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I Need Motivation for PT

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 10/5/2008 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
I need some motivation. I was down at doc's today for my son, and they asked if I had scheduled the PT they wrote me an RX for yet? Of course I have not, because the few times I have had it, I hurt like hell the couple weeks that follow. Don't get me wrong I hurt like hell even without PT, but worse with it. Of course I initiated this-I asked them to come up with SOMETHING that might be an alternative to pain meds which make me nauseous and tired which I don't have time for, and this was the solution. He told me today he can't do anything unless I follow through, and I do want to give it at least a try and if it doesn't work then I'll whine my way through the after pains of it, and continue on with the meds I take already. I just wanted to lessen them a bit. But, cannot get up the motivation to follow through with making the darn appt. Anyone else had any success with PT for fibro and a back injury?

Amy
Posted 10/5/2008 9:12 AM (GMT 0)
The best relief I eveer experienced with PT was when my therapist gave me a massage. I found out at another practice that this was not what a therapist is supposed to do.

It was the therapists idea that the one thing that would help fibromyalgia patients was a weekly fibro safe massage. Unfortunately, she stated, no insurance company would ever pay for it.

So, I hope you have one who is willing to do more than teach exercises. Mine flexed my body and coaxed the muscles to move gently.

I was referred to a pain doctor for an appointment. I am so worried that he will end me to therapy. So many therapists cannot get passed the idea of exercise and body movement. they cannot imagine us still hurting because of their ministrations.

I am just as worried as you are but I hope I have not worried you further. Just wanted you to know that understand.

Please keep me posted.

Donnaeil
Posted 10/5/2008 1:10 PM (GMT 0)

Amy,

I am with you on th PT!  I am starting my third round of therapy, I had my initial visit this past Friday.  I don't have much hope for it working but I will give it my best effort.  Donnaeil, I would love to have a weekly massage but because of the expense I have not given it a try.  Why is it that insurance companies won't pay for something that will save them money in the long run?  I have never understood this.  Amy, you can do this  wink !  Make sure you tell the therapist your past experience and ask for advice for keeping the pain to a minimum.  If you need a PT buddy, I will be there for you!  Keep us updated.

Meggie     

Posted 10/5/2008 1:59 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Amy-

I like your Maxine quote- she is a hoot, isn't she? I have been in Physical Therapy for most the summer and fall now. In the beginning I hurt SO bad the next 3-4 days and at times for a week afterwards. It was horrible. I would have to take Darvocet just to help with the increased pain. shocked  I almost quit going too because I knew the amount of pain I would be in. Who in their right mind goes to an appointment to go get in more PAIN?? So I completely understand!

My therapist specializes in fibro and does Myofascial release massages. She told me it would get worse before it got better and she was right, and I had to trust her. Now I get just minimal increased pain and I am more mobile in my upper back, neck, shoulders than I have been in years. Now, I look forward to going to my appointments, can you believe that?

She has taught me to deep breathe, yoga, and some pilate exercises. She keeps me on track and she cannot express enough how important it is to do gentle exercising, walking, aqua therapy, yoga, pilates, because otherwise our tissues get knotted up and cause us alot of pain. So far my opinion is that it has helped me.

All of us are here for you too once you get going- GamJill

Posted 10/5/2008 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Amy. I have been to PT several times for my back and hip pain as well as fibro. Generally I would say it wasn't helpful. Unfortuantely 3 of the 4 pt's I've worked with since my fibro diagnosis didn't think I had fibro even though 2 rheumys said I did. The best work I've had done by a pt was by a pt who specialized in myofascial release therapy as developed by John Barnes. It helped alot until I reinjured my hip and the pt was no longer available to help. Right now I am working with a chiropractor who is a physical rehab specialist working with many types of injuries and people from fibro to professional atheletes. He actually does very little of the traditional chiropractic adjustments and relies on techniques called Graston technique and active release technique (ART). I had struggled with my back and hip for several years and I am FINALLY making progress in getting the pain and muscle dysfunction under control. (I have very similar back issues as yourself with herniated lumber discs and a thoracic vert. compression fracture). Maybe you can investigate these techniques to see if maybe they will help you. As far as motivation, I do know that therapy hurts including what I'm doing now. I also know that if I don't keep trying to get better by trying different things such as medication or physical therapies, I will never get better. It is really just that simple. So get out there and find the right therapy for you. Yes it may hurt but remember the potential reward may be huge. I'll be hoping for you. Lisa
Posted 10/6/2008 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
AMY LOVE!!!! ((((HUGS!)))),

Oh, it's been ages since I've seen you online! How is little Thomas? Growing like a weed? And congrats on the upcoming nuptials! Wish you lived closer, I'd make the cake! turn

As far as the PT goes, as long as you have an understanding therapist, take some kind of pain med just before the session and take a hot shower immediately after, you will get through it. Got this from my daughter who does PT and also has fibro. The PT will help you re-teach your body to move again and give you more strength. It does help, but like any other physical training, there is a bit of pain involved along with the gained movement and strength.

If you really can't face the PT you could try the yoga I do for flexibility. It's free and has no weird poses or strange postures. You can follow it step by step and stop whenever you like. It was designed by a man with severe back issues who needed to remain flexible until the advances of spinal surgery got far enough for him to trust getting his back helped.

Flexibility Series

Take care and don't be such a stranger! Great to see you online again.
Posted 10/7/2008 6:45 AM (GMT 0)
Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie....just make the cake, overnight it to me in pieces with directions on how to put it together. Or freeze dry it and send it my way, or at least make me an online cake......
As far as the PT goes they aren't really sending me for movement and exercise but for massaging out the giant knotted up muscles that runs from my neck and shoulders down my spine. Doc said he can't loop his fingers under my shoulder blade it is so tight and that my back muscles should be soft and flexible, but are hard and tight. I guess he's an orthopedic doc too, so he wanted to try to adjust me, but said he can't until the muscle softens a bit. But for pete's sake, his attempted adjustment hurt so much and he barely moved me. I can only imaging what a massage will do. I really want to try it because I want to be able to move my shoulders in the morning and lessen my need for pain meds, but I know it's gonna hurt. And the dumb part of the whole thing is I asked for it, and now I'm whining about it. But my shoulders are so frozen up un the morning I have to move them with the other arm to get them going. My shoulders are worse in the mornings now than they used to be, then I go picking up 30 pounds of kid(20 actual pounds, add ten for how much heavier they feel when they squirm while you try to carry them...), ten pounds of purse and five pounds of diaper bag.Then it creeps up my neck and gives me the headache I have not been able to get rid of for weeks......
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