I have found, when you have fibro, that you are constantly fighting for balance. I walk a very fine line somedays in an attempt to keep a flare at bay. Watching what I eat, what I do, making sure to rest and to keep my stress level down when possible. Throw another health issue into the mix and sometimes I cannot keep my balance.
Back in March when I first discovered that I had an Achilles tendon issue, I was very proud of myself for keeping my balance. I made sure that I didn't over do but I was able to keep things on track. I continued this path until I started physical therapy. The doctor had lectured me that I needed to give my all to physical therapy as it was my best hope for a full recovery and to avoid future issues. I knew it would be difficult to do everything I was asked but also to keep my balance. Somehow I was going to have to figure out how to do all my stretches and therapy but rest when I needed to so I didn't over do.
The first week of physical therapy, I did very well. Of course I also had another issue where I did something to hurt my tendon once again. So I wasn't pressed very hard and was given just some simple active stretches to do. But I was feeling pretty good come Monday and I was ready to go. By Wednesday I knew that I wasn't succeeding very well at keeping my balance. I ached, I was having daily headaches and knew a flare was coming. By Thursday, I was fairly sluggish at physical therapy but I gave it my all and got through. I then spent the afternoon in search of a night splint. This simple task caused my stress level to skyrocket!
The local medical supply store wanted $205 for a night splint. I was outraged. Honestly that just sounded crazy for something to keep your foot in a certain position. I sent my husband out to search during his lunch hour and he called to tell me that he hadn't found anything either. After several phone calls (to the insurance company, my mom, the physical therapy place) and some internet searching, I finally found one on line for $50. Since I needed the splint for the long weekend, I splurged and paid for the overnight shipping ($30). My way of thinking, I was still under the $205 price tag of the medical supply place.
All this stress, running around, pushing myself, etc. resulted in my feeling horrible. We had plans to camp for the weekend and I was dreading the trip. It was suppose to be in the 90's on Sunday and I knew I was going to be cooped up in the camper resting all weekend. After discussing everything with my husband, I talked to my youngest and told him I was going to stay home for the weekend and rest. He was a little bit upset (poor guy) but he knew that it also wouldn't be as much for them if I was not feeling good while camping.
So I knew I was going to stay home now, I knew I could rest all weekend and figured I would be back on track to tackle physical therapy again. Then it happened. I got up and walked into the kitchen. All of a sudden there was a loud snap from my right leg and I felt pain running up and down my calf. I was able to walk it off but I just wasn't sure what had happened. Had I snapped my tendon? I was still able to walk on it even though it felt like I had a huge knot in my calf muscle.
After some internal arguing, I decided to e-mail my doctor (thank god for technology!) wondering if I should keep stretching over the weekend or rest my leg again. Within about an hour and half I had a response. You need to make an appointment to see the doctor. Okay- well here it is, Friday of Memorial weekend. So I called the office. At first they were sure I could just wait the 2 weeks until my planned appointment. I explained that something had happened and I needed to be seen earlier. They were able to find one a week earlier. I have been pulled from physical therapy, I cannot walk much because there is too much cramping in my calf, I cannot sit for long because the same thing happens. It is going to be a really long week.
So while I look at all the plans I had for this weekend, the next week, the summer......I just have to remember that no matter how hard you plan, sometimes things happen to change your plans. The weekend has been spent resting. My balancing act is struggling even more do to the constant pain but I am hanging on.
To be continued......
Back in March when I first discovered that I had an Achilles tendon issue, I was very proud of myself for keeping my balance. I made sure that I didn't over do but I was able to keep things on track. I continued this path until I started physical therapy. The doctor had lectured me that I needed to give my all to physical therapy as it was my best hope for a full recovery and to avoid future issues. I knew it would be difficult to do everything I was asked but also to keep my balance. Somehow I was going to have to figure out how to do all my stretches and therapy but rest when I needed to so I didn't over do.
The first week of physical therapy, I did very well. Of course I also had another issue where I did something to hurt my tendon once again. So I wasn't pressed very hard and was given just some simple active stretches to do. But I was feeling pretty good come Monday and I was ready to go. By Wednesday I knew that I wasn't succeeding very well at keeping my balance. I ached, I was having daily headaches and knew a flare was coming. By Thursday, I was fairly sluggish at physical therapy but I gave it my all and got through. I then spent the afternoon in search of a night splint. This simple task caused my stress level to skyrocket!
The local medical supply store wanted $205 for a night splint. I was outraged. Honestly that just sounded crazy for something to keep your foot in a certain position. I sent my husband out to search during his lunch hour and he called to tell me that he hadn't found anything either. After several phone calls (to the insurance company, my mom, the physical therapy place) and some internet searching, I finally found one on line for $50. Since I needed the splint for the long weekend, I splurged and paid for the overnight shipping ($30). My way of thinking, I was still under the $205 price tag of the medical supply place.
All this stress, running around, pushing myself, etc. resulted in my feeling horrible. We had plans to camp for the weekend and I was dreading the trip. It was suppose to be in the 90's on Sunday and I knew I was going to be cooped up in the camper resting all weekend. After discussing everything with my husband, I talked to my youngest and told him I was going to stay home for the weekend and rest. He was a little bit upset (poor guy) but he knew that it also wouldn't be as much for them if I was not feeling good while camping.
So I knew I was going to stay home now, I knew I could rest all weekend and figured I would be back on track to tackle physical therapy again. Then it happened. I got up and walked into the kitchen. All of a sudden there was a loud snap from my right leg and I felt pain running up and down my calf. I was able to walk it off but I just wasn't sure what had happened. Had I snapped my tendon? I was still able to walk on it even though it felt like I had a huge knot in my calf muscle.
After some internal arguing, I decided to e-mail my doctor (thank god for technology!) wondering if I should keep stretching over the weekend or rest my leg again. Within about an hour and half I had a response. You need to make an appointment to see the doctor. Okay- well here it is, Friday of Memorial weekend. So I called the office. At first they were sure I could just wait the 2 weeks until my planned appointment. I explained that something had happened and I needed to be seen earlier. They were able to find one a week earlier. I have been pulled from physical therapy, I cannot walk much because there is too much cramping in my calf, I cannot sit for long because the same thing happens. It is going to be a really long week.
So while I look at all the plans I had for this weekend, the next week, the summer......I just have to remember that no matter how hard you plan, sometimes things happen to change your plans. The weekend has been spent resting. My balancing act is struggling even more do to the constant pain but I am hanging on.
To be continued......
Wow, sorry to hear all this! Not fun. Praying things start going better.
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