trouble getting dressed after low bain injury

[mkh9]

I have posted previously but had a new question. I was injured several times 1. dog attached by least to pants pulled me forward. 2. PT was doing a manual adjustment did wrong leg and caused major pain, sat too much. 3. was laying on bed with knees bent and left knee fell out to left side (free fall) and I felt a tear but don't know if there was. I have had chronic pain since in one spot on my low back near the L5-S1 area on the buttock sort of near the SI joint. I had a MRI of lower back and bone scan before injury #3 and it was totally normal. I had a hip Xray after injury 3 and it was also normal. After injury 3 I can cross my left leg over the right knee while sitting but not the same as the right side. When I try, the muscles in the left buttock are very tight and I get increased pain in the injury area mentioned above but it doesn't last into the next day. After a year and a half I still can't cross that leg properly and was told to stop trying to cross it for about 6 months until my pain when down. The pain is getting better but I tried again to cross it and it still is frozen. I need to be able to dress and can't bend either. Will I be able to loosen it up if I keep trying? Is there something wrong that I should get checked or is it just scar tissue? what should I do? I am walking a hour a day including hills and doing some chores and driiving but I can't do all my chores yet. Any suggestions on how to start bending without hurting myself?
thanks in advacne for any suggestions.
mkh9

[mkh9]

Yes Flexeril does make you very tired. I sleep walked once while I was on it. I don't know I have heard a pounding heart can be a problem it depends. But, Flexeril does cause problems. I take Magnesium pills every day. It helped  a bit at first as did Vitamin B (Fibroplex). I can't get my leg up high enough to get into the bath tub or I would I would loooove it. I do use a heat pack and the shower helps. I think a jacuzzi would feel great too but can't walk up the steps yet. Thanks for all your thoughts. My main thing is how to start getting my leg looser. I think it is "just" a  frozen buttock area where the injury was so like with a frozen shoulder you have to work it out slowly. I don't know what stretches or exercises would.
thanks for the hugs, I need them today, feeling a bit down.

mkh9

[Jade59]

Geez, 10 flippin' hrs later, and I finally feel alert.  Thanks for your concern - the palps went away as the pill wore off.  T3's do that to me, too.  I've had this Flex rx for a while but don't take them everyday...or every week for that matter.  I noticed this problem to a MUCH lesser extent with the previous refill.  The refill yesterday, however, was by a different manufacturer than before and wow, it knocked me for a loop!  Really screwed up!!!  Like I said earlier, I will cut one in half next time, but if it still makes me feel as awful as today, I'll ask my dr for something else.  I don't take a m.r. unless I just can't stand it another minute.  And I'm not sure if heart palpitations are the same as when your heart simply pounds hard?  That's what was happening...along with a HORRIBLE feeling.  

Okay, my last thought for you was a hot bath every day with Epsom Salts?  The magnesium in the salts will calm your muscles.  Ever tried that?  That is my last and final thought as you have tried just about everything, M.  I do hope you continue to feel better as time goes on.  Hugs, Honey...♥

[mkh9]

Hope you feel better. If you are getting palps from Flexeril you need to get off of it and try something else. Flexeril causes palps and can cause problems. You may want to get an EKG followed by a 24 monitor like I had to do. That is how I fould out I have preatrail contractions. I then did the echocardiogram to make sure I didn't have any structural damage. The PAC's are benign but PVC's can cause some problems. So you need to talk to you doctor about getting off of Flexeril and onto something less troublesome. When I quit Flexeril my palps went way down. Then, I also quit all caffiene and lowered my sugar intake. That much lowered the palps. I was getting shortness of breath, pain, and felt like I was skipping heart beats. Now I feel much better that way most of the time but of couse stress and pain doesn't help. p.s. I wouldn't take any Flexeril after today.
bye,
mkh9

[Jade59]

I am really glad you brought up how Flexeril gives you palps.  I renewed mine yesterday, but didn't take any.  Severe muscle tension today, so I take a Flex at 10am thinking that will allow me to continue to sit here at the comp, but by now, I feel like I cannot function along with heart palps.  I think a half or even a quarter will do the trick in the future.  

M, I have another idea for you, but will have to come back when I can think coherently!

[mkh9]

I Agree so much with the on the physical therpay thing. Problem with them is that they are not standardized as is the clincial laboratory and nursing etc. They all have training from different schools just like everyone else but problem is no one oversees their Diagnosis, or their way of practicing physical therapy. One PT told me to disregard taking the meds my doctor had me on so I did and my doctor was really mad. He wanted to keep me on the muscle relaxer for a while. I don't think they should be diagnosis patients either. All of them have disregarded what my doctors have said and given me their diagnosis. They are not doctors. A Ph.D. PT is a masters degree with 2 years clinical experience (my PT told me). That is not even a regular Ph.D. with a thesis or specialty in one thing. They can be helpful but really cause damage like they did to me. I am afraid of even doctors now giving me a physical after what one did to me. The data shows that being active yourself is about equal to PT and so it just is a motivator and gives you an idea of which exercises are best (possibly).
Yes the Flexeril caused my palpitations to get really bad. I had to go for an EKG which was normal and then found on the 24 hour monitor that I had preatrial contractions or PAC"S and had an echocardiogram and thank goodness it was normal. The doctor stopped the Flexeril as soon as I told him about the palpitations.  As for Naproxin, I got chest pain from that. Also, Celebrex gives me insomnia after two days. So, I took Ibupropin with food for two weeks for oral surgery and it helps my bad a little but not much anymore. Tylenol works better but I stay away from that most of the time.  Usually, my pain isn't intollerable just uncomfortable now. But I still am avoiding a lot because I don't want to reinjure myself and also am not strong. My doctor had me stop lifting things so I got weak arms from that too. Since I ouldn't get stronger by going to a PT or the MacKenzie method my dector said to try hills. The hills are what stopped the tweeks and now I can finally progress. I am on hold now to increase and am trying to do ball squats and have done 10 bridges. Those don't hurt. I just have a stiff area in the left buttock and maybe I will loosen up natuarlly I don't know.
thanks,
mkh9

[CP4LIFE]

OH OH!! your right about the muscle relaxer....HEART = MUSCLE! Glad for you that was caught before any severe problems.  Also, I can't take anti-inflamatorys very long, but if you can stay on it, just make sure you take it w/food.  Some people "swear" by Advil, Aleve Etc.  
Like Jade was saying: you may be over doing it.  I'm not saying it isn't helping but how much is too much? That's the question.  I was told NEVER to walk up an incline and not use stairs if at all possible.  Just a thought there. My SI problems are minimal now.  

I DO FEEL LIKE I NEED TO SHOUT THIS FROM THE ROOF TOPS: PHYSICAL THERAPY IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.  SOME ACTUALLY DO HARM AS MKH AND I CAN ATTEST TO.  BE CAREFUL OF DOCTORS WHO WILL ONLY PRESCRIBE IF YOU MAKE YOUR PT APPT.  I KNOW SOMEONE WHO LIVES AND BREATHS BY THIS: A DR. THAT IS.  "IT IS NOT THE END ALL BE ALL!! " THAT'S FOR SURE.  JUST LIKE YOU CAN COME ACROSS A REALLY BAD HAIR DRESSER SO CAN YOU COME ACROSS A VERY BAD PT'S. ONLY I ALMOST WOULD HAVE NEVER WALKED AGAIN HAD I NOT KICKED HER THE HELL OFF OF ME.  SORRY TO VENT (:

[mkh9]

I have mild osteoarthritis but not RA. I don't believe in chiropracters. No I have never broken a leg or ankle only a fractured pinky finger. The walking is the only thing that has gotten my pain level lower so I think it is ok. I am now doing bridge exercises that don't hurt. Only problem is the leg which I haven't addressed much until now. I think it is like a frozen shoulder. I can cross the leg but it doesn't go down as far as the other does this make sense? Yes I agree with CP4LIfe in that PT's can have good intentions but really cause damage. If I had never gone to a PT I would be well now for sure. I'm getting better but it is slow. Ibupropin helps a little but not too much. Flexeril helped a lot but I can't take it due to palpitations.
thanks,
mkh9

[Jade59]

I too, was thinking arthritis.  If not before, maybe now since you are surely not walking normally.  Let me ask you what might seem like a strange question.  Have you ever broken your leg or ankle?  

Ever tried a Chiro?  You might be out of alignment.  

I too, think you are overdoing it with the walking and hills every day.  I hear you with the weakness as I am scary weak now, especially since I've not been able to walk at all since last Aug.  You crave to walk and feel strong all over like you used to - it's frightening to feel so weak, I know, but you have an injury and one hour might be way too much in your condition and leaving you with a chronic problem.  

[CP4LIFE]

I understand your frustration not having the full use (freedom) of your body! I haven't been able to sit Indian style and cannot completely bend @ the knee and never will b/c of the pelvic deformity.
All I can say is phys. Therapy Almost killed me: I was hurt really bad by a well intentioned misguided therapist. So my doctor advises against it. Don't over due the walking because when your body is out of wack or off kilter, it can actually do harm.  Everything in moderation! Heat in any form has always helped me and sometimes 2 Aleve (Naproxen) Have you ever been checked for arthritis in that area?

[mkh9]

Thanks for the encouragement regarding getting better. It has changed recently in that I don't get the small injuries that keep setting me back. But I am weak from not doing enough and not sure how to start with chores aruond the house without hurting myself. I do dishes and cook what I can but can't lift stuff etc. I do have  a bite plate for clenching and don't have TMJ. I am walking now half hills and half flat for an hour a day and that is what really helped lessen the minor injuries. But, the leg crossing thing keeps me from being independant well so does the lack of doing chores.  Any suggestions there?
thanks,
mkh9

[CP4LIFE]

I know you have been checked but the bite plate sorta says something! I have to agree with jade59. What I was going to add is that when your having pain in the body, you may be grinding your teeth at night and this all goes hand & hand . My tmj acts up when Im 1st) in pain 2nd) comes stress 3rd) TMJ problems....and always in that order for me. I also have SI issues. Took a few yrs for mine to settle but I have extensive pelvic damage. I feel like yours will get better also. ESP. If I did. Hang in there!

[mkh9]

Well nice idea but no I don't have TMJ and was checked for it. I do use a bite plate at night for clenching. Oh well. But the thrid MRI may tell something. I don't want to be yanked around by any more doctors though for a physical. I think that if I keep stretching it over time it will loosen up. But it seems like a long distance though... My neighbor had a frozen shoulder and the PT hurt her so she did it herself by standing in the shower and it took a year but bit by bit she stretched it and now is normal. I wonder if this is the same thing? Well, thank you for listening.
mkh9

[Jade59]

I just read your profile and see your back injury was from being yanked by your dog.  So a sudden movement.  That could throw your jaw out of alignment.  I have been in 4 car accidents, so many "sudden movements" and I know that has a lot to do with my TMJ today.  When my jaw feels decent, I feel so much better all over.  I was feeling fairly good, when last week, I was startled terribly and now both jaw and everything else is aggravated.  Your jaw does not have to hurt in the slightest to have TMJ because originally, mine did not hurt one bit, but was affecting the rest of my body.  Hopefully, this is a new idea for you and will end up being the answer!

[Jade59]

Wait!  I have an idea!  Have you ever had your bite checked by a dentist?  TMJ??  My bite is just awful after so many crowns over the years and I can't tell you how much that can effect the rest of your body.  I had my bite evened out by my dentist in 07 and I felt 100X better!  It was like a miracle!  Of course, that was until I had more work done and bite went off a milimeter, then all the joint pain and problems returned.  I went to a TMJ specialist, got a Very Expensive mouth guard and it does help.  

[Jade59]

I am so sorry!  It sounds like you have tried anything and everything.  I will never ever complain about my issue again after reading all you've been through.  I was given that Voltaren gel for the tops of my feet that are arthritic.  Works pretty good for the short term.

I guess the only other thing to try would be another MRI.  You know, my lumbar MRI's were coming out negative too...except the last one.  It showed I have a number of subchondrial cysts (don't ask me what those are.lol) in the femoral head that answers why all this popping and clicking in my SI area and I assume, all the pain.  My point of telling you this, is there must be *something* wrong somewhere that is causing all your pain, you just have to keep searching.  Isn't that the most frustrating being told your MRI is *clear* when you hurt so badly?  

Take care and I wish you luck!!!  

[mkh9]

p.s. Yes I use a heating pack on my bad days and it helps. The pain isn't as bad as it was to start with and varies every other day from low to moderate pain.
mkh9

[mkh9]

Hi and thanks for your thoughts. I havent' been told it is my sciatica just myofascial pain. Yes it has been difficult. I was on Tramadol for a month. then tried Neurontin and Skelaxin for two months (Skelaxin worked a little but Neurontin not at all). Then I was on Flexeril and you have that story. I tried lidocaine pathces (didn't work at all). I have tried TENS, accupunture (once in a while relief for a day or two), biofeedback helped with anxiety, and I use Voltaren gel (helps very short term). I also tried Ketamine topical but it gave me some systemic side effects and I had to get off. It worked a little. I stopped getting all the little tweeks which set me back all the time but I still have moderate pain. I started out two years ago not too bad and was able to do anything. But then,  a PT injured me by doing a manual adjustment (because he thought I had SI joint ) on the opposite side and then I had major pain and sat for a month and got weak from no exercise and the pain. I went to another PT and made some improvements but then he pulled muscles a couple of times by making do things I wasn't ready for and he bruised my ribs by trying to do traction. Both of these PT's had a Ph.D. from good schools. I then hurt myself by laying on my back with knees bent and for some reason got distracted and let my left knee fall out to the left side. I felt a tear but don't know if there was an actual tear. I got a hip xray after that and that was normal. But since that injury I haven't been able to cross that leg right. I haven't had another MRI since that injury. Also, right after this injury I couldn't lift my foot up enough to get into the shower (there is slight step) or to get outside for two months. It was sooo depressing. I then went to an integrative medicine pain doctor for a year. He told me to start walking and finally when I started hills and got to 1 hour my tweeks have gone away but the pain is still there and I"m still stuck (stiff). I have one other PT who I trust but I  am afraid to do anything with them now. The doctor is leaving it up to me as to whether or not to do PT again since I am getting better. I think the leg is frozen because of scar tissue. I don't know what to do next and can't get any real good opinion. Massage worked on it to start with but now I'm even afraid to go back to that PT. I don't know.
mkh9

[mkh9]

walking actually makes me feel better overall. I didn't the total rest thing too and it is still the same. Sorry you went through this too. Did yours go away then? I haven't been able to put my pants etc. on for a year and half. I have to wait for my husband to get home to take a shower and I hate being dependant. I was on Flexeril for 9 months to no avail. It helped at first but then I still kept hurting myself because I was so doped up on it and sleep walked and bent (ouch). I have pain near the SI joint but I have pain or very tight muscle going down the back of my leg too. It isn't on the side then the back and doesn;t feel like a nerve pain. They think it is myofascial pain. How do you being to bend again, do you try wall squats or once the pain goes away you can do it? I am afraid to try again.

[Jade59]

Hi there.  I know exactly what your saying as I have had several episodes of Sciatica in the last 6mos with excruciating pain - unable to bend, put on pants, shoes, cross leg, etc.  In my experience, it is a mistake to keep trying to do what your body is screaming not to.  I too, thought if I kept walking, doing chores; just staying on the move would loosen things up but ultimately, what helped the most was muscle relaxants and Rest.  Total rest!

Feel better.  It's a painful, miserable feeling.