I went to the rheumatologist today for a follow up appointment. For those of you who don't know, I have osteoarthritis and mainly have pain in my knees, lower back, and feet. At the last appointment he told me to stop running. It surprised me, and will probably most of you, that I actually developed a love for running. I wanted to run a half marathon like Mondo did.
I was determined to not let my joints squash my dream. So I went for a jog...and did the whole 20 minutes limping. I had stabbing pain in my right knee and feet the whole time. My dream was officially squashed. So, a few weeks later I decided I could power walk to get my exercise in. The knee was better but the feet were killer. And I wear expensive running shoes!
I discussed all of this with the doctor today and he told me that the xray of my knee showed bone spurs under the kneecap. Ah. That explains the excruciating pain I feel every time I go up or down stairs or bend at the knees to pick something up. Not that I have time for surgery, but he said that wasn't a good option because the spurs tend to come back. And, yes, they do. I had knee surgery when I was in nursing school and had spurs shaved off. Now they're ba-aack.
He told me I need to do Pilates, bike, or swim. No running, no going up stairs, no walking. So what, should I just lay in bed all day?? I know I'm not truly physically incapacitated like some people. It's just frustrating that I am only 32 and have so much pain with little exertion. And to top it off, the doctor basically said to take some Ibuprofen, stay off my feet, and he'll see me in 6 months. Really? I don't think he'll be seeing me again...ever.
There really is no final point to this post. Just that I'm frustrated and feel like I can't exercise without joining the gym again and who has time for that?! And no, I'm NOT waking up at 0530 like I used to to work out. I'll just be flabby and out of shape. Can't wait to turn 40. So far my 30's have been awesome. (Insert sarcastic face here!)
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