Thursday, July 05, 2007

Stop Going to Those Places

Ever since my personal record 1.2 mile swim of 33 minutes at the Wildflower triathlon my left shoulder hasn't been the same. Just raising my arm above my chest hurts so bad I have to hold my breath. When I raise it above my head it makes a popping sound and feels like a rope being pulled and snapped like a guitar string.

It hurts like hell.

Completing the Ironman 70.3 Buffalo Springs Lake Triathlon swim in 37 minutes two weeks ago was one of those crying "uncle" experiences. Running jars it so much my teeth ache. Sleeping on my left side is impossible. When I try to do anything, like breathe -- borrowing a phrase from Nytro -- I. HATE. EVERYONE!

Ummm... did I mention it hurts like hell?

So after a long, painful, and no results wait-and-see-if-it-gets-better strategy I got a swift kick in the pants by her and dragged my butt into my doctor's office. You long time readers may remember the good Dr. Jerry. He's the one who told me not to race in Ironman Florida because he suspected I had pneumonia a week before the race. I totally dissed him and went to Florida and completed the race anyway. Pneumonia... pneuSHOmonia.


Doctor J: "What seems to be the problem?"


TriBoomer: "Jerry, my left arm hurts in two places."


Doctor J: "Stop going to those two places."


**BLINK** **BLINK**


Ahhhhh yes... managed care at its best.

Anyway, he opened an anatomy book and pointed to a diagram that looked like this....









... said something in Latin for a diagnosis (rotator cuff tendonitis, inpingement), poked my shoulder (ouch!), twisted my arm (ouch! ouch!), scribbled something on a prescription pad, and told me to report to physical therapy. And, so I did... today.

I'm not sure what Doctor J scratched on the paper but from the way the physio therapist, Victor, twisted and stretched my arm it must have been, "Hey Vic, treat this guy like your own personal Stretch Armstrong. Don't listen to his whining. He's a puss."

I'm just sure of it.

Also, Vic must think I'm don't know what pain is because when I told him that digging his thumbs into my shoulder hurt so bad I was gonna pee my pants he had to do it at least two more times to watch me grimace (or whizz). You know... just to be sure.

After 45 minutes of torture he gave me a rubber tube thingie with handles on both ends and a list of exercises to do "without his care" (yah, he actually used the word care) three times a day between appointments. Oh yes... he also gave me a bill for $100. Oh joy... a bonus!

I'll do this for four more weeks. Just in time for my next Ironman 70.3 at Steelhead.

Stay tuned...

14 comments:

Comm's said...

mo is watching dinosaur vids on you tube while i read blogs but i cant wait to listen to the faris tape. i went to his b-day party a bit go and he is very cool

21stCenturyMom said...

I know you are under managed care but go to a different doctor. When they make up a diagnoses like that it just isn't good. You could have what Bold has and you need to get it checked properly.

Born To Endure said...

Glad you're at least getting this looked at..it will heal..i'm sending you my bestest healing ((((vibes)))

Run for Chocolate said...

Get better soon, don't ya just love when they keep pressing where it hurts, ya I just love that.

Michelle said...

That's what you get for being sooooo fast!

No, seriously, I hope your recovery is speedy and complete. Sorry to hear you're hurting.

Bullet said...

Funniest thing I've read today. Sorry it was at your expense.

Brent Buckner said...

Good that you're doing the work. Best healing wishes!

P.S. maybe some stroke technique critique would help avoid recurrence

ShesAlwaysWrite said...

I've been healing a very similar problem (although mine had a small tear thrown in for good measure). The PT worked miracles for me, and the icing on the cake was some swim coaching that solved the stroke problem (that caused the injury in the first place). Good luck! It takes a while, but it does get better.

Bigun said...

doctors scare me - this wasn't a funny story - it was a scary story. evil doctors.

The Stretch Doc said...

buahhhahaaa.. Bigun is scared!

You should go see Allez's doctor, dat boy good..

rockon`

Kate said...

From your local physical therapist/blogger there is such a thing as rotator cuff tendonitis. It is not made up. I would also like to say that at least in my practice, the no pain, no gain philosophy is not how we practice. Yes, sometimes there is pain involved with healing/stretching/strengthening but it shouldn't make you hurt that bad. Just a reminder though, that first evaluation visit is always the worst. Pretty much everyone leaves feeling more sore than when they walked in the door. Hang in there... and if you think it would be better, try a different therapist. Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions I can help with.

Dances with Corgis said...

$100? Woof... is that a copay?

Anonymous said...

Ouch! Best wishes on your recovery.

home fitness

Lance Notstrong said...

Isn't if funny how our female triathlete friends (Allez) always
"convince" us to go to the doctor? :-) I'll echo what Johnny Tri said.....Allez's Dr. is now my Dr. too. And as it turns out it's my left shoulder that's the problem too. But not anymore. After 5 weeks of ART I'm all better :-)