Time to take hypermobility seriously

YES I agree! Here is an interesting article on joint hypermobility:

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/40/5/485

TENS unit

I have to tell you all about my TENS unit and how awesome it is ;)

"Definition: 'TENS' is the acronym for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A 'TENS unit' is a pocket size, portable, battery-operated device that sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the body to block pain signals.

The electrical currents produced are mild, but can prevent pain messages from being transmitted to the brain and may raise the level of endorphins (natural pain killers produced by the brain)."

-From About.com: Arthritis

I got my TENS from our local pain clinic to help cut down on my muscle spasms. I had used a cheaper model before which did NOT help. But the one I have now is made my Empi and it has lots of different controls on it. It has different frequency modulations as well as adjustable strength. My body is so sensitive I can't turn it up much past 3 or 4. Anything higher feels like torture. I use it for hours at a time, mostly on my shoulders and upper back. The downside to it is, if I use it continuously for too long my body becomes immune to it. So I don't use it everyday and I try to vary the location.

I have had this TENS for about 3 years now and I really love it!

Physical Therapy

Well, I went back to the doctor and he said the MRI did NOT show any significant tearing. I guess that's good but then - what to do??? He did not have a very hopeful look on his face. He wants me to do physical therapy for 3 weeks, and then come back. If it's still the same, they may be able to do some type of surgery to "tighten" the shoulder. He didn't really elaborate on this, but I am guessing it has to do with shortening the tendons.

So, back to physical therapy I go! I don't really like physical therapy. I'd rather be DOING something fun or interesting than stand there moving my arm this way and that. Today I did all the Theraband and lifting exercises, and the guy said "Hey! You're good at these." I said yeah I've done all these before. I had 2 worker's comp claims for tendinitis in my right arm plus therapy to try and reduce my headaches. The exercises do feel good, but they never get rid of the spasms and headaches! Grrrrrrr

So I am kind of frustrated right now. I feel like I'm jumping through hoops for nothing. If they want to tighten my shoulder, I don't understand why they don't just DO IT and then do therapy afterwards. I guess they don't know my track record with therapy do they?

Teen Outsmarts Doctors

Unfortunately, I can relate 100% to this poor girl.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/us_world/Teen-Outsmarts-Doctors-In-Sciene-Class.html?yhp=1

Further proof that doctors don't know everything! ;)

Pets

I am reading a book about pets and how they help people to be healthy and happy. It's called The Healing Power of Pets. I have found this to be really true for me. I have one cat, two tree frogs and one betta fish. The fish cheers me up while at work, and the cat and frogs are at home.

Our other cat died last week and it was very hard for us. This cat was like medicine to me! If I felt sick, all I had to do was pick this cat up and all my pain melted away! This cat was also a playmate for my hyperactive 10-yr-old. Nothing makes my pain worse than an overactive but bored child.

The book is really interesting and gives ancedotes as well as scientific evidence of how animals help people heal. For me, having pets around me gives me something to distract/keep myself busy with. I also like having calm animals like cats and fish, because just looking at them makes me feel peaceful.

We will be going to the shelter soon to get another kitten! It'll be so exciting :)

SLAP shoulder tear!

I broke down and went to the doc again about my shoulder. Mon.-Tues. I literally could not use my arm! It was so crazy. So he refered me to an osteopath who "knows" shoulders. He said shoulders are a different kind of body part and not everyone understands them. The shoulder joint is like a shallow cup as opposed to a ball and socket.

He inspected my shoulder and had me twist my arm this way and that. Then, they took a few X-rays and he said my BONES look OK. He thinks it might be the cartilage that is torn. The name for it is a SLAP shoulder tear. He thinks that when I fell on the ice last winter I may have torn my labrum (cartilage that helps hold the joint in place). Also look how the biceps tendon is a part of the anatomy of the area. My massage therapist lady was onto something!

I have an MRI scheduled for next week so hopefully they will be able to tell something from that. Also I'm not sure what they will do about it :/ Medications? PT? Surgery?