OT: Exercise and running

[brooklyn615]

I'm not sure if this area is a good place to post this but here goes. A little about me: I have been a member of these boards for awhile, and comment here and there. I love Disney and think dream about going back probably every day. I have two boys, a husband and a job. I'm a Veterinary Technician, as well as petsitting and things like that. I am pretty average in size, I'd like to lose 15lbs or so. A couple of years ago, I joined weight watchers and lose a little over 30lbs. I have gained some of it back. Since the end of Feb. I have began working out again, as well as running. I have a love/hate relationship with running. I don't really love the actual running part but I really like the way it makes me feel. I have been trying to run about 3 miles every other day and I squeeze in, usually only one/week an eliptical session. Last week, my foot began hurting me while I was running. I had to stop early and get off the treadmill. But as the days have progresses, it has gotten worse. It hurts to walk now. I visited my Dr. this a.m. He informed me that it's probably tendonitis, or maybe a stress fracture. I went for an xray, but I won't get the results until probably Thursday at the earliest. The only advise my doc gave me was to stop running, warm compress the area and take ibuprofen. He also suggested a stomach coater because the ibuprofen can irratate my stomach.
Here is my "rant": I have been taking the ibuprofen, before I went there for the last two days...IT IS NOT HELPING!!! I am frustrated and upset for a few reasons. Now I have to stop running AND I'm still in pain. I know, I'm probably complaining but I am upset. I was hoping to run a race at the end of April and now I won't be able to.

Sorry for the sob story but I'm just feeling sorry for myself!

 

[MagicKisses2]

We all deserve a good rant every now and then. I hope you feel better soon! Think of all the good things you have been doing, eating right, exercising... now you just have to take a little rest. You will bounce back in no time.

I am also trying to lose about 20 pounds, I started a few weeks ago and lost 7, now I really have to kick up my exercise and hope that it helps take the pounds off. Sitting at a desk all day doesn't help.

Good luck!! I wish you all the best.

 

[juliebean]

So sorry - running is such an effective workout, but it is so hard on your feet and knees. I would go see a podiatrist and get a definative answer about what the problem is and then proceed with treatment. I think you got the "pat" answer.

 

[DizneeCM]

Hi Brooklyn615,

I'm sorry to hear about your injury - it's disheartening when you are working so hard. Maybe you could ask doc. if you could cross-train by biking or swimming instead (if you have access to these)?

As far as the ibuprofen goes, could you ask doc. about taking Aleve (naproxen) instead? That works better for some people - same caution about taking it with food or milk.

Hope you feel better- good luck!

 

[kimkoz]

Hey we all deserve some ranting here and there. Sorry about your pain. Hang in thier though, the meds will work soon. Are you taking them exactly how the doctor recommended. I know for me I had an injury years ago and decided I didn't want to be on as many pain meds as suggested. My body came back with rage.. I now understand with injuries similiar to your discussing I will take exactly the amount every 4-5 hours or how they say. I keep on it for a while, then lower gradually to maintain.

Hang in there, it will get better.

Once better - I suggest checking out a shoe store that will size you for the correct shoe. This does help. They are pricey but you can always get fitted, they will make suggestions and you can search online. I've done it. Also like others said check with a pod. doctor too

I'm becoming a runner again - Years ago I used to run alot, always very active but to this day I can not run on treadmills, they kill my legs and feet. I can use our elliptical no problems but no running on a treadmill for me, just outside which sucks cause we do not have tons of nice days here.. only summer. Running outside, once healed will help you get ready for that race too.. Yes, you probably will not make April but there are always more..

Take care

 

[kimkoz]

Hi Brooklyn615,

I'm sorry to hear about your injury - it's disheartening when you are working so hard. Maybe you could ask doc. if you could cross-train by biking or swimming instead (if you have access to these)?

As far as the ibuprofen goes, could you ask doc. about taking Aleve (naproxen) instead? That works better for some people - same caution about taking it with food or milk.

Hope you feel better- good luck!

I didn't even think of this.. great suggestion.. Biking or swimming is great.

 

[Swimalie]

Im sorry this happened. Sadly, I can relate. Almost 3 years ago I accidentally kicked the dowel on a stool. I have now had 3 doctors, 2 surgeries, 4 injections and years of pain. And I'm only slightly better off now than I was when it originally happened. I am a competitive swimmer and it has majorly affected my swimming. Luckily icing during a swim meet numbs it so i can compete but I can practice. And I did my first triathlon in 3 years 2 weeks ago.

I highly recommend seeing a sport orthopedic or podiatrist, if you aren't already. Listen to what they say and rest as needed. A few days off running won't ham you but it could help. And, of course, I highly recommend swimming. It's a great exercise and no impact.

Good luck and I hope your foot heals fast.

 

[J. Galt]

I can relate. I'm not a runner, but I am an avid exerciser. I managed to develop tendonitis earlier this year. My general practitioner specializes in sports medicine and also recommended swimming and spinning for low impact to allow healing. I managed to continue my kickboxing and other classes by just modifying. I just don't bounce... jump, yes, but no bounce and I make sure I land squarely on my feet. When the rest of the class bounces, I modify to do calf raises or other muscle contractions. Still an awesome workout, but not as "jumpy". At first I got some weird looks, but now my instructor thinks I'm on to something. A lot of times its harder not to bounce because you can't rely on momentum. Low impact doesn't have to be just for the geriatric set... you can still make it an intense workout if you really focus on muscle contraction.

Hope you find something that works for you!

 

[englishteacha]

I'm not a runner but a huge klutz. I am so sorry for your foot pain! I'm the girl who sprained her ankle in step aerobics class because she missed her step. (I've also broken a toe, sprained a finger, twisted my knee falling down an escalator, gotten my hand shut in a car power window...I'm good at getting weird injuries) Sigh. How much ibuprofen did the doc say to take? When I get hurt, they usually suggest 800 mg (4 regular pills). I hope you heal well! Try to stay off it if you can.

 

[Sagginit]

it's a bummer, but you're not alone. my mother had hip problems and found out about them a few weeks into running. she ended up pulling muscles in her leg as her hip is out of alignment. the good news was the docter told her to gradually get back into running as the exercise is better for the muscles than them being out of shape. my sister in law runs and has to alternate with biking as she is having serious knee problems and she is only in her late 20s. i grew up dancing but have no time to hit the studio. running lets me combine outdoor time with exercise so i took it up last year. i too hate the running but i feel so much better afterwards i keep doing it, my fear though is that i too will develop one of these injuries.

can you do anything non pain medicine to help? icing, heating, stretching, elevating? i had a serious muscle strain from work two years ago and the icing and well placed pillows helped me more than the pills they gave me.

 

[marie1203]

I am so sorry to hear that. It sucks when health issues interfere with goals. I had a similar thing happen to me. I wanted to ran a Marathon and started running last Oct. It started getting cold and my asthma started kicking in when I ran so I started going to the gym. Then out of nowhere I get a horrible cold than triggers my asthma and it gives me the worst attack I had in over 10 years. It was so bad they were talking about putting in a ventilator because medicine wasn't working. Needless to say it has taken well over a month for me to even get better now I won't be able to run for a few months so it doesn't look like I will be running a marathon any time soon.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Definitely get fitted for proper running shoes at a real running store (not a general sports store... an actual RUNNING store). There are two things at play here: your arches (high, flat, or neutral) and your pronation (how much you roll inwards when you run). You need a pair of running shoes that cushions your feet and controls your movement so that you don't injure yourself. You also don't mention what part of your foot hurts... make sure your shoes are the right size (generally a half size larger than your normal shoe size) so that your foot has room to move and you don't compress your metatarsals, which can cause stress injuries.

You need a shoe that fits you - what fits me, or someone else, will not necessarily work for you. And the shoes you need can change over time; during my pregnancy, I went from a shoe for high arches and no pronation at all, to a shoe for flat arches and moderate pronation.

Good luck getting back to running! I hope the x-rays show something wrong that can easily be fixed! Too often running injuries are vague and just require rest and time to heal, without knowing what was really wrong!

 

[princesspeach]

I have been running 50-100 miles a week for the past 20 years. I had nurmerous injuries my first 10 years of running from tendinitis to stress fractures etc. What worked for me was buying a new pair of shoes every month. I have not had a injury in over 10 years. Running is a great hobby. Marathons are fun, but you will have aches and pains along the way. It takes a while for your body to adjust to the stress.

 

[Figment1990]

I completely feel your pain. Literally.

I've spent the last 11 months coming back from tendonitis in my knee. I'm still not 100%, but I'm about 90%. For several of those months it was hard just to walk, let alone run. At about 5 months in, I started walking on a treadmill at a pace of only 2.3 mph! The worst part was that in the beginning few months, it got so bad that I developed complex regional pain syndrome that caused my quadricep muscle to atrophy. Fortunately, I'm not giving up and I refuse to acknowledge that I can't come back from this. I still can't run normally yet, but I ran across the room the other day without falling down, so I'm focusing on that progress and trying not to get depressed.

My best advice is this: listen to your doctor, but ask as many questions as you need to to understand your situation. If you have to go to therapy, go to therapy and DO the exercises. Do whatever exercise you can, even if it's not running. Considering a recumbent bike, pilates, anything that will keep all the other related muscles in your body working. I learned that yes, you have to get the inflamation undercontrol in order for the pain to stop, but it's just as bad for your muscles to weaken. Balance rest and small workouts. Taking a week off will not hurt you, but taking 3 months off from all use of that muscle group can. Also don't be afraid to seek out other doctors or therapists if you aren't satisfied.

My doc started me on ibuprofen (I think that's advil, right?) but I had to switch to Aleve b/c advil bothered my stomach.

Another trick I learned was to indulge myself in whatever music helped get me through the awful PT exercises and other workouts. My ipod saved my PT sessions!

Also, I wanted to add that I too needed to lose weight, just as my injury occurred, plus I was trying to prepare for getting pregnant again (lose the old baby weight). It's so hard when an injury crushes your hopes and plans (like your race). Injuries are a mental thing too - it's hard to keep your spirits up throughout recovery. I'm glad you turned to the DIS for support. DIS helped me emotionally, that's for sure.

Good luck. I hope you get better results that you might be anticipating.

 

[brooklyn615]

Thanks everyone for the support. I'm sorry to just be responding now, I have had a really long work week. I have also been feeling bad for myself. I am going to try some biking tonight and see how that goes. I haven't done any kind of running since Tuesday and I have to do something!
Princesspeach- you run alot!!! :O) My sneakers aren't that old and I only use them for workouts but I am going to invest in a new pair. Thanks for the advice.
Marie1203- I'm soe sorry to hear but glad to hear that you are slowly recovering.
Again, thanks everyone for the support- it makes a difference to know others have had difficulties themselves. I can also swim but unfortunately am not that steller of a swimmer. I'll keep you all posted!

 

[GinnyEmma]

I'm sorry! From what I understand, ibuprophren takes a few days to build Honeycutt stage where it starts working as an antiinflamatory. I had to take anorak from running and the doctor prescribed a topical called voltaren that helps.