Athletes and pain

Welcome YogaP to the Cp forum at HW. Sorry your having to alter your lifestyle due to chronic pain as all of us have been faced with this in some way or another. It's possibly harder this grief of acceptance then any thing else we must endure. Many CPers suffer depression throughout the journey due to the changes we must accept in our lives. We have several members who are or have been personal trainers, coaches, athletes themselves and done ok with learning to get around some of the more common mobility issues and continue doing what they love.

Weekend can be slow here but others will drop by.

Hello YogaP, it's good to meet you. I can understand how you are feeling due to your body letting down your way of life and mind set. It is so very difficult for us to alter and admit to our mind that our bodies are not allowing us to experience our passions.

I was on a woman's competitive basketball team and ran a high school football program. I managed 120 children a year and 15 boys (the coaches lol) for 10 years. This was a lot of activity and always being on the go. I personally did all of the set up and break down for the games. Which most people don't even realize all the equipment that is needed on this sidelines during a game. Med boxes, 10 gallon water jugs, tables, benches etc. the list is extensive. We even had a stationary bike on the sidelines. I am 4'11 and weighed about 105 and prided myself on the fact that I was strong and could do all of this myself. Then three days a week I had basketball practice and games once a week.

Seven years ago while on a skiing vacation I had cardiac tamponade due to Pericarditis. This put an instant halt to all of my physical activity. Because this disorder is idiopathic disorder they are not sure what brings it on. I was allowed to return to my regular active duties six months after this episode. This caused me to have another attack. The end result was no more cardio, no heavy lifting, no running, no basketball etc. I gained 20 pounds and became increasingly depressed. Stayed in the house and couldn't seem to find anything that made me happy.

I had been a sports photographer since I started at the high school in 2001 and decided to broaden my scale of focus. This honestly was a life saver in more ways than one. I learned how to hike without over exerting myself, got new (expensive) shoes that helped with the aches and pains. I found another avenue to express myself without over doing it.

Please tell me what other things do you enjoy doing?

Maybe you can be a personal trainer. How about a low impact class? There are exercise classes that require you to sit. Maybe you can put something like that together for others who are experiencing the same type of pain and depression for being "grounded". How about exercise in a pool? That is low impact for sure and my mother who has Parkinson uses this. They are hard to find and it took us and her Parkinson group hiring someone for them to meet at the local pool. We were unable to find anyone in our area to help them with this type of exercise. It is very needed. Especially for Parkinson's because they can't stand on their own and the water doesn't let them fall over.

Somewhere there is a positive outlet for you where you can still exercise.

I am sorry you are experiencing life changing pain xxxx

Hi yogaprof. I self restrict a lot to help my pain. It stinks but is better than pain (to me/for me).

Do you do yoga for yourself or teach it or both? I ask because of your user name.

Also I quit eating sugar and grains and that helped my inflammation and pain a lot.

Welcome to the forum!

Hi Leila, love your story. Inspirational, sincerely. Good for you.

I couldn't agree more with those who say we need more trainers and teachers or coaches to design and develop programs for the disabled and especially the low impact variety. So many people who suffer chronic disease go downhill faster when mobility robs them of vital exercising, Parkinson, alzheimers, early dementia, cardiovascular disease and OA/RA related problems. Lack of proper exercising leads to sleep issues, unhealthy eating habits and in turn slows or alters our bodies healing and repairing abilities.

We don't have good programs even if we're lucky enough to have access to a pool and the majority of the low impact aerobics classes have chronic disease warnings advising against them. I live for my time spent in the hydropool and had aquatherapy not been introduced to me when it was so many year's ago I likely would not have been where I am today. I require much less meds then I did,use no b/t meds,have been able to maintain the lowest doses of Lyrica my Dr prescribes,no longer require the help of a cane after 7 yrs of using a mobility aid, and been able to hold off on surgery to remove broken hardware for years. Its just surprising when you start looking for opportunities to work out on a regular basis and there's absolutely no resources for the chronic disease folks.

I can totally sympathize with you,I've spent 30 years in the gym body building until a year ago when osteoarthritis totally destroyed my elbows,this lead to bad ulner nerve damage to my right arm,I'm now awaiting my 3rd bone spur removal and my 2nd ulner nerve surgery,I'm currently on so much pain killers I' struggle to stay awake!!! 30 years of strength training gone in a flash,Meds include 400mg zomorph a day and 900 mg of gabapentine, just trying to swerve an elbow replacement

I have a friend that is seeing a very bad pain management doctor, although she dolts on this guy right now, he has literally told her to stop doing everything, that is very extreme. People need to keep moving, you need to keep up some level of activity or you won't have a life, as hard as that may sound, try to keep active and do what you can, limiting is good but don't totally stop everything!
Work around what you can do and learn what you can't do, bending over is a no so learn to squat and sometimes learn to politely ask other to help pick up things. You never want to do anything that is harmful exercise, but at the same time walking is great!
Before being hit with chronic pain my husband and I where active bowlers, now that is limited to once a week for me and I consider that good activity, granted it's not for everyone, but it keeps me going and I stop some days early because of pain. Physical therapy has also kept me going at times and I do that homework too...
Maybe learn to teach low impact areobics for pain patients or leran tai chi, tai chi has also helped me at times and I still do some of that too...
I also take care of 4 kitties but I never bend over anymore...
I also use my recumbent bike at home 3 to 4 times a week...so keep moving, don't give up!
Many well wishes

Hiya all,

Boy, do I relate to all that has been said. I sure do empathize with all the people here.

I have been going to physical therapy the last couple of weeks and was hoping to get some relief for the chronic pain in my shoulders. It seems that my body feels worse.

Maybe this is partially due my my physical therapist telling me that she recently received a copy of the last MRI that was done on my shoulders. It showed that three out of four muscles are torn in my rotator cuffs in both shoulders.

As I mentioned in a former post, I do not want and cannot have surgery. Many of you suggested that I not have surgery for many reasons. It is, however, getting to the point where they are affecting my life so much that I wonder what I will do.

Two weeks ago, I went to the pain doctor and I am back on oxycodone10-25 once per day. They do nothing to relieve any pain.

There are times when I cannot hold up a coffee cup nor type on the computer. That makes me angry and frustrated. I am currently on disability for depression and this pain is making me more depressed.

I have also been an athlete all of my life and much of my self-worth was tied up in my sports. I was a high school and college wrestler, surfer, and martial artist. Now, I am not able to do any of these.

Both of my hips were replaced over ten years ago and they squeak and many very strange noises. There are time when I avoid going places because they make such odd sounds.I am afraid to find out what is wrong with them. Fortunately, they do not hurt.

I would like to do some volunteer work, but to date have not done so. I do take walks periodically, where I live, but that is boring to me.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I hope that all of you had a nice Memorial Day weekend.

Sad as it seems, surgery may be your only option at getting some quality life back. None of us ever want to go the surgery route unless there are no other choices. From the way it is sounding the progression with these shoulders may be catching up with you. I think if this were me, I would start searching for a specialist that handles shoulders only & get a consult with one just to see what they can offer.

Good luck.