Kicking LE's butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log

What a neat idea Lia.  I wonder if soaking in Epsom salts would do the same.  I think I might try it tonight.  My legs are swollen, even though they've been wrapped.  This therapist sounds terrific.  Keep sharing!!!!

GMA, it does stink we have to keep going through this.  I was told that my swelling would go down as I went through rads.  I know it's been just under a week.  I'm hoping it's not going to take weeks or months for the rads to kick in and start working.  Praying you get a reprieve from all of this!

Sue

So, that leaves me wondering what the 'harm' is in the 'more harm than good' outcome of exceeding 20 minutes.  Did he say?

Hey right back to you, Ohio!  Spring should bring hope, not dread of LE, but that's our reality I guess.  Pulling weeds???? I spent a few hours this afternoon cracking and removing 6" of ice from the walk to my front door.  We're getting 5 or so inches of snow tonight and tomorrow, although today was quite warm. It got to 40 degrees, and the softening of the ice is what inspired me to try to take care of it.  Weeds would be so welcome!  Well, maybe not so much when they take over.

We had 64 degrees today but supposed to have 5 inches of snow tonight.

 Spring will come. I saw some flowers coming up when I was pulling weeds. But.... wonder if they will survive the freeze to tonight.

Lia, I'll be quite interested in what he says.

Today I went to the gym and worked upper body and abs only, using weights.  I am still trying to rest my knee and will have a PT evaluation on Friday.  Resting the leg --no movement at all, pretty much--definitely helps, so I'm doing my best to stay off my feet.  Hopefully the PT will have some brilliant suggestions for a quick return to my normal activity.  

Hey all, I actually ventured outside because it was about 60 and sunny. Still have wicked cold but I had to check my daffys, crocus, and a early bloomer rhododendron that is peaked now.(pic taken 2 weeks ago, no snow anymore! ) How could I resist looking at them. I also went for a two block walk which wiped me out but oh I have cabin-fever and needed to air my brain out. My legs have gone to mush and so Carol and I will be in retraining soon trying to build up again. THEN LOOK OUT GIRLS , 

HERE WE GO!  GO! GO!

Carol57, just the thought of near zero temp makes me shiver...... good thing you guys have spring around the corner!

hugz4u, sorry for your stuffed nose, it's really annoying when it happens, but at least your dog can get away with anything for now! :-)  :-)

ok, about the 20min and salted water bandage; I asked the guy today and his answer was that with the kind of elastic bandages we're using for this part of the treatment and the kind of pressure we're putting (how tight they are), 20 min is the limit cause more would affect blood circulation (like a turniquet). It's not the same kind of bandage I would use to wrap the arm for the night (I asked). Since we've just started, he said he prefers to start easy, have the bandages moderately tight (which is subjective I guess) and put on top of them my sleeve for additional pressure and see how the arm reacts. (yeah, the sleeve won't last long...)

To me it makes sense, but as I've said before, my experience and understanding of how these things work are limited. 

Judging by the result, his overall approach  seems to be working, it's not painful/uncomfortable and afterwards my arm feels normal, which is what I'm aiming for. Now I need to keep track of the changes, as the goal is to keep the arm in good condition for more than 24 hours.

As for the salt; the analogy is 1 tablespoon for every bandage soaked, in enough water to barely cover the bandages, but one can adjust the salt depending on how the skin reacts (if dehydrated too much afterwards or not; I put cream afterwards and it's fine).

off to rest now! :-)

Gma, I am SO sorry you are having such a rough go of it. I just have to believe it won't always be this way for you, it will get under control and you can do things you enjoy again! I am praying that way, anyway. We support you.

hugz, what great adaptations you're making--keeping things beautiful, but streamlining the tasks that can kick up a flare. You're an inspiration (again)!

Despite the fact that I live in a great winter place for outdoor exercise, I still do my cork-counting jogging in-house. Just a whole lot easier to make sure it happens. When I do get outside, it's all extra, which always makes me feel very righteous! Anyhow, with afternoon temps already in the 80s for the last month or so, I'm staring summer in the face, and not much liking what I'm seeing. Sigh…
Binney

gmafoley, we all need to find out magic combination of things!  For some, like you, exercise and activity are the elusive part of managing LE.  For others, it's finding the right glove, sleeve, compression shirt, etc.  LE sucks away our patience and our morale, and so you need support to help you find more of both of those.  I am so glad everyone here gives so freely of encouragement and support!  I know it helps me keep my spirits up.

Hugz, I'll look forward to some dahlia pictures!

I had a PT evaluation session this morning, and we have a game plan.  Pare way back on the walking and other load-bearing movements, work slowly but surely on small movements designed to gradually restore range of motion in the knee.  Take anti-inflammatory med, like Aleve.  Don't worry about cardio until the knee has settled down.  So, what did I type above about needing patience?  This has nothing to do with my LE, but it's sure testing my ability to be patient!  I have to seriously take it slow and deliberate to let the bursitis and cyst have some time to heal.  I have a series of follow-up appointments, working around my crazy professional travel schedule, so not frequent enough.  I'm sitting down with ice on my knee at this very minute. At least I feel like I have a plan now.  

Carol, glad you have a plan, and sorry it's such a gradual one.  :-(  Hang in there, and by the time the great weather arrives you'll be right as…I was going to say "rain," but that's not very right when you're trying to get outside and exercise…

Lia, okay, I'm super curious where this therapist got his ideas for the  20-minute cold salt-water treatment. It's definitely not  taught in any of the LE therapist training programs here. Can you tell him we're all curious and ask him for any articles about it, who developed it, and where we could read up on the physiology behind it? The treatment of LE in Thailand is similar in some ways, with compression applied for shorter periods of time during the therapy session itself, though there's no salt water involved. But in the Western world what you're describing is a looooong way from standard treatment. Do continue to lubricate your skin generously--you really do want to avoid drying your skin out, because even microscopic dry-skin breaks can allow entry to bacteria and lead to cellulitis. Fascinating!

Hugz, your pictures are simply luscious--more, more!
Binney

Sunny and hinting of spring here today...2 miles in and done to celebrate. I have been a bit of a sloth lately between the weather and a ridiculously crazy schedule of work and life. Heading to Florida for some beach time with my sister in 2 weeks. Then 2 more months of school and I will head to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to work at a summer camp for 8 weeks with my daughter.