Sorry for the unexcused absence mis amigos! This last week has been full of settling into my new digs, work, and lots of swimming and biking. This following post will explain why. Although a little lengthy… I hope you’ll stick it out with me and read to the end – it’s a subject that’s pretty much universal to all athletes. Unless you’re made of gold. In which case pass me some of whatever you’re taking….
________________________________
Unfortunately, the title of this post reveals the fact that I’ve been at the doctor lately… but I’ll get more into that in the next post. For now though, I just need to get this out. My vexations observed in this post reveal a little bit about why I want to be a sports medicine doctor. They are also feelings that I’m sure all of you as athletes have faced at one point or another if you’ve EVER been to the doctors for an injury. So here we go….
(Vexation: noun. She stamped her foot in vexation. Annoyance, irritation, exasperation, indignation, anger, crossness, displeasure, pique, bile, disgruntlement, bad mood; informal: aggravation. That was your bonus word of the day BTW.)
Quick background: Since the beginning of June, I had been feeling some “stuff” going on in my left shin. Remember that day I said I had the run from hell? Turned around after two miles because my anterior tibialis muscle felt like it was made of steel? That was the start. At that point it was solely muscular feeling.. and I was thinking, oh crap… compartment syndrome?
Fast forward about a week (2nd week of June) and the muscle tightness was pretty much gone. Raced New Bri Tri and felt fine. Then towards the end of that week (around the 10th…) I started to feels some tenderness midway down the shaft of my Tibia. That’s your big shin bone for those that aren’t anatomy freaks. I say tenderness intentionally because that’s what it is – not pain, but feels almost like it’s bruised. Which does happen, so I sort of hoped for that.
However… I’m also not stupid. I might have been able to pull off the “well I didn’t know it was feeling bad….” thing off in high school. Since fracturing my hip and all having surgery on it in December 2008, I would like to say that I am a little bit smarter. No… I will say that. I am a much smarter athlete than I was several years ago. I love running basically as much as life, but I love it enough to know that I’d rather take the present moment to heal so that I can still enjoy running in my future.
Wow… I’m getting off track.
So I say my tibia was “tender” … but let’s be real – that’s still somewhere on the spectrum of “hurt.” I had Manitou the Sunday after New Bri, and it was Friday when I had that “ohhhh crap” moment. I spoke with my doc, and we agreed that I’d go ahead and race Manitou. It was just a sprint… so that race (and really, just the 5K run) wasn’t enough to make or break any injury. So race Manitou I did. It was “tender” afterwards.. but still wasn’t “pain”.
By that Tuesday though (June 15th)… I knew I was not in a good spot. Tuesday nights are my regular runs with my guys group, and I went out with them with the intention of just doing one lake. Well one lake turned in to 7 miles, and let me tell you, those might have been the longest seven miles I’ve run in my life. There’s nothing like being out there on a run, KNOWING something is wrong, and having to just. get. home. Tell me – have you been there?
From that night, I said, “OK… running’s out for a while.” The words no runner ever wants to hear (or think…) – stress fracture – were like this high frequency buzz in the back of my mind. The thought was there, but I wasn’t fully aware of or accepting of the possibility. I think because I’ve been through stress fractures before (two – both fibular.. aka your “little” lower leg bone) I am almost able to minimize the situation – because in the end I’ve come through them stronger and faster than before.
So because ‘running was out’ … I ran 7 miles on our camping trip at Baker. Still no “pain,” but it definitely wasn’t one of my standard feel-good 7 milers. More than anything because I was just cognizant of it the whole entire time.
Which brings me to the doctor’s appointment. Because of my super awesome Student Health “Benefits” insurance plan that has such fantastic coverage… (I am declaring this the official color of sarcasm) I am not able to see my regular sports medicine doctor or treatment team. I was less than thrilled with this, to say the least. However, I was able to run the situation by him… because we’re neighbors. 
Doc’s thoughts: it is less likely to be compartment syndrome. I should definitely get in for an MRI to figure things out and get started on a treatment plan. I should see Dr. F through my [one singular allowed and covered] clinic… he’s a good guy.
So I called my [one singular allowed and covered] clinic to schedule, and it turns out that Dr. F was booked out for quite a while. But the scheduler told me that Dr. A also “works with some athletes” and he would be just as good to see. And he was available the next day. So I took the appointment and the next morning I was off to the doc.
[Wait - did I say this was going to be a quick flash-back? Psych! Sorrrrrry.]
I will say right up front that I was a bit on edge before I even saw the doctor. I was not feeling good about seeing someone other than my USUAL doctor – the guy who has treated me for years throughout various injuries. Knows my history. Knows my personality. Knows my mentality. Knows my lifestyle. I was also a little on edge because I didn’t go in for my appointment for an HOUR after I was scheduled. If you know me… you might have realized I’m not the most patient person in the world.
So yeah, I was a little uneasy. And good Lord, I’m also long winded.
My doctor lost my faith in FIVE steps.
ONE // He entered the room, didn’t shake my hand, and just introduced himself. To me, at least in the professional world, that is sort of like the equivalent of saying “Hi. I’m Important. I’m glad you have the chance to meet me.”
TWO // He took my patient history, and instantly had an impatient tone with me. I know I just said that I’m the one who’s impatient… but really? He asked when I first started noticing pain, and I said during the middle of an easy run on June 3rd. He asked told me “Can you please Be more specific.” Roughly how much more specific were you looking for Señor? The number of days out from the next Hailie’s comet?
THREE // He had me stand up barefooted and took a look at my feet anatomy. By just looking at me standing (stationary…), both facing forwards and backwards, he told me I “greatly overly” pronated. I’m not saying he’s not qualified to make such judgments… I’m not. But I’ve spent a lot of time with both my own sports medicine doctor and my physical therapy team. During that time I’ve had TWO video gait analyses done both at the beginning of treatment and several [rehabilitated] months later, and have definitely not been told I overly pronate. There is a slight bit of pronation on one side because I have a decent leg length discrepancy. That’s quite different than “severe over pronation” – much less “severe over pronation” deducted by watching me stand still for less than 15 seconds. Moving on…
FOUR // Not only have I fractured my femoral neck, but I have also had stress fractures in both fibulas in high school. I don’t say this because I’m proud of it or something… but to demonstrate the fact that I do know a thing or two about stress fractures. Not to mention… my field in school is kinesiology and sports medicine. In talking to this doctor, I got the impression that he thought I was about as bright as a box of rocks. I know that x-rays don’t typically show sfxs until they’ve already begun to heal. I know that I have a leg length discrepancy… in fact I just told you I have a leg length discrepancy before you responded with, “Well, you have a pretty big leg length discrepancy.” I know that orthotics might help, and in fact I’ve been given several prescriptions for them, but your Student Health Shit Benefits insurance doesn’t agree that they’re necessary and won’t cover them. I don’t know any college student working to save and pay for rent/school/groceries/a car/gas/LIFE that can shell out $500 multiple times a year for new orthotcis, nor do I feel your 3rd degree interrogation of why I’m not wearing orthotics will help the cause.
[I love how each consecutive point is getting longer and longer and increasingly “vexated”….]
FIVE // Speaking of those x-rays that don’t really do much for sfxs (sfx = stress fracture… btw)… I had spoke with my usual sports med doc before going in to see Dr. A, and my usual doc told me to get an MRI. So when I go in to see you, tell you this, and you say, “Why would we do an MRI? An x-ray is all we need.” I will be slightly defensive, a) because I have complete faith in my usual doctor, and b) I have had wayyy more radiation than anyone my age should have by now. I do not want more (Sam I am). Not here, nor there, nor anywhere. Five minutes following the two x-rays taken, when you find them inconclusive and “suggest” we do an MRI, I will be slightly exasperated, frustrated, and annoyed. That exasperation, frustration, and annoyance will rise on the scale of 1 to insanity when you tell me that this MRI is also not covered by my Student Health Benefits, and will cost me roughly $260 out of pocket. Plus $500 because I really need to be wearing orthotics.
AAAGHHHHH! I feel something along the lines of this:
Flickr -> "Angry Redhead"
________________________________
When I first started writing this post, I wanted it to stay all cool-and-collected sounding, and keep more of a pleasant yet humorous tone. But over the two days plus that it has taken me to finish this, it has become apparent that I’m really kind of PO’ed. Not only because of the way I felt this doctor treated me, but because yet again – stress fracture or not – this is an injury.
So did I get the MRI? No. There is a point when you know what your prescription will be, pretty much regardless of the actual diagnosis: rest.
Resting I am. I haven’t run since June 15th (aside from that seven mile run while camping…) and I’m going to give it to at least the end of the week before trying it out again. I’m doing my best to maintain my sanity, because although I can swim and bike, it just doesn’t do it for me like running. And I am getting to that point where seeing other people/hearing other people talk about running is making me mad. I don’t like me mad.
Fortunately my July racing schedule was pretty skimpy. I might do a swim race (the Great Prairie Open Water Swim) in the middle of the month just to still be racing. I thrive off having a goal and competition! And I’m PRAYING that I’m good to go for August, because my month is packed and FUN, and I want to be there for it. I will accept donated prayers as well. 
That post on pool running recently? Karma? I’m just sayin….
READER QUESTIONS: Have you ever “been there”? Do you have a good doctor, or one who makes you want to pull your hair out? Any of you currently dealing with an injury? What is it, and how are you hangin’ in there?
I hope the rest of my runners out there are runnin’ strong. Keep up your XT and your pre-hab! I will tell you that I indulged in a little retail therapy at the AWESOME sale going on at Pure Blue right now. (Sale is ONLINE too for all you non-local folks!) I have two new swim suits, a matching cap (Oooh gosh… really?! Yes. Really.), and a new pair of tri shorts. In the mean time, you can find me in the pool!
-E
ugh SO annoying! totally find a new doctor. i’ve been really lucky that i know lots of people in the medical field so the doctors i go see never treat patients like that. sorry you had to deal with it! keep your head up girl
.-= Karyn´s last blog ..Oops- I Did It Again =-.
I too have a leg length discrepancy. I’ve learned over the years from sedentary to triathlon to stuff inbetween, that it matters WAAAAAYYY more than you might think. Your biomechanics are off, you’ve learned to compensate, and now you are injured. Your altered biomechanics are now more acutely off because of the injury. Go back to your regular doc, and write a letter to this one, copying your own, discussing your complete disappointment in how you were treated, and your highest regard for the medical profession.
PLEASE take the time to do that. Physicians who really do think their s**t doesn’t stink, need to be told it does, and it would be helpful if it came from you AND your regular doc.
Those docs do change. They just need a reason to do so.
Good luck with your recovery. You might wish to expect to need 50% longer than you’ve been told, because your ramp back up to “normal” will be slowed by your biomechanical “deficiency.” Sorry to be the bearer of that news. Hope I’m wrong; rather see you plan for it and not need it, than not plan for it and set yourself back again.
Ugh. I’ve been there. 10 or so years ago I had knee pain when I ran. Military medicine. I went to see my primary care doc to get a referral. I was wearing running shorts and running shoes. I told him “I’m training for a marathon and blah blah blah…” about my symptoms etc. He heard nothing. The next question he asked me was….”are you very active?” I was like WTF? Then without having me do anything he diagnosed me with underdeveloped quads. From just sitting there. I wanted to stand up and point to my quads and say “These HUGE things are underdeveloped?” But I watched the exercises he gave me to do. I went out in the waiting room and asked to see another doctor. An hour later I saw doc #2. Doc #2 said, “Wow you look like a runner, what’s the problem” Diagnosed me with ITB syndrome gave me a shot of cortisone, exercises, instructions not to run for 6 weeks (I made it 4). I stuck with doc #2 for a long time.
.-= SSB´s last blog ..Math in Public =-.
So sorry you’re having to go through this
I had to take a week off from running due to a slight hamstring tendon rupture (I couldn’t swim/cycle either…basically I couldn’t do ANYTHING besides arm weights) after my marathon and it nearly killed me. I went stir-crazy. Then I had achilles tendonitis last winter too. I feel you on the injury pain.
I really hope you find some answers and it heals quickly for you!
~Jess~
.-= ~Jessica~´s last blog ..Outside the Box =-.
If you don’t see progress resting ask for a referral to PT. I guess ( devils advocate) if you have an MRI they are going to still tell you to rest so you have to figure out how knowing what is going on will help your recovery versus just knowing. And trust me I have been in your shoes rd the MRI…often those are overread as well.
Hang in there. I hope it’s getting better
It is not CS. You have one of two things: either medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) or a stress fracture. MTSS is pain and inflammation on the medial border of the tibia, usually felt during and after running. It can be caused by running too much on hard surfaces, overpronation, a weak tibialis postterior muscle (which lifts the arch of the foot), or tight calf muscles, which cause the foot to pronate further. MTSS can also affect the fascia and the periosteum itself. If the periosteum is inflammed you’ll feel specific tenderness along the edge of the bone.
Massage before running. Massage and ice after. Strengthen the calf and shin muscles. How old are your shoes? If 500+ miles replace them. Consider a gait analysis. Get in more off-trail runs and avoid hard surfaces…not all the time, but vary it up between offroad and pavement.
I’m going thru this as well now. Hoping it is not stress fracture but since it doesn’t hurt 24/7 I think mine is MTSS. I have one leg mildly longer than the other…and I use a cleat shim in my biking shoes to offset it.
Recommend you get (if you don’t already) the book “Running Well” by Sam Murphy and Sarah Connors. Better than any doctor you are going to see. Keep us up to date on progress! Good luck!
.-= Brian Maas´s last blog ..Totals- Month Ending June 2010 =-.
I’m so sorry! It’s frustrating that you don’t really have an option to see someone else. Can you get an appointment with your regular Dr. when he’s available “just in case”? Like you can rest but if you’re still having problems at appointment time you can go see him? I’ve had an experience where I really wanted a Dr. to reassure me about something and instead he just blew me off. Not the same thing. It makes you appreciate the really good ones.
.-= Chelsea´s last blog ..Back in the groove =-.
Bummer that this has come up, especially just as summer is getting going. I hope this heals quickly!
.-= Jon´s last blog ..2010 Half the Year in Review =-.
Ugh…I’m so sorry you had to deal with that guy! That must have been soooo frustrating! It sounds like rest is the best thing to do right now though. I really hope it heals quickly!
.-= Aimee (I Tri To Be Me)´s last blog ..A week in review and other things too =-.
I tore my ACL in high school and ended up having it redone because of a bad doctor. GO TO SOMEONE ELSE!
.-= Mellissa´s last blog ..Driveway Parties =-.
Mannnnnnnnnnnnn. I have had similar experiences with “student death”. I had a mole removed on my arm and have a scar the size of the one on your back to show for it (the mole was the size of a pea)….
Incompetent doctors aside, that really sucks about your troubles. Unfortunately, you probably made the right move in not doing the MRI…… Sfx, compartment, torn calf, etc etc….. all rest. Makes me wonder why I go to doctors at all! I should just park it on the couch for a while.
.-= Adam´s last blog ..Nectar of the gods =-.
Oh no sweetheart! I am SO sorry! So are you going to be able to find out exaclty what it is?? I hate that this is happpening to you but I also know that you are very positive person who will get through this. You ooze motivation and I know that if anyone will find the joy in not running it will be you. Hang in there…I <3 U!
.-= Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly´s last blog ..Happy Friday to YOU- =-.
i always say “i am fortunate to have had bad and good doctors” the bad ones taught me to have strength, to assure them i was confident in knowing there was soemthing wrong and that i loved myself to never let that go until i got to the root of what was wrong. the good doctors proved and validated even more of what i was thinknig and drove me even furthur to trust in my logic
xoxo <3
Delurking because I’ve “been there” in spades and wanted to offer my condolences and wish you a quick recovery.
Here’s my “been there” story. I just graduated from a DIII college in PA where I ran four years of cross-country. We have some seriously amazing athletic trainers, but the idiot doctor they bring in for our consultations is HORRIBLE. His name is Dr. Smith, so I’m not going to bother covering his identity for the purpose of this rant.
Round One- So my first run-in with Dr. Smith is sophomore year, when I have literally blown out my posterior tibial tendon as it runs along my arch in my right foot. The AT and I had already determined that I had posterior tibial tendonitis, but this is not a satisfactory diagnosis for Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith introduces himself, then mocks me because I was wearing a t-shirt for University of Michigan athletics (because I’m from Ann Arbor and tons of my friends go there). He tells me I must not be very bright because I am a Michigan fan. Then he diagnoses me with plantar fasciitis despite my insistence that “it does not hurt there” tells me to throw away the OTC insoles I’m wearing in my shoes, because he would rather charge me $25 for the “customizable” (read: it conforms to your foot shape when it is warmed by your body heat) inserts made by a company he’s affiliated with. I tried the insoles out but gave them back and refused to pay for them, because they sucked. Luckily, it was almost Christmas break, so I came home and saw a sports med doctor in Ann Arbor. He came in the door, looked me head to toe, and before introducing himself, stated authoritatively, “There is NO WAY you have plantar fasciitis.” He then listened to me, never insulted me, diagnosed me with posterior tibial tendonitis, and told me I could continue running if I taped my arch – and showed me how.
Tally: Dr. Smith – 0; Ann Arbor Sports Doc: 1
Round Two- That spring, I became a steeplechaser. I picked the event up at the end of the season, so I wound up running three in three weekends, which is apparently a Very Bad Idea. Classes had already ended when I did my third steeplechase at our conference meet – and became crippled. So I visit the ATs, we both fear stress fracture so I get a referral to see Dr. Smith at his office in town because there are no more consultations for the year. I walk to his office with a stress fractured calcaneus – 3/4 of a mile in the rain. He’s running late. It’s an 8:00am appointment, the first of the day. He takes me in, chats with me, and tells me it’s probably a stress fracture and that they’d normally confirm with an MRI. I tell him that I’m going home in three days, should I make an appointment to see my sports med doc in Ann Arbor? He insults me for being from Ann Arbor and tells me not to. He tells me to take four weeks off from running, and he gives me a medium sized boot. He tells me I can wean myself out of the boot in three weeks and begin ellipticalling at that time. Biking and other non-weight-bearing cardio is fine. I can run in 4-5 weeks.
I limp home in my boot, call my mother, and manage to wrangle an appointment in four days with my sports med doc. We have to drive an extra 15 minutes to see him at his other office, but it’s not a big sacrifice. My sports med doc confirms that my calcaneus is broken but orders an x-ray to see if it shows us anything at all. He also tells me that my boot doesn’t fit – he can tell because you can’t see my toes poking out of the peep toe region. I obtain a second, better fitting boot, and strict orders to keep wearing that boot until my follow-up appointment – in three and a half weeks. Oh, and I’m given a biking restriction: recumbent only. Gee, Dr. Smith – can you miss any more??
I go to my follow up, we take another x-ray, and you can see that my foot is starting to heal. Except – what’s this on the x-ray? My calcaneus isn’t fractured the “usual” direction (slanted like a foreward slash: \) as the result of a repetitive fall surface. Since the water pit is slanted with the deepest water closest to the barrier, my foot is broken in a backslash pattern, like this: /. The top part of my fracture is close to my tarsal joint, which is making it heal slower and explains why moving the joint bothers my fracture site.
Dr. Smith was wrong about the size of my boot, the length of time I needed to be wearing it, the length of the time before I could elliptical, the length of time before I could run, and incorrectly advised me regarding biking. And he’s late and he’s still mean.
Tally: Dr. Smith- 0; Ann Arbor Sports Doc: 6
Round Three- I felt the familiar pain of another stress fracture at the beginning of November. Dr. Smith was mean to me but referred me for another MRI. The MRI revealed that my foot was not broken – yet! It was merely sprained. Why? Because my biomechanics were so bad that running 6k in my spikes on grass (my first 6k in spikes that season – we only race in spikes at the end of the year, and the 3 mile race I did in my spikes did not break me – the last .7 is what did me in) gave me a midfoot sprain. Since I have a history of stress fractures now (even though the first one was a freak accident), this makes people want to give you custom orthotics. Dr. Smith watched me stand barefoot and diagnosed me with this – and I quote: “shitty feet.” Yes, that’s right- the man my school pays to come in to consult us has diagnosed me with “SHITTY FEET.” His solution is that I should try his customizable inserts. I told him no, that I had tried them last December and didn’t like them. He says we can try orthotics next, and that I should get an appointment to see him at his office.
Now, at this point, I knew that I did NOT want this guy to make me custom orthotics. If I’m shelling out $350 for something, then I am going to get them made by an experienced podiatrist – not a sports medicine practitioner who works with all of the athletes at my school and doesn’t seem particularly well versed in lower leg anatomy. So I tell my coach about my frustrations, and he recommends his baller podiatrist to me – a fantastic man who is a runner himself (he won some pretty big marathons in the ’80s) whose office walls are adorned with signed portraits from Olympians he’s helped. The AT helped set me up a visit with him on a Saturday at his office an hour away, because he didn’t have another clinic day in my area until after the new year. He was phenomenal, and for some reason, my school insurance kicked in and paid for almost 80% of the cost of my orthotics. That was pretty baller of them.
Final tally- Ann Arbor sports med: 6; Baller Podiatrist: 1; Dr. Smith: 0
In sum, I agree with everything Kelsey above me has said. I hope Dr. Smith’s antics are at least a little entertaining :S :S :S
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Feeling Good About My Positive Attitude =-.
Hope you are getting better…is there a way for me to “follow” your blog where it will populate in my blogger list when you submit a post? sorry I am a blogger idiot I just started. I had the same Fk Me (sorry bout my language) moment at Lake Calhoun mile 8 of a 15 miler on May 22nd….walked to my parents house 2 miles took almost an hour each step in complete pain. Been there…..
-Derek
.-= DRog´s last blog ..Think for yourself – Question Authority =-.
Man, that sucks on so many levels. And is just generally unfair! WTF? Some people get all the bad luck, injury-wise. You’ve gotten plenty of good advice, and I know insurance is out there to smash your soul into submission, but I agree that you owe it to yourself to find a doctor that treats you like a human being. They are there to serve YOU, and the last thing you need (on top of an injury) is a physician that is more interested in his Blackberry or his golf trip than the person in front of you.
That’s off my chest. Now I’m going to have a talk with your bones: stop being such p*ssies! Man up! You, leg bones, that means you!
.-= sarah´s last blog ..Runner’s guide to half-aing it =-.
I haven’t really been there with an injury, but I believe it must be incredibly frustrating. I would hate having to deal with all of that. And to top it off to be limited because of crap insurance. I feel for you. I hope when you are able to get out for your next run you feel great!
.-= Tina´s last blog ..Seeing Fireworks =-.
dude that totally sucks! i hope you can get everything figured out.
i just realized that I two email addresses for you. i sent you an email to the blog one! lets find a time to hang out soon. i want sebastain joes!!!!!
.-= kate´s last blog ..Fro Yo Update =-.
First off, I stumbled on your blog and I’m glad I did. It’s a great read and your posts are fun and informative
Secondly, I just about fell off my chair reading this post. I too am a student at the U that thought it would be a good idea to take advantage of the student health plan and not see my usual doctor. Being an athlete, I was also told to see this “Dr. A.” And I have the EXACT same complaints that you had. Suffering from stress fractures in the past, I knew that he was not handling my tibia pain well. After “diagnosing” my stress fx with an Xray (stupid) he also “tracked my progress” with Xrays. He also did the same assessment on me that you experienced and I remember thinking it was a hoax.
After 3 months of no decrease in pain, I knew my tibia fracture was not healing like it should have been so I went in for a second visit with Dr. A. He told me this was normal “running pain that happens when you’re out of shape.” Being a duathlete and marathon runner, I didn’t buy it. He told me to “run through the pain” and start training again. At that point, I went back to my normal running Dr, got an MRI, and found out I was millimeters away from a complete fracture that would require surgery and a rod in my leg. If I would have run on it, she said it could have snapped at any point.
So thank you Dr. A for being a “doctor for athletes” and almost ending my competitive running career forever. I’m SO glad you listened to your gut and used common sense way before I did. I hope your healing goes well and keep up the great blog!
Ugh. I’m sorry to hear that. I’ve had a whopping six stress fractures (zero of which were diagnosed by x-ray; all MRI or bone scan) and am sad to be leaving my wonderful doctor who trusts what I have to say on such matters. I’ve also been wearing orthotics for about eleven years, and if you’re lucky, they might not cost as much as you think. I was able to negotiate mine to less than $300 since I was paying cash and not making them go through an insurance company. Furthermore, you shouldn’t have to buy them multiple times a year. In my experience, hard plastic midlength orthotics made by a podiatrist last roughly five years… still not cheap, but maybe a fifth of what I spend on shoes during that time frame, which certainly puts it into perspective!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Different Emotions =-.
i have compartment syndrome and it sucks! good luck getting back to healthy!
Heal fast my friend! I have not been there and am knocking on wood that I stay healthy but I do feel for any of my runner/tri peeps dealing with injuries. I know it’s sooo frustrating and disappointing and has nothing ot do with the actual pain. Hang in there, rest, recovery and hope you’re back running (with or without orthodics!) soon!!!
Hey Kines Twinny!!!
ohhh my gosh I would be MAJORLY PO’ed at the Dr.’s “bedside” manner and treatment of your injury. I am so sorry to read that you aren’t 100% and I completely agree that swimming and biking are amazing, but they still lack something that running brings…I can’t quite put my finger on what it is though!!
To mix up my training routine (and because I am super excite about the TOUR de F!) I have been biking a ton, so if you ever want a virtual biking buddy i’m here for you! hehe!
GOODLUCK in the Open Water race! you are BRAVE!! swimming in the lake spooks me, I always swim lake races with my eyes closed & sprinting as fast as I can!
I heart you chica and hope all is well in your life (other than running!…what? there’s more to life than running!?..hehe sometimes I forget that!!) We definitely need a catch-up chat email session!!!
xoxo!
.-= Lizzy´s last blog ..Celebrate Freedom- =-.
I am so so sorry about this! I am so sorry you are dealing with Dr. A. I would definately get a second opinion. He was a complete butt head and you deserve better–crappy insurance or not. Just diagnosed with my first SFX today. I’m military…I generally do my own diagnosis before I walk in and then preface my story with “I don’t like to self-diagnose, buuuut these are my symptoms. This is what I fear it is.” I did that, the Dr. sent me for X-ray; then told me I was fine and to keep running. The bad burny feeling I have in the pit of my stomach lessened. Went for my bone scan today (I glow in the dark until Friday!), and was told by the tech “The Doc doesn’t usually like to see people and I’m not supposed to say anything…but that big group of white right there…that’s probably something.” Bad burny feeling back.
Doc decides he wants to see me (this is when I knew something was wrong. Bad burny feeling in full force). Tells me “I haven’t seen a stress fracture like yours before.” I don’t know what this means. So….now I’m part of the “club.” I can’t wait to run again; but until then…I will attend every spin class, spend mucho time on the elliptical and learn to love swimming.
Good luck to you!
oh I hate injurys. Even when they are minor. Hope you can heal fast! Get out that aqua jogger. It will do you some good, for sure.
.-= lindsay´s last blog ..Just Dilly Dallying Around =-.
Love this post because I feel the same way! I actually love my OB/GYN (well actually she’s a nurse practitioner.) She is just the best- very, very friendly, acts like she remembers me (well, she might but I highly doubt that.. still is nice though), she is never judgemental, takes her time, and always makes sure all my questions are answered. Plus, she even throws in some humor which is nice!
My general practitioner though is a different story. I’m currently trying to find a new one because mine sounds exactly like the doc you talked about! This one won’t even look me in the eye. I hate it!
[...] shoulders (jeeez, you’d think I like the word solid or something… [note the official sarcasm color]) and a strong hand of faith on my shoulder. There are plenty of opportunities out there just [...]