PSA: do not expect me to be useful

[maradydd]

My joints have decided to do that exciting grating-together thing again, and it is of course just as comfortable as ever (which is to say, no fun at all). Keeping myself fed and watered is a challenge, so right now my focus is on (1) basic life needs, (2) family stuff, and (3) work, in that order. If I have committed to doing anything in a short timeframe for you, the chances of my flaking are high.

I am loading up on glucosamine/chondroitin and hitting the NSAIDs, but if previous experience is any indicator, this'll be done with me whenever it's ready to be and not a day sooner. :-/

Hey, massage therapists: what's useful for tight muscles plus a heavy dose of O BTW YOUR JOINTS HATE U?

Comments

[drcuriosity]

Ow. I hope that passes soon.

Other than what you're doing already, I find a hot bath can alleviate at least a little bit of the muscle tension. Plus massage of course, if that doesn't screw with pain management too badly.

[songblaze.livejournal.com]

Right, in addition to hot baths, you can make hot packs very easily. 2 lbs rice into 1 tube sock = microwavable hotpack. Start with about 1 min in the microwave until you figure out roughly how long it takes in yours, as power varies. If you have swelling, alternating heat and cold can help with that.

I've heard of arnica cream helping people, though I haven't felt it was very useful.

Massage is good, and from the sound of things trigger point massage specifically - did you guys ever get the trigger point workbook I recommended a while back?

Obviously, rest.

Do you know why this is happening?

[maradydd.livejournal.com]

I have no microwave. :-/

I do have a myofascial work/trigger point session scheduled for Wednesday but that's the soonest any of the massage therapists in town can get to me. We have the trigger point workbook, though I think it's in SF, and I'm also not sure where to start, because the joint pain is like this electrical hum that sort of spreads the underlying muscle pain around.

I don't think I could make shit like that up if I tried.

But, no, not really sure why it's happening. Part of me is suspecting lethargy due to low iron count (I haven't been eating much red meat lately), but it might just be lethargy due to pain. I ate a big motherfucking rare steak tonight and a ton of prawns before I got home and enochsmiles suggested glucosamine/chondroitin; I often tend to get cravings for things my body really wants.

Last time this happened it wasn't near as bad or long-lasting (but had bonus edema! not happening this time, yay), while I was moving apartments in April 2007. Before that, it was late July 2005, just after LDAC and before my Black Hat talk.

[maradydd.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I was tested for rheumatoid factor, Lyme disease, and lupus when I felt like this in 2005. Nothing out of order on that blood work.

[songblaze.livejournal.com]

Hm. The fact that you tested negative for RF doesn't necessarily mean no RA. Especially with the edema last time, I can't help but be somewhat suspicious. Has anyone suggested seronegative RA? Hm.

I also have gotten something like that, and it was the one and only time I tested postive for anti-nuclear antibodies.

I think PT and heat are the main treatments for RA joint pain. TENS unit if you can get your hands on one.

[bigby.livejournal.com]

Retest the RA if possible.
Have you checked for systemic allergic responses?

Soaking in saltwater/seawater can help sometimes.

Good luck.

[maradydd.livejournal.com]

I will go and talk to my doctor about testing for RF antibodies. The bodywork I had done has basically sorted the symptoms (thank god), but I would rather treat things higher up the chain, as it were. We do have a TENS unit, though I think enochsmiles took it with him.

[barbarienne.livejournal.com]

You should ask malkatsheva. She is a genuine massage therapist (and has magic hands, I swear).

I predict her answer will be "Yoga and B vitamins."

[fanlain.livejournal.com]

what about low b12?

i was told use ice for recent injuries and heat for older ones.

[maradydd.livejournal.com]

With the amount of Red Bull I drink there's really no way I can be low on B vitamins. :-/

[t-bellwether.livejournal.com]

I have found a tantric breathing techinque recently that has been truly amazing in relieving pain. It relaxes my muscles in ways that drugs (prescription or non) simply won't. It's called 'breath of fire': 20 rapid breaths through the mouth, then 20 slow, controlled yogic breaths (in through the nose & out through the mouth was how I learned it.) I remember from working on you a while ago that you have many similar tension issues, esp. in the area of the shoulders. I just staved off an attack of nerve pinch from the black lagoon with this that would have normally laid me out for several days. Good luck!