SBR Utopia - OPEN (Page 125)

Another set back in my knee drama....ugh!!!

I found a doctor who specializes in patellofemoral disorders (among other knee things...) and tries to do everything to keep his patients off the operating table.  Sounded good, so I set up an appointment with him for next Friday.  Then I received a call this morning informing me that the doctor is "not interested" in my case.  WTF??

I was doing my best to feel optimistic about finally getting this resolved, but I'm now back to feeling like this is just never going to happen.  I haven't been able to get any personal recommendations, despite asking a bunch of people and some forum/facebook groups.  Maybe I'll fall into the minority of people whose injuries never get better.  Seriously don't know what to do....I want to curl up in a ball and cry.

Maybe I'll have to become a swimmer as that seems to be the only thing that doesn't bother it (too much).

Rob, congrats on the weight loss and a few additional thoughts for the GF. Eating 1200 calories or less is pretty low. I really can't get there on a daily basis and it would not be enough for me. My maintenance needs (not including any exercise) is about 1600/day. I'm 52 and 5'10". My weight hovers at 130 lbs +/- 5.  Currently I eat very clean, but I've been 25 lbs heavier and understand the struggle. Most people actually eat more calories than they realize. From my personal experience, I had to count calories in a very disciplined fashion...at least for a while. The big miss for me was portion size and eating out. I've used and recommended a website:  myfitnesspal.com. They have a user friendly app for the phone which helps. It will also help your GF calculate her baseline needs and then adds calories for exercise. I still log my food occasionally when I'm trying to increase protein intake as their tool does a good job of breaking out carbs/fats/protein. Im sure there are other good tools, but that's one I've used successfully. 

Nicole, really sorry you're hitting the wall thus far. The good news is you didn't waste a co-pay, or more importantly your time, with a doctor who isn't prepared to work with you. After you uncurl and get a good cry out of your system, get back on the search. One approach worth considering (if you haven't already) is to start with a really good PT and get their recommendations for sports med docs. Also, don't be afraid to ask a doc (or PT) where you have an existing relationship to help you get an appointment vs just calling the office. Sometimes good orthopedic practices are hard to get appointments but are very willing to take referrals from colleagues. 

ETA, Melissa's advice to ask the doc for a return call/explanation is also very good. He/she can hopefully steer you towards someone that can help. 

Thanks for the note, and NO WAY is she pregnant  LOL

I'm 46 and I have for the last ten years been between 180-190 I always beleived it was my natural weight.  Problem is is that I am 5'4"  and stocky.  This is the first time I have really made an effort to cut calories and eat less.  Even doing my first IM I only got down to 175-180 but I did not change my eating habits for the IM.  God, I'm hungry

Thanks I will pass along the info.  We track our calories on livestrong.com and that has worked great.  Livestrong told us 1200 calories, but we can check and see what fitnesspal suggests.  She is 5'3" and weighs 110, she does run mileage, I'll suggest interval training as a way to jump start tihings. She just wants to tone things up. 

Yes, eating out and potion size is a big concern, its unreal how many calories we blindly consume.  Through this process it has amazed me just how much I eat.  I really believed I had to eat that much to stay healthy, truth is I was eating way too much.

You're going to do a great job, Chris. You've trained well.

That's horrible. I'm so sorry. I wish I had some advice for you. I can only imagine how frustrating this is.

She may not be losing much because she doesn't have much to lose. I am just shy of 5'3", and when I was in my 20s and weighed 105#, some people thought I was too thin (I was not one of those people). At that weight, to get lower, I would have had to do some drastic cutting, to the point of being unhealthy.

But, yes, something like crossfit or other high intensity interval training may jump start those last few pounds and will help her tone up, which really is more important than what the scale says anyway, IMO.

Tracking your food is enlightening, isn't it? I don't do it religiously anymore, but I track on myfitnesspal every few weeks just for a reality check. It's really easy to let those junk calories climb up.

Nicole Do u have access to a place to swim? can you ride your bike some? Don't let one busy Doc blow your program. Sorry to hear...I was out of swimming for almost four months and battled hip problems affecting my running for over a year...I just did other training instead...whatever i could do....

as far as weight loss...I wish to lose a pound this week....that is all. I am upping my mileage on running. Thinking about Captain Karls summer series in Austin. hehe

This.  You need a relationship of trust in your doc, this doesn't sound like the right person.  So sorry you are going through this Nicole, but  I bet there are other docs out there that are qualified and willing to take a look and see if they can help you.

Don't give up. 

According to the lady who informed me that he was not interested in my case, it's because I had surgery.  My husband made a snide remark (that might well be true) that he's probably avoiding my case because other doctors haven't been able to diagnose and treat the issue, even having gone in and scoped it....

Another friend of mine agrees with you and Chris....that I should be thankful I don't have to deal with a doctor who's not interested, and maybe I'll have better success with someone who's not afraid to look at my stupid mystery knee!

I'm looking for other recommendations now, so hopefully something will pan out.  A big thanks to everyone who's responded to my recent melt downs!  If it weren't for all the supportive people in my life, I'd probably have given up long ago.

I do have access to five master's swims a week, plus the occasional OWS on the weekends.  If it comes down to it, I'll probably increase from swimming 3-4 times a week to swimming 5-6 times a week.

I was cycling a lot throughout this injury, and it never bothered it until recently.  We had to make some (fairly significant) changes to my fit due to some chafing issues....and it seems to have exacerbated the knee issues.  That said, I'm not willing to blame the knee pain on the new fit, as there's obviously some underlying issue that we haven't been able to resolve.  But I'm going in to see my fitter again on Friday to see if there are changes we can make to minimize the pain on the bike.

No idea. But our pool was switched from yds to meters today. There is a moving divider platform and apparently the slot for the anchor bolt on one side had been stripped somehow. Even though it had been fine the last few practices just dropping the anchor in, coach decided to move it back. And of course we had to lead off the main set with 100 fly. I've never gone that far straight through before (basically all 25-50's), but somehow did it. And it wasn't *that* bad.

I did one swim in a 33.3 yd pool as well....it was in California, though likely not where you are as San Pedro and Oceanside aren't particularly close to one another!  I figured it was just that pool as I'd never run into that length before.

I also got that "this pool feels long" feeling going on, but didn't find out till after my swim how long it actually was.  I was hoping it wasn't just that I was getting slower!

I'd vote for a bit of petroleum jelly or Desitin, and I'd definitely suggest some Desitin applied to the spot on Saturday. I think it would give you better protection than Bodyglide. 

Thanks Kate.  I went to CVS and some waterproof bandages, trying it out today.  Agree that bodyglide may not do it.

Yup, top grade diaper cream always clears up my chafe and rashes fast. (I don't suppose you have access to papaya ointment there ... that's even better.) I'm not sure how it would do to prevent chafe--never used it for that.

Waterproof film bandages did me great at IMNZ.

Bodyglide's never worked well for me; 2Toms SportShield Roll-On lasts through an IM and keeps on ticking. Amazing stuff. Just a random thought.

GO CHRIS GO! I'm really excited for you. Oceanside is YOUR race and it is such a great race.

My condo is right on the end of one of the run turn arounds for the race this weekend...I'm making a sign...using my arts and crafts skills!!!

I'm clearly studying....haha

WOOOOOOOO RACE!!!

(I'll post a pic later)

Are you up on breakwater?