Boomer6454
Member
Dear Cathe,
My name is Carol. I am 55 years young. Former athlete. I've been kettlebelling for almost a year but doing Cathe workouts for close to 20. (I have an almost complete collection of your videos.) I'm as enamored of both as the day I discovered them. I also love kickboxing.
I've been having a really hard time and am hoping to get some wise words of fitness wisdom and encouragement, or it's time to face the music honesty. I don't usually disclose my complete list of ailments, as it never seems appropriate. But now a couple of them have reared up and bitten me in my butt, almost literally (LOL!). I want to recover and get back to kettlebelling and Cathe's STS (and other) workouts as soon as possible, but I need advice/help to do it.
The LIST: I have MS, Lupus, Addison's Disease (secondary, not primary), severe Osteoarthritis (no joint unaffected), Osteoporosis, Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis, severe GERD (reflux disease), Hypertension, Asthma, and COPD. I once carried a DX of Fibromyalgia, but suspect that it was probably Lupus (prior to DX of Lupus). I also have problems with my heartrate, and mitral valve prolapse. Due to the severe osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis (bone death due to lack of blood flow to the bones) in my hips, I had to have both hips replaced. Both knees were replaced because of severe osteoarthritis. After a lumbar laminectomy (spinal surgery in the low back), I had to have a triple level lumbar fusion to relieve the terrible sciatic pain I was suffering. That lasted almost 2 years. I am now looking at more spinal surgery (on July 10th). The sciatic pain is back. it's worse, and it's going on both sides now.
THIS problem/injury began in April when I was doing STS leg work. I was progressing on my squats, and had increased to 100#. I used to squat more than twice that, so I wasn't worried about my legs being able to handle the weight. I was a little worried about my back, but more worried about my arthritic hands tolerating the 50# dumbbells. Pressing up from a squat, I felt a very sharp, intense pain in my hip during the second set. I was unable to continue; could not put weight on that leg. After a few days, it seemed to improve, so I went back to leg work but quickly discovered I had to baby that leg. Deadlifts and lunges were badly affected on that side (right). I saw my ortho about it and he took x-rays. He said the hip and hip implant looked fine. Figured it was a soft tissue injury, a severe groin pull/strain. He said body weight only squats until it healed. It didn't. It got worse. It got so bad I had to use a cane to get around the house. Now, I'm using a rollator (like a walker but with four wheels and a seat).
I went back to my ortho. He ordered an Indium scan and a bone scan. The Indium scan was negative for infection, but the bone scan showed increased signal in my pelvis. When he saw me again, he took another set of x-rays. This time, hairline fractures showed up (that corresponded to the areas seen on the bone scan). One in the front and one in the back. He concluded that it was because of my osteoporosis, since I had not sustained a fall or been in any kind of an accident.
I was told that with osteoporosis, this type of injury could take 3 to 4 months to heal. I am not allowed any weight bearing exercise. My ortho even frowned when I asked about getting on my elliptical. He wants me to basically take it easy. I am worried about the severe deconditioning that will take place without my daily workouts. I guess my biggest fear is that I will be told I have to give up the tough, push it to my limits, challenging workouts I so love. Or that, maybe it's time to face the reality of my crumbling body, aging, and illnesses. (Sigh....) I sure hope not. I've never been one to quit or give up.
What can I do? What should I do? See a physical therapist? Have a program designed for me?
HELP!
Carol
My name is Carol. I am 55 years young. Former athlete. I've been kettlebelling for almost a year but doing Cathe workouts for close to 20. (I have an almost complete collection of your videos.) I'm as enamored of both as the day I discovered them. I also love kickboxing.
I've been having a really hard time and am hoping to get some wise words of fitness wisdom and encouragement, or it's time to face the music honesty. I don't usually disclose my complete list of ailments, as it never seems appropriate. But now a couple of them have reared up and bitten me in my butt, almost literally (LOL!). I want to recover and get back to kettlebelling and Cathe's STS (and other) workouts as soon as possible, but I need advice/help to do it.
The LIST: I have MS, Lupus, Addison's Disease (secondary, not primary), severe Osteoarthritis (no joint unaffected), Osteoporosis, Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis, severe GERD (reflux disease), Hypertension, Asthma, and COPD. I once carried a DX of Fibromyalgia, but suspect that it was probably Lupus (prior to DX of Lupus). I also have problems with my heartrate, and mitral valve prolapse. Due to the severe osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis (bone death due to lack of blood flow to the bones) in my hips, I had to have both hips replaced. Both knees were replaced because of severe osteoarthritis. After a lumbar laminectomy (spinal surgery in the low back), I had to have a triple level lumbar fusion to relieve the terrible sciatic pain I was suffering. That lasted almost 2 years. I am now looking at more spinal surgery (on July 10th). The sciatic pain is back. it's worse, and it's going on both sides now.
THIS problem/injury began in April when I was doing STS leg work. I was progressing on my squats, and had increased to 100#. I used to squat more than twice that, so I wasn't worried about my legs being able to handle the weight. I was a little worried about my back, but more worried about my arthritic hands tolerating the 50# dumbbells. Pressing up from a squat, I felt a very sharp, intense pain in my hip during the second set. I was unable to continue; could not put weight on that leg. After a few days, it seemed to improve, so I went back to leg work but quickly discovered I had to baby that leg. Deadlifts and lunges were badly affected on that side (right). I saw my ortho about it and he took x-rays. He said the hip and hip implant looked fine. Figured it was a soft tissue injury, a severe groin pull/strain. He said body weight only squats until it healed. It didn't. It got worse. It got so bad I had to use a cane to get around the house. Now, I'm using a rollator (like a walker but with four wheels and a seat).
I went back to my ortho. He ordered an Indium scan and a bone scan. The Indium scan was negative for infection, but the bone scan showed increased signal in my pelvis. When he saw me again, he took another set of x-rays. This time, hairline fractures showed up (that corresponded to the areas seen on the bone scan). One in the front and one in the back. He concluded that it was because of my osteoporosis, since I had not sustained a fall or been in any kind of an accident.
I was told that with osteoporosis, this type of injury could take 3 to 4 months to heal. I am not allowed any weight bearing exercise. My ortho even frowned when I asked about getting on my elliptical. He wants me to basically take it easy. I am worried about the severe deconditioning that will take place without my daily workouts. I guess my biggest fear is that I will be told I have to give up the tough, push it to my limits, challenging workouts I so love. Or that, maybe it's time to face the reality of my crumbling body, aging, and illnesses. (Sigh....) I sure hope not. I've never been one to quit or give up.
What can I do? What should I do? See a physical therapist? Have a program designed for me?
HELP!
Carol
