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Summer Gathering

jasdlm

By jasdlm
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Edsel

Edsel

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I hope as many of you can come as wish, and are able.  In particular, I'm speaking of those of you who have every intention of coming, but in the coming weeks allow the rigors of life to wrap themselves around you and feel like you have to bail out.  The only defense against this is:  circle the date on your calendar and simply don't let those "rigors" beguile you from a trip to Tennessee. 

Not only will Rita be there but I will be there to add character (or lack of it) to the event.  How much more entertainment can there be?  For those of you coming from far away, and in particular areas which are flat, I believe you will enjoy the terrain and beauty of our region.  In order to get to Crossville from any direction, you have to drive up and land atop a mountainous plateau.  Crossville is a pleasant and inexpensive place to stay, and the temperature is usually about five degrees cooler than the valleys due to its elevation.

Also, for several of you who may not like me, now is your golden chance to reverse your opinion!!

"Edsel" - Ron Jordan, Manchester, TN

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Max W

Max W

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On 5/1/2018 at 8:46 AM, Lion EA said:

I'll be having a hip replaced this summer, and maybe spinal surgery, too.  Doctors are still arguing about the source of my pain and weakness.  Have already had x-rays, an MRI, blood work, etc.  Rheumatologist, who was holding out for spinal stenosis, went to a conference and changed his mind to hip.  But internist, who agreed with the orthopedic surgeon re hip, is now concerned about the source of weakness on my left side, so he's sending me to a spine specialist next week.  I'm concerned about the source of PAIN on my left side.  If I have a hip replaced and still hurt, I will not be a happy camper.  At least one hip needs to be replaced soon, but maybe there is something I need done first.  Anyway, I won't be at Rita's in TN nor at Appalachia Service Project in TN, KY, WV, VA, or NC, and might miss hubby's family reunion on the Cape.  I didn't sign up for the CCH User Conference at the Fountainebleau in Miami Beach, because I don't think I'll be doing a log of walking this fall.  Luckily, I'm pretty comfortable sitting (especially on a heating pad) so can prepare taxes and do anything else at my computer.  I look forward to the live stream from Rita's back forty! 

If the doctors can't agree on what surgery is needed and can't find the source of the pain, I would, if it were me, seek alternative sources, such as a first class chiropractor, or an acupuncturist.   Physical therapy and the right exercises can also help especially if you lead a sedentary life style.

Surgeons are trained for one thing -- to put you under the knife.  Nearly half of back surgeries are unnecessary and even if necessary don't always relieve the pain. Many patients have to go through a second operation within 2 to 3 years.

 I had back pain for years which was so bad it had me screaming whenever I drove my car.  A chiropractor fixed the problem in a few weeks.   I would exhaust every other possibility before I would let someone operate on me.   

https://www.chironexus.net/2013/05/journal-of-the-american-medical-association-use-chiropractic-for-back-pain-before-resorting-to-surgery/

 

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Lion EA

Lion EA

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I see my chiropractor and his massage gal.  I take turmeric and ginger and MoveFree and magnesium.  I worked with a good hip rehab guy until Medicare funds ran out and tax season began.  Also, have a great trainer at my gym.  Internist sent me to this particular hip surgeon, because he doesn't rush into surgery; in fact, I saw him last summer, and he told me to come back this summer, or sooner if needed.  This spinal specialist does not do surgery; although, he has a colleague that does.  A friend has been using an acupuncturist for her sciatica, so I've thought about that.  And, I know a good yoga teacher who would give me private lessons.  At my age, I know lots of people that rehabbed well after hip replacements.  But, I know some that had increased issues after back surgery, as well as some that did well.  So, the thought of back surgery scares me.  I hope I get a consensus for hip replacement.  Or, for no surgery of any kind.

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FDNY

FDNY

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Great advice from Max and Abby.  My regular routine of stretching, exercise, and massage keep me pain free.   Been a longtime sufferer of sciatica, like a bad toothache from my waist to my left heel.  Not for years now. 

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Catherine

Catherine

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You might also look at "Structural Integration" (that used to be called Rolfing).  They work to free up stuck areas in the fascia between layers of muscle.  The lady I went to several years ago was a Godsend; I had knots in my back that had been there since I was twelve that she got rid of.  I go back every now and then for a tune-up and afterwards am always amazed at how much more freely I can move, and how places that I did not even realized ached had stopped.  The lady I see also told me that the place that hurts is almost never the source of the problem.  I went for a tune up some months ago with my right shoulder bugging me - problem was my left hip wasn't moving freely, and it twisted me so that my shoulder was taking the brunt of it.  Freed up my hip, and my shoulder pain disappeared.

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FDNY

FDNY

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On ‎5‎/‎10‎/‎2018 at 12:40 AM, Lion EA said:

That seems to be part of the problem diagnosing what ails this old body.  I know where I hurt, but I don't know where it comes from.

I assume you've been checked for Lyme.  Sleep deprivation can cause some of these symptoms too, as well as postural positions.  If I don't move a lot,  my hip aches, so more movement seems to be my cure.   Also, I can't give up my mint '01 Audi A4, but after a 2 1/2 hour ride my right hip gives out, then it's fine after a good stretch.   Tumeric and Stinging Nettle are good as anti inflammation agents, but if there is something in your diet causing this they are useless.    You may want to go gluten free for two weeks, then call me in the morning.  Good luck, you're too young for this to be happening.

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Lion EA

Lion EA

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Latest MRI shows herniated disk L2/L3 pressing on a nerve that runs down my left leg.  X-rays show no cartilage in my hips, arthritis in both hips and lower back, with left hip the worst.  So, It'll be a hip replacement at some time, just now sure where in the list of procedures.  On prednisone for a couple weeks, but can't keep it up long since I'm type 2 diabetic.  I guess next is a cortisone shot in the spine.  I also have a script for rehab.  Taking all those supplements.  Using ice at night and heating pads during the day and those disposable heat wraps all the time (Steve orders them by the case from Costco).  Extended release pain reliever at night.  Getting more sleep.  But, using a cane now for balance.  And, other equipment; looking like a retirement home in here.  Friends see me and loan me canes and walkers and...  Chiro and massage.  Have the name of a good acupuncturist and good yoga teacher for "real people."  Even have a client with some magnetic machine to realign my electrons or something; she uses it on her horses and me and other people too, I think!  This is getting very time-consuming.  And, I turn 71 so am old.  But, my grandmother lived to 103.  I want to strengthen muscles before hip replacement, and hopefully lessen pain so I can rehab.  My sister fell during rehab, so Medicare stopped paying because she wasn't getting better every day.  She remained housebound, because she couldn't get up her steps.  But, at least her hip pain was gone!

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and suggestions.  I keep adding them all in to the mix.  Doing all the less invasive things before I think about surgery.

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FDNY

FDNY

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I'm sorry Lion, this sounds really frustrating.   So all your less invasive things must include a regular stretching program (aside from yoga classes) and diet modification?   I was a fireman for 23 years, got really beat up including being a veteran of two building collapses, have a couple of compressed discs (I know, I was taller at one time).  I have arthritis in all my joints (including back) but now am ok without meds, just a lot of stretching and exercise and a diet that would make Dr. Oz jealous.  But I understand herniated discs are a challenge.   I hope you find relief, but I can't stress enough that a daily stretching program has helped me get back to normal. 

Good luck kiddo, don't give up, 71 is not old, it's your 1st year of getting that IRA money, with many more to come,

Bill

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Lion EA

Lion EA

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True the SS deposit each month is fun.  I even used some of my IRA money as a QCD to my church this year and will take the rest later this year.

My trainer is great at stretching, as is my rehab guy, I want the yoga gal to teach me more, and I have the stretches as a video workout on my phone.  Thanks for pushing that; I do need to stretch more.

My rheumatologist was holding out for spinal stenosis while all the other doctors said hip.  Last visit, he'd been at a seminar and took a class from a radiologist on lower back and hips.  He examined me (for what's been at least quarterly) and said he changed his mind; not back,  make hip replacement appointment.  So, I thought all doctors are on same page.  But, I had an appointment with internist to explain all the test results, medical jargon, etc.  He was the one who sent me to hip surgeon in the first place, so I thought we'd be making that appointment; but he said the weakness shouldn't be from the hip -- sent me to the spine specialist.  Spine guy said symptoms suggested disk, but MRI from almost five months ago didn't show that.  New MRI, and it showed the herniated disk!  It's so frustrating, because I thought we were all on the same page finally.  But, it's back to the drawing board.  But a herniated disk AFTER December does explain why I went downhill so fast this year.

And, I am almost three inches shorter than I used to me.  I thought it was the dowager's hump like my mother, but when I dug out a came from 30 years ago as I got weaker, I realized it's my lower back that's compressed because the cane was 2 1/2 inches too tall now!

If I'd gotten my hip replaced last year, I wouldn't be having double trouble this year.  But, I was OK last year, a little slower and some trouble sleeping since I used to sleep on my side, but doing everything I always did.  I'm not one to have surgery until there are no other options.  I've never had much:  tonsils out as a kid and tubes in my ears as an adult.

A lot of people my age and older at church, so I'm seeing what can be done.  Hubby had both shoulders replaced and bounced back fast.

All the good ideas and wishes help a lot.

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