Diagnosis: Three stress fractures
I got my diagnosis – three stress fractures total, located in the:
- Mid Tibia of the Right Leg: this bad boy never fully healed last summer. Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaat.
- Mid Fibula of the Left Leg: huh? Where did that come from?
- Tibial Plateau of the Left Leg: this is the only area I thought was messed up.
I apologize for messing up any medical terms!
Hmm.
Obviously, I have been instructed not to run, or do any high-impact exercises (sorry Steven, no soccer) for at least a couple of weeks. I can still do free weights, bike, swim, use the elliptical, and walk if it does not hurt.
My drug cocktail will be:
- Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc @ 1500mg for my bones
- Vitamin D @ 800-1600 mg for my bones
- B50 Complex for fun for energy
- AND… Calcitonin, a nasal spray which will help my bones absorb nutrients and stimulate bone growth? I will only be taking this if it is from a non-animal source.
I imagine I am supposed to take the vitamins forever, and the Calcitonin until it runs out. About this Calcitonin stuff – the doctor said this was the aggressive route to take, but he recommends it, since he knows I want to run the Chicago Marathon (got to love a doctor who is on my side). I am a little weary of it, so I am going to see what I can find out about it. He did say it can cause you to retain water (among other things).
And speaking of retaining water, it is time for me to LOSE SOME WEIGHT if I am really going to train for a marathon (someday?). I have to imagine that being overweight might be affecting my condition a little bit. The doctor didn’t say anything about that though – he didn’t guess as to why I am getting these stress fractures. Naturally, I will blame it on my vegan diet and my overweight body, but I am just being mean (to me). I don’t think that is entirely it. Something must be off about my running and training.
So, the plan is this – take all these drugs, try not to fall asleep on the bike, and see the doctor in a couple of weeks. Another bone scan* will not be necessary. He will just apply pressure on my legs in the injured areas and I will let him know if they are in pain (yay! not.). If I am feeling good, he will help me develop a plan to get back to running. Erin recommended I get my gait analyzed, which I also think is a good idea.
If I am not feeling good in a couple more weeks… uh, more “rest”?
How do I feel about all of this? Really weird. I wanted to cry when I talked to the doctor. But he sounded optimistic, so I am trying to feel optimistic. I can be stupidly optimistic** though, and that can get me hurt (even more). So, I am just going to try and follow the doctor’s lead and do what it takes to heal properly, and try not to spend TOO MUCH TIME thinking about this – not really sure if that is possible though.
If you notice my mood is declining (or that I am not around) in the next few weeks, it will be because I am not running… I’ll try to avoid that though. Try.
*This link does a really good job of explaining the bone scan procedure and what the black spots mean.
**Or maybe reckless is the right word? You know, “My legs feel great today! I am ready to jump in with a 10 mile run!”
Themocracy
On of The Boy’s former daycare providers had multiple stress fracture from over-training… he didn’t take enough time off and it became much much worse and they had to put him in a cast for six weeks…
For the sake of your running, take it easy…
Don’t worry! I am not running until he give me the go-ahead! I keep having dreams that I am running though 🙂
Ugh, what a bummer! That is weird that you would be getting stress fractures 🙁 I would take Erin’s advice and get your gait analyzed. Honestly, I wouldn’t think your weight has much to do with it. You’re an active athlete. Do you have osteopenia or osteoporosis in your family?? Maybe that has something to do with it. I’m sure your diet is fine. You seem to get a good amount of nutrients, even with the “constraints” of being vegan. I’m sure it’s frustrating having to rest. I know nothing about running, but maybe you just need to tweak your training program to ease the stress on your joints/bones. Hope you get better fast!
Thanks for your support. I do not think we have osteoporosis or osteopenia in my family, but Steven and I were thinking it doesn’t hurt to ask the doc if I should get checked for that!
Oh honey no! I’m so sorry. I can just imagine how bummed you must be. This is a challenge but not one you can’t overcome. You can work around this and come back stronger than ever. I know SO many people that have.
How about pool running?
So I guess the NS half is off. Sigh.
Sending lots of speedy recovery thoughts your way!
Where did you go pool running? The closest Y is in Antioch. Meh.
Kim, I’m so sorry to hear this! I know that this must be totally bumming you out right now. 🙁 At least you now know to fully let your fractures heal? And maybe this will make your try some other forms of exercise. 🙂
Your in my thoughts and I hope that you heal quickly!
Oh no! So sorry to hear that. I hope you have a quick recovery.
oh man! I am excited you are still allowed to do so many things though, at least you aren’t totally out and you will be able to recover and maintain fitness with biking and swimming! SO SORRY!
Three stress fractures? That’s some hardcore stuff right there. I’m really hoping for the best for you, and that they heal quickly. I’ve lately heard some good things about the body’s ability to heal from stress fractures well.
While you’re off of your feet doing all the biking and whatnot, you should be fine to use whatever shoes you have now. It would be a good idea to have your gait analyzed before you really jump into marathon training. Sometimes I see some changes in people’s bio-mechanics when they switch to a lot of biking/swimming instead of running – so you may want to wait a little bit to have it done.
Thanks for the input. I definitely know my gait changed before this happened, so it would be beneficial to see what the hell is going on with my body!
I’m sorry! That sucks! Keep up with the vitamins, biking and swimming though for sure. A friend of mine had a stress fracture about 8 weeks out from the Chi marathon, biked for several weeks, then was able to resume training and become a marathon finisher. You have time to heal and train!
Thanks for sharing that encouraging story! That is the stuff I need to hear 🙂
That really sucks. Honestly, thats all I can say. I feel so bad for you 🙁
Oh my god. THREE??? You’ve definitely scared me!
No wonder you were in pain…sorry to hear this.
Take it easy Kim…and hopefully, when he puts pressure on those zones…you won’t feel a thing 🙂
Wow Kim that is intense and I am so sorry you have to deal with all this- but I think a cautiously optimistic approach is the best way to go! Heal fast!!!!
D’oh! That sucks. Hope you feel better soon!
Oh no that’s bad. I’ll send you some strength for remaining patient.
Hope you’ll have a good and quick recovery though!
Oh no! that is such a bummer, Kim. Hang in there – I know it’s going to be tough but it sounds like your doctor is on your side and I will keep my fingers crossed that you can get this healed for the fall.
Oh Kim! 3 stress fractures! No wonder you’ve been hurting. I hope you have a speedy recovery…its hard to be limited in your activity, but your body will thank you!
Oh that’s so crappy! Definitely rest up as much as you can! I was always trying to push it when I had my injury- which only slowed down the healing process. I hope the drug cocktails do the trick! 😉
Wow, how does one even get THREE stress fracture?
Poor Kim. I’m sorry you’re bummin’. I hope these heal fast and the supplements help, not only to heal you but to keep you from getting any more. I bet you will be running again in no time!
That is sucky! 🙁 But maybe this is an opportunity to balance out with other forms of exercise? Who knows, maybe you will fall in love with one of them. I know it’s not the same as running and that it totally sucks to have to not run but I’m hoping something good comes from this. Call me an annoying optimist. I’m sending you good vibes!
It would be great if I could find some other sort of exercise I love! Maybe yoga or biking. It could happen! Thanks for the good vibes! 🙂
Boo stress fractures! Doesn’t it make you feel better about actually having them checked out? I feel like at least when they find problems you can treat them, you know? I don’t think I weigh too much more than you (all guesswork, I know) but I know sometimes I like to bash myself when I have problems with running and blame it on being heavier than the “average” runner. Doesn’t help that fast runners tend to be rail-thin though!
Oh yeah – I am very grateful we found the source of the problem! It’s just, how do I prevent it now?
Ha. We definitely don’t have the weight on our side, do we? And you would think running would make us lose weight… not so much!
THREE stress fractures??? Oh my goodness girl you’r ereally messed up!
Oh my goodness! Talk about things happening in threes! Poor you. Maybe you can perfect your swimming during this time?
Be careful – recover quickly and take care from now on.
Suuuuuuuuuuuck. Rest up. That is the only thing that can make these heal. Rest up.
I am sorry 🙁 I hope you recover quickly!
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear about your multiple stress fractures. Is it at least a relief to know about them, rather than wondering why your legs felt bad? At least you can work on getting better now (with funky nasal spray) instead of unknowingly making the fractures worse, right?
I’ll bike with you! Whee! We can get a bicycle built for two. 😀
You are right – it is better than I shelled (or, will shell) out the dough to find out what is going on. Now I know why I hurt. I thought it was just a muscle issue… guess not.
Ha ha. I would love a bicycle for two! 🙂
At least you now KNOW why you were in pain and you have a plan to help heal. (I’m trying to find the silver lining here!). Take it easy and definitely get your gait analysed me thinks. You mentioned that your shoes could be TOO supportive and maybe it’s that in combo with something else?
Even if you don’t have osteoporosis in your family, it can’t hurt to get checked and keep on with the calcium to protect against it, especially as it seems you’re prone to fractures for some reason.
Rest, take it easy and fingers crossed you heal fast and properly!
So sorry to hear about the stress fractures but I am glad that you have a good doctor who wants to help you get back running! Hope you heal quickly!
Let me say right up front that I can understand how frustrating and annoying this is. Injuries always suck. But girl you can totally get through this no problem. 🙂 The rest will give you a chance to explore other workout options. It will also give you a chance to take a step back and evaluate your diet in terms of what exactly you’re putting into your body and what you might be missing. With distance running diet is totally important. We need our protein! And I don’t mean that it has to come from animals, protein can come from so many places (which we know!). 😀 While the downtime sucks, it will give you a chance to explore other things. 🙂
Oh my gosh!! I’m so sorry!! 🙁 I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of someone having 3 stress fractures before! I’ve had one (twice), and so I know how frustrating it can be. But I’m glad you have other forms of exercise you can do. Hang in there, keep trying to be optimistic, and take it easy! Wishing you a quick and full recovery!!
Ouch! With summer coming up and full of running and working out activities, I hope you can heal quickly. And at the same time, not introduce new stress fractures.
Hey, you got some answers, right? That’s a good thing! Now you can work toward getting better. If you ever find your mood taking a nosedive about the situation, let me know and I will throw some cheer your way!
Those are a LOT of fractures. I’d be scared too!! I’m lucky, that for all the injuries I’ve had (including tons of volleyball related ones), I always seem to injure the ligaments, but my bones are very strong. I think the yogurt I’ve eaten for breakfast my whole life might have something to do with it (but I have a feeling it would not fit a vegan diet, right?).
Let’s hope for a strong (and quick!) recovery! You have to be in one piece so we can run Chicago!
oh man, that sounds crappy and PAINful. i’m so sorry :-\ my sister got stress fractures in her spine (!!) while she was dancing hadrcore, and the doctor suggested pilates for her to build up the surrounding muscles while the fractures healed. i’m not sure pilates is very shin-centric, but it certainly did keep her in shape while she was off dancing!!
I am sorry to hear that you have 3 stress fractures. That is sad. 🙁 I commend you for still participating in your half marathon by walking and I hope everything heals quickly and painlessly.
Stress fractures do not sound like fun. I’m glad you figured out your issue(s) though. I’ll send good healing vibes your way!
Oh, gosh…I am SO SORRY to hear this. 🙁 I know where you’ve been, and I’ve had a few stress fractures before, too (though, not at the same time! ouch!). The GOOD news about a stress fracture, though, is that they aren’t permanent, so I’m sure after some rest you will be back out there before you know it. I hope you’re not in too much pain, and I’m sending healing vibes your way right now. 🙂