Hip(or so I thought) diagnosis

Wow it seems like eons since I have written a post.  In all honesty, I have been avoiding my blog and my google reader like the plague.  It makes me sad to read about everyone's workouts and runs.  Why do you ask?
Well, remember my hip post. Not a "cool" post but hip as in on my body.  Well, it started as hip bursitis and has moved to my back and continued to get worse.  I haven't been able to run in 2 weeks.  My boss/chiropractor has been adjusting me and has done some ultrasound treatments on my and my bursitis healed right up.  My back on the other hand has not, if not worse.
Symptoms:

• CAN NOT WALK without a limp because of the horrible pain in my lower back/butt area.  
• Sometimes if I move a certain way, it feels like I am getting stabbed in that area and my leg wants to give out.
• I have radiating pain down my right leg and sometimes in my lower butt/groin area.
• Sitting gets uncomfortable.
• Putting weight on my right leg(putting pants on) IMPOSSIBLE.
• Sleeping in any direction is sometimes painful and always uncomforable.

I went to a bone and joint doctor today.  I have suspected a sacral stress fracture all along.  I KNEW something wasn't right when it a) wasn't getting better in 2 weeks of doing nothing but daily life b)it didn't feel like a muscle problem c)Ibuprofen didn't seem to help.  I stopped taking it after a week of no relief.

I had done all of the research on a stress fracture.  I seemed to have ALL of the signs and symptoms.  I was prepared to be told I would be on crutches and it would take months to recover let alone no running! 

My boss called and got me an appt where they could work me in today.  

I got an xray of all views of my back and waited on the doc.  He asked me some questions and made me do some stretches.  

Diagnosis:

LUMBAR BULGING DISK.  Huh? WHAT?  I was not prepared for that.  He told me to rest and gave me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory.  He said I could swim or do the elliptical, unless it hurt.  As soon as I got to the office I HAD to do some research!

•  What is a bulging disk ? 

It's a disk whose edge is bulging into the spinal canal ,where the nerves traverse to theforamina. This can be produced by swelling of the nucleus, diminishing of the intervertebral space, etc. In most cases is asymptomatic and it is merely a radiological finding. But if this bulge is big enough it will impinge the nerves, giving the symptoms and signs of a herniated disk and for practical purposes it has to be considered as such. 

http://www.trejos.com/Trejos/faqHDL.stm#2

• What are the symptoms? 

          "Bulging disc symptoms will begin at the point of pressure and radiate to where the affected nerve root travels. Bulging disc symptoms are usually worse when you're active and gets better when you're resting. Bending forward, driving, coughing, sneezing, and sitting may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because they put more pressure on the nerve. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/bulging_disc/symptoms

          

• What are the treatments?

          "Rest, ice, physical therapy, medications, and injections. Alternative treatments may include chiropractic manipulation, traction, electrical stimulation and acupuncture. In most cases, bulging disc patients experience relief after trying one or more of these treatments. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/bulging_disc/symptoms

So, that's what I am going to do.  My boss/chiropractor "says" he can knock it out in 7-10 days.  It has already been 2 weeks. So, we will go from there.  I am still going to do no exercise until I can walk without pain.  When that happens I will go to the pool and elliptical unless there is pain.

I had signed up a few months ago for a half marathon Sept 24 and another one Oct 8.  I had already accepted that I would be eating that money and not running.  I am still not 100% sure I will be running those races even though this injury can be fixed faster than a stress fracture, but there is a sliver of hope.

Have you ever had a bulging disc?
How did it affect you?


Would you run in the races?


Have a great day!

Oh, my hip!

It has been HEC.TIC at work lately and the only time I can blog is at work.  Funny huh?!?!  Well, the biggest news is that I have hip bursitis.  Last week, my leg started bothering me and I shortened my runs so I wouldn't injure myself bad.  Wednesday, I decided to run from home because it was overcast and the temp had dropped some....to 90 degrees haha!  So, on my run I went.  I was feeling pretty good, but slow about a mile in.  My first mile is NEVER fun for me.  By the 2 mile turn around I was really slow and favoring my hip.  By 2.25 miles I was limping.  I swallowed my pride and called Clint to come pick me up.  I was almost 2 miles from home and was in NO shape to get there any time soon!  I felt defeated and irritated that he had to come get me, but proud that I called him.  The next morning I could barely walk. Hip bursitis reared its ugly ugly head

What is hip bursitis?

(Source)

"There are two major bursae of the hip, the trochanteric bursa and the ischial bursa. Inflammation of either can be associated with stiffness and pain around the hip joint. The trochanteric bursa is located on the side of the hip. It is separated significantly from the actual hip joint by tissue and bone."

What causes hip bursitis?

"Most commonly, bursitis is a noninfectious condition (aseptic bursitis) caused by inflammation resulting from local soft tissue trauma or straininjury. On rare occasions, the hip bursa can become infected with bacteria. This condition is called septic bursitis. Although uncommon, the hip bursa can become inflamed by crystals that deposit there from gout orpseudogout."

What are hip bursitis symptoms?

"Trochanteric bursitis frequently causes tenderness of the outer hip, making it difficult for patients to lie on the involved side, frequently causing difficult sleep. Trochanteric bursitis also causes a dull, burning pain on the outer hip that is often made worse with excessive walking or stair climbing. The ischial bursa is located in the upper buttock area. Ischial bursitis can cause dull pain in this area that is most noticeable when climbing uphill. The pain sometimes occurs after prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, hence the names "weaver's bottom" and "tailor's bottom."

Bursitis of the hip is the most common cause of hip pain."

What is the treatment for hip bursitis?

"The treatment of any bursitis depends on whether or not it involves infection. Noninfectious or aseptic hip bursitis can be treated with ice compresses, rest, and anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Occasionally, it requires aspiration of the bursa fluid. This procedure involves removal of the fluid with a needle and syringe under sterile conditions. It can be performed in the doctor's office. Sometimes the fluid is sent to the laboratory for further analysis. Frequently, there is inadequate fluid accumulation for aspiration. Noninfectious hip bursitis can be treated with an injection of cortisonemedication, often with an anesthetic, into the swollen bursa. This is sometimes done at the same time as the aspiration procedure.

Patients with hip bursitis can often benefit by weight reduction, stretching exercises, and wearing proper footwear for exercise activities. Sometimes physical-therapy programs can be helpful. Generally, patients should avoid hills and stairs and direct pressure on the affected hip (sleep on the other side), when possible, while symptoms are present. Affected people should also avoid exercising on inclined surfaces and stairs, especially running hills, until symptoms have resolved.

Septic bursitis (rare in the hip) requires even further evaluation by a doctor. This is unusual in the hip bursa but does occur. The bursal fluid can be examined in the laboratory to identify the precise bacteria causing the infection. Septic bursitis requires antibiotic therapy, often intravenously. Repeated aspiration of the infected fluid may be required. Surgical drainage and removal of the infected bursa sac (bursectomy) may also be necessary."

What is the prognosis for hip bursitis?

"Usually hip bursitis responds completely to conservative treatments. Either oral or injectable anti-inflammatory medications frequently resolve the symptoms within a week. Infectious bursitis must be cured with antibiotic treatment often with surgical drainage."

I am no going on Day 5 without a run.  To be honest, I am cranky and irritable.  Running is my stress releiver, my time to let life go, my time to be me.  Not a mama, wife, sister, or daughter, but ME!  It is the only hour I ask for and without that I am struggling!!!  I am getting treatment for it at work and today is the first day I can walk without a limp, but I am still only about 65%.  A few more days and I hope to get my running shoes back on.  Although, I do need new tennies.  The average miles on running shoes is 300-350 miles and then you get new ones.  I hit 478 miles last week on the same shoes.  Um, yeah I have over ran my shoes!  

Have you had to deal with an injury?

How did you cope?

12 month checkup

First of all, if you have kids. Be prepared if you make your appointment in August!  Schools start back and EVERY kid and their mama wait until the LAST MINUTE to do well checks and shots!  It was a mad house!  Luckily we had an appointment, but we still had to wait about 45 minutes.  Oh and how come the "well" waiting room is the size of a closet, but the "sick" waiting room is ginormous?!?!  That is just beyond me!

We were finally called back and Ava toddled/ran(yes she is practically running!!) on to the room.  The nurse did the usual questionaire and then we dropped her clothes and headed over to do her weight, height, and head circumference.

Height: 26.5in

Weight: Almost 18lbs

Head circumference:um can't remember, but it is normal.

Dr. Jay came in and Ava was roaming all over the place. She grinned at him, as to say, "look at me, I'm walking."  But liking Dr. Jay came to a screeching halt!  Once he started doing his examine, she was not having it!  Did not like it and made sure he knew it.  After that fun was over, we let her play while we had doctor/parent talk.  He is ecstatic with her development and everything is functioning perfectly. BUT her percentiles have dropped from 25th to 3rd.  He isn't so much concerned yet, but wants us to come back in 6 weeks to do a weight check to see if she is putting on weight.  She can practically have all foods now that she has hit the 12 month mark (WITHIN MAMA'S REASON!)  The only things he doesn't want her having yet are peanut/peanut butter and honey.  He wants us to add about 25% of whole milk to her bottles to up her caloric intake and boost her calories at meal times.  

To be honest, I struggled with this.  I have been blessed to be able to breastfeed for over 12 months and that was my initial goal.  Apparently, I have skim milk in these here parts of mine and need to add some calories in to my girl's belly.  My "selfish" concern is that this will start her weaning process.  I know it is the natural order of things, BUT breastmilk is the thing that I ALONE can give her.  Once that is over, so is that need from me and honestly that is hard for me to deal with.  I know in my head I should be so happy I have made it past my goal of 12 months, but I am selfish!  Yes, I said it.  Selfish.  Yes, breastmilk is the best thing for her (in my opinion), but for me I am needed where NO ONE else can fill that need.

OK rant over.  She had to get 3 shots and her little finger pricked on top of teething!  She had a rough day!!

We decided not to go to the gym, since the doctor visit was no fun for any of us.  I was bummed, but I got in a weights session at work, so at least I got my heart rate up some.

Locomotions 3x20 2-15#DBs

Lying Chest Press 3x10 2-15#DBs

Lying Overhead pullovers 3x10 1-15#DB

Isolated Bicep curls 3x10 2-15#DBs

Leg lifts 3x10

Flutters 3x30sec

I am hoping to get in a good run this afternoon, but we shall see.  Becoming a mama has taught me to NEVER make concrete plans!!

Have a great day!

Ava's 1st Birthday, stings, and updates

Ava turned 1!!!!

My dad, my brother and his fiance manned the grill. Hamburgers and hotdogs!

 Ava is thirsty!

CHERRIOS!!!!

"I don't know what that is, but it looks fun!"

 Family picture!

"I want to get out and walk around."

"I'll be able to wear these onesies when I am 2!"

Roll Tide, y'all!!!

My attempt at Ava's cake.  It was a from scratch banana cake.

My amateur attempt at everyone else's cake.

Ava wasn't too keen on diving in to the cake.  This is about as messy as she got!

We dodged some scary storms.  The party was a huge success.  About 40 people showed up and everyone left happy.  

Sidenote:  Ava got her first bee sting on her thumb!  She cried maybe 2 minutes.  What a champ. We wrapped a bandaid full of tobacco around it to take the sting out.  For those of you who don't know, tobacco works!  It draws out the sting.  Her thumb was swollen for about an hour but that was it.

An hour and a half later, I got stung under the eye.  I cried more than Ava!  There was minimal swelling which   I was excited about, UNTIL Sunday morning.  It was really swollen then and got progressive worse!  It was 90% swollen shut!!!!!

Clint said I looked like this on the right side of my face!  If it wasn't true, it would have hurt my feelings, but he was speakin the truth!

movie, Mask, source

We decided if it wasn't better on Monday, I was going to the doctor.  Well, it didn't get better, but moved down my face!  Long story short, I had a sever allergic reaction and had to get a steroid shot in my hip! The doc wrote me a prescription for an epi-pen.  Apparently, when you have a reaction like this, the next time I get stung it will be just as bad if not worse!  GREAT!!!

Workouts:

I took the weekend off from running.

Monday at the gym I got in 7miles in 1:01:50!!!

Yesterday morning I knocked out 5.25 miles in 44:55!!  

We will hit the gym today and I run for as long of time as I have.  

Ava:

She is practically RUNNING now.  Too funny! 

Her favorite word is duckaduckaducka!

She has her 12 month checkup today, eeek!  Shots!!

Have a great day!