Still been going to the physio on an almost weekly basis – had almost 3 weeks off due to problems schedualling and Debbie being away over easter.

We hit a bit of a wall about 3 weeks ago in that I was still doing the exercises and getting sleep at night (yay!) but getting back/hip pain – had an x-ray to check there was nothing wrong with my hip (which there wasn’t) and so Debbie took a different strategy and started strapping my ankle/foot – which for the first two weeks was causing me alot of pain in my hip/back but with some added exercises and strapping of the knee and ankle I think we might be back on track again.

I just went and had them both re-strapped today and am going to get stuck into the exercises quite intensly for a week and then re-assess how it is going.

Hopefully back on track!

As Debbie suggested – I am now getting pains in different areas, and the exercises themselves really take it out of me – two in particular really hurt and take me quite awhile to do as I have to break between each exercise so I don’t shout the house down.

I have another physio appointment tomorrow so should find out what she thinks then. Still strapping my knee now two days on and two days off which seems to be going okay!

Recieved my wellingtons yesterday and they fit perfectly! Also got a parcel from mum and dad in the post with a house gift of teatowels and cheese grater – hehe – was so nice!

Saw another physio on Tuesday – well start from the begining – went on Monday afternoon to see Anne about my back (as there is definatly something going on with my lower back/hip) as my knee has gotten better – that section has gotten worse.

So she prodded my back a bit and said that it is actually much better – and the pain is originating from my pelvis – and Debbie is the specialist in that! So went back tuesday lunchtime and she confirmed that there are a few issues. So I now have 5 new exercises to do twice a day which are bloody hard! But hopefully within the next week or so there will be some changes!

Been riding to work every day which is cool – rather getting into the swing of it and I get home so early – plus I am now riding home to a beautiful sunset – another indicator that spring/summer is on it’s way!

The strapping is certainly helping – though my skin is having a bit of trouble with it (betting sores where the tape is anchored) but hopefully it I have a break from the tape on Sunday then it will give it enough time to cope!

I now have 4 small exercises to do a few times a day which have so far been easy to blend into my normal day, plus the tape helping me walk correctly so hopefully in a few more weeks there will be a marked improvement!

*fingers crossed*

I was very relieved as I had been in alot of pain and sleeping even worse than normal as well as getting rather distressed. So she asked if it would be okay for her other physio to have a look at my leg, as she specialised in lower-limb issues. So I got handed over to ‘Miso’ (I think that’s her name – need to check that out) and she had a look at my knee/thigh and was refreshingly straight forward and down to business. She said that I have major Patellofemoral pain symptoms and that was going to be the first thing we tackled. I was so relieved, that was what I had diagnosed myself with and to have someone who knows what their talking about back me up and identify a definite problem was such a relief!

So she attacked my outer thigh and showed me some exercises to do – then strapped up my knee – she said the main reason for the swelling will be the patella (knee cap) rubbing against the edge of the groove that it moves in. She said that the knee itself thankfully isn’t damaged and that the tendon’s/ligaments are okay – just there are no muscles supporting the inside of the knee – and as such – the overworked outside muscle is pulling the kneecap outwards and making it rub.

So she strapped my knee so that the patella is a few millimeters further in, and moving in the correct place – and omg what a relief! I have been a bit worried about telling anyone that I am out of pain – in-case it doesn’t last – but the strapping of the knee is definatly taking the pressure off and while the knee is still swollen – the agonising pain isn’t there.

So I have been doing the exercises she has given me as many times a day as I can – and I went and had another session with her today (I took the strapping off on Sunday night and the pain came back but not as bad). She said that she can actually feel the muscle now (after only 4 days!) and worked on my thigh and hip and then strapped up my knee again – but has also shown me how to do it and we have agreed to keep it strapped till Wednesday night – have the night off – then I re-strap it on Thursday – and I see her again on Friday!

*crossing fingers* this might actually be the right track to getting rid of the pain!

She also agreed with me that I should see the Dr and get some sleeping tablets – just for a few weeks to break the bad habit I am in of waking up every 3 hours – now that the pain has eased I should be able to get back into a normal sleeping pattern – but just need some help with that! (Dr appointment on Wednesday!!)

oooowwwwww

*pout* plus I have the sneezes and sniffles
< / huge massive whinge >

well that was a few hours ago – had another physio last night and have to say I am feeling beaten and battered today.

She worked quite alot on my back and wants be to have another session on Friday, she also used the ultrasound machine on a particularly sore section of my back. As much as she seems to know what she is doing and is certain that is my back predominantly – feeking a little thrown off as she hasn’t even done a full physical (not checked out my hips or knee) which are both painful as well – has just totally concentrated on this section of my back. I also had to make a point with her to get her to give me some advice about how to walk correctly and any light exercises I can do.

So have some slight resevations about it – but am going to give it at least a few more sessions and see if anything comes of it *sigh* *crosses all fingers and toes*

I have also noticed since starting swimming that I am sleeping even worst (yes it is possible) than before I started some exercise – and the fact that when I say swim – I mean paddle around like a baby – so not even really exerting myself.

She got me to do a few stretches and poked and prodded a bit and said that she believes it is my upper back (probably among other things) but that is the place to start. She was very forthright with why and how and do I agree with what she was saying etc etc.

She then did some work opening the vertabra up towards the top of my back – and I have to say it bloody killed so there is definatly something wrong up there – whether this is the actual cause or just a by-product of all the other stuff has yet to be seen.

She also explained the reason the swimming is hurting and making me sleep even worse and be in more pain – the classic shape you take when you do breaststroke is to tilt your head back and up so it is out of the water – thus compressing the upper spine – and if that is where the problem is – making it even worse……so as you can see – the logic does kinda fit….

I have another session tomorrow evening (Tuesday) so will see what happens from that….

• July 2004 – While travelling in Germany my left knee started swelling, Ibuprofen took away the swelling and the pain, Doctor suggested I strap it
• Dec 2004 – In Uk – had 10 session of therapy with an Osteopath for ’swelling behind the kneecap’ – eventually suggested that I get a steroid injection – but as I wasn’t signed up for the Dr this didn’t happen
• July 2005 – moved, new job – still knee pain – now progressed into lower back pain – got private insurance
• saw new doctors
• had x-ray’s
• Isotopic scan
• Athritis tablets (trying to get off the ibuprofen which I was taking every day)
• Could find no problems with my knee/back or bones – sent me to a physiotherapist
• Aug 05 – Jan 06 Physiotherapy – aleviated alot of the back pain – still on the ibuprofen, depleted muscles in thigh and calf and along left vertegra
• Aug-Oct 06 – Osteopath for pain control – trying to get rid of the last of the back pain
• Helped more with the leg and back pain – but still at a static level
• November – Stopped Ibuprofen by myself
• Suffered from bad withdrawl symptoms (shaking, sickness, headaches, hightened pain)
• In pain constantly – but at a tolerable level
• Nov – Dec 06 – Had some acupuncture as unable to sleep over 3 hours per night
• February 07 -Physiotherapy