Although I will say I too have some issues with depression, although nowhere near as difficult as your situation so I do feel for you and you have a wealth of knowledge to share in this area as well as in fitness. Hopefully the OP will find some useful suggestions in this thread - I certainly have.
Jamie
Jamie
My comment about depression is situational, not something I deal with on a daily basis. I volunteer with an organization that raises service dogs, and have had to give up my puppy for the last month because I can't manage it right now. I've had 2 labral repairs on my right shoulder already so I know what I'm facing. It's taken me nearly 2 years to regain strength in that shoulder from the last surgery. I'm 5'4" tall and used to weigh 235 lbs. I know weigh 135. I've come a long way, and Cathe has helped me realize that 'skinny' and 'strong' are NOT the same thing. It's a lot of hard work to recover from any surgery, and rebuilding all those muscles SAFELY so this never happens again is my goal. I am so grateful to all of you for the support, and I'll keep you posted on how things are progressing.
nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
Hi Jamie,
Sight sight....
She relentlessly attack my posts when I am trying to encourage anyone in need!
Jamie there is not anything behind the scenes.
In fact I do not want to make comments, in any shape or form, directly and/or indirectly to her, Neither did i address any comment above or previously to her.
I have no intention to reply to her post above.
I just wanted to reply to your post to make it clear that I do not intend to interact with her,
in any shape or form,for our both peace!
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nckfitheart2009
Cathlete
Very well done on your weight loss.
I have been there myself. 100 pounds is a lot.
That is about what I lost and managed to keep off for about ten years!
Keep it up, You can do it.
bzbnmom
Cathlete
kmelli, your own story is inspirational ! (the first one) Congratulations!
I am another one who knows how you feel. I severed my Achilles tendon in late May and was given the ok to start high impact cardio in Dec. Last week I tore some knee ligaments while cross country-skiing and I am once again back on crutches. I was on my 7th week of Ripped With HiiT and boy did I have big plans for 2015 workouts. I injured the same leg and I hadn't even got to the point of regaining very much strength in my calf muscle from my first injury. It is very frustrating. We seem to have opposite challenges as to how to keep in shape. You can walk, that's wonderful! And you can probably do lower body exercises. I'm wondering how I'm ever going to get any activity close to cardio. But I can do seated upper body weight workouts and some floor core workouts and I found one stretch segment from Stretch Max that works for me. So that's just what I'm going to do. It's not a happy place but we are strong and will get through it by doing what we can. Small consistent steps forward. I am praying for all our injuries to heal.
I am another one who knows how you feel. I severed my Achilles tendon in late May and was given the ok to start high impact cardio in Dec. Last week I tore some knee ligaments while cross country-skiing and I am once again back on crutches. I was on my 7th week of Ripped With HiiT and boy did I have big plans for 2015 workouts. I injured the same leg and I hadn't even got to the point of regaining very much strength in my calf muscle from my first injury. It is very frustrating. We seem to have opposite challenges as to how to keep in shape. You can walk, that's wonderful! And you can probably do lower body exercises. I'm wondering how I'm ever going to get any activity close to cardio. But I can do seated upper body weight workouts and some floor core workouts and I found one stretch segment from Stretch Max that works for me. So that's just what I'm going to do. It's not a happy place but we are strong and will get through it by doing what we can. Small consistent steps forward. I am praying for all our injuries to heal.
Traildoggie
Cathlete
I don't know the extent of your shoulder issue so use your own good judgment in what I say here.
I'm getting over rotator cuff tendonitis. It went on for 3 months. I carefully tested & was able to ride both road / mountain bikes without bothering my shoulder. we have a spin bike that I never had gotten into, although DH used it a lot. I gave the spin bike another try. I love it and am getting an amazing cardiovascular workout, and it doesn't bother my shoulder at all. I don't know if you have access to a spin bike but it is working great for me. I live in a mild climate so I can do some outdoor cycling but I think indoor spinning is much safer and a more controlled situation. I was very surprised at how many activities aggravated my sore shoulder, so you need to evaluate what bothers it and what doesn't.
my shoulder is better ( thank you, cortisone) and I'll gradually be returning to other Cathe workouts. take it slow and listen to your body and be prepared to do whatever PT is needed. Good luck!.
I'm getting over rotator cuff tendonitis. It went on for 3 months. I carefully tested & was able to ride both road / mountain bikes without bothering my shoulder. we have a spin bike that I never had gotten into, although DH used it a lot. I gave the spin bike another try. I love it and am getting an amazing cardiovascular workout, and it doesn't bother my shoulder at all. I don't know if you have access to a spin bike but it is working great for me. I live in a mild climate so I can do some outdoor cycling but I think indoor spinning is much safer and a more controlled situation. I was very surprised at how many activities aggravated my sore shoulder, so you need to evaluate what bothers it and what doesn't.
my shoulder is better ( thank you, cortisone) and I'll gradually be returning to other Cathe workouts. take it slow and listen to your body and be prepared to do whatever PT is needed. Good luck!.
sherryc
Cathlete
I don't think I will ever see the end of my calcification tendonitis. It's been over a year now, I had PT at the beginning and it did help, but I strained it again this past fall by carrying a couple beach chairs on the same side. I'm right back where I started
. I'm really not keen on the cortisone shot and I'm waiting to see a surgeon, but here in Canada that is an extremely slow process! I feel like my heavy lifting days are gone. I'm focusing on HIIT workouts now, so I'm hoping to see some good results.Sherry
Traildoggie
Cathlete
I don't know if "calcification tendonitis" is the same issue. I irritated the shoulder with too many pushups after not doing many for a while. so overuse, basically. the tendon swells, and it continues to be irritated because it needs to move in a narrow space and being swollen, it rubs. after giving it ample time to settle down on its own, I tried a cortisone shot. I've never had one before and have no history of shoulder issues. it was a miracle. cortisone decreases the swelling, and I had immediate relief. I mean.... in less than 15 seconds. the shot itself was (IMO) less uncomfortable than a flu shot. I have heard others say it was extremely painful! so I am not recommending unless your doc thinks it will help. I am doing PT now and will be careful not to do too many reps or heavy weight before I'm ready. I do not want to repeat this cycle! I am older ( 66)and tend to be cautious because for older people recovery is slower.
My main point is that spinning is a way to maintain cardiovascular fitness without irritating an ailing shoulder. I had trouble with the arm swing from running, and pulling on the elliptical.
My main point is that spinning is a way to maintain cardiovascular fitness without irritating an ailing shoulder. I had trouble with the arm swing from running, and pulling on the elliptical.
Nanbo
Cathlete
Wow! What a great thread! It illustrates what I love about being a Cathlete: SUPPORT!!!! Genuine support! The ladies who responded to this thread had some constructive and DOABLE ideas! Well done! Best wishes to those of you dealing with injuries right now; I think we've all been there, and it certainly helps morale to have someone on your side saying "YOU CAN DO IT!".
Amd what I admire about everyone here is that you are asking about injuries and finding out what others did. I didn't ask. Toughed it out ... tried to save money by not seeing a Dr. and ripped the tendon off the bone. .... I am a tough cookie ... that was in 2009. I also was not smart. Shoulders are very tricky and you often don't get pain until you have done some damage.
I love the new shoulder work in the Ripped With Hiit series. Lots of work to help balance the front and back of the shoulder. I don't have a degree in any physical stuff so I don't give advice on what to do. Only what not to do ... But I've learned to "Listen to my body" and reach out for help or advice if I need to weigh my options.
Now can someone give me advice as to how to make my picture smaller? :
I love the new shoulder work in the Ripped With Hiit series. Lots of work to help balance the front and back of the shoulder. I don't have a degree in any physical stuff so I don't give advice on what to do. Only what not to do ... But I've learned to "Listen to my body" and reach out for help or advice if I need to weigh my options.
Now can someone give me advice as to how to make my picture smaller? :