I had a relaxing Sunday. In the morning I went to a bi-weekly German coffee meet-up. I am at the point where I can use the extra German immersion even we speak it at home. I guess 19 years living in an English speaking country will do that to you. I am really thankful the Susi who got it started. It’s a small group but that is just fine with my introvert self. I made some Spaetzle with lentils for lunch and finished ironing laundry from the last 3 weeks. Do you iron all your laundry? I usually only do shirts and some dresses/pants that will be extremely crinkly otherwise. T-shirts and such will be just folded and I do keep up with that. After I was done it was enough standing for the day and I spend some time reading blog posts, commenting and writing this one.
From here on I fill you in why I sometimes mention my hurting leg. It’s on my mind quite a bit so I thought it might be good to get it out of the way. So if you want to skip this, feel free to stop right here.
I loved Elisabeth’s idea of the “Cool Blogger’s Walking Club” – 10 minutes walking a day does not sound that hard, right? Well, I managed one week and the rest of the time I was struggling on and off with my lower back/leg/hip. I had it happen so often these past few days that I wanted to say “I can’t do this or that because of the pain in my hip” that I decided to get it out of the way and just write it off my chest and be done with it.
It all started harmless enough with some lower back pain at the beginning of the year – sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes it would disappear altogether. Then in April we went on a trip to New York and did a lot of walking. Well the week after I almost was hobbling around because my thigh and hip were hurting so bad. Getting up from the chair was awful. I finally made a doctor’s appointment. He already told me over the phone to take a high dose of Ibuprofen for a week so by the time I had the appointment the pain was almost gone. He did order some physical therapy for me and that was that. The physical therapist said it was likely sciatica from what I described (by that time the pain was back) and gave me some exercises to do at home to come back after 4 weeks. It did get better eventually only to suddenly come back even with me doing my workouts daily. I am still trying to figure out what triggers it – sometimes it is just standing for 30 minutes while preparing dinner, or pulling weeds one day to not being able to move without pain the next. One day it was so bad out of the blue that I went back to the doctor. This time x-rays were ordered which came back with the diagnosis of mild arthritis in my right hip but she was thinking that this is likely not the cause. I asked for another physical therapy appointment in early October to get the first available in mid November. Since the physical therapist was saying that an MRI was a good idea to find the cause I am getting that, too. I got an appointment for that also in mid November but at least I hopefully have a better idea why it is happening.
So physical therapy – check – and I am doing the exercises religiously.
Diagnosis is in the works – so check there, too.
I signed up for a gym membership to build up some strength. The gym has group classes what I liked and they are giving me adjustments when I can’t do something. I am careful and it feels good to do be moving. I have to reserve the classes and show up for them what seems to be the only way that works for me. Otherwise I just find something else that needs doing at home first or the kids need something.
I went to a chiropractor since so many people said it helps them – the vote is still out on that. He also gave me some exercise suggestions what hopefully ties me over until I have the next physical therapy appointment. He thinks its most likely muscles and not sciatica. I have the feeling it is a mix of both.
Did I mention we got a new mattress? This was not an easy project my friends since my husband likes a soft mattress and I like a firm one. We found a local company which makes splits what is perfect for us.
Can you tell yet, that I am frustrated?
I believe it will get better eventually and various people said I am doing all the right things (including sleeping more, drinking enough and eating better), but most days I am just really tired of it. Wish me luck and if you have any other suggestions I am all ears!
Some days I wish I lived in Germany. The doctor can suggest something that is called “Kur” and you are send to a hotel like therapy center where you do physical therapy and other things that are supposed to help you get better. I would be so on board with that.
Ok, enough complaining and now you know if you made it this far.
How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?
Home here and there 
Oh that sucks. I am sorry you have so much pain.
I have no suggestion (how could I, I am not a doctor). I just hope you find a diagnosis and then a good treatment. Having pain is just so exhausting and tiring.
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Yes, pain in any form is exhausting and tiring. At least I have an easier time getting more sleep.
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I’m sorry you are hurting so bad, even after doing the simplest of things. Just take it slow and easy.
I love that apple mural, it would be so fun to sit in the sun under that mural drinking my tea. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I’m also very picky about my tea, so maybe some other beverage.
I do iron but not clothing. I like ironing my napkins and towels. I wrote a whole blog post about how relaxing and therapeutic I found it to be. I always feel like I am living in constant chaos and ironing away the wrinkles in my napkins makes me feel better somehow. Most people think I’m crazy.
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My mom used to have a big pressing machine for all kinds of linens, towels, napkins you name it. As a child I thought it was the most satisfying thing to watch with all the steam coming out. I usually out on a hopelessly romantic movie while ironing and everyone knows to leave me alone. That part is actually fun.
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Oh, and they do have so many things at that cafe. I am sure you would find something you would enjoy!
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Oh goodness, sciatica is horrible, I’m sorry! I went to a chiropractor (and physical therapy) for severe neck pain last year, it really helped, along with yoga. But that’s not sciatica. I hope you find relief. One thing I read was when you go to the chiropractor, do not let them adjust your neck. Very rarely, getting your neck adjusted can cause stroke. Very rare, but serious enough of an outcome that I no longer let them do that.
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Good to know. I am not convinced yet and so far he did more massage then anything what was nice. We will see. Hopefully it will get better eventually.
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Honestly, I am so thrilled – and a little jealous – that you get to meet up with my friend Susi on a bi-weekly basis now 🙂 I’d love to have a coffee date like this with a few female friends.
Re: your back/leg pain. It sure does sound like sciatica and I do think strength training will be beneficial. It will probably just take time to build up the core strength again that caused this in the first place. I am not a doctor obviously, but so many issues are related to weak core muscles so I suspect that this could really help in the long run. I think you’re doing the right things!
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You should come visit sometime! I am a little bummed that I miss every 2nd one since my book club meets at the same time.
And you are probably right and I am being impatient (patience is really not my strongest suit). It’s just super frustrating when you want to do something and you can’t. Good reminder to everyone to keep moving, especially as we get older.
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First things first- I do NOT iron my laundry!
Now for you leg/back/hip issue. UGH. That area is so complicated. It could be a disc, it could be your SI joint, it could be sciatica… I agree that arthritis probably is not causing the pain (we all probably have some arthritis after a certain point in life, but it doesn’t need to cause that much pain.) I’ll be interested in the results of your MRI, and in the meantime, PT and strength training will only help. i know, it’s a slow process and very frustrating. Hang in there- it won’t last forever.
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Thanks Jenny! I am hopeful it will get better eventually. I probably never did so many good things for my body in my whole life 😂. I am also curious what the MRI will tell me. It’s happening in the middle of the month so you probably hear about it.
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I hate it when there’s no diagnosis, but those physical therapists know so much and if you do the exercises, it seems like they can fix anything, even without a diagnosis! Good luck figuring out what’s going on.
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Thank you Engie! I feel the same way. I wish it was easier to get an appointment for physical therapy but my chiropractor tells me similar things so I take that even if it is more out of pocket.
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First of all, thank you for all the comments on my posts! I’m sorry I haven’t been reciprocating. I hope to change that. I wanted to comment on this post because I also have had back trouble with no discernible cause. After seeing two people at Kaiser, and only being given Rx NSAIDs, I went and saw a (very expensive) chiropractor who also does ART (Active Release Therapy), who recommended a whole bunch of books. One of them is really good. It’s called 8-Steps to a Pain Free Back. You can find it here: https://shop.gokhalemethod.com/products/8-steps (though it’s MUCH cheaper on Amazon). I really like it and it’s really helped me with my posture which has helped me with my back pain. Not sure it will help you, but it’s probably worth a try. You can always check it out of the library first and see if it seems helpful.
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Thank you for the suggestion. I will have a look at the book! And don’t worry about the commenting. It’s nice to get the comments but I know it is a lot and we have a long list this year.
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