Depressed...

[kali1]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Oct-24-02 AT 11:00PM (Est)[/font][p]Hey all -

I am feeling really really depressed tonight. Yesterday, I did 30 min of cardio which is the longest I've ever done since working out. I felt really good at that moment. I was also flying high because I've lost 10 pounds since starting with Cathe. However, this is where the downslide began. I was getting ready for work when I felt a sharp pain in my right shoulder area, around the shoulder joint. That really freaked me out. I touched the area, I felt a few pops. After that - there was no pain at all, just the pops in my shoulder when I moved it. I called my mom, she said not to worry about it. In the past, my left shoulder would pop when i moved it but I was told it's due to being overweight. So for the past few years, I lived with it.

Well...I ended up going to the chiropractor today. He said if I get several adjustments that it would help but most likely it's due to some past ingury and the excercise is agravating it. I just about disolved. I know he's just a chiropractor and not an orthopedic (sp) but I'm scared of finding out the cause of the shoulder pops. I'm not in pain but I'm afraid of causing more damage. I don't want to be told to stop what I'm doing. I really love this and for the first time I've found something that is starting to work for me.

I believe my form is correct. It just sucks cuz in my dinky town, there's no personal trainers or gyms. The closest town is too far away to travel for advice. I don't know what to do.

 

[lwseymour]

Hi Kali,
I'm sorry that I can't be of much help, but I sure hope you are feeling better today. My mother just found out she has osteoarthritis of the knee as well as a torn meniscus(spelling?). Anyway, she has walked 5 miles per day for MANY years and now she is no longer able to. She's definitely going through a tough time. I hope you are able to get an answer and hopefully it will be something that is relatively simple to treat. Good luck.
Lisa

 

[Aquajock]

RE: Get a second opinion!

Don't let your fear of the truth stand in the way of your learning it, or whatever the real problem is can do nothing but worsen over time!

And get this opinion from an orthopedist or sports medicine DOCTOR! Your joints in general, and your shoulder joint in particular, are nothing to mess around with!

Annette Q. Aquajock

 

[prfitness]

I understand how you feel. The thought of an injury preventing you from enjoying what you love can be pretty scary. But the shoulders are a very delicate area and you should check it out asap. Its probably nothing too bad. I had a few problems with my shoulders when I first started working out. I am still very cautious with poundage when it comes to the shoulders. Normally light weights with good form is enough for me. Also you might want to invest in some mirrors. That has helped me with my form. S&H is a good series if you don't already have it. The slow reps really allow you to concentrate on your form and nail the exercise. Please do get that shoulder checked out before you work it out with weights again and best of luck. I am hoping that it is something minor.

 

[Seed]

I have problems with my shoulders, also. Mine has to do with the rotator cuff. My rght shoulder particularly gives me a lot of trouble. I am unable to sleep on that side. My doctors told me not to do any overhead lifting, upright rows. I DO do the rotator cuff exercises that Cathe does in her Slow & Heavy series, but I don't believe my shoulders will ever be normal again. I don't even know how they got that way, but certain exercises aggravate the problem. The one thing you don't want to do is quit exercising your shoulders altogether. You need to do the correct exercises that will help get your shoulder back to normal. You may need to strengthen your rhomboid muscles. I think I read one time that if these muscles are weak, shoulder problems can happen.

 

[getnfit@38]

Hi Kali

I won't even "go there" with all the problems I had initially when I started working out, my shoulders being one of them. But exercising at higher weights, especially in the beginning, has it's own set of unique and special circumstances that only "we" can understand, sometimes I think many in the medical community cannot fully appreciate or understand some of the physical things that are gone through.

You should see a qualified DOCTOR as Annette suggested, and of course don't do anything that causes pain or discomfort, but at higher weights, I had to "baby" areas like my elbows, knees and shoulders until I gained strength and lost weight. It wasn't until just a few months ago that I could challenge my shoulders with heavy weight, not until I got down inside of 200lbs could I do it, and then I made it my business to really build them up by challenging them "weight wise" every 2 weeks with heavier weight, until now I have some pretty great shoulders if I say so myself! But initially, back at about 270lbs when I couldn't take the popping and soreness and was afraid I'd hurt something, a P.A. at my doctor's office told me that I'd never be able to lift heavy with my shoulders due to age and genetics, that because my mom is of Jewish decent, I was predisposed to a rounding of the shoulders. I cannot wait for my next office visit to proudly rip off my shirt and show him my squared off, muscled shoulders, not to mention the good things happening with my back lately!?

But the point is......(after digressing)

Don't be too quick to give in or up. At least do the cardio as you are able, and if using really light weights doesn't cause you pain or discomfort, stay light for as long as you need. I have been continually amazed at the health problems that have corrected themselves throughout my weight loss. Every 50lbs off was like some shot of a miracle drug. So don't take pain for granted or anything, get checked out, but go to a Doctor that knows something about sports medicine. My first clue that the P.A. might not have been the best person to take advice from should have been the fact that he was pot bellied and a smoker! Guess he didn't care if I stayed fat or not!

Donna

 

[Bobbi]

The shoulder is the least stable of the joints. But don't despair. Go through all of the shoulder exercises you do and guage whether or not the exercise exaccerbates the problem or does not. Do those exercises which feel ok until your shoulder gets stronger and add the others in as you go. Keep them if they feel ok. I have weak shoulders and tend to keep weights very light to moderate or to do very few reps of heavy weights. Get a second opinion or find a doctor who is aware that exercise is important to you and don't stop until it works to your satisfaction! Exercise is the best medicine and there's always a way to heal a problem spot. Listen to your body! Good luck!

http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule! B http://www.plaudersmilies.de/natur/petals.gif bbi

 

[kali1]

Thanks

Hey everyone -

I feel a lot better today. It really hit me hard yesterday. I think after experiencing success, I didn't want to hear bad news. I'm going to take it in stride and I'll see a real doctor about it. I think I need to modify a little more and be a little more careful. If you know of any modifications for the shoulder area, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks,

Kali

 

[amynicole]

RE: Thanks

I would see a sports MD, yes, MD!!! I hope you get an answer soon.

Donna- what does jewish decent have to do with not workout out and shoulders?? I am jewish- not just my mother but my whole family tree up to me and I have never heard of this?? Sounds like that Dr. did not know what they are talking about!

 

[kali1]

Update

Hey all -

The closest sports MD is 1 1/2 hr away but I'm on a waiting list to see if I can get an appointment. in the mean time, I saw my local MD today. She said I have a sprain in the shoulder and the only thing I can do is lay off the strength training for a couple of weeks and take advil for the pain. What ticked me off is she only touched my shoulder once to determine this. I'm thinking the "sprain" is more like a muscle spasm because it goes away after applying ice or heat. I'll do this for a week or so and see how it goes. She is a common thing to happen if you haven't excercised in a while?

Thanks!!!

Kali