Tendonitis

[sabrinah]

Does anyone have experience with tendonitis? I'm very tired of it.

I've had pain in both my legs for years. It's likely because I was very unkind to my body for quite a few years (eating disorders and such), punishing it in various ways and doing nothing to prevent injury or facilitate healing. The pain goes from my hips to my big toes. It stretches along the entire length of the outside of my legs but is the most painful on the outer sides of my knees and hips. It's been so bad that I can't exercise, I can't stand for too long or sit for too long or drive as much as is required for living in a rural area. It hurts all the time. I went to the doctor for it and she recommended physical therapy. The physical therapist figured out it was tendonitis and couldn't believe I've had it for so long, especially this young. I did physical therapy with zero results. My physical therapist was a bit puzzled because he said it's usually due to weak muscles in some areas and lack of flexibility. He tested my strength and movement and neither of those was at all an issue. I did exactly what he said - all the exercises and stretches but nothing worked. He could pinpoint the exact spots of pain with touch, but massage made it so much worse. It was all so useless that he said we should discontinue. He recommended to my doctor to test for autoimmune issues that could cause it but my doctor sucks and never did what she said she would. I was already put through multiple tests by my gastro doctor to find out I have IBS and GERD, so I can't say I'm that disappointed about not having more tests to go through. I know I need to find another doctor but they're very limited in this area and with my insurance.

I don't like how much weight I've gained with being unable to exercise. I always try to exercise and I try various things that are supposed to be gentle on the body, but even the mellowest yoga causes me to be in so much pain within a couple days that I can hardly move. This isn't a thing that can happen anymore because I live 45 minutes from campus and driving is the single most painful thing for me. The most exercise I get is walking my dog for an hour every night, and I can't even speed walk anymore.

Does anyone have any recommendations for treating stubborn tendonitis? I got a joint supplement that has chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, Boswellia, and turmeric. I figured I would cover all the standard recommendations in one pill. It just came in the mail today though so I can't comment on effectiveness yet. I've read that fish oil can be useful but I'm vegetarian, so I got an algae oil supplement that has EPA and DHA. That also showed up today and I'm currently wondering if it's responsible for my massive bloating and stomach ache.

 

[susanm9006]

For years I have periodic bouts of severe muscle and or joint pain that leave me stiff and sore. Two things help tremendously. The first is Ibruprophen, maximum dose, for a week or two. The second is exercise, specifically resistance weight machines, to gently stretch my sore muscles and joints. Yes, it isn’t comfortable at first but I can literally shuffle into the gym and leave feeling great. If you are feeling more sore the next day you are trying too hard. I would try to find an exercise therapist that can understand your limitations and work with you.

 

[sabrinah]

I take Advil on a daily basis for my head so I know it does nothing for my legs.

Resistance and weights eventually became part of the physical therapy but there was no finishing feeling great. Nothing makes me feel great. I would love to find another physical therapist, but with my area and my insurance, I had exactly one option.

 

[susanm9006]

Have you had your leg veins checked out by ultrasound? I know that vein issues can cause pain all along your legs.

 

[sabrinah]

My doctor was supposed to schedule xrays and an ultrasound but she never did despite calling her repeatedly to remind her. Honestly, she's the worst doctor I've ever had. I'm going to try getting a list of doctors that my insurance covers and sending a copy to my stepmom. She works at the hospital here and can ask everyone which are the best options, and she helps get me early appointments and tests.

 

[susanm9006]

If your plan doesn’t require referrals from a primary care doctor to see specialists, just call the customer service number on the back of your medical card and ask them to give you the name of a participating vein specialist or other specialist you want to see in your area.

 

[sabrinah]

It requires referrals, unfortunately. I don't know that there's even a vein specialist in this area. My mom has varicose veins and spider veins, and she's had bursts in her legs. I don't know if any of that suggests further vein issues. She's never had pain other than the couple bursts. Spider veins showed up on my legs by the time I was 13 so I'm not super optimistic about the future of my leg veins.

 

[Kieka]

I have tendonitis in my lower arms, since I was in my teens and worse on the right. I know for me rest at night with a brace helps.

When I did yoga or am writing a lot or anything that requires wrist strength or use it will act up. A lot of it for me is just pushing through whatever has to be done in the moment, stretching well after and after a while the muscles build up so it isn't as painful. It's not fun getting to that point but after about a month of pushing it I usually do get there.

 

[sabrinah]

I've done 6-month workout classes and such and push through the pain until I literally can't walk or drive or put shoes on or anything. After that point, it usually takes another 6 months of rest before I can walk without limping or drive without crying from the pain. I have a really high pain tolerance so it has to be incredibly bad for me to not be able to function at all. Instructors always say my leg strength isn't lacking and never notice that I'm in pain. I always ask if they have any specific recommendations and everyone always says within a couple months of doing x, y, and z I'll be stronger and it won't hurt anymore. Then everyone is always puzzled because no matter how much stronger I get and do exactly what I'm told there's never any improvement. It always gets worse.

 

[Kieka]

Yeah, mine usually starts to get better after a while. I also have a high pain tolerance and it honestly never goes away, just gets better. Hopefully you can get additional testing to see if it is a vein problem..

 

[sabrinah]

One doctor I talked to (I don't remember which) also tossed around the idea that maybe my IT band is just unnaturally short. Like too short to be sufficiently lengthened by stretching. I've considered this quite a bit because it didn't turn into a really really bad problem until I grew just a little bit more. It was like just under an inch of sudden growth after I hadn't grown any for 5 or 6 years.

I should mention that my physical therapist wasn't at all on board with the short IT Band theory and said lengthening it is a pile of BS. He focused primarily on strengthening the muscles.

 

[Columbine]

I live with chronic pain thanks to fibromyalgia and hypermobile EDS (and a ton of related conditions). One of the best things I've found is a TENS machine. It only works whilst I'm using it, but most units can be clipped to your belt or waistband so you can still do stuff. You can even get wireless ones these days.

What you're describing sounds like it starts around or near the sciatic nerve (I get the same kind of traveling/shooting pain which for me is sciatic nerve based, and that's where it starts on me). A back stretcher can help unkink things and relieve pressure for a while - I have the Body-Teck Back Magic, and it does work...basically like very low level traction for your back.

CBD balms and oil help a bit too, and CBD bath bombs are wonderful for me (all NON THC, as THC is illegal here. Magnesium oil or gel applied topically helps me too, and I take a magnesium supplement as well.

Alexander Technique or similar can be helpful, if you can find a good practitioner locally. The great thing about it is that you can learn some of the techniques and continue with them at home.

Obviously, ice and heat packs can help with pain, and heat is always my go-to (I'm not keen on cold therapy as I have reynauds syndrome).

That's just off the top of my head, and the things that help me. If I think of anything else I'll let you know. I hope at least some of this helps

 

[sabrinah]

Thank you! I was given a tens machine years ago but I've never used it. Since I'm in Northern California I can find CBD everything. I think finding non-THC stuff here is hard though because everyone else wants aaalllllll the THC.

I've always been advised not to use a back stretcher because I have scoliosis and there are too many ways for it to screw me up apparently. It sucks because I've heard a lot of good things about them.

Alexander Technique looks very interesting but there doesn't seem to be any practitioners around here. I'm going to learn what I can about it online though.

 

[Columbine]

I'd definitely use CDB with THC if it were legal here. I've heard it's more effective for most things than CBD alone. For me, it's just a case of what's legal in the UK at the moment

You can definitely learn at least some Alexander Technique online, but a practitioner can make you aware of imbalances that you may not pick up on yourself. Even just the Alexander semi-supine work you do on your own can make a big difference though. It's about checking in with your body and allowing it to come back into line. Helpful with scoliosis too (which I have at a very mild level), as it gives your spine a chance to unlink much as it can. I'm always less twisted after a session than before it...even just my own semi supine work without a practitioner.

Oh, I thought of something else! It's really counterintuitive, but an acupressure mat can help a lot. I'll pop mine behind my back to lean on or lie down on it, and it does make a difference. I was convinced it would just hurt more, but it actually helps. Just don't walk barefoot on it

I know I threw a lot at you, but I've been collecting alternative/drug free pain relief and pain management options for years now, so I've built up quite a collection

 

[sabrinah]

I'm sure I'm full of imbalances!

The Acupressure mat I looked at on Amazon looks like an awful contraption. That's seriously not painful?!

Please throw everything you have at me! I'm tired of my legs hurting! And I really really miss being able to work out and run and hike and stuff

 

[Kieka]

Thank you! I was given a tens machine years ago but I've never used it. Since I'm in Northern California I can find CBD everything. I think finding non-THC stuff here is hard though because everyone else wants aaalllllll the THC.

A low dose of THC with the CBD seems to be more effective then CBD only, from my research at least. Unless you need to be able to pass a drug test, getting a 20:1 CBD:THC should not impact your mental function but help with results a little more. Since you're in California, try visiting a dispensary and let them know you want no or low THC. They do have those products in stock and are really friendly. I don't use it for myself but I get Vet CBD for Links arthritis so I've been in a few times. My brother has a CBD only lotion he got at the dispensary for his arthritis too (he has monthly blood testing at his work so he can't have THC).

 

[sabrinah]

A low dose of THC with the CBD seems to be more effective then CBD only, from my research at least. Unless you need to be able to pass a drug test, getting a 20:1 CBD:THC should not impact your mental function but help with results a little more. Since you're in California, try visiting a dispensary and let them know you want no or low THC. They do have those products in stock and are really friendly. I don't use it for myself but I get Vet CBD for Links arthritis so I've been in a few times. My brother has a CBD only lotion he got at the dispensary for his arthritis too (he has monthly blood testing at his work so he can't have THC).

I prefer no THC for myself. I have been thinking about getting Vet CBD for Cookie's arthritis so I'll ask about my own options when I finally convince myself to go there. A lotion sounds like a nice idea. I pass 2 dispensaries that carry Vet CBD every day so I don't know why I never go.

 

[Kieka]

I prefer no THC for myself. I have been thinking about getting Vet CBD for Cookie's arthritis so I'll ask about my own options when I finally convince myself to go there. A lotion sounds like a nice idea. I pass 2 dispensaries that carry Vet CBD every day so I don't know why I never go.

Link has had amazing results with the Vet CBD. I do half the recommended dose and his limp is gone. He also moves a whole lot better and can jump higher then before. He has arthritis just in one leg from breaking it two years ago.

 

[sabrinah]

Link has had amazing results with the Vet CBD. I do half the recommended dose and his limp is gone. He also moves a whole lot better and can jump higher then before. He has arthritis just in one leg from breaking it two years ago.

Does one bottle last a while? Cookie needs Cosequin daily at this point instead of every other day and it gets a bit expensive. I mean I'll give it to her as long as she needs it but saving a little money would be nice.

 

[Kieka]

Does one bottle last a while? Cookie needs Cosequin daily at this point instead of every other day and it gets a bit expensive. I mean I'll give it to her as long as she needs it but saving a little money would be nice.

I do it for two cats who get a combined 0.6ml per day the smaller bottle lasts about a month and a half, the larger bottle has lasted three + months. Like I said, I do less than half the recommended dose. My research showed a little goes a long way so I started at 0.05ml and slowly increased. Staying at 0.2ml which seems to do the trick for Link. I do order small 1 ml dosing syringes because the one with the bottles is too big to measure out 0.2ml accurately (warning, I have to pull out the plug on the bottle or it gets everywhere with any syringe but theirs).

I tried Cosquin first and just wasn't happy with the results. Plus Link would refuse to eat food mixed with Cosequin after a while. The CBD I mix with some broth and he laps up before dinner.