Unexpected Results

I recently had an MRI on my lower lumbar. The doctor who ordered it met with me for five minutes and said that everything looked fine. I was glad but confused: Why was I in pain if nothing was wrong? Fast forward: I ditched that doctor, got a new doctor, start physical therapy with them, and today I got an EMG.

An EMG involves testing the electrical activity of muscles. It can check for nerve damage, which was what we were checking. It was not fun. It didn’t hurt, but it was (no pun intended) shocking. It was really weird. Basically I had little electric currents shooting up my leg which made my feet twitch. Like I said, not painful, but rather unnerving (no pun intended…). It was bizarre having my feet spasm. I did not like it in the least. I got through it by rambling about my vacation plans; that helped a lot. Once that was done, small needles were poked into my legs, also sending shocks. The machine made small popping and crackling noises; I was informed that this was showing that there was something going on.

During the course of this I was talking to the nice technician (I’m not sure if she was a doctor or not). I told her that the last doctor said nothing was wrong according to the MRI. She said something was going on and mentioned that she thought the MRI report mentioned something was amiss but she couldn’t remember what the report said.

I about lost it. I was so mad. My emotions were already running high from the freaky shocks. To now learn that yes, something was indeed wrong, made me very mad. Mostly at my doctor: He couldn’t take one minute of the five minutes of our final appointment to tell me that? Seriously?? It still makes me angry. I had the MRI weeks ago. I would have changed my daily activities and work out, but I didn’t even know there was anything to worry about! I was so relieved that nothing was wrong I continued with my life.

After the EMG tests were done, the technician looked at the report. She confirmed her thoughts: The report showed that there was bulging between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. Now, this is nothing very serious: The bulging has put pressure on those nerves, which is why I’m in pain. It can be fixed with therapy and work.
As you can see, the L4 and L5 are at the base of the spine, exactly where my pain has been. The thigh hurts because the nerves go down the legs. Everything is connected!

What angers me is that the report showed a problem and the old doctor didn’t even mention it. I need to stop doing the lower-body exercises I’ve been doing and develop a new routine. Now, I don’t mind this, and I did it before, but I could have started to change weeks ago! It’s infuriating.

I feel a little better now. I know that this is nothing bad: It’s not herniated or anything. We can fix it. I just needed to get past my anger first. I am still annoyed, since what I’ve been doing exercise-wise also hasn’t helped.

Now I’m moving ahead with my day and looking forward to seeing my family and vacation.

Stupid Leg

I couldn't think of anything catchy for the title, so I got to the point.

I cut my work out short today. Not only that, but I used less weights all around. I almost didn't go today. I feel pretty pathetic.

I don't usually wake up in pain. Mornings are usually OK: the 'healing power of sleep' and all. Actually, I don't usually have pain. I am usually just uncomfortable, with soreness and annoyance being my main symptoms. As of recently, my lower back was doing a lot better. My thigh was the only area still bothering me. The past few days I have been worse: My lower back has pressure again and it is painful.

I empathize and sympathize with people with chronic pain. I believe that I will heal once we figure out what is wrong/what the cause is. Others are not so lucky. For example, my mother has a slew of health problems including fibromyalgia. In case you don't know, fibromyalgia is a long-tern, body-wide case of soreness and tenderness in the joints, tendons, and soft tissue. For some, a friendly embrace is excruciating. There is no cure, only treatment.

I am lucky. At the worst, my pain has only ever been a five. As I said before, I also am not usually in pain, only discomfort.

So, there's your update. I'm having a bad day physically. I am looking forward to physical therapy today.

Cute as a Button

I recently came to the realization that I have only a few more years of being cute. After 24 years of being cute, I won't be able to get away with the stuff I get away with. I bounce or dance around singing and sometimes making odd noises. I charm people with a smile.

I am sad about this and I don't know what to do. I mean, I've gotten away with being very silly for a long time. Yes, I know how to be serious, but I enjoy bee-bopping around singing to myself.

I've always been cute. No, it's not vanity: It's a fact. I have been told almost daily that I am cute. It must be true if people consistently say it. When I was a toddler I was told by a stranger how cute I was. My reply? "I know." It's not that I was a vain toddler; I had just been told numerous times how cute I was. It was no longer a compliment at that point, but fact. (Photos confirm I was pretty adorable.)

So my question is, what happens to me? I don't think I'll be able to just bounce around. There comes a time when you stop being a cute twenty-something and start being a batty woman who needs to grow up. It makes me sad.

I suppose I'll just need to have a child to make noises with and sing to. Then I'll be allowed to be silly, because I will be bonding with my child. Yeah, seems like a solid plan!

The Doctor is... Fired.

I am looking for a new neurologist. I have seen my current one, for my leg/back, twice. Both times I was there for about an hour. The first time I saw him about 10 minutes, the second time was 5. I was pissed. Why on Earth should I wait that long to barely talk to someone? I don't even think he was really listening. Now I'm going to go to a new doctor. I need an EMG, apparently, to see if I have nerve damage since my leg is still sore. He wasn't sure why he didn't have me do that in the first place, but I suppose he was stuck on getting an MRI.

Honestly, I haven't been thrilled with the practice. The doctor is the biggest issue. The building was built and decorated in the 70s, which I could overlook. I believe that professional buildings should look like they've kept up with the times. It gives me confidence that what they are doing to me is modern and helpful and not archaic. The coupling of a doctor that makes me wait in a building that would be complete with shag carpeting is maddening.

The rest of the staff in the physical therapy side is nice enough and I am glad to have made progress. Still, I give THEM the credit and not the neurologist. I wouldn't recommend him to anyone.

The MRI was Monday and showed nothing conclusive. I haven't herniated a disc, though, which is great. The EMG is to check for nerve damage. Perhaps this will get us somewhere.

So, I am getting a new doctor. I have physical therapy again on Friday and I will get my records and drive to a new doctor. They won't schedule me until I give them my records. I'll be glad to tell the my current doctors why I want them. I can only hope they ask. It does make me wonder if I will be able to keep going to PT. If I can't, then I'll go back to my original therapist, whom I like better anyway.

Or, I'll just cut off my leg. Then I get to park close to stores!

Please, Sir, I want some more...

For the past couple of weeks I have been gassy and bloated. I wondered if I became lactose-intolerant, so I have given up milk. I thought I would know after a few days. However, apparently I must be dairy-free for two weeks in order to know for sure. Two weeks. TWO WEEKS.

It sucks. I've gotten some lactose-free milk and it's not so bad. One brand (name escapes me, but it isn't Lactaid) is nice and creamy. I currently have Lactaid, but once it's gone I'll be switching back. The problem is that cheese and butter also fall into this category. It also just occurred to me that I had ranch the other day. Way to go, Stef! The biggest hit has been (besides chocolate) the meal I wanted to eat otnight for dinner: Broccoli Cheese Chicken. This delicious recipe calls for milk, soup, and lots of cheese. It didn't hit me that I couldn't eat the meal until I started making it. How annoying and disappointing. I love this meal and I can't even eat it.

I made it anyway, though. I will have to make sacrifices, so why not start now? I made a separate meal for myself. Though satisfying, it was lacking the cheesy deliciousness I craved.

The biggest thing, though, is the lack of chocolate. I need to look into this. I miss my chocolate.

On the positive side, I've started baking again. Vegetable oil can easily be substituted for butter, so I don't have to worry about dairy! :)

The Pursuit of Health

I have not being feeling healthy lately. I’ve bloated and gassy, feeling simply like there was a problem internally. At first I thought it was due to “that-time-of-the-month” and eating too many (delicious!) baked goods. I waited until after my week was up and baked less. When that didn’t help I determined a few days ago to eat a ton less sugar. This wouldn’t be too hard, but I do like my chocolate. And ice cream. And nutella. And a Nutri-Grain bar when I’m feeling puckish. And the occasional soda. And sugar in my coffee and green tea.

You see the problem. Honestly, the Nutella, Nutri-Grain bar, and soda are easily not consumed. The chocolate and ice cream are harder. Sugar is, for me, a requirement for coffee and green tea; they are too bitter otherwise. The green tea is easy, though: Honey is a natural sugar substitute and we have a stevia plant. The leaves are sweet and thus a natural sugar. Coffee has been trickier, so I just haven’t had any.

Of course, my giving up of sugar requires that I do not bake. I find it very hard not to sample my baked goods. It has to be something that I truly do not like in order for me to not try it. Usually, though, I’m curious enough to try it or, if I really don’t like what I’m baking (such as anything caramel), I’ll try the dough/batter before I add the ingredient I dislike. I can’t win! It’s hard being a fabulous baker.

Regardless, I have begun my no-sugar-for-a-week experiment. I can’t say I’m feeling better. I think I developed a milk allergy.

*Cue dramatic fall to knees, fist raising, and woeful “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”*

This is a bigger problem than the sugar. I love milk. I was raised on milk. Everyday I eat cereal with milk. I usually have a glass of milk with at least one meal. I love peanut butter, and peanut butter and milk need each other. I like to just drink a glass of milk. I’m a fan of chocolate milk. I currently have a gallon and half of milk in my fridge. I go through milk faster than I go through the jug of water I have.

Again, you see the problem. I love milk. However, bloating and bad gas go hand-in-hand with milk intolerance. My sister has been on-again, off-again lactose intolerant for years. My cousin and grandma also have a love-hate milk relationship. It fits.

Thus begins my no-milk experiment. I am saddened by the fact that something I love may be hurting me. Ah, how tragic. The frugal part of me is also sad: I mentioned I have 1 ½ gallons of milk. I alone in my house will drink it, because Roy and his sister (staying for the summer) drink whole milk and I drink skim; these borders do not cross. Now I’m stuck with milk that I may not be able to drink AND I have to go buy new, more expensive milk substitute! It’s upsetting.

I’m not trying to dis almond milk or anything; I just don’t want to waste my milk. I’ll have to find someone to give it to as well as buy new products.

So much drama and sacrifice to feel healthier. It’s no wonder people don’t stick to diets; it sucks giving up what you love. Wish me luck on these endeavors!

It's been a while

It's been a while since I last wrote. I apologize. I've been procrastinating. It's not like I've been doing all that much or anything. I've been baking a lot and I got into scrapbooking. School is out so I'm at Ruby Tuesday working. I'm currently a hostess and bartender and I sometimes serve.

The biggest thing is that I'm back in physical therapy. I mentioned to Tony that my pubis had been hurting and he told me to get an MRI and see a neurologist. The place I went to has their own physical therapy so we started that again. They think it may be my back as well as the sciatic nerve. It's rather annoying, really. Luckily my MRI is tomorrow, so I guess we will see! The pain has lessened, at least. I was having a lot of pressure/discomfort in my lower back, but that's less frequent. My thigh is still sore most days and my piriformis still likes to act up, but we're working with it.

I'll be better with updating, I promise.