Blog changes

Thanks to everyone who followed Training Because I Can! over the last nine years. This blog started with Addison's Disease, hypothyroidism and a crazy idea of doing an Ironman distance triathlon. My life has changed and so has this blog. I am using this blog strictly for Addison's Support topics from here on out. I hope to continue providing people with hints for living life well with adrenal insufficiency.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Stuff is going on

Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.


Here's a rather boring report about what's going on with me. As usual, bold used so you can skip some or all of this!

That limping I was doing, the use of the elevator, the sitting to get my pants and shoes on, all legitimate. I've got a stress fracture of the femoral neck. I'm on strict orders to use crutches and keep weight off the right hip at the very least until I see the orthopedic doc. It hurts a lot less now that I'm not walking on it.

What did I do to cause this? No one knows but here's my theory...My bone density is excellent, running training was quite reasonable. I think it was a combination of factors, not enough cross training, wearing Crocs to run in when my heel hurt, and basic hormonal problems (Addison's, hypothyroid, low free T3, lowish estrogen). In addition, I kicked the hell out of a couple of things after the aching started and that probably put me over the edge. I also tried to ignore the pain for a couple of weeks before seeking treatment. I suspect many of you feel as I do, I feel like a hypochondriac every time I go into the doctor's office or mention a pain at home. I try to avoid going to the doctor's office unless I'm in a lot of pain or really sick.

What now? I'm on crutches and trying to learn how to carry crap around at the same time. I need to keep weight off the leg. Nuclear bone scan today or tomorrow and an appointment with an orthopedic doc Saturday.

Excellent small town medical treatment! Right from the start, I was treated very well by our local medical staff. I was able to get appointments immediately when I requested them.

  • The first appointment with the NP was excellent, upon finding out I had hip pain, she was not shy about bringing in a medical text book and going "by the book" in trying to diagnose me. I refused an Xray and MRI, dismissing my pain as muscular. She prescribed some physical therapy.
  • Dan Streubel, the physical therapist and athlete, listened to my concerns, treated my pain and suggested that I get the MRI (several times!).
  • I saw my GP about some thyroid adjustments last week, he treated the thyroid stuff quickly and then got going on the hip (I didn't really talk about it, just limped into the office). He told me I had to go for an Xray immediately and set up an MRI for yesterday.
  • I got the MRI, my appointment was 30 minutes late because the door was frozen shut on the MRI trailer. Welcome to Idaho!!! Because I'm not a patient patient, I walked immediately to the clinic where I bumped into the GP to tell him I had done the MRI and I wanted the results when he had a chance.
  • Noon Tuesday, I got a call telling me that I had the stress fracture (not going to say who but thank you!!). Well, I freaked out a little bit because I was hoping for tendinitis or something. I called the local clinic IMMEDIATELY and got a walk in appointment for 1:30 pm. I was seen immediately by my GP. He gave me some basics, kept me from freaking out, arranged a bone scan, gave me lab orders, got me an appointment with the orthopedic guy much earlier than the girls at the appointment desk could.
  • 8 pm Tuesday, I got a call from Dan, my physical therapist, checking on my mental health. Good call Dan!
I'm incredibly pleased that within hours of my MRI, I knew what the basic problem was, had an idea of what I could and couldn't do and had a follow up appointment set.

What now?
  • I've got to figure out what caused this despite my good bone density and weight bearing activity. Low estrogen??
  • Catch up on stuff I've let go over the last few months of running :)
  • Create a workout program that allows me to maintain my fitness without hurting myself.
  • I'm exhausted. Need to figure out what the hell I can do to not be so tired, headachy and nauseous. Adjust my hydrocortisone amounts? Adjust my hydrocortisone schedule? Both?
  • Research about healing stress fractures and getting back to walking.
  • This is an excellent opportunity to set new goals and complete goals that were avoided because I was too busy.
That's enough for now.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok Dusty ... this is crap...and you can beat this just like addisons.... heres the deal you are in incredible shape time to get back in the pool rack up the yardage...keep your cardio.... maybe some recumbant biking and then tackle some triatholons.... you've already done the insane milers....
love
Sue in Naples

Kristen Ryan said...

Dusty,
I have worked through the pain and discomfort so many times just not to have to appear like a needy, hypochondriac. Anyway, I trust that you will figure things out. I do believe that we need to slow ourselves down sometimes so do just that and you'll be back to yourself in no time. Crutches will keep your upper body in some sort of shape I s'pose. Low impact. Kristen

Pip said...

Oh Dusty! You poor thing. Don't worry about the time off, you know you will get back on track when you are able.

By the end of your post I was smiling to myself because you sound exactly like me. All these questions about your health and why something has happened, and all the associated turning over possible solutions in your mind. Welcome to my world! I will post on my blog soon, but I have been diagnosed with a new eye condition which is likely as not a side effect of my neurosurgery. Of course I want answers, but no one can really give me any. So for now I'm just having to take a few deep breaths and hang in there till my new glasses arrive in a week or two. I'm grieving the fact that I will no longer be able to wear contact lenses, which is going to be darn difficult in the pool!

The take home message for me is that sometimes there is no explanation and no obvious solution. For now I just have to have faith and hang in there!I told a neurologist a few days ago that I was tired of being the medical mystery, the strange exception to the norm, and he just smiled and complimented me on all I'd achieved. This is the first time I've struck something which has really made me question my ability to continue. Hopefully the glasses will help me get over that!

PuddleThumper said...

Oh Dusty, I am so sorry to hear this but I'm glad you got an official diagnosis. I can totally imagine the shock. Femoral stress fractures are pretty serious. Please follow docs' orders for cross training/working out. I'm guessing a lot of different things will put stress on that area.

Once healed, I know you will come back stronger and smarter.

Linda said...

This bites in a really big way. I am hoping that the recovery time is short and that you will soon be able o start cross training.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted you to know that although this is my first visit to your blog I am inspired by you. I was diagnosed with Addison's today. My great grandmother had it. It's a relief because it answers some questions...but a bit scary, too.

I wanted to train to run a 5k and was questioning that decision until coming across your blog.


I think, from what I've read, that you will get back to it. You are an inspiration.

Unknown said...

Hey undercover princess!

Sorry you've got Addison's! It's not as bad as many other diseases and should not limit you and your life.

Come on over to my forum. It's great and full of advice from some super people, many of whom are very active.

www.addisonssupport.com

:) Dusty