When I was young, I was quite athletic, to the point that my older brothers (who are all musical) would tease me about it at times. I would like to say it was out of jealousy - but it wasn't, it was just what older brothers do. But anyway, for a long time I could always rely on my body to perform, but when I was 16, I got very ill and within a few months I was bedridden and would never be able to rely on my body again. I accepted this and said;
At least I have my brain.
The irony of then having a stroke....
But before the stroke, I have another physical problem which has plagued me, and I always put down to the years of being in bed and doing very little physical activity. My feet and legs. Snowboarding, skiing were impossible due to the extreme pain, and even walking slightly faster brought the same kind of pain. I have tried many things with stretches, massage, physio and toe separators, minimal shoes and the like, but none have had any significant effect on the problem.
It means I avoid walking.
Yesterday, I did a "walking test" in the Oura App, where it tracks 6 minutes of walking at speed (not jogging) and the distance covered to work out heart health and the the like. My total was 660m (720 yards) in that time and my heart health was considered great - but... after 100 meters I was barely walking. My shins had cramped (not shin splints) and I couldn't flex my foot upward -
I was plodding.
I forced my way through to the end of the walk to get the measurement, but the pain was quite extreme. I turned back straight after and plodded home. A minute or two after sitting, the pain was pretty much gone, and my muscles were just tight. This is how it goes and I have been looking for a solution for it for a very long time.
Did I find one?
Dunno.
But once again last night I spent time searching for answers and was reading through streams of old boards where people were looking for various solutions to similar symptoms and I chanced upon one that seemed to match up perfectly with what I am experiencing.
Well, that isn't all good news.
But, if it is this, at least there is an avenue for treatment. It is called a fasciotomy and is a surgery that releases the pressure. I have never had surgery before, and that worries me - but it also worries me what life becomes if this worsens and I can't walk much at all. The symptoms have been holding me back physically for over two decades now and are worsening, so in another decade from now, I am loathe to think what my capabilities are.
Of course, self-diagnosis through the internet is not really recommended, so I am going to have to get a professional in, which I am not looking forward to, as now I have to go through the public side of healthcare and that is never a fast or easy process. But, I think it would be worth it to go through and perhaps get some kind of either relief or closure on it - because it affects me in many ways. Most of us at least take for granted being able to walk without too much effort, and this has stopped me from doing a lot of things that I enjoy a lot - plus has impacted on my cardio ability.
Bodies suck in the sense that when things are running well and aligned, we don't have to actually think that much about them. But, when one things goes wrong, it can cause a chain reaction of events that put a lot of things out of skew. And then, if a few unrelated things go wrong, it sets off an explosion of symptoms which creates a lot of noise and makes identifying causes and therefore treatment, very difficult.
More than one part of me says to just give up.
But where does that end? Will I be content just to stop moving, plodding along like a geriatric well before my years? I don't think so. And as they say, health is wealth, but if I can't think and can't move even close to freely, I am not just poor, I am destitute. I have lost a lot of myself over the years. So if there is a chance to get my legs back, I will take it.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Acupuncture.
Period.
I am 250 lb (not proud of it, trying to get it down), but both my Achilles tendons are torn for the last 14 years :)
Yet I walk long distances. Recently in Venice I was doing 20K steps days.
Only can do with Acupuncture once a week or once in two weeks when I am traveling. Don’t know if it easy to find in Finland. But for pain management there is no substitute.
I'm very glad that you still have your brain and that writing and thinking isn't causing you any pain. And that you share that with us,I appreciate that.
My mom once got to the point where she joined an organization in Switzerland that offers assisted suicide. It was when she was at her worst, and didn't know how much meds she would have to take, and how that would affect her. So, she decided it was good to have that back-up plan. When she wasn't able to enjoy life anymore, but survive behind a foggy curtain of pain meds, she would go peacefully. That was 20 years ago. It never came to it. I think just having the option set up was enough to make her endure, and thankfully she found a way to handle her pain well, between opiates, cannabis, acupuncture, choir singing, listening to her body more, organizing her energy well and what not. I learned a lot from how she handled things.
I wish you all the best for your course, truly.
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I hate the saying 'health is wealth'. It gives the impression that it's something within your control when obviously in your, and many other peoples cases, it really isn't. Additionally, people with chronic disorders are, of course, able to lead full and meaningful lives and even have lovely families. Imagine that!
I'm happy you're going to badger the medical professionals. That's what they're there for!
Giving up talk? Behave, fella.
Hope business is progressing and your wife and daughter are well. Have the best weekend you can :-)
It always feels like one thing after another 8which it of course is in life), and what worries me about intervention, is it having other side effects or setting off a new chain of problems. Though, at some point, how much worse can it get? :D
Business is slowly slowly - family are doing pretty well thanks. How are things in the tropics?
I understand, it must really grind you down but maybe you'll find the one thing that breaks the chain.
Thanks for asking. Living out here is much like the grind everywhere else. Eat, sleep, work, and keep up with general maintenance but all with added sweat! Lots of it but an hour or two sat on the beach having dinner and watching the sunset once in a while makes it all worthwhile.
Take it easy. Enjoy your Sunday :-)
I know that some similar surgery on the shoulder greatly improves movement and strength, but most people are afraid to do it and go through a big part of their lives struggling because they do not know about it. Research and find out more about it. It may be beneficial.
I reckon I get my aversion to medical treatment from my parents. Not that going more would help, but it seems that I more often look to avoid, even as I degrade further. Perhaps I should just go all in - a boob job and a Brazilian butt lift on top :D
Do it like a business transaction, benefits versus issues, left side/right side. But keep in mind that we recover much slower after 50. I needed 18 months to recover from an elbow problem. 18 fricking months. In my twenties, this should have been sorted in 3 weeks.
18 months! Damn! I won't do it if the risks are too high - because I have enough issues already. Though, the risks of not getting it sorted aren't great either.
In the end, It is all about your choice. What we could do 20 years ago is not a choice anymore now, it seems.
Our body is truly our greatest treasure. Even if you are the richest person in the world financially, if you do not have a healthy body, your wealth does not matter.
When something goes wrong in the body, other organs and cells are also affected. Someone with leg problems cannot walk, they will probably gain weight. They will be immobile, their blood flow will decrease. Blood pressure and similar problems will occur. Again, someone who moves less will tend to get depressed.
"Probably" ;D
The reduction in blood flow in the legs can lead to other problems later, so it is best I try and get it sorted out soon. I am not getting younger!
Dear virtual friend, it is clear that you have faced enormous physical challenges throughout your life, and the fact that you continue to seek solutions and write with such honesty is a sign of your inner strength. It is not always easy to fight against your body's limitations, but your determination to improve your quality of life is truly inspiring.
The diagnosis you mention, chronic compartment syndrome, seems to fit some of the symptoms you describe. Although surgical treatment such as fasciotomy may be an effective option, I fully understand that the thought of undergoing surgery can be an uncertain one. Before you make that decision, you may want to explore some non-invasive options that could help you manage your pain and improve your mobility:
There are physiotherapists who specialise in complex musculoskeletal disorders, including compartment syndrome. Advanced techniques, such as myofascial therapy or specific strengthening and stretching exercises, can help reduce pressure on muscle compartments. Biofeedback, this technique uses sensors to teach your body to control involuntary functions, such as muscle tension. It may be useful for learning to relax affected muscles during physical activity.
Finally, I want to stress that learning to live with our weaknesses can be a good thing. Sometimes our greatest strength is not in completely overcoming our challenges, but in finding creative ways to live with them and move forward. I say this with propriety, I was born blind and with surgery (4 operations) from the age of 8 I only have 80/20 vision in my left eye. I use a big screen to be able to see everything I do on the internet. I learned braille and wear dark glasses so that direct lights or the sun don't knock me down, as not having an iris, I am technically photo phobic.
I have done these and had them done by physios for a period of time, with pain, but no relief. It could be that I would have to have treatment for years - but no one seems to know.
It isn't about muscle tension that causes it supposedly - it is the fascia itself that is too rigid.
It is possible to live with any ailment really - but at the same time, if it doesn't have to be lived with, why do it?
An old friend who has passed away told me when I was younger: ‘if nothing hurts after 50, then you're dead’, heh, heh, heh.
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STOPI hope that you will manage to solve your problems.
I was never the fastest in my class. I suppose I could also tell myself this:
But my memory is not what it used to be either...
Would you like to look like this:
?I think that a body like that is way too big.
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Man we have been going to get older :) For a few years, my body prefers resting than being active :/
when things work fine, we don’t even think about them, but once something goes wrong, it becomes a constant struggle. I pray you find real relief soon
This is the case where I would definitely not give up and try to follow up with a professional diagnosis. Walking is one of the best exercises for those of us over forty five. And if you can fix that problem with a surgery that would be great for you long term.
I hope you are able to get some answers. Even if it isn't what you think it is they might have better technology now to figure out exactly what is going on. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to go from being very active to not at all for decades. They say "movement is medicine", so I hope you can get back to moving again.
I hope you can get better soon, you are a person with great resilience.