I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Spouses and Caregivers => Topic started by: pelagia on July 17, 2008, 06:47:03 PM
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I went for my annual physical today. Most of the news is good - my bloodwork is good, ekg good, etc.
But, last November I hurt my arm... I flew to a conference and knew there was a problem after I shoved a suitcase in the overhead bin on the second leg of my trip there. The arm bothered me all fall, but I thought it just needed time to heal. During the early winter I started doing a new yoga class and I couldn't lift my right arm straight over my head. Then Stephen had his operations and I had other things on my mind. I had the suspicious feeling it was getting worse every time I went to the grocery store. Now I can't lift my arm above horizontal out to the side and I can't reach behind my back with that arm at all. Today the doc says that he thinks it's an injured rotator cuff and that I definitely have very limited range of motion, probably due to adhesions that have formed from not using it. He says that this probably means surgery. Next step is an MRI. Had I dealt with it last fall it would have been much less of an issue, but I certainly had no idea it would lead to this. @#! :banghead;
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Linda, what a drag and then some. I've known people at my gym with injured rotator cuffs and they can be painful as all get out. I know you'll follow through with attending to it and hope things improve.
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OOOOH That hurts! about 7 years ago I tore my rotator cuff dragging a barrel of mulch! I had a cortisone shot which gave me relief for 6 months. Then I reinjured it at the gym, and had to get another shot. Thankfully (KNOCK WOOD) it's been ok for 5 years now. I did have to do exercises to regain strength. My friend lost a lot of mobility so she had to have surgery, and so far she's had great results.
Gardening is dangerous (for me.) I also tore a tendon in my elbow a couple of years ago and it was so painful. Again, cortisone and physical therapy and it's finally better.
I hope you get some relief. I was like you, hoping it would heal. Get it taken care of!
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This is too spooky, I have had a pain in my arm and struggled with things like gettig a sweater off since hurting it 2 or 3 months ago(clapping etc at a Ga Ga - Queen tribute group - concert if you want the truth!!) and I've been toying with the idea of seeing the doc next week, but waiting for it to go away. It isn't going away and it's waking me in the night if I turn in my sleep, reading what you have all said I am most definitely off to the doc on Monday. Thanks guys for the push I needed. :thumbup;
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I am remembering how much trouble I had all winter getting my arm into my jacket. I've actually reversed how I get dressed. I used to always put my right arm into jacket, blouse, etc. after the left arm. Now I can't do that because the right arm won't bend that way. I have also done damage in the garden. In fact that's part of the problem now because I hurt my left forearm trying to move a shrub last June. That injury took 6 months to heal, so I figured I should wait at least 6 months with the one in my right arm. This is where being logical sometimes gets me into trouble! I have always been very slow to go to the doctor because I have that "I can tough it out" sort of attitude.
go to the doc Rose! go to the doc!
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I, too, am slow to go to the doctor. Years ago I hurt my shoulder when I fell off a hammock and hit the ground wrong. (Not quite as glamorous as Rose's Ga Ga - Queen tribute concert...) Now I have constant troubles. Esp. with gardening, which is a real love of mine.
I, too, say: Go to the doctor, Rose!!!
Pelagia, I hope all goes well for you with the possible surgery.
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I'll go Monday, I promise.
I too hope all goes well for you Pelagia and I am praying for strength for you Anna having read your latest posting on the drinking and depression thread, I really hope Randy will take to heart what he's been told. :grouphug;
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you get to live off the coast of Virginia
wow
I live an hour off the coast of Galveston but bet Virginia is prettier
hope your health is better
and eat a few sea creatures for me
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I have been thinking about this
you studied sea creatures and it just seems like you would know to take better care of yourself
I'm just saying you are intelligent
so take care of yourself
we care about you
and sea creatures
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I think I was in denial Twirl.
All winter... I couldn't think about any of it too much.
Denial that my husband's kidneys were failing, that he would go on dialysis, that our lives would be changing.
Denial that there could be anything wrong with me.
Who has time for that?
So now I might have to have surgery. Hopefully it won't be too bad. My husband has a hard time being the nurse. Luckily I have never really gotten sick very much. And I am used to taking care of myself. Stephen used to travel 150+ days a year.
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I did go today as promised and the Dr says I have Suprasprinatus tendonitis (inflation of the tendon that goes across the top of the shoulder)...................that would be from all that clapping and hand waving then :rofl; I have anti-inflamatories to take for a month and exercises to do ........with the threat of steroid injections if that doesn't work. If injections didn't work either then an op would be next but I am hopeful that it wont get that far.
Thank you so much Pelagia for spurring me on to go, like you I tend to tough it out and think it will get better, but it looks like this wouldn't. I hope things work out for you and you don't need an op. Let us know how the scan goes, and good luck :cuddle;
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A lot of people can attest to denial, I would be first in line. Now is the time to deal with it and fix it...Boxman
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Rose, it's so good that you took care of this!
Pelagia, I totally understand! Denial is so easy and a wonderful emotional survival mechanism. It's so hard to know when to come out of it. But don't beat yourself up for letting this go on for so long. We do what we have to do. It's hard. :cuddle;
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Thanks all. I go for my MRI on Thursday and I will let you know what they say. Right now I am in crunch time at work, which is why I am not posting much. I have a couple of deadlines later this week.
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I did go today as promised and the Dr says I have Suprasprinatus tendonitis (inflation of the tendon that goes across the top of the shoulder)...................that would be from all that clapping and hand waving then :rofl; I have anti-inflamatories to take for a month and exercises to do ........with the threat of steroid injections if that doesn't work. If injections didn't work either then an op would be next but I am hopeful that it wont get that far.
Thank you so much Pelagia for spurring me on to go, like you I tend to tough it out and think it will get better, but it looks like this wouldn't. I hope things work out for you and you don't need an op. Let us know how the scan goes, and good luck :cuddle;
Oops, I was rushing while I was still at work -- I hope the anti-inflamatories will take care of your problem Rose :cuddle;. You are going to have to give up the hand-waving for sure. I guess that means you can never be Queen. :rofl;
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Pelagia, let us know how your MRI goes today. Good Luck! :flower;
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Thinking of you and hoping it goes well :cuddle;
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Thank you so much for thinking of me today! It's a bright spot in my day.
It's been a tough day... Even before the MRI. One of our cats died this morning. She had cancer and we knew her days were numbered. She lived a long life, but still it is very sad. Her name was Happy, because she always was. My son gave her that name 15 years ago. She was still purring the morning when my husband took her outside for some fresh air. She died in the garden.
I went for my MRI at 11. I've been a pretty tough cookie most of my life, but honestly I am becoming a wimp. My brain tells me that in the big scheme of things this isn't a big deal. But, I'm not handling it all that well. I am not claustrophobic, but today I had a terrible time while I was being scanned and was even feeling a little panicky. My arm/shoulder was hurting from the beginning. I had to do the alphabet backwards about 20 times, and spell out the names of everyone in my family, just to keep it together. I was in the machine for about 30 minutes and was not supposed to be moving. The tech tried to make it comfortable -- it just wasn't working. The doc called this afternoon and it turns out that I have one torn tendon and one that is partially torn and a bunch of adhesions (scar tissue). Next I go to the orthopedist. My PCP says I'll need surgery for sure.
thanks for listening :grouphug;
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Geez Linda, sounds like a day to have missed. I'm so sorry about poor Happy, she sounded sweet as anything and no matter how long we have our pets it's never long enough.
Wish you didn't need surgery but hopefully the pain will become history. I'm a pretty tough cookie too but sometimes if I've been "being strong" through a particularly trying or difficult patch, something as simple as a cold can make me feel the world is ending. The worry about Stephen and the stress of the trx and then the relief of it being successful all add up to a pretty emotional ride and that unrelenting shoulder pain has likely worn you down like a grated carrot. So be kind to yourself, be a wimp and even whine if you have to, your tough cookie self will be waiting for you when you show up again. Would a good hour and a half massage help? A mini (or even maxi if I can afford it) spa retreat always worked wonders for my self-preservation.
I'm so glad you're a member of IHD and hope everything gets resolved for you soon. :cuddle; :grouphug; :cuddle;
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:grouphug; sending you a hug as you certainly need one.
I am so sorry to hear about Happy, but she had obviously had a long and lovely life and was much loved.
I was watching an MRI on TV last night (John Barrowman) and I was feeling panicky just watching (I'm not particularly claustrophobic either) so I can empathise with you. I'm sorry you have to have surgery, I am hoping to avoid it but at the moment my shoulder seems to be getting worse not better, I hope it will be over quickly for you and soon you will be healed and the pain will be but a memory.
I agree with Monrein, sometimes it's the little things that we can't cope with when they pile on top of the big things - the straw that breaks the camel's back as we say in the UK.
Sending you love and good wishes :grouphug; and a bunny! :bunny:
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So sorry about your kitty, pelagia. I know how hard that is. Sorry, too, about your shoulder. I know you'll get through it fine in the long run, but right now things sound tough. Hang in there, okay? :cuddle; :grouphug;
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So sad about Happy, but it sounds like she died very peacefully. This is such a blessing.
I agree so much with Monrein: your tough cookie will be waiting for you after you get through this. In the meantime, allow yourself to need others!
And think about how very wonderful it will be after you heal from surgery, free from pain! :flower;
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I did go today as promised and the Dr says I have Suprasprinatus tendonitis (inflation of the tendon that goes across the top of the shoulder)...................that would be from all that clapping and hand waving then :rofl; I have anti-inflamatories to take for a month and exercises to do ........with the threat of steroid injections if that doesn't work. If injections didn't work either then an op would be next but I am hopeful that it wont get that far.
How are those anti-inflammatories working for you Rose? I hope the shoulder is starting to feel better.
Unfortunately, I don't have my appointment with the orthopedist until Aug 12th. I am having a hard time sleeping now because I don't seem to be able to find a comfortable position for the arm/shoulder. I tried ambien, but that stuff is evil! I took it one night and then the next night without it I couldn't fall asleep at all. I am having better luck with getting into bed a little earlier and reading a book til I fall asleep. Next week is vacation on the Outer Banks of NC, right near the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. I am so looking forward to the trip and hoping that it will be a chance to really, really, relax. I won't be able to body surf or even swim with the arm this way, but at least I can stand in the water to cool off.
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Have fun on vacation Linda, relax thoroughly and I hope the arm/shoulder gets the hint and follows suit. Good luck at the Doc's on the 12th.
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Hi Linda, thanks for asking about me, my shoulder isn't too bad in the day time, as long as I don't stretch etc (there will be no mad clapping and dancing in the aisles when I go to see Mamma Mia next week then :rofl;)
But at night I sometimes turn over and it hurts and wakes me, in fact every night that happens at some point, but I'm doing the exercises and taking the tablets as instructed and will see what another week or so brings, the Dr did say it would be at least 2 weeks before they helped.
Best of luck for 12 Aug, the Glorious 12th as it is known in the UK (start of grouse shooting so not so glorious if you're a grouse;) It would have been our 30th wedding anniversary so is a significant day for me and I hope it will be a good day for you. Take care :cuddle;
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:yahoo; I had great news today :yahoo;
The orthopedist doesn't think I need shoulder surgery after all, despite what the radiologist said about my MRI.
I had a shot of cortisone this morning and will start physical therapy soon.
This is such a relief :)
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pelagia :yahoo; that is wonderful news. Anytime you can avoid going under the knife is a blessing. :cuddle;
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:2thumbsup; That is good news. A good physiotherapist is worth their weight in gold as long as you actually do what they suggest in the way of strengthening exercises.
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Great news :clap; I am really pleased to hear that.
Mine is no better, the Dr said to give the anti inflammatories at least 2 weeks (it's been 3), I'll give it another week or so and then go back. But whatever happens to mine I am really pleased for you that you have avoided surgery. :bandance;
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Rose -
I had a bad bout of arthritis in my neck in 2006 and was taking anti-inflammatories for that. It took a dose 2x what was originally prescribed and for 2x as long to clear it up. I think the dose ended up being 500 mg naproxen sodium 2x a day for 4 weeks. The good news is that after having a sore neck for over a year, the problem has still not come back. You can also try taking fish oil or flax capsules for inflammation issues. I read that they work almost as well as nsaids if you give them enough time - more like a couple of weeks. I am now taking 1000 mg fish oil and 1000 mg flax oil each day. I am also taking glucosamine, which my doc says can work miracles for about 50% of arthritis sufferers. I think it's helping my joints, but I've only been taking that for a few weeks. Okay, probably TMI!
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Oh I've got some flax seed oil capsules (I hate fish oil ones as I can taste them all day and I''m not fond of the taste :rofl;) I'll start taking them again, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the advice. Will let you know how I go, but I hope you continue to improve.
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Oops, in my post below I should have said that the results of taking fish and flax may be seen within a few months, not weeks.
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Here's another update, which I am posting mostly because it's so strange. I am actually starting to feel better.
I've been to physical therapy 3x now. They are really helping, but every time I go I learn something new about how screwed up my shoulder is. Turns out that the arthritis in my neck, which I mentioned in an earlier post, was probably exacerbated by problems that began lower in my back. The muscles supporting my thoracic vertebrae are screwed up, which forces me to do things from my cervical vertebrae that should be done down lower. While the course of naproxen sodium I took in 2006 quieted down the joint inflammation, the muscles in my neck are still screwed up two years later. So now a suite of muscles - from my upper back, neck and area under my right arm - are all out of whack. These various muscles interact to control the position of my shoulder blade and the relationship between my humerus and my shoulder. The top of the humerus pops out when it should be rotating. I have to do exercises to "teach" it to do the right thing again. It's actually the lateral back muscles pulling that are causing the "referred pain" in my upper arm. But, the great news is that I was able to put my right hand on my hip today for the first time in months.
Moral of the story - way too much time at the computer, mixed with a good dose of stress and an acute injury can lead to a totally screwed up shoulder. They have me setting a timer for every 15 minutes at which point I have to stop and move. I'm sure I am driving the folks in the neighboring offices crazy!
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:cuddle; so pleased that you are staring to feel better, I had been wondering about physiotherapy as I am now able to move my arm less, I can't move it behind me very far at all. Hearing what you've said, I'm going to get an appointment. Please continue to get better and let us know how you are :bunny:
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It is always amazing to me that the pain we feel in one place can be coming from a completely different spot. So glad the physio is helping and that you're having greater mobility with your arm Pelagia. :flower;
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:thx;
I had been wondering about physiotherapy as I am now able to move my arm less, I can't move it behind me very far at all. Hearing what you've said, I'm going to get an appointment.
Rose, better deal with this because you could end up with a locked shoulder and a lot more problems. You should be able to slide the arm around back and then all the way up to the bra clasp. I have gotten as far as the center of my back at the waistband level this week after I loosen up for 15 minutes or so.
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Linda, how great that you found out what's causing the problems and how to fix them. Fascinating story, too. So glad you're better! and don't have to have surgery. :cuddle;
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anna :bandance; hello
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Hey Rose, here's an update on the my shoulder. Thanks for asking. I thought it was better to put it here than in your thread. It's a long and sordid tale.
At the beginning the physical therapy was helping. Then things slowed down. What happened next was unexpected. Hurricane Gustav knocked a tree over in our yard. What does that have to do with my shoulder, you say?
Well, picture me walking up the angled trunk in an attempt to move a branch off the cable TV wire. Stephen is not home. Now picture me falling (yes, I know what you're thinking...)! I managed to catch my arm on another branch and "oh sh$t" was all I could think as I was dangling by my arm. Yes, it hurt. I went inside, took advil and iced it. The next morning I was fixing my hair and, wonder of all wonders, I had my arm up over my head before I even realized it. Apparently I broke up some adhesions. From the beginning of physical therapy until just before the tree incident, my angle of rotation in one direction went from 125 to 147 degrees. After the fall (three days between measurements from Friday to Monday) I was at 175! More rotation than I'd accomplished during therapy. Just for comparison, my other arm goes past 185.
Unfortunately, I'm not making much progress since then and especially with getting my arm behind my back. And now the physical therapists have thrown me out! Said they couldn't do any more for me. Whenever they were "pushing" me in therapy I would get tingling in my fingers. That made them very nervous since it implies some nerve impingement that they don't want to mess with.
I don't know what to do next. The therapists sent a report to the orthopedist. He's the one who said I didn't need surgery at the beginning. I may just keep working on it for a few months and see if it makes a difference. I'm not in pain anymore unless I try to reach up in the back. Loads of people have told me that it can take a really long time for this sort of problem to get better. I think if I went for surgery now I would just have to start all over again.
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Linda, tell Stephen that you have got to get a hot tub. :beer1; I have had back surgeries and I can tell you, if you get in the hot tub and let the jets do their trick as you are moving your arm against water, it works wonders. Ask your doctor, mine gave me a prescription and we deducted it off our income taxes. Let me know how it works out and stay out of trees or off of trees in your case. :grouphug;
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Hi Linda, well what are you like :rofl; sorry but the thought of you walking up that trunk, oh just trying to picture it has made me smile. What a strange thing the fall did too and in all seriousness I am so glad you didn't damage yourself. I'm sorry that you aren't getting any better though, getting my arm behind my back is my problem too. After 3 lots of physio (half an hour each time) I can now stretch my arm up as high as the 'good' one, I couldn't do that before and I can brush my hair etc, it's just getting it behind my back that is the problem, but I guess that will come.
My physio is great, he worked with the British Olympic team back in 2000 and has worked with football clubs too so he's used to all sorts of injuries, rater than the local hospital physios who are more used to working with people who have had strokes etc. I have some ultrasound treatment, a shoulder massage and then he stretches my arm - I don't feel a thing by then as I'm so relaxed. :) Looks like it will take some time yet though. I also have exercises to do with a stretchy band over the door, trying to stretch the tendon. AT least I know what it is now, the Dr didn't do any xrays or scans, now I've had a scan I know exactly what is wrong.
I rally do hope you willmake some progress, I know that compared to what a lot of people have to cope with it is no big deal, but that doesn't make it any better when you;re trying to fasten your bra strap or get your arm in your coat does it?
I'll let you know how I get on, please keep us posted on your progress.
Sending you a hug (with my good arm!) :cuddle;
Rose xx
p.s. Love the idea of a hot tub - wish we had the weather for it, at present we have snow in October!
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Thanks to both of you for the well wishes. I like the hot tub idea too W&W, but I think they told Stephen that he shouldn't go in hot tubs now that he has a transplant. Maybe if it was our own and we knew how well it was being cleaned it would be okay.
:flower;
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Well, it's been five months of working on my shoulder by myself and I feel really optimistic. I still have not attained the full range of motion, but it is far better than it was when I last posted. Yes, everything I read was correct - "frozen shoulder" does take a long time to defrost. I can now get my right hand about half-way up my back and I can do a downward facing dog (yoga) without pain. I went out and did some gardening today. That felt good. I also started back at an aerobics class. The painful shoulder was turning me into a slug, which means that I was putting on pounds. It feels great to be moving past that stage.
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Excellent!
Have you tried using the Thera-Band in your physical therapy?
http://www.yogadirect.com/yoga_thera_bands.html?gclid=COOY0uCCyZkCFQienAoduU6csw
8)
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Yes, I switch back and forth between bands and 3 lb weights, which I think means I am working most of the different muscle groups effectively. I've also spent some time trying to strengthen my ever weakening core muscles. The therapists said weak abdominals and improper use of my back muscles were partially the cause of my shoulder problem. Too much desk time!
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You'll probably laugh at this but I've been looking for ways to exercise that make it fun for me because I essentially hate to exercise. So I had my husband go to Toys R Us and buy me a Hula Hoop. After he brought it home, I was checking on the internet and found out that there really are hula hoops designed for adults for core and abdominal strengthening. These are weighted so they provide a better workout than the children's model like I have. So as soon as I master the kid's one, I think I'll upgrade to the adult model. I can stand and "hula" while watching TV which makes it more interesting.
I remember this being soooooooo much easier when I was a kid!! :rofl;
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I bought a jump-rope and am planning to slowly jump-rope on my off gym days.
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I don't think I could jump rope to save my soul. My legs are so weak. Along with my hula hoop I also got my husband to buy me what's called a Skip-It. It's another kids toy that's a small hoop that goes around your ankle and has a ball tethered to the end of a line. On TV it shows kids jumping with these just like a jump rope. I, on the other hand, can only step over it so it's more like marching. I'm hoping to improve but I've only had it for a couple of days now. I sure can feel the ache in my thighs so I guess it's working!
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My recollection from about 5 years ago is that hula hoops are hard work. But, maybe I should give it a try. I saw a clip of a kid on Ellen Degeneres doing about a gazillion hula hoops at the same time.
Here he is! I found him on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfdMvfRg-5s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfdMvfRg-5s)
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Hi Linda, hope things are still improving for you. I'm not sure if I told you but I now have laser treatment on my shoulder and it's made a huge difference, no pain at all and almost full movement - I just can't quite get it as far up my back as I could. I can do yoga with no pain and can stretch out for things (like tickets at hospital car park barriers!!). It's cost me a fortune as I've had to pay privately but it's been well worth it. I'm off for another session at 8.30 this morning.
The hula hoop sounds like fun - perhaps I should get one now I'm redundant and (in theory) have more time :rofl;
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http://www.sports-hoop.com/main_products.html
Here's a link to show you adult versions of a hula hoop. The one I'm looking at to buy is the Acu Hoop. It comes in sections and snaps together so you can even take it with you when you travel. I'll probably get the one that weighs 3 lbs. although they also offer 4 and 5 lb. models. We're going to FL and also Myrtle Beach in May. Couldn't you just see me "hooping" on the beach. :rofl; It wouldn't be a pretty sight, trust me!
Rose, It's great that you're feeling so much better. I'm surprised that insurance wouldn't cover your laser treatment since it was for an injury. Did they tell you why it wasn't covered?
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http://www.sports-hoop.com/main_products.html
Rose, It's great that you're feeling so much better. I'm surprised that insurance wouldn't cover your laser treatment since it was for an injury. Did they tell you why it wasn't covered?
I'm in the UK we don't have the same system as the US so we don't have insurance (unless you;re rich enough to have private health cover). The NHS would offer physiotherapy but there was a huge waiting list and then they only offered manipulation - not laser - and only a limited number of sessions, so I decided to pay privately and it seems to be paying off.
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I think I looked into it, but couldn't find any options locally. Maybe I should be willing to drive if it is really going to help. I'm happy to hear that it worked for you. :cuddle;