I'll take "Diseases I May Have" for $200, Alex
December 12, 2012 7:08 PM Subscribe
You are not my doctor. But you will probably spend more time thinking about what is wrong with me. What is wrong with me, anyway? I have an appointment January 4, should I go sooner.
Background: Sedentary forties female. mostly ridiculously healthy except for low thyroid, which I take drugs for. Have not seen a U.S. doc in a couple of years but a complete physical 2.5 years ago was perfect.
The last six months or so I had a lot of pain in what I think was my psoas muscle, (groin up to my hip) that stretching didn't seem to help. I finally got health insurance and made an appointment with a new doc first week of January. Have also for the last couple of months been noticing generalized mid-level pain in my neck and back pretty regularly. I realize now that this coincided roughly with the purchase of a spectacularly cute pair of boots, which do not hurt AT ALL but I notice make me walk a little differently.
So. Two weeks ago: lump in breast, urgent trip to partner of new doc, mammo, biopsy, BENIGN YAY BENIGN! But stress city, and last week back/neck pain was just a constant frickin' annoyance so I got a massage. Really good therapist, who pretty much confirmed that from a musculoskeletal perspective, right now I'm a mess. He also said I'm WAAAAYYY unusually "ouchy" and sensitive to pressure. Did another massage two days later.
I'm trying to improve my ergonomics, not peer down at my phone constantly, not wear scandalously attractive boots, do deep breathing. But it's time to admit I am in pretty much a constant state of pain. My HAIR hurts. (Weirdly, my psoas muscle no longer hurts AT ALL since the first massage.) Ibuprofen knocks it out but only until it wears off.
I have another massage scheduled tomorrow, and will try to get my appointment moved up. Have a Mexican holiday scheduled for Xmas Week. In your YANMD opinion, is this something I can deal with until the first week of January. And is there anything you can suggest in the interim? Many many thanks.
Background: Sedentary forties female. mostly ridiculously healthy except for low thyroid, which I take drugs for. Have not seen a U.S. doc in a couple of years but a complete physical 2.5 years ago was perfect.
The last six months or so I had a lot of pain in what I think was my psoas muscle, (groin up to my hip) that stretching didn't seem to help. I finally got health insurance and made an appointment with a new doc first week of January. Have also for the last couple of months been noticing generalized mid-level pain in my neck and back pretty regularly. I realize now that this coincided roughly with the purchase of a spectacularly cute pair of boots, which do not hurt AT ALL but I notice make me walk a little differently.
So. Two weeks ago: lump in breast, urgent trip to partner of new doc, mammo, biopsy, BENIGN YAY BENIGN! But stress city, and last week back/neck pain was just a constant frickin' annoyance so I got a massage. Really good therapist, who pretty much confirmed that from a musculoskeletal perspective, right now I'm a mess. He also said I'm WAAAAYYY unusually "ouchy" and sensitive to pressure. Did another massage two days later.
I'm trying to improve my ergonomics, not peer down at my phone constantly, not wear scandalously attractive boots, do deep breathing. But it's time to admit I am in pretty much a constant state of pain. My HAIR hurts. (Weirdly, my psoas muscle no longer hurts AT ALL since the first massage.) Ibuprofen knocks it out but only until it wears off.
I have another massage scheduled tomorrow, and will try to get my appointment moved up. Have a Mexican holiday scheduled for Xmas Week. In your YANMD opinion, is this something I can deal with until the first week of January. And is there anything you can suggest in the interim? Many many thanks.
I've gotten lots of massages, and it seems like all massage therapists tell you that your muscles are a mess. At least, they always tell me that. (It's all back/neck stuff for me.) I think it's a weird way they provide themselves with job security, because you think, "Hey, this professional told me 'I'm a mess,' so I should go back." It's like a pleasant, validating echo chamber: You say, "My back hurts!" They say, "Your back is a mess!" You schedule another massage.
I would try to do other relaxing things between now and your appointment: baths, lounging, not wearing those boots, frequent breaks to roll your head from side to side.
I hope you feel better soon!
posted by purpleclover at 7:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
I would try to do other relaxing things between now and your appointment: baths, lounging, not wearing those boots, frequent breaks to roll your head from side to side.
I hope you feel better soon!
posted by purpleclover at 7:16 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
If you're sedentary and in your forties you might want to start a program of muscle strengthening. The most likely thing that's causing your pain is simple muscle weakness.
posted by fshgrl at 7:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [10 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 7:20 PM on December 12, 2012 [10 favorites]
If I've learned nothing else, I've learned not to ignore chronic pain, most especially back/neck pain. You are probably hurting more than you've really processed because our minds are amazing at helping us cope. I think you should see a doctor tomorrow if possible, if only to get the ball rolling to discover the root cause and to ask about relieving the pain in the meantime.
I'm not trying to be alarming, but my experience has been that it takes awhile to get this kind of thing under control. May as well start now.
posted by juliplease at 7:26 PM on December 12, 2012
I'm not trying to be alarming, but my experience has been that it takes awhile to get this kind of thing under control. May as well start now.
posted by juliplease at 7:26 PM on December 12, 2012
Well step one is to stop wearing the boots. Pretty shoes are not worth debilitating pain.
The second thing is you probably just need to get your muscles stronger in general. You may have well been stressing weak muscles. Like fshgrl says, a muscle strengthening program.
posted by DoubleLune at 7:29 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
The second thing is you probably just need to get your muscles stronger in general. You may have well been stressing weak muscles. Like fshgrl says, a muscle strengthening program.
posted by DoubleLune at 7:29 PM on December 12, 2012 [2 favorites]
I can't imagine any boots that would make this worth it!
You've been through a lot of stress, no joke. Cancer scares take it out of a person. As does chronic pain. I don't think you need to advance your appointment, just based on what you've written here, but I do think you need to rest, deep breathe, give yourself time, and seriously, don't wear boots that hurt your body, at least for a while. Stretch, and take a long daily walk. Try all that for a week and see how you feel then.
Chronic pain is serious, but it's a hard thing to diagnose and treat. Sometimes it's got complex causes. IF you can do anything to isolate some causes by reducing your stress as much as reasonably possible, do it in preparation for the appointment.
posted by Miko at 7:29 PM on December 12, 2012
You've been through a lot of stress, no joke. Cancer scares take it out of a person. As does chronic pain. I don't think you need to advance your appointment, just based on what you've written here, but I do think you need to rest, deep breathe, give yourself time, and seriously, don't wear boots that hurt your body, at least for a while. Stretch, and take a long daily walk. Try all that for a week and see how you feel then.
Chronic pain is serious, but it's a hard thing to diagnose and treat. Sometimes it's got complex causes. IF you can do anything to isolate some causes by reducing your stress as much as reasonably possible, do it in preparation for the appointment.
posted by Miko at 7:29 PM on December 12, 2012
Your shoes are not worth the pain. You could be doing very serious damage (we can't tell, we're on the internet.) Don't wear them till you've talked to a doctor who takes this seriously and does a physical examination.
If you aren't going to incur any kind of financial penalty for it, move that appointment up a bit (pain plus stress plus time = more pain, more stress, and the time seems to last twice as long.) Make sure to ask them for a substantial appointment length.
If it doesn't seriously hurt you to do it, try to do some slow walking on flat surfaces in nice, comfy, athletic shoes built for walking. Also see about non-weight-bearing kinds of fitness activities (i.e., swimming.) Your muscles need to be strengthened, but if you're already in pain, you don't want to be lifting weights without a doctor's OK.
posted by SMPA at 7:33 PM on December 12, 2012
If you aren't going to incur any kind of financial penalty for it, move that appointment up a bit (pain plus stress plus time = more pain, more stress, and the time seems to last twice as long.) Make sure to ask them for a substantial appointment length.
If it doesn't seriously hurt you to do it, try to do some slow walking on flat surfaces in nice, comfy, athletic shoes built for walking. Also see about non-weight-bearing kinds of fitness activities (i.e., swimming.) Your muscles need to be strengthened, but if you're already in pain, you don't want to be lifting weights without a doctor's OK.
posted by SMPA at 7:33 PM on December 12, 2012
Response by poster: Swear I will not threadsit (and I will not wear the boots) but to clarify: not sure if they are contributing or just coincidence. They're not crazy high heels or anything, maybe a 2" block and a nice vibram type sole.
The joke about being worth pain was just a joke. I'll keep them in a shrine if necessary, but I won't wear them if they're actually contributing. (And I guess a doc can help me figure that out.)
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 7:43 PM on December 12, 2012
The joke about being worth pain was just a joke. I'll keep them in a shrine if necessary, but I won't wear them if they're actually contributing. (And I guess a doc can help me figure that out.)
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 7:43 PM on December 12, 2012
Another one for a weakening of muscles plus a tightening of ligaments -- I did physical therapy for "knee problems" that were entirely cured by strengthening some (non-intuititve) muscles and doing regular stretches for some (painful when pressed) ligaments. Gave me respect for the need to keep working on your body as you drift into middle age...
posted by acm at 7:47 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by acm at 7:47 PM on December 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
Does your insurance let you see a specialist without referral from a doctor? You might be able to get a physiotherapy or physical therapy appointment sooner, and they should be able to help figure out if it's a straight up bad posture/shoes/etc issue.
posted by jacalata at 8:02 PM on December 12, 2012
posted by jacalata at 8:02 PM on December 12, 2012
I'm really sorry you're living in constant pain. Regarding your appointment, I encourage you to do whatever it takes to ease your mind, and let you best enjoy your holiday. When you do have the appointment, if you are having any symptoms that your doctor doesn't address or treat to your satisfaction, go back, ask for more, get a second opinion, whatever you have to do. It sometimes takes a while for adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to get correct diagnoses since we are "too young for [insert condition here]."
Swimming, walking, and tai chi were all good for me while I dealt with a sacroiliac joint thing. Steve Maxwell's Joint Mobility (beginner's) video is also a kind way to loosen up the body.
posted by strivesc at 8:29 PM on December 12, 2012
Swimming, walking, and tai chi were all good for me while I dealt with a sacroiliac joint thing. Steve Maxwell's Joint Mobility (beginner's) video is also a kind way to loosen up the body.
posted by strivesc at 8:29 PM on December 12, 2012
Ow, that sucks.
Here's the thing, though: if you're a 'forties female' then 'sedentary' and 'ridiculously healthy' are not compatible long-term states. Our bodies are not designed to be sedentary, and as you age, all the sins of the past start to take their toll. Also, 2.5 years between full checkups is a little long, you know?
I know if it sounds preachy, but I'm not far off 40 myself and I faced up to this a while back. Since I started weight training + cardio workouts 4-6 times a week, I have WAY more energy, less muscle pain, fewer random injuries, etc etc. It's quite amazing.
Sorry I can't be more help with your current situation, but really just wanted to say that, going forward, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Especially at our age, KWIM?
posted by Salamander at 8:48 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
Here's the thing, though: if you're a 'forties female' then 'sedentary' and 'ridiculously healthy' are not compatible long-term states. Our bodies are not designed to be sedentary, and as you age, all the sins of the past start to take their toll. Also, 2.5 years between full checkups is a little long, you know?
I know if it sounds preachy, but I'm not far off 40 myself and I faced up to this a while back. Since I started weight training + cardio workouts 4-6 times a week, I have WAY more energy, less muscle pain, fewer random injuries, etc etc. It's quite amazing.
Sorry I can't be more help with your current situation, but really just wanted to say that, going forward, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure. Especially at our age, KWIM?
posted by Salamander at 8:48 PM on December 12, 2012 [3 favorites]
It's not normal for hair to hurt. You should tell your doctor about this particular symptom if you haven't already.
posted by Dansaman at 2:09 AM on December 13, 2012
posted by Dansaman at 2:09 AM on December 13, 2012
I developed serious lower back pain this fall and have brought it under control with guidance from a physical therapist. My doctor was pessimistic but referred me to the therapist, who gave me a set of core strengthening exercises. I'm pretty active, mostly cycling and walking, but I had been neglecting my core, so my lower back was bearing more weight than it should. If your insurance requires a referral for physical therapy, you might not be able to get one until your Jan. 4 appointment, but if you're a member of a gym with a good training staff, you might get a lesson in core strengthening exercises (just to ensure that you're doing them properly).
All I needed was two visits to the PT, to show me the exercises and to make sure I was doing them right, and the willpower to do 15 minutes of exercise a day, on top of my other activities. It has made a world of difference.
posted by brianogilvie at 6:30 AM on December 13, 2012
All I needed was two visits to the PT, to show me the exercises and to make sure I was doing them right, and the willpower to do 15 minutes of exercise a day, on top of my other activities. It has made a world of difference.
posted by brianogilvie at 6:30 AM on December 13, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks for all the good thoughts and ideas. Got to the doctor and the winner is ... an ear infection! Did my ear hurt? No, it did not. Or if it did, the hurt from my HAIR was drowning it out.
She also said that, while strength training is a great idea, she doesn't really consider me "sedentary." (I don't have a car so walk a lot just for stuff and dance a couple times a week for fun and apparently that counts as exercise.)
I'm on antibiotics and already feeling about 80% better. Best statement from doctor: "Those boots are super-cute."
Yay me, yay boots, yay MeFi for helping out. (I am going to start doing pushups or something.)
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 12:08 PM on December 14, 2012
She also said that, while strength training is a great idea, she doesn't really consider me "sedentary." (I don't have a car so walk a lot just for stuff and dance a couple times a week for fun and apparently that counts as exercise.)
I'm on antibiotics and already feeling about 80% better. Best statement from doctor: "Those boots are super-cute."
Yay me, yay boots, yay MeFi for helping out. (I am going to start doing pushups or something.)
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 12:08 PM on December 14, 2012
If you want to really get into strength training, try this book. I had success with the original, but definitely felt it was male-oriented, so I'm really excited to get this when it comes out. Even if you don't do the program, it has a lot of great exercises that don't involve going to the gym (or even leaving your house).
posted by DoubleLune at 12:13 PM on December 14, 2012
posted by DoubleLune at 12:13 PM on December 14, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 7:12 PM on December 12, 2012