Welcome! Introductions here

MrsSpratt
MrsSpratt Posts: 200 Member
Hi everyone! In this group, I'm hoping we will be able to help each other along by giving and getting the extra support we need to make it to our goals while dealing with added injuries.

My name is Caroline and I have been on MFP for about 2 months. I have plantar fasciitis in my right foot and it's really curtailing my exercise capabilities right now. It's very painful and I am trying to not get too frustrated. I have another 80 or so pounds to lose and I do not want this problem to get in the way of that goal.
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Replies

  • goron59
    goron59 Posts: 890 Member
    Hello.

    I don't know the techie names, but I have stress fractures in both legs from running too much/too far/too fast this year.

    Currently recovering through rest and physio. Looking forward to getting back to running soon, but doing it properly next time.
  • Hello all i'm Jade. I currently have a suspected Sciatic Nerve pinched in my back that is causing severe pain through my left hip, lower back, and left leg.

    I say suspected because my doctor believes it is getting better and won't order the MRI with Dye to see what really is going on. It's not getting better..missed out on class and the gym today because i was in so much pain
  • Devol
    Devol Posts: 40 Member
    hi everyone

    well i have whats called Gilmours groin and can only be repaired with surgery but thats not for me. to be honest it doesnt bother me that much so i put up with it.

    i have not trained in 4 weeks due to vacation, so i decided on a 5 mile run yesterday ended up with pain behind my left knee, another 5 miles today and im in agony,

    so its rest time for me again boohoo

    Devol :-)
  • AllisonMart
    AllisonMart Posts: 155 Member
    Hi Caroline! Thanks for starting this group. I have had plantar fascitis in the past, it's very painful and you have my sympathy! I always work out with brace on my left arch now so it doesn't come back, and so far that has helped. I also invested in some good quality shoes that were properly fitted at a running store, and those made a world of difference.

    My name is Allison. I'm currently dealing with sciatica from a bulging disc, and I know that getting some weight off will be a big help. I'm trying to lose weight while strengthening my back and ab muscles to help support the spine.

    I also have Celiac Disease, so I am gluten free, which makes eating a daily challenge!
  • I'm Karen - I lost 80 lbs over the past 5 years. 6 more to go. I also had a heart attack this past June - I'm 47 with no risk factors (other than being obese 5 years ago - but not recently). I've spent the past 3 months in cardiac rehab, which has gotten me in great shape. But, I overdid it in the gym (after our pool closed) and my hip has flared up. I have a labral tear in it. I may need another cortisone shot. I'm really discouraged by it right now. Fortunately, I can swim which I do enjoy, but everything else is off the table right now.
  • jvan1957
    jvan1957 Posts: 114
    Hi:

    My name is John, I'm 54 years old and have been disabled due to a massive heart attack since 2004. I also suffer from diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, and back injuries from car accident. Other than that I am doing my best to get in some exercise every day and appreciate getting as well as giving support.
  • MrsSpratt
    MrsSpratt Posts: 200 Member
    I'm so glad you all are here!

    Karen, I've been getting really discouraged, too, which is why I started the group. I really don't want to give up!
  • flht25
    flht25 Posts: 4 Member
    My name is Jeff and I am struggling with plantar fascitis as well. I was training for a half marathon and now will not be able to participate in the race. I have roughly 30-40 pounds left to lose. I also want to run a half ironman sometime next year.

    I have a consult with a sports massage therapist and will be getting some better shoes.

    Any insight on recovery would be helpful.
  • RonneyKay
    RonneyKay Posts: 464 Member
    Hi!

    My name is Ronney and I am glad to find this group:)

    What can hinder my work outs is my fibromyalgia (diagnosed 13 years ago). But I am living with it and not suffering from it. There is always SOMETHING I can do, even if its 10 minutes at a time. I also have arthritis in my hands and in my feet which make it hard, but I'm still doing it:) Oh! and I injured my knee about a month or so ago, and i'm still have problems with it, it will heal in time though.

    I'm pretty proud of myself and thanks for starting this group!

    Ronney
  • MrsSpratt
    MrsSpratt Posts: 200 Member
    My name is Jeff and I am struggling with plantar fascitis as well. I was training for a half marathon and now will not be able to participate in the race. I have roughly 30-40 pounds left to lose. I also want to run a half ironman sometime next year.

    I have a consult with a sports massage therapist and will be getting some better shoes.

    Any insight on recovery would be helpful.
    I need better shoes, too.

    Right now, I'm seeing a physical therapist and my doctor wants to give me a cortisone shot. I had been reluctant to get the shot, but I think I'm going to give in. The PT taped my foot yesterday and it was really uncomfortable, so I think inserts are out.

    I hope the massage therapist helps.
  • flht25
    flht25 Posts: 4 Member
    I will let you know how it turns out. My race is supposed to be this weekend.
  • MomOfRose
    MomOfRose Posts: 89 Member
    Hi, all. My name is Michelle and I am struggling with pain in both knees. When I injured my knees in junior high school, the doctor said I had chondromalasia and gave me exercises to do to "fix" them. Through research I have discovered that what likely happened when both knees went out were injuries to my ACLs. I now have chronic pain and arthritis in both knees. No matter what level of fitness/weight I've been in, my knees are ticking time bombs; I never know when they'll go out on me and render that leg useless for the next week. This weight loss journey has been tough, but I'm slowly getting to my goal.

    I'm looking forward to reading ideas from folks who also suffer with chronic pain and are trying to be more fit.

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  • tas57
    tas57 Posts: 6 Member
    :laugh: hi ~~~ my name is Tar (nick name by my brother) and I have had injury after injury knee surgery and bunion removal so I do mostly yoga walk a mile and trying to do more but the old knee says no or the rt foot says no so I do what I can each day I have the wii fit and it works at times I'm on the day 85 with exercise whatever I can do for 10 mins or 30 mins per day so not very productive but clothes are loose, and so I will just keep trying take it one day at a time and glad to here that there is other people that do not over do it everyday I always feel so guilty and a failure and cannot do a hour work out any longer........OMG I'm feeling to so sorry for myself and then I quit give and keep getting back on the wagon so it is a circle of dysfunction and failure for me...anyway I have complained enough and :explode: first I should ask if I can join the group ~~~!!!:sad: ???? I can be supportive but I always over do it !!!~~??why??? I have just started NOV 1, 2011, right now I have plantar F!!!!!!###***:grumble: and sore heels:bigsmile: Maybe I whine too much:drinker:
  • I don't know of alot of the injuries that you guys may have but i am here to give the most support possible
  • Hi everyone,
    I am glad to find this group. I am one of those with countless medical conditions. Mine start with a undiagnosed broken ankle over 20 yrs. ago. The dr. said it was a bad sprain. Well, years of pain and 5 surgeries later I finally had a total ankle fusion two years ago. I will never be completely pain free but somehow you learn to live with the pain. I also have pre-diabetes, have partially torn both rotator cuffs, arthritis in my back and a weird condition called vaso depressor syncope. My blood pressure can drop alarmingly fast and can cause fainting - no cure. My heart dr. said they don't know what causes it or how to cure it but they can treat it and sometimes it goes away on its own - wish my fat would. LOL Also the wonderful sleep apnea and am non compliant with the CPAP. Okay enough complaining it's time to lose and strengthen what I have left. I love my skeecher rockers because they give my ankle the flexiblity it wouldn't have because of the fusion. With them I have been able to walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes each day - of course some ibuprofen helps too. Thanks for everyone that is here.:flowerforyou:
  • K1Teacher
    K1Teacher Posts: 324 Member
    Hello everyone! I was looking for a group like this because I have found myself in the "I can no longer exercise so how am I gonna lose the rest of this weight" boat. For the last 7-8 weeks I have been struggling with muscle weakness & numbness in my hands/feet/back/face. The numbness is actually a lot better but I still struggle with muscle weakness in my legs and arms. I have an appointment on Friday with a neurologist and I hope to get some answers soon. Until then...here I am eating as clean as possible and so far I've been able to continue to lose weight. Good luck to everyone!

    :heart: Shanna
  • nrvo
    nrvo Posts: 473 Member
    I'm Nicole and my left knee is a hot mess. After years of having doctors tell me it was fine (even though it hurt like heck), I finally got them to give me an MRI and CT scan. Turns out what little cartilage I have is extensively damaged, and my kneecap is cracked. My knee is constantly swollen; I've given up heavy boots, high heels, avoid most stairs, and am extremely limited in my ability to work out. It sucks. Glad I'm not alone :smile:
  • momof3and3
    momof3and3 Posts: 656 Member
    I am Donna...I am a moderate to severe asthmatic...That I don't let stop me from exercising, it just gets rough when the weather gets cold...and arthirits in mynhips, again I usually just work thru the pain and stiffness if I am having a bad day
    Right now I have an injury in my foot...I pulled the abductor hallicus muscle, the one that supports the arch. I knew I needed new running shoes and waited too long to get them. So I am off of exercise for 7-10 days...for me exercise and watching what I eat go hand in hand, so it has been a struggle for the past 3 days to keep my eating on track.

    I am going to try just weight training, especially upper body and back, and maybe a pilates class. My foot doesn't hurt as long as I don't walk on it :) Next week I will try the elliptical instead of running ....sigh!
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    Hey guys. I have subluxing patellas (my kneecaps pop out) and fibromyalgia. Lovely, lovely combination :ohwell: I first dislocated my kneecaps my junior year of high school - ummm winter of '99? - and put on about 100 pounds over 10 years because I was told I could no longer run or do much physical activity, so I quit soccer and just did marching band (I probably shouldn't have stuck with that, but I'm a musician through and through). I recently decided to become a runner, so I suck it up and deal with the pain and I love it. No, not the pain, but the thrill of doing something that I was told I would never be able to do again.

    I'm here for all of you! There's always SOMEthing we can do! :bigsmile:
  • Alderaic
    Alderaic Posts: 294 Member
    Hi Guys,

    I have a rotator cuff injury, going through an arthro MRI in a couple weeks if everything goes well, but I had to tone done everything shoulder related for a month, went through physio four times, and it is still here, so I have to go through that MRI and see if I will gave to go through surgery.

    I have to see that my orthopedist did the minimal testing and was overweight which led me to not trust him too much, when my physio is extremely capable and was able to relieve my shoulder a lot I was almost blocked when I saw her the first time, and it is much better now, though I can feel the pain coming back and I may see her again in a couple weeks.
    In the mean time I have one week left for my first round of P90X so I'm still pushing play (she told me I could workout as long as I dont feel any pain in my shoulder)

    Good luck guys, looking for any advices to get rid of that issue permanently (that is if I dont need surgery)
  • tas57
    tas57 Posts: 6 Member
    :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :happy: :sad: :cry: I have had shin splints this week so I know I":bigsmile: m overdoing again so I will just walk for the rest of month to just keep trying I keep going up an down like yoyo so all we can do is try so keep it up troops and hang in their get yourself a great day!!~~:flowerforyou: :love:
  • rsdgirl
    rsdgirl Posts: 241 Member
    i have a whole bunch of medical issues starting w/ RSD/CRPS (the most major) and plenty of other issues, any questions just ask. and it makes it damn near impossible for me to workout so my food choices are of serious importance!! wishing all you the best of luck!!! :) and remember to take care of yourself and listen to your body
  • Hi All! I'm Dee and I have Hypermobile Joint Syndrome, and I'm allergic to wheat. I've had multiple dislocations and overuse injuries from exercise. Right now I'm working with a personal trainer, despite the cost, to increase my joint strength to avoid more injuries. I'm so weak right now! This syndrome makes it hard to exercise effectively, because I get spasms, muscle fatigue, knots and joint swelling from all but the very lowest impact exercises BUT I'm finding my place and getting stronger. Won't let this keep me down!
  • CBCelest
    CBCelest Posts: 3 Member
    Caroline, Thank you for creating this group. :happy: I have been struggling with my knee injury and weight for awhile now and it is nice to be around others who understand.

    My name is Chrissy. I had my knee dislocate in July of last year because of training I was doing with the Navy. Once is went the first time it just kept doing it time after time. Making it impossible to workout well. The doctors could not see anything wrong for the longest time except for worn cartilage under my knee cap. Finally one saw the tear in my MPFL and did surgery. I have been recovering from that since April, but am still not able to even jog because of the pain. Last month I went back and found out I have patellar tendonitis. Doc hopes physical therapy will help, but he also said losing weight would probably help it. After my injury I shot up 35 pounds and now I am struggling to get it off plus the extra weight I had before my injury.

    Good luck everyone and stay strong. :flowerforyou:
  • lizard9800
    lizard9800 Posts: 474 Member
    Howdy all!
    I recently had a bad accident that left me with a cracked rib and two fractures in my foot. Doctor says I have to be on crutches for up to 3 months and then physical therapy after that. I may have foot pain for up to a year. I do a lot of hiking in the summer, and snowboarding in the winter, so this does not sit well! I know there isn't anything to do for a cracked rib except rest for like 6 weeks. I'm in week 3. I am just waiting for it to heal so I can at least do some light arm lifting and ab work. I feel like a lump just sitting around at all day!
    I had ACL surgery about a year ago, so I'm used to being down a bit, but unfortunately I also think I may have torn some meniscus (or ACL again) in this accident so I may have knee problems in a few months as well. Hard to say since I can't put weight on that leg right now to tell. Just felt like venting!
    I have also had back problems in the past from lifting super heavy things, so if anyone needs advice on backs or knees let me know. I have also done P90X multiple times so I know which exercises can be done with certain body pains.
    Hang in there everyone! It can get better.
  • I'm Jenny. I had a severe injury on 9/2/11 where I shattered my heel in 20 pieces and also damaged my subtalar joint. After several surgeries, and nearly 4.5 months later, I'm finally starting to walk a bit on my own. I have physical therapy 3X a week, which is beneficial, but time consuming. Months prior to my injury, I was an avid runner and had completed a half marathon in Alaska with Team in Training. I also snowboard, mountain bike, hike, spin, etc. It's been emotionally troubling for me, as well as physically. I used to work out 5-6 days a week in some fashion. To complicate matters, I have a wound on my foot from surgery that is refusing to heal. I wanted to pursue swimming, but must wait until that heals up. I needed to start tracking my food intake more aggressively, as I'm not physically capable of the activity I once used to do. I expect months more physical therapy, and I expect I will have a lot of arthritis and pain down the road. I'm trying to shift my interests from running to biking, and just purchased a Total Gym, hoping it will be an effective low impact activity I can do on my own. I need to gain strength and stability back in my leg. I've lost a lot of muscle mass due to atrophy, while my waist keeps getting bigger. I am also tracking my measurements as I think that will be more realistic as I start to increase muscle back in my leg. A long frustrating journey! And here I am.
  • Lolli1986
    Lolli1986 Posts: 500 Member
    Hi, I'm Lauren. I'm so glad to have found this group as it is exactly what I was looking for.

    For the past two years I have been struggling with (hopefully only temporarily) life-altering injuries. Initially I was diagnosed with a fairly garden-variety hernia. Six months later it was operated on - but they cut the wrong place! This unnecessary cut became badly infected and I spent a week in hospital, and a futher 2 months laid up while the gaping hole healed.

    I actually managed to recover to the point that I was capable of a single 5km run before my second surgery (within 3 months of the first). Recovery from the second surgery was (I thought) surprisingly slow, roughly 6 weeks, but I continued catching every cold and stomach bug that went around for the next 4-or-so months. Despite this, I managed to build back up to running 3km a few times a week, and some form of moderate exercise on the other days..........

    ......when I noticed another lump. One year had passed since initial diagnosis; I had quit my studies due to disability and could not now continue them.

    The doctors said it was another hernia, possibly coming through the scar tissue. It was much more painful than the previous hernia; within 2 months I had ceased running, and within 3 months I had to stop walking.

    Through trial and painful error, I discovered that I could not do any excercise that involved moving my legs (because of the location of the lump even swimming and pilates hurt). I also dicovered that I could not lift or carry anything, or use my core for much more than standing or carrying groceries.

    Six months ago it was diagnosed as some weird, rare bulging vein that might as well be a hernia, because it looks and feels much the same. I am still waiting for my third surgery.

    Initially I just accepted that I would put on weight during my second year, but I continued gaining with no sign of stabilising. I decided to try mfp to track my consumption.

    Happily, I had the recent epiphany that I CAN wave my arms around frantically, so I bought a wii with wii sport and Just Dance, hahaha.

    I've literally had to change everything about my routine, from my career path to my leisure activities.

    I am an ecologist - my favourite activities used to be chasing frogs, catching snakes, climbing mountains, traversing streams, camping, running to keep fit, and general hiking. I now sometimes go for a 2km totter down by the river, or the beach; bash my boyfriend in wii boxing; watch television (which has never been an interest in my life); and have shifted my career focus to making ecologically informative maps and websites. COMPLETE overhaul.

    I put on 10kg over this time, most of it in the last year.

    The experience has been positive, but has not always felt that way, and I still miss my old life. I am thankful that HOPEFULLY SOON I will have this third operation and will be able to get back to the things I love.

    I should mention that, while I didn't really suffer depression, I did experience disfunctional levels of anxiety...

    I can help with a) exercise ideas, b) mental health issues, and c) a little bit with diet ideas.

    I'm here to support :D
  • EfFemme
    EfFemme Posts: 5 Member
    Hello! I'm Jess,and although I work at a top rated sports medicine clinic in Chicago, I am among those who have experienced a life-changing injury and now must cope with the physical and emotional challenges such injuries bring. I have a ton of experience with helping others through various injuries, but never realized how horribly upsetting it is to suddenly not be able to walk, run, or even BE without pain, loss of range of motion, or having to stop doing one's favorite things.
    On the fourth of July, I was running in a field and hit a pot hole. I tore the tendon and muscle that runs down the outer side of your leg and foot (peroneus brevis) in addition to popping off five ligaments in my ankle. After many weeks in a boot, on crutches, and hobbling around, I am now thirty pounds over weight, feeling depressed, and unable to do the ONE thing that makes me both happy and skinny-- RUN. No cute heels or girle shoes! No soccer! No carefree strolls on uneven surfaces or jaunts to catch a bus! EVER. AGAIN.
    Going from running 20+ miles and biking abut 100 miles a week to barely being able to walk or move without pain is a nightmare for me. Working with professional athletes when you're chubby is also not the most fun! I am hoping to connect with fellow pain sufferers, those with life-altering injury experiences, or pretty much anyone who understands the frustrations and sadness that comes with injury and illness... And we can help each other bring positivity and humor to the crappy and anxiety-inducing challenges thrown our way. I hope to be able to find exercises that can work within my limitations and be a supportive, encouraging online friend to those in need of someone who understands... I can help with sports injury questions, diet/recipe suggestions, discuss things that help me cope with my depression and anxiety, and provide an encouraging word when you need one.

    I don't have any friends on here yet, so if you're looking for support, feel free to friend me!
  • swisspea
    swisspea Posts: 327 Member
    Hi everyone, it's so good to find this group! I'm a 25 year old newley-wed, originally from Toronto, Canada, but now living in Switzerland with my Swiss husband. I have a degree in Anthropology and education, and will be a *real* classroom teacher in August! I'm learning German, love yoga, and love any kind of yarncraft and cooking/baking.

    I've been dealing with a very injury and pain-prone ankle since I tore some ligaments when I was 6 years old. I was in a cast for 6 weeks with a serious sprain when I was 16, and in November 2010 I sprained it right before my sister's wedding which I was the maid of honor, and didnt get medical attention until I sprained it a second time, a week after her wedding (I did wear heels for her wedding, and was crying the whole time in pain, but it looked like I was crying for her). This took months to heal, but after practicing yoga every day for 10-30 minutes, it was back to normal by this time last year. Unfortunately I had the worst sprain of my life in November of 2011 while walking on some uneven pavement with my husband. I went to hospital and was in a cast (that I could walk on) for 8 weeks. The cast came off in January, and it's been incredibly slow to recover, and so disheartening. Before I sprained it in November, I had started running, and was just beginning to love it when it happened. The longest I've been able to run now before being in pain has been 7 minutes. I can do some yoga, but not nearly as well as before, and although I have lost weight, I'm pretty sure a lot of it has been muscle. I am a supply teacher, and can be on my feet all day, this leaves me in pain for days after sometimes. I will begin physiotherapy once my husband and I complete our move at the end of the month. I am also pigeon-toed and the doctor who looked at my x-rays last time told me that I had flat feet and deformed ankle bones (pretty upsetting that it took 25 years of my life to get that diagnosis).

    It's so nice to find a support group here, I hope we can all overcome our injuries and that we have access to good healthcare. I wish you all the best and hope to join in the conversation here!

    Julia
  • resafabulous
    resafabulous Posts: 3 Member
    Hey, my name is Resa. I was run over by a Jeep in 2005. Although I was overweight at that point, I was still pretty healthy, no colds, no chronic issues. The accident left me with a plate in my right shoulder and a huge scar on my left knee, although I was so lucky that it didn't damage the kneecap. However, when I started trying to work out with a trainer to take off some weight once I got better, I ended up herniating two discs.

    I pretty much quit after that and while I would sometimes take off a few pounds due to diet, I eventually ended up gaining quite a lot. I tried to work out again last year, again with a trainer, and herniated another disc. Now I am the heaviest I have ever been and in pretty much constant acute pain. Since I work an office job and have to sit, the pain is almost unmanageable. I joined MFP to manage my weight loss since I tend to eat pretty emotionally, and I am doing okay so far. I am really glad to find this group though! It's amazing what chronic pain does to even the most upbeat person.

    I have been swimming for about two months now, and I love it. The water is relaxing but it's also great for taking off the pressure on my lower back so I can actually get some movement and burn some calories. I am working to lose about 150 pounds, so I know it will be a long road. But I am committed to going the distance and making MFP and exercise part of my life!