Need opinions from the fitness experts
#211318 - 09/06/05 01:24 PM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I've been walking everyday with non-walking shoes. I got to the point where I felt I needed to go into a jog so I started to do "intervals" of walking/jogging for a few days. Now my knees are killing me! The backs of both knees!
I stopped jogging a week ago, but even just walking is making them hurt more. I woke up at 4 am this morning in horrible pain. I think I strained something...hopefully nothing is permanently damaged.
I don't really want to stop walking...as it is suppose to help the Constipation...but maybe I should just rest it? And for how long? I don't have access to any fitness equipment. Any suggestions? Other than to get decent shoes!
Should I keep walking and hope my knees strengthen up...or rest them for a few days. Should I go to an urgent care facility to have them looked at...or an orthopedic guy? I have osteoporosis and I'm afraid maybe I broke a knee bone...but I doubt that.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hi Beth. I'm no expert but I'd say rest it for a few days. I doubt your broke a knee bone  but it won't hurt to rest it. Also, definitely ice it for 10 mins or so when you can. If it's still hurting after a few days you might want to see someone about it (especially if the pain is still waking you up at night  ).
Good shoes would probably help, especially for jogging. Jogging can be really tough on the knees. Have you tried speed-walking? Basically it's really really fast walking but both feet never leave the ground at the same time (so your whole body weight is not coming down and impacting your joints). As a result your butt kind of wiggles more when you're doing it I really like speed walking personally. You could definitely do intervals of regular walking and speed walking.
Also you can get nylon knee braces from the drugstore for pretty cheap and they work amazingly well. I'd recommend getting two, one for each knee, and wearing them when you go for your walks/jogs.
HTH 
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How recently have the insoles in your shoes been replaced? They actually wear out in about 6 months, and my knees end up killing me when I need to put new ones in mine! They make sports insoles, maybe try a pair of those? I buy my insoles from my local CVS, they have lots of choices.
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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...to skip my walk today because I am very C.  But after barely making it up the stairs to my apartment, I realized walking is out for a few days.
I will go see someone if it doesn't feel better in 3 or 4 days.
I tried speedwalking and I can't do it for some reason. My body wants to naturally go into a job.
I thought about the knee supports, but my legs are so skinny, I don't know if they would stay on.  Maybe if they make kids sizes!
I need to think of a way to keep moving in order not to make the C even worse. I don't have any yoga books or tapes, so I don't know what I can do. Wish I had access to a pool.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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...they are cheap and not designed for running at all.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Now the front of my thighs hurt too...probably from overcompensating for my sore knees.
I don't know what part of my leg to ice...the original place it hurt or now the top of my thighs. 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hey Beth,
Sorry that you're having such a hard time I think yoga or pilates or something like that would probably be really good since it's non-impact, but I know you said you didn't have any tapes or instruction or anything...what about checking out a local library? Them sometimes have fitness videos you can take out?
Also, if it's a money issue (like you can't afford the shoes or tapes etc) you may want to check out FreeCycle. I don't know if you've ever heard of it but it's this neat internet thing where people give things away that they no longer need rather than try and sell them at a garage sale or just scrap them. I belong to a local FreeCycle group, and exercise stuff is often given away...shoes, books, videos, equipment...you name it. Usually someone who wanted to try something but it didn't really work out. Anyways, if you want to look into it more the website is www.freecycle.org
Hope you feel better soon!
Kelly
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Yes, they make kid sized knee braces. Check your local drugstore! Also, get better shoes if you intend to walk/run again. And work on strengthening your leg muscles too, this will help your knees. You don't need to go to a gym even, there are things you can do with light weights or ankle weights.
You might have to accept that running isn't the best for you. I have some knee trouble, and I know I'll never run more than 12-15 miles per week if I want to keep my knees relatively healthy. And I sometimes have to ice them and take ibuprofen. it sucks. But I like to run for exercise so I do it in moderation.
Anyways, yes--bad shoes=bad for knees.
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Beth, Beth, Beth. Do not run or walk in those shoes again. What are you doing girl? Sounds like smacking the road created too much shock in your legs, along with the general stiffness you feel after starting up running. I would say, get some new shoes and gently jog to stretch out those muscles again. And maybe take a hot bath to relax them. Do you have something like Tiger Balm? It's good to rub on sore muscles as well.
Take care of yourself! No pain, no gain is a myth!!
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Chinagrl
#211477 - 09/07/05 06:55 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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Do you think I need to rest them for a few days first? I know, stupid, stupid, stupid..running in flat bottomed Keds!
Would it help to stretch either before or after my walk/jog?
Thanks for you advice!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Thanks
#211478 - 09/07/05 06:59 AM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I don't want to have to stop jogging. I felt so excited to start doing this again! Do you wear knee braces Ginger?
Looks like I'm gonna have to dig out the credit card and buy some shoes, ankle weights, and knee braces. Oh, I wish I wasn't so broke!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I'll have to spend some time checking out the website group! That would be so cool to get some free stuff as money is big problem. And good idea about the library too. I'll go my public library after work today!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Beth, Doesn't the college you work at have a pool? I swim
every day at noon, and I find if I don't go enough in the
morning the swimming usually works up a BM. The rocking back
and forth motion of freestyle really helps. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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yep!
#211588 - 09/07/05 02:09 PM
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epa_ginger
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1158
Loc: Chicago, IL
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I wear braces on BOTH knees. and sometimes it's hot and I always feel like a huge dork, but they REALLY help me. I started having this weird knee thing a year and a half ago, after running down some stairs. Turns out my knees don't align properly, so it was "catching" in a weird way. Hurt and gave out alot. So I started wearing braces whenever I run, or do anything similar (I'm ok biking though), and I haven't had that problem since! And I only recently, in the last few months, started REALLY trying to build up the muscles around my knees---especially the inner muscles, these tend to be weak in women---and I think that has helped too. Don't worry--you shouldn't have to give it up completely, just give yourself a fresh start with the right shoes. And go slow at first. And do think about building up your leg muscles. It helps!
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I bought a pair today in size small but they are really tight. My legs tend to retain water. I'm not sure if it's good that they are so tight (if they are cutting into circulation) or if that's how they are suppose to feel.
I only weigh about 100 pounds, so I thought the small would be okay. Maybe I probably should have gone with a medium. But if they are too big, they probably wouldn't be as supportive. So, how tight are yours?
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Nope
#211653 - 09/07/05 07:58 PM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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The college I work at is really cheap. We don't even have a football team! They don't spend money on sports or anything. It's a Christain College, so a lot of the money goes to mission work.
I was shocked to hear they didn't have a pool. We had a pool in high school, for pete sake.
I would love, love, love, to start swimming. It's great all around exercise, easy on the joints, and the water is soothing.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hi Beth,
I'm sorry you're in so much pain, that sucks. I think the others have given you good advice, I just have one other idea if you are going to work on strengthening your knees.
You can do really easy exercises to build up those muscles with one of those tube things with the handles on the end. You can put one end around something stable and then put your foot through the other handle. Then you can move your leg away against the band.. you can go to the side, to the back/front and then cross it over your other leg to work the other muscles...
I think I did a terrible job explaining that, does that make sense?? I will look and see if I can find a website or something that is more clear.. 
I also think swimming would be a really, really good idea if you have any way to access a pool!
Good luck!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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They are definitely snug--but I don't feel like I'm cutting off my circulation. Mine are the kind that have a hole in the knee and velcro across to support the knee. Does yours have a hole of any kind?? Are they adjustable at all? If it feels too uncomfortable, take them back and try a different size for sure. You will need the blood flowing through your legs to work!
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Re: Nope
#211771 - 09/08/05 11:35 AM
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Johnny T. Reb
Reged: 07/09/05
Posts: 987
Loc: Lake Linden, Mich in the U.P. IBS-C
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Hi Beth, Speaking of high school pools, there may be high
schools near you that have hours where the pool is open to
the general public. You might want to check that out. I
recall when my family lived in Hoffman Estates, the high
school, I think it's called Conant had pool hours open to the
public. Otherwise, there may be YWCA's or cheap health clubs available. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Thanks Bob!
#211821 - 09/08/05 02:02 PM
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Augie
Reged: 10/27/04
Posts: 5807
Loc: Illinois
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I'll try to call a few of the High Schools to see if they have open pool times. I suppose they would need to have a life guard staffed...so this might be a problem since everyone is cutting down on budgets.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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What are you talking about with tube things with the handles on the end? What is this called and where do you buy it?
Thanks
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Mine has a whole in it, but it's all one piece that you slide up to your knee area. It looks like this Ace Knee support This is what the Osco carried by me.
Does yours look like this?Ace Knee support
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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I didn't walk yesterday and did some yoga stretches instead. I wore the brace after the exercises and iced them later in the evening...and they are hurting terribly today.
My knees are actually popping...I can feel the bone "popping" and sliding over as I walk.
I don't know it the brace is actually cutting off my circulation making it worse, or if I did more damage by stretching with yoga yesterday, or if I am just sore from stretching. Or, if wearing flip flops to work is making them worse...or, if its a combination of things.
If this doesn't get better by Sunday, I'm going to an Urgent care facility. They will most likely just tell me to wrest it, but at least I can show them my braces and find out if they are too small or not good to wear.
Thanks for letting me vent. My legs and tummy ache, which makes one unhappy Beth. I just want my legs back and to be able to walk. I hope this doesn't mean I won't be able to do my walks/jogs anymore.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Oh poor Beth. I'm sorry you're feeling so terrible. Just out of curiosity- why are you wearing flip flops? They provide absolutely no support for your legs... so they might be making the situation worse.
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Yes Beth, mine looked more like the second picture.
I read your above post about the popping and sliding---Yikes that sounds like my knee!! I know you have issues with insurance and money---but my best advice is to see an orthopedic doctor. If you want to do any kind of exercise you'd probably want to do this just to see what's up. If you went to one, they'd give you "custom" braces, which is what I have. I think when I first got my braces, I waited about 2 weeks before I tried any running or anything again, and since then I've been fine.
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it's called a "Flexband Kit" and the manufacturer of mine is Bell. And yeah, you can do some pretty good exercises with these. In fact, mine came with a booklet of exercises, but you could also look some up online.
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...so your braces were made specifically for you knees through your doctor?
Did you go to a doctor in the area? I would love his name. Is there a difference between an orthopedic doctor and an orthopedic surgeon? Which one would I go to? I hope I don't need a referral.
Thanks so much Ginger!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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otherwise, maybe I should just go to an urgent care facility. Maybe I would need to do that before a doctor would accept me or be appropriate? If it's just a torn or strained muscles or ligament.
I have osteroporosis and I'm so afraid this has something to do with it. My body is falling apart, body part by body part.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Not specifically "made" for my knees, but I got the right size and they cut and put this soft material inside around where the hole is to keep your knee from moving all over the place. I've used the store bought braces with holes, and believe me---there is a difference.
And yes, he's in the area, in Palos. (I can never get Heights or Park straight!) One of my mom's good friend used him for his knee surgery (so maybe he's both?), and that's how I got the name. I'm very happy with him. He didn't try to tell me I needed surgery or anything. His name is....Dr. Scott Price, and the number is 708-361-0600. He works at a clinic place but I can't remember the name.
Good luck!
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If you can get in to see a knee doctor you should do it. I don't think i had to wait too long, and I didn't need a referral. But that might be an insurance thing. It's worth a call!
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Ginger, what exactly did he "diagnose" your "condition" as? What does he say you have? Arthritis? or what?
Sorry to bug you to death!
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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You're not bugging me to death! he said my "knees don't track properly". he said "hey---you're not an olympian or athlete so I'm not going to tell you to have surgery, you don't need it." He gave me the braces and told me I need to strengthen the muscles of my inner thighs, right by my knee. I can't remember the name of it. He gave me some exerciss to do on my own and said I could also try physical therapy. I still might do that one day.
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Beth
#211962 - 09/09/05 07:38 AM
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epa_ginger
Reged: 02/23/05
Posts: 1158
Loc: Chicago, IL
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I'm off to run errands, feel free to ask any more questions, I just wanted you to know if I didn't respond right away, I'm not ingoring you, I'm just gone! 
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