Hope the physical therapy works. They can do a world of good. Sounds like you've identified some things you might change -- awareness is always the first step 👍
23 May 22 by member: writingwyo
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Have you tried stretching before your walks? It will help prevent injuries. Also, soaking in the tub after you walk does wonders for minimizing soreness. But mostly you just have to keep working those muscles and bring them back up to speed. Even body builders have sore muscles the next day (called DOMS).
23 May 22 by member: JustBananas
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I did the same thing a couple days ago...bought ground beef, made taco meat, and put most of it in the freezer.
23 May 22 by member: Christine145
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I hope you feel better soon.
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I can relate to what you are feeling in your legs. Contrary to what most people think stretching and walking (especially if not on flat surfaces) is going to make it worse. That was also my experience. You mentioned the Dr. could feel how tight your muscles were ? He also mentioned shots ? For me the muscles were too tight and that is what results in night time cramps and difficulty walking. Waking up stiff as a board. I had TPI (trigger point injections) in my outer calf muscles, lower outer thigh and the improvement was almost immediate. The shots were a jump start to relax the muscles and tissue. Instead of daily stretching on those muscle groups I do a deep tissue massage routine to relax the muscles. Morning and Night. I have this small hand held rolling pin kind of thing you can buy on Amazon. My physical therapist office also sells these types of things. I also use an exercise ball to help relax and stretch other muscle groups in my body. Athletes and body builders get sore muscles from overuse. What you have are tight muscles and tissue from underuse which you need to relax. Just my opinion.... hope you find the answer that works for you !
23 May 22 by member: crazycatchick
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PS..I got the injections about a month ago. Prior to that for several months I was working with a physical therapist on daily Pt routine at home. It was my Dr's assistant on my follow up who suggested a different path. She could see I was not getting/feeling better after working the PT program. Good Luck.
23 May 22 by member: crazycatchick
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I have to stop eating bread also. I hope you can get your legs working again
23 May 22 by member: abbadabba
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Sounds like you know what you need to do👍. Great self-assessment.
23 May 22 by member: are1981
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Sounds good. You can maybe chat at the physio what you can do for cardio that would work for you better than walking. I hpe the appointment goes well
23 May 22 by member: liv001
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Are you able to take Aleve? I switched to Aleve a few yrs ago bc I was taking 10 to 12 Ibuprofin a day to get through work and with Aleve I found that 2 a day worked better. Sadly, now I can't take any NSAIDS at all
23 May 22 by member: Southerndelite
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Fritzy, I sure hope you can get some pain relief soon and physical therapy is successful. It's so counterintuitive to move when it brings pain, but that's what strengthens our bodies. Hope you're up and walking again soon. ❤️
23 May 22 by member: _bec_ca
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Thanks Writingwyo - I really don't like going to physical therapy. I am hoping to just learn what kind of stretching of exercise might help the pain so just I can put on my socks without it hurting so bad. But I did all the appointments they scheduled back in February and March for my back and sciatic nerve and the sciatic pain is gone and the back pain in minimal. So likely I'll just go through with whatever appointments they schedule me for until I go back to my doctor.
23 May 22 by member: Fritzy 22
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Thanks Bananas - I stretch at home often, but don't think of it before walking. I love soaking in a bathtub! One of the things I missed after buying this house was a nice big tub in the master bathroom. I have a huge shower in the master bath and a small tub in the guest bath. With my muscle weakness I often have a hard time getting up out of the tub. Thanks P$M!
23 May 22 by member: Fritzy 22
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I can't say that PT was ever my favorite thing either. I went through a lot of it for severe back pain a few years ago. I know how much it helped me, so I'm hoping the same for you 😊
23 May 22 by member: writingwyo
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Thanks Crazycat - I will probably hold off on injections for now. The pain has almost stopped since I stopped walking. At least the pain that I need Ibuprofen for. I see my doctor in a few weeks. I'll ask him about the xrays I had for my hips. The pain I get is in a thigh muscle. I know xrays don't show if a muscle is pulled or torn or injured. It seems to me this muscle should be better if it is just tight. I've been working on it since February. I am not disciplined enough to do the massaging you do. I've asked my doctor and previously the physical therapist about whether stetching and using the muscle is needed or if rest is needed to heal. Rest seems to be helping with the thigh pain. The calf pain stopped as soon as I started walking in walking shoes instead of shoes with little support.
23 May 22 by member: Fritzy 22
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Thanks Abba! I know you've talked about pain as well. Something we have time to dwell on when we retired! Bread is a huge weakness for me. Not loaves of Oroweat or other breads I use for toast or sandwiches. But I love Hawaiian bread. They used to sell it in a big round loaf but I can't find that any more so I buy the dinner rolls. I will stop that. I also sometimes impulse buy loaves of French bread at the grocery store when I can smell it when I walk in and know they have just taken it out of the oven. I should try to give it up totally.
23 May 22 by member: Fritzy 22
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Thanks Allegra! I usually know what I am doing wrong and what I need to do - but knowing doesn't mean I'll do what's right. Thanks Liv - I don't know what to do for cardio that has less impact on my leg than walking. I don't belong to a gym and won't join while gas is over $6 a gallon since it's a half hour drive. Lots of people play pickle ball where I live but I can't see where that would be easy on my leg. If I find out for sure my muscle isn't injured I'll just start walking again and live with whatever pain. If it is tight muscles they will eventually get better. I feel like I whine about the same thing all the time. Thanks Southern - I'm sure I could take Aleve but I have prescription strength Ibuprofen that I take no more than twice a day and now just once or not at all. I always use Tylenol sometimes.
23 May 22 by member: Fritzy 22
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Thanks Ccandco - I do want to get back to walking but am enjoying it right now with little or no pain since I stopped walking. It could also be the weather - it is no longer really cold here, instead we are having near 90 degree weather.
23 May 22 by member: Fritzy 22
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Fritzy - if you like hot baths, you might want to get some Olba's Herbal Bath. A little spendy, but when I have really sore muscles, it's just the thing. Kind of a eucalyptus based product
23 May 22 by member: writingwyo
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Fritzy I will just add this for your reference. I am 62 and for the past 40+ years I have been working with orthopaedic specialists through no fault of my own other than getting deathly ill and spending a year in a hospital bed when I was 20. Only to find out later that I also have a "strange" form of a muscle disorder. White and red muscles is out of balance. All that eventually left me with having ankles that don't have much dorsal flex (bend backwards) so shoes have always been important to me. A slight heal.... flat shoes are almost impossible. Whatever your situation you need to be careful what you do because as I have learned even the slightest limp or favoring of one leg, or one muscle group is going to throw every thing out of whack. For cardio I swim and use my stationary bike. I also have a walker in my trunk that I use whenever I want to "walk distances for exercise". I have learned that proper form is important and that keeps me walking without wobbling or swaying. Good pace and body form. That is the only time I use it If you like walking maybe consider getting a treadmill to keep in your garage if you struggle with the weather and hills. Good Luck !
23 May 22 by member: crazycatchick
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