First and foremost I just want to thank you all for your comments on my post: "Dealing with the Ghosts of Injury Past". Your commiseration and encouragement were very much appreciated and hopefully it helped some of you that are dealing with the same thing know that you are not alone. That being said wouldn't you know, after rejoicing over what a great run it was I would end up thinking I had spoke too soon...
Sunday I hit the gym for my recovery run and had a helluva time making the magic happen. I got just over a mile before I had to stop because I was having all sorts of shooting pain. I chalked it up as being all the dreadmill's fault, naturally. Spike and I headed home and he spent about 15 minutes massaging Biofreeze into the areas I was experiencing the shooting pains and within a half hour the pain subsided and I was fine. As in we went grocery shopping. Makes no sense right?
Well then Monday rolls around and when I go to run I make it approximately .1 M before I am doubled over experiencing the most horrible shooting pains I have ever experienced in my life! We're talking white light, blinding pain! I could hardly put any pressure on my leg so I basically hopped back to my office and spent the next hour rocking back and forth in my chair, clenching my jaw through each shooting pain. All sorts of crazy running-career ending thoughts swirled around in my head as I alerted Spike and a few other friends of the situation. I took some ibuprofen and about an hour later the pain subsided a little and about 15 minutes after that it went away completely. You know how you get your blood pressure taken on those machines at the pharmacy? How it tightens up and then releases a little bit before it releases all the way? That’s what happened. The pain subsided to where it was manageable and then it just went away. In fact the tightness in my calf that has been hanging around for weeks finally released too. I didn't have the slightest sign of a limp and I could put all my weight on it again just fine. WTH!?!?
I emailed Coach E about it and he said it sounded like it was nerve related so I made an appointment with the chiro* this morning and after listening to what happened and examining me, he confirmed I had a pinched nerve. He then adjusted my neck, back and fibula (the point of the pinched nerve), and sent me on my way with the green light to run tomorrow. (He also noted that my scoliosis has gotten better since I was last treated as a Phase II patient!) He said that if it happens again to just come back for another adjustment and he’ll show me how to tape it up for running. Easy-peasy.
*Please Note: Consult your primary physician before seeking chiropractic treatment to be sure it is right for you. I am aware some people do not believe in chiropractic care and I ask for your respect regarding my use of it. In dealing with my scoliosis I have found chiropractic treatment to be very helpful in aiding against the degenerative process.
*Please Note: Consult your primary physician before seeking chiropractic treatment to be sure it is right for you. I am aware some people do not believe in chiropractic care and I ask for your respect regarding my use of it. In dealing with my scoliosis I have found chiropractic treatment to be very helpful in aiding against the degenerative process.
Oh, The (Common Peroneal) Nerve!!!
I am all sorts of relieved, both physically and emotionally, that he was so confident it was as easily treated as a pinched nerve and that it wasn't any season-ending injury. It blows my mind I could go from an epically awesome 18 miler on Saturday to not even capable of running a mile. I am just hoping and praying that's really all it was and that tomorrow's run goes off without a hitch. At present I don't feel a single ache, pain, or tightness in either leg and feel, for the first time in weeks, like I'm functioning at 100% again.
*Fingers Crossed*
Have any of you ever dealt with a pinched nerve like this before? How did you treat it?
Dear Body,
Please get your act together! I am doing my best to take such good care of you. Did you hear what the chiro said? That I was the healthiest person he's seen in months! Please play nice so we can make it through this training cycle and to the Finish line of Cleveland in one piece!!!
Love,
Red
To those of you who picked up that something was wrong yesterday, thanks for your care and concern with the tweets, messages, and emails. I feel so loved, and also a little entertained by the fact that y'all know my run schedule so well that when I didn't post a run you knew something was up! LOL! I am so blessed to have y'all as readers/friends!
41 comments:
Oh I hope you figured it out and everything continues to be fine!!! Crossing my fingers for you :)
So sorry you had this scare, but so glad it turned out ok!
Glad the chiro was the key. I was worried after yesterday! Happy Tuesday!
Girl, I'm just catching up on weekend posts and WOW am I glad to hear that this wasn't a full-blown sidelining injury! Way to take some action right away :)
Oh Red, I was soooo sad/worried/mad when I saw your "spoke to soon" tweet and status. Scary stuff when you can go from the top of the world to AGONY overnight. Glad you got checked out and fixed up! FX for no more scares!!
I feel immediately guilty for nagging you about my shoe issues while all of this was going on. *Hides face in shame* I hope you're feeling better and sending all sorts of love your way for a speedy recovery and no more issues!
By the way, I was thinking about you on my run this morning (creepy?) because my calves were killing me and I was thinking...can leg gremlins be transmitted over the internet?
Oh, I've pinched nerves twice before, and the pain is unbelievable. So glad your chiro was able to figure it out quickly! You're gonna make it to Cleveland and rock that race.
Man, be careful! You only have one leg! Well two, but still.
I LOVE my chiro! So much!!! She is so much more attentive than any regular doctor I've ever went too and she has really, really helped me with my hip/side/back issues.
glad you figured it out! Yea I was wondering if something was up since you hadn't posted a run update in a while, and you seem to post them pretty regularly. Glad you got it figured out! My left knee was bothering me after my big run on Saturday, but it is feeling better today, so I think I just over stressed it. Time to take it a bit easier on long runs from here on out until my body is fully ready to run a half marathon time trial again, haha
Whoa, that is craaaaazy! So glad it was just a measly nerve thing that he could fix for you. Good luck tomorrow! Shooting pains like that are so scary.
holy guacamole this would've FREAKED me out. Glad it was just a wonky nerve and not muscle/bone/whatever related. Scary scary.
So glad you're better!
When most people see a white light, they see an image of me next...
I also called the pinched nerve on Sunday night...just to let the record show.
Im glad your okay!!! :) I hope to see you soon!!!
Heres to keeping injury in CHECK!
Had pinched nerve in my neck. Throbbing pain for a week. I could barely move for 2 days. No Chiro but lots of Vicotin and that stuff is powerful!
Can you share more about your scoliosis + running?
I had it too but had a brace to try and correct the condition. I'm sure it's had an impact on my running as well.
I am curious to hear more about your story too.
I'm glad to hear it is something that can be easily taken care of. Did they recommend anything else you can do for the pinched nerve?
Yeah, you tweet sounded kinda scary, but I didn't want to make you feel worse asking about it if it was a really bad thing. Glad you're feeling better, girl!
oh man i'm so glad you figured things out!!! that sounds so terrible!
i have a pinched nerve in my back which has sidelined me for the last week from running!! UGH! ive had a few manupilations from my DO which have helped a little, but not fixed. i literally feel your pain. hope your ready to rock cleveland!
so glad you got things figured out!! very scary!
Glad to hear you got all fixed up!
Never used a chiro before myself, but I'm for whatever treatment works.
Hopefully your body gets the memo and you remain injury free to and through Cleveland!
Oh no! I pinched nerve, AHHH! I'm so glad you got the green light though, phew! Feel better and be sure to RICE! :)
YIKES! That does not sound fun at all. I am sorry that you had to go through that. Hopefully it is all sorted out now and you can get back to running soon.
AHHH this is awful :( I'm so glad you got the go ahead, but be sure to RICE!
Oh my goodness, how terrible! I will pray that this fix takes and you can run healthy and easy!
That sounds so painful, scary, and discouraging. I'm so glad that you were able to see your chiropractor so quickly to get things adjusted.
That would be really scary. Hope everything gets back to normal for you!
geesh, that is so scary and sounds so painful!!! i'm glad it's nothing but take it easy!!
the chiro has definitely become my friend in the last year. I have realized how things being just a little off in my body create weird pains. pinched nerves definitely are not fun, but i'm glad that's all it turned out to be!
Oh no! That sounds awful!
I hope the chiro helped!
Glad the chiro helped and hopefully you will be pain free now!
GUH i was worried! so glad it was something that could get you back out there quickly! fingers crossed that it just stays away. stay away!
Ew...a pinched nerve! I've had them in my back and neck, but not in my legs. I didn't even know it was possible. I hope your run today goes well!
Being a Chiropractor, of course I would agree with your choice of care for your pinched nerve. I personally do not like to refer to these as "pinched nerves" because it gives an implication that something physically has a hold of the nerve and if we release it then the problem is solved. Mostly these nerves have become irritated either mechanically or otherwise and if I am not mistaken, didn't your 18 miler start out with a hitch in your get-a-long? Probably the cause of your current episode and quite possibly due to an unconscious adaptation in your gait.
Just an educated guess.
Good luck and have him use KT tape.
Sorry little bear. Hang in there!
Just checking to see if you are still participating in the Virtual 5k - ends Saturday.
Never had a pinched nerve but the chiro was the only "thing" that made my vertigo better... So we think it was my bones being out of alignment an interfering with whatever piece makes you feel balanced. Scientific explanation there I know.
Anyway, since it's (chiro) a natural thing I am all about it (vs taking drugs).
Could I be more self-centered? Glad you're feeling better! :)
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