a slow day

[deborahjross]

In the last few months, a series of aches'n'pains have been exerting a progressively larger influence over my daily schedule. I try not to diagnose myself (and I am seeing a physical therapist), but the sciatica/chronic hamstring tendinitis is getting downright annoying, especially when I sit in my favorite chair to write on my laptop. And also when I walk for exercise. I don't want to back off the exercise because I suspect that the choice is between being fit and in pain or unfit and in pain. Some years back, I had a (second) round of plantar fasciitis. Interesting condition. Did all kinds of therapeutic things, mostly involving needles -- steroid injections and acupuncture, with lots in between. Finally, I just gave up and determined to keep walking and wait it out. A month later, it just went away, and by then, I was on my way to recovering the conditioning I'd lost, thinking that staying off the foot would help.

And then I got stupid last night. Oh, let's try some valerian/hops/skullcap instead of trazadone at bedtime. When will I learn? Not only did the herbs not work, they left me in a state of muzziness until midafternoon. I should put a sign up over the medicine cabinet -- IF IT'S 'NATURAL', RUN AWAY. I not only do not get any benefit from herbal remedies -- either Western or Chinese -- I often get paradoxical reactions. So if something is supposed to help me sleep, it keeps me awake, etc.

All grousiness aside, I did get in my 1/2 hour Pilates and a long (1 hour +) walk into town to run some errands, and several solid and productive hours on the YA novel. It just feels as if I've been moping. Tomorrow will be better, promise!

Comments

[cardigirl.livejournal.com]

Having myself dealt with sciatica and plantar fasciitis, you have my sympathies. I was totally flattened by the sciatica -- bedridden for 3 solid weeks on mondo painkillers. When I was finally able to get up and around, the dr recommended walking (which I'd been doing before) in short 15 minute bouts. I interspersed those with much lying on the floor with knees up and in a few years(!) no longer had even twinges. (The walks got much longer, of course.) Knockwood it'll never come back!

In my case, the PF healed up after getting dr-recommended heel inserts (not the Dr Scholls ones that break down in no time.) Knockwood all over again, I've been free of that, too, ever since.

And finally: I also tend to shy off the All Naturals after trying various potions in the past. Too many weird effects and some unpredicted side effects. Now my use of the All Natural is applied to things I put on my plate! :)

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Oh, sympathies on both! And may they both stay in the past!

I had bouts of increasingly frequent and severe low back pain, starting in my late 20s, at first a few days every couple of years, then every year, then every few months for a solid week. I did the usual exercises/stretches (flexion knee-to-chest, strong abs, hamstring stretches), but nothing helped except ice, bed rest and ibuprofen. Then we lived in France and I got desperate and tried extension exercises, figuring that flexion hadn't helped so I ought to try going the other way. It worked like a charm and I have not had a major episode since 1991.

This is different, only mildly painful, more nerve aching when I sit (to write), except cross-legged seems to be okay. That makes me suspect it's a piriformis problem, not spinal.

I had great results with my PF on the first go-round from custom-made orthotics. But they didn't help at all the second time. Some relief from taping my foot, but I couldn't keep the tape on long enough since the adhesive was too hard on my skin. I think it took a year to go away the second time.

Maybe it's just getting old. Sigh. Anyway, had a very interesting PT session yesterday and I'm anxious to see what changes it hath achieved.