Bursitis is really slowing me down

The bursitis which reappeared about 2 weeks ago, first on the right, then the left, and now both at the same time, is not subsiding.  I’m sitting on ice gel packs, and doing my exercises, but this morning I only got 2 blocks on my walk (usually 2 miles) and had to return to the cottage.  Then I drove to the wellness center instead of walking there.
https://gethealthyu.com/best-exercises-hip-bursitis/

While I was using the exercycle at the wellness center today I noticed again how tiny and thin the ladies are who go to the yoga classes, especially when compared to the water aerobics class—there’s a lot of glass in the room, so I can see both.

 

My bursitis has flared

So I whined on Facebook. Dianne Orr McDermott (from Mt. Morris, now in NOLA area) replied:

“I'll call your bursitis and raise you a torn rotator cuff. . ..can we exchange pity parties? That said:

Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Relieves pain, decreases inflammation, and reduces fever.

Self-care

RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

Cold compress

Reduces inflammation and dulls sensation of pain.
Physical exercise

Aerobic activity for 20-30 minutes 5 days a week improves cardiovascular health. If injured, pursuing an activity that avoids the injured muscle group or joint can help maintain physical function while recovering.”

That’s good advice, so I’ll leave it here.

  When I first developed bursitis in winter 2013-14, I didn’t know what it was—thought maybe arthritis, so I used heat.  Bad idea—it’s an inflammation of the bursa, and can happen on any joint.  So yesterday I looked up the exercises and sat on an ice pack (my gel filled ice packs are at home). I couldn’t imagine how it started, but then remembered that on Wednesday while walking to a program, I misjudged a dip in the sidewalk and stumbled.  It doesn’t take much.

https://gethealthyu.com/best-exercises-hip-bursitis/

More on fish oil--tips from a librarian--me

Several days ago when I posted about bursitis and Fish Oil someone asked me about brand or dose. I've found 2 good articles, and if you're linked to a Public Library with databases, here are the titles, "Groundbreaking study reveals new mechanism behind fish oils' health benefits," Life Extension, Sept. 2012; and "Report: Maximizing Omega-3 health benefits," Life Extension, June 2014. Both articles have extensive bibliographies--over 200 citations between them. Covers metabolic syndrome, asthma, COPD, cardiovascular disease, cognition (happy to know it might stop cognitive decline of aging), and cancer. The 2nd article talks about using both fish oil and Krill oil (I thought they were the same). 

Penny pincher tip: when I print from a database off site, I always check the page arrangement, and sometimes depending on layout, you can save 4 pages of printing. 

The database I used was Ebsco's Alt Health Watch, and the only limiter I used was Full Text because I don't like to read on screen and knew I'd print if I found something.

Leg pain, two problems, two solutions (I hope)

About two and a half years ago I developed bursitis (inflammation of the bursa) in my right hip. Although it seemed to happen overnight, I recognized it as a pain that I had off and on since childhood. After it seemed to heal in a year, it started in my left hip, probably because so much dependence on it. I did the ice and exercise routine again, but always took a folding cane with me, avoided stairs and any incline if I were walking. Then in June I read several articles on fish oil being an anti-inflammatory, so figuring it couldn't hurt, I tried it. Maybe it's a placebo, but I'll take it and leave the cane at home, because I can now walk miles and even do the stairs in my home without pain (although I would NEVER do stairs for exercise like I used to). No more Advil. Last week I was talking to my daughter about it, and I guess we'd never discussed it. She'd done the same thing, but for auto-immune related problems and she's been able to give up Aleve, and move without pain. She also said her fingernails were strong for the first time in her life, and I looked at mine, and what do you know, mine were too, and I hadn't even noticed.

 Apparently, I have a mild form of peripheral neuropathy--although I haven't really had an exact diagnosis. I have none of the usual indicators--no diabetes, I'm not overweight, and I don't have high blood pressure, kidney disease or thyroid problems. I'm not missing any vitamins, and I'm not an alcoholic. After all the tests and my doctor coming up with nothing, she sent me to a sports doctor (really fancy facility for all the important athletes). I don't recall him saying neuropathy, but I looked up the prescription, gabapentin, and that's what it's used for. I had no relief for 2-3 months, but finally, I can sleep without leg pain waking me up, so I'm crediting gabapentin. There is a side affect I've had to get used to; I feel a little tipsy in the morning, and that goes away by afternoon. In researching this I figure the neuropathy (if that's what it is) may be from falls, which is another underlying cause. I've never broken anything, but I have gone down stairs bumpty bump and fallen off my bike. And of course, my age. It seems a lot of aches and pains come with age.

Bursitis and walking update

Finally, I saw a sunrise. I'm getting 6-7 miles a day in walking, and mornings are best. All broken into small segments of one mile or less so I don't risk inflammation.  I use only the flat, east-west streets of Lakeside which indicate where the shore line was about 8-10,000 years ago.  We had a glacier in this area of the U.S. and then that darn climate change and global warming.  It was very hazy today, and promises to be very hot, but those first few moments as the sun pops over the horizon are glorious.

 I've seen several people using hiking poles, and when checking I seek trekking, hiking, walking, shock absorbing, ultralight, women's, cork, rubber, etc. Sure looks better than using a cane. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/trekking-poles-hiking-staffs.html

One woman I saw with walking poles is getting ready for the 500 mile Camino in Northern Spain where hikers stop at monasteries, villages and churches. She did it several years ago, and is planning another one. She talked about it for a Women's Club program.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2159915/Walk-lifetime-Why-epic-Camino-trail-Spain-route-true-happiness.html

Trochanteric Bursitis

Yup.  This pretty much describes it.  It takes a few seconds to get used to his accent.  Now it's my left hip, but in December 2013, it was the right hip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xA53i4CuW0&list=PL952C8B9184F9CDC1&index=4

Exercises.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1-8_1iwO7Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvWoBqdZPr0

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG6AIKmpvp8

 http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/hip-groin-pain/hip-bursitis/rehabilitation-hip-bursitis

Visiting the Spine, Sport and Joint Center

 

 I had the opportunity to be treated at the lovely McConnell Spine, Sport & Joint Center this morning. Really nice DO, Jason Dapore. I saw this book in his exam room. 2nd ed., so the 1st would probably be cheaper. Becoming a Supple Leopard. Made me smile at the thought. I just want to be able to walk without limping.It was decided I would do the series of physical therapy exercises that I had for my right leg bursitis in 2014, plus so stretching and massaging for the calf pain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08uZGlEdk_s

I'm so loving the Electronic Medical Records mandate which we paid $30 billions for in HITECH Act. I've yet to have it ever be correct, whether in the network or outside the network. And good luck if you are outside your primary network--their systems don't talk to each other. Today I hand carried my printed records with me, and now looking over what they printed out to send home, they are using information quite dated. Have no idea where it came from . . . because the version I have was current last week. How would this office get records a year old? How many other medical bungle budget busters are out there because Washington knows how to run medical practices in Ohio? Zeke (Rahm's brother) Emanuel came up with this and there wasn't a shred of evidence it would save money or improve care. What a boon for the IT lobbies. And I haven't had a doctor look me in the eye since this nonsense started (unless they have an assistant who enters the information). 

Take notes; keep every piece of paper.

Politico has an article on how it has failed.  Yes, said it was Bush's fault.