?For DebbieH

[cathe4me2]

Hi Debbie,
I was using the search engine for inflammation advice and I noticed thatlast Spring you were talking about burn pain (inflammation) in your elbow? Did it get all well? How long did you have to modify your workouts in order to get up to full speed?
As you have probably seen my posts all over the place ;-) I injured my hamstring, and adductor area. Although today, both hamstrings have burn pain as in inflammation. I've been icing, epsom salt and just working upper body until yesterday...dumb me felt well enough to add Rythmic Step. Felt great while doing it, but the burn set in afterwards.
Not meaning to put you on the spot with 'medical' advice, just was wondering how you coped and are you completely healed from your injury?
Wanda

 

[DebbieH]

Hi Wanda!

Sorry to hear your injury is still giving you problems. Yes, I am completely healed now, BUT, it did take approximately (I know you don't want to hear this!)6-8 weeks~can't remember exactly, til it finally healed. I did it by icing as often as I could 5-6X/day -15 minutes on, 45 off and doing NO weight-work at all for upper body. I got some great advice from Lynne (at Cathe's site-THANKS Lynne! She is either into Sports medicine or a Physiotherapist-Hope I have that right, Lynne) She recommended the icing and said that the ice takes away the blood from the area to allow the imflamation to settle. Heat would encourage a blood flow and therefore encourage more swelling. Also, massaging the area very gently, being careful not to aply too much pressure. It was tough on my ego but my elbow thanked me. I continued all my lower body and AB work. Sometimes, I even used a barbell & dumbbells for the lower body, but I would very carefully lift it as NOT to stress my elbow. I would actually pause my VCR to get into positoions so as not to THROW the weight up. Not that we EVER throw the weight but I used EXTRA caution bringing it up. I saw some loss in my muscle tone, but not too much which pleased me. I think continuing with lower body helped. Of course, your situation is reversed. Listen to your body and don't push it. Maybe, take the next few weeks and really concentrate on all upper body conditioning and ABS. I don't want to give you any advice that could hurt you further. If your injury is real bad, you REALLY do need to go get it checked. It IS hard to cope when you have an injury because you feel at the time like you will NEVER be back to normal. That WILL be the case if you keep pushing an injury. I don't know if this helps at all. The main thing is be sure to get it checked if it seems serious. We want you back here with us safe & healthy!!! Also, when I came back to upper body work, I started with NO weights at all, then GRADUALLY increased back to my normal weight over a period of a few weeks to make sure the injury WAS healed. Sorry, for the novel! GET WELL SOON! :7 Keep me posted.

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[DebbieH]

One more thing!

If I remember right, Lynne also said if the area you are icing becomes red, you have iced too long. She also suggested putting baby lotion on the injury before you ice to prevent ice burn. Do the gente massaging AFTER the icing. Good Luck! (Lynne, I hope you don't mind my sharing this with Wanda! Thanks you so much for your help in MY time of need! I miss seeing you around here!!:-()

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!

 

[cathe4me2]

RE: One more thing!

Debbie you have helped me a whole lot! I made such great gains in muscles and most importantly for me, endurance, by working out with Cathe's videos. With this injury I was thinking 'oh no, I won't get back to where I was'. Thanks for pointing out as a re-reminder that the gains will come back.
I wasn't sure if I was to keep using ice or alternate heat and I appreciate you sharing Lynne's advice about the baby oil. I also really needed to hear an aprroximate TIME FRAME and if it were safe to do some sort of exercise.
I keep an exercise calendar with what I did each time. I know it is an ego thing, but I just hated to think it would be bare for a long, long time. :-(
If I could see you in person I would give you a hug...Thanks again,
Wanda

 

[cathe4me2]

Just me again,
I couldn't stand the suspense any longer so I went to a sports doctor today. He says I have Piriformis. That is so weird because I was just reading about that from Susan53's post back in June. But yep, that is what the injury is. I'm to do only upper body and abs,for 10 days,just like you suggested. Ice, heat if it makes it feel better and lot's of stretching. He gave me Celebrex as I can't take Ibuprophen. It will 100% heal, he says, IF I follow these instructions.
He could not believe I am 50+ because exercise has me in such good shape. He said to remember that just because I may look 25 (I think he was padding his doctor bill ) my body think it is its real age and it will take longer to hear than when I was 25.
I wanted to give you an update because you were so kind to help me out of my panic mode. Also, perhaps this may help someone else.
Thanks again, Debbie
Wanda

 

[DebbieH]

Great!

Hey Wanda~What great news!:-jumpy I am sooo glad you went to the Dr. and that he says it will heal 100% That is wonderful! Please do follow what he told you and in no time you'll be back dancin' your heart out. It's funny for me too because I had never heard of the piriformis before until I did a spin tape with Jay Blahnik and at the end of the tape, he does a stretch for the piriformis. Wasn't real sure where THAT was located but now I know it's up near the thigh/groin area! Thank you so much for updating me and keep me posted on how you are doing. Hey girl~Hit those ABS & upper body good these next few weeks! BUT, be careful!


Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!