Once my internship ended in August, I started scheduling doctors’ appointments right and left, to make up for two years of putting off everything but the most essential (which still turned out to be a lot). One result of all of these doctors’ visits is that I’m back in physical therapy, again.
I’ve had this pain in my neck and shoulder for three or four months now, and driving, sitting at the computer, and walking all made it worse. I could barely turn my head, but I kept putting off a doctor visit because I knew I wouldn’t have time to do all of the testing and drug taking and exercising she’d expect me to do. And then, just before my internship ended, this strange buzzing started in my left shoulder.
I went for x-rays, I tried Tramadol and a muscle relaxant, which wiped me out and did nothing for the pain, and then I got an appointment with a new physical therapist who came highly recommended. I’ve been through physical therapy so many times before: for my lower back, neck and shoulders, balance, gait, etc. I’ve also gone for acupuncture and chiropractic, cranial sacral, massage, and on and on, so I wasn’t sure how hopeful to be.
The new physical therapist did a long evaluation, with lots of questions, and muscle testing, and range of motion testing. When she had me turn my head to the left I became so nauseous that I had to sit down. She also said that the buzzing in my left shoulder could be coming from pressure on nerve bundles in my neck, because my upper body is so rigid. And she asked if I’ve seen an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) recently. Three years ago seemed pretty recent to me, but she looked skeptical. She gave me three exercises to start with, and a print out in case I forgot the exercises immediately (which I did).
I’m actually fascinated by the weird glitches in my body: the way the nausea kicks in if I move my head too far to the left, or if the physical therapist presses on a certain spot in my upper back; and then the dizziness can be triggered just by a movement of my shoulder!
But I’d like to be able to turn my head while I’m driving, without feeling like I’m going to vomit all over the car. I’d like to be able to do Tai Chi again, or yoga, or just exercise regularly without feeling like my limbs are going to disarticulate. I’d really like to be able to run with the dogs at the dog park without needing a heating pad and a three hour nap in the aftermath.
“Not that the dogs mind napping.”
So, for now, I go to my physical therapy appointments twice a week, and do my at-home exercises, and I worry that I’m going to have to add an appointment with the ENT to my long list of doctor visits coming up, just to be told, one more time, that I’m fine and no one knows why I have all of these symptoms, so it must be in my head.
I’m trying to watch Ellie for inspiration, because she does something new every day, not because she thinks she has to, but just because she discovers new things she can do. She didn’t know these things were possible before, and she didn’t know she would enjoy them so much! She didn’t know how much she’d like massages, and spending time with her humans, and smelling everything in the backyard, and checking in with Cricket. She even tried pickles, because Cricket likes them so much, but she hasn’t discovered a great love there. She’s also discovered that she hates having her hair combed and her teeth brushed, but I think that’s because Cricket has been whispering in her ear.
“They tell you they’re going to comb your hair, but really they’re scooping out your brain. It’s true.”
Miss Ellie has also been creating her own physical therapy plan. She went from needing to be picked up every time she wanted to come up on the couch or the bed, to jumping up (and down and up again) at will. She can stand up on her back legs, for long periods, begging for treats. She even figured out how to jump into the back seat of the car, which she was sure was impossible. And then she does all kinds of stretches, swishing her neck and back every which way to work out the kinks. I’m pretty sure my physical therapist would not approve if I tried to follow Ellie’s plan, especially the swishing around part, but it looks like so much more fun than mine!
“Hi, Mommy!”
Cricket has taken to watching Ellie’s antics with a big sister’s eye roll, as in, Oh my gawd, she is so weird! But I think, secretly, Cricket is getting inspired too.
” No, I’m not.”
rachelmankowitz 
So sorry your having these problems. I hope the therapy helps. Hugs to the pups!
Thank you!
Sounds like the furkids are all settled in together, I hate pickles, too, and I hope this physical therapist can help.
Miss Cricket has some odd food faves, and Ellie just likes chicken.
The physical therapy can do wonders.
I’ll send Parker and Piper over. Cats just know how to stretch. They interrupt my yoga all the time to tell me I’m doing it wrong…. So sorry for all the problems, Rachel.
Ellie doesn’t understand why I can’t do her stretches. Humans are made all wrong, clearly.
I love the last picture and caption. I certainly hope that the therapy will ease things for you. Maybe you could try goat yoga–very popular here! LOL
Goat yoga sounds kind of like what we do around here; Cricket believes that all floor exercises must include her.
That is hilarious. Have you ever seen pictures of goat yoga? They climb all over the people. And poop! And people pay big money for the experience.
Poop?! I missed that part!
For real.
I have been through so many treatments for my neck and back. I have a serious neck issue from a car accident long ago. I hope you find a treatment that works for you. Enjoy those pups! They’re pretty good medicine too! 😉
The dogs are the best medicine! Thank you!
My Charlie (7 month old Goldendoodle) pulled so hard on his leash a month ago, I have been nursing my shoulder on and off ever since. But I love him so much, I don’t care. I have learned to be more careful.
I’m on my 3rd month of physical therapy for a torn rotator cuff because my Spaniel did the same thing.
Uh oh!
Cricket likes to sit on my neck in the car, but I’m sure that has nothing to do with my current symptoms. Or at least, she’s sure.
Lol! We just transitioned Charlie to the back of the car from riding shotgun or on the console and leaning on me. It was getting hard to drive with him there.
They do love being close. 💖
We tried three different harnesses to keep Cricket in the backseat. The best one held her for about thirty seconds. If she had her way she’d be driving the car.
Charlie too! We live on a dirt road with very little traffic so my BF let Charlie sit on his lap when he was smaller to pretend Charlie was driving.
Charlie likes looking out the back – I have a Ford Escape so he can be in the back seat or the back/trunk. It seems to be working. No harness.
I hope you find relief from your health problems soon
Thank you!
I know the “just to be told, one more time, that I’m fine and no one knows why I have all of these symptoms, so it must be in my head.” drill all too well. I imagine your pups help a lot! Ellie seems like a perfect addition to the family.
Ellie is a love bug! She’s wonderful!
RELAX, Take 5 DEEP BREATHES AND fall in love! It is a mind thing!
I hope things get better for you Rachel. The second picture here was my favorite — Ellie without her vest! It sounds like she is fitting in so well and is so happy. Let her new lease on life, her willingness to trust, love and be happy again inspire you!
Thank you!
Good luck with the physical therapy. I hope that and these beautiful fur babies bring you joy.
Thank you!
I really hope your pain and loss of function can be reversed with physiotherapy.
A few years ago I had two frozen shoulders, my physiotherapist was able to get me full range of movement again.
Two frozen shoulders!
It was a very uncomfortable and pain time. Putting on clothes was difficult.
Ouch!
How can you need more therapy with two therapy dogs at home?
Seriously!
I hope your health issues can be easily fixed, or at the least, made less taxing. The dogs must be good therapy, too!
Thank you! The girls make sure I get plenty of exercise!
Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery Rachel. There has to be free and smooth movement all the time to keep the muscles and nerves relaxed and ready. Walking with Cricket and Ellie should be a help. And I can well imagine how pleasant it is to watch Ellie learn to enjoy her wonderful new environment. Best wishes.
Thank you! Ellie thinks six or seven walks a day should fix me.
I think Tramadol should be avoided at all costs. My wife was given some for back pain, and they acted like a sedative, making her sleepy and woozy all the time. They also made her vomit uncontrollably on one occasion, so she stopped taking them.
Best wishes, Pete.
Eek!
I hope physical therapy helps. It’s frustrating to have symptoms but no answers. I hope that this round of dr. appointments is different and you’ll know what is going on and be given a treatment plan so you’ll soon be feeling good again.
Thank you!
I had a pain in my shoulder and arm like that from January until June! Until I realized it was my keyboard and the layout at work. New layout and better support from my arm and now it’s gone. And all that time I didn’t realize what it was! :O
That’s great news!
dear Rachel my heart goes out to you, I suffered many symptoms like you and couldn’t even walk or lift anything as heavy as an iron for some time , came on gradually so as i didn’t really notice then i crashed, I felt despairing at the beginning with so many seemingly unrelated conditions all jumping into my life out the blue, but after 3 years since my crash I am definitely moving out of it and feeling so so much stronger of late, keep positive, it will help heal, be always kind to your soul. I love reading about your adventures and all your lovely photos, love and blessings xx
Thank you! I’m so glad you’re feeling better.
There’s nothing that your little darlings will do to distract you from your pains.
Sorry for your discomfort Rachel. Let’s hope the exercises and physio help.
Miss Ellie seems to have settled in very well.
Thank you! Ellie is doing really well!
I’m so pleased for you Rachel.
PT always means a commitment of time, and I bet you will follow through, especially with the support of your two TDs. Hoping for the good results you deserve.
I just hope Cricket doesn’t volunteer to stretch my shoulder, again.
I had a cervical fusion years ago and have chronic back problems, so I empathize. Hope all goes well for you! ❤
Ouch! I hope you’re feeling better.
I’m wondering if she asked about an ENT because problems in the inner ear can cause vertigo and nausea often goes hand in hand with vertigo. At any rate, I do hope you feel better soon.
I think you’re right about her reasons for suggesting an ENT, and yet I still don’t want to go. It’s possible that I’m being stubborn.
Some of the best therapy can be your cute pets 🙂
Sounds like a good excuse, er, reason, for a deep tissue massage to me. 🙂 (I love massages and rarely get them.)
You are brilliant!
I’m a fan of yoga too, although I don’t get to as often as I’d like!
I hope you feel better. I’m starting with an orthopedic doctor. Have you tried a neurologist? It’s not in your head!
Thank you! I’ve gone through a number of neurologists over the years, and they all disagreed with each other.
I hope you feel better!
Thank you!
When Max would do the rolling on his back and squirming thing, which Maverick now does, to my great delight, we called it “swimming.” I’m so please that Miss Ellie has discovered this joy! I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. If it weren’t for my chiropractor, I’d not be walking – and I have this pinched nerve thing going on that, well, never mind. It’s awful when your body doesn’t cooperate! I hope you find relief!
Miss Ellie loves that “swimming “!
*HUG* ❤ Hope things get better after the PT! Took ages for my crud to get better but it did improve after the PT and chiropractor visits. Our bodies are so sensitive, it’s crazy and scary x_x
Thank you! Fingers crossed!
Hi Rachel-
It can definitely be frustrating to feel so limited. As a PT, I have seen on multiple occasions people who have tight neck muscles causing vertigo/nausea. I hope your therapist is a good fit for you! (Many therapists will use gentle stretching and strengthening, soft tissue mobilization, ultrasound, and heat or ice or even estim. Several of my co-workers who are certified in Strain-Counterstrain – a painfree muscle relaxation technique – swear by it.) Good luck with your recovery.
Thank you!
EEK! If Cricket is right, I’m not letting Mom comb or brush my hair anymore!! Behr Behr
Have you been checked for thoracic outlet syndrome? (or less likely, subclavian steel syndrome) Just a thought.
Whatever it is, I hope you get answers and relief soon. Dogs are really the best medicine anyhow 🙂 Behr Behr’s mom 🙂
New things to google! Thank you! Miss Cricket would like to convince the whole canine world to run from grooming. It’s a mission.
Sorry to hear about your physical problems. Just a thought for you – yoga, tai chi and acupuncture can bring about forces no-one wants. I should know, I have had experiences with them all.
I don’t know how you do all that you do. You are such a strong woman.
I can relate! I get long spells of ringing in my ears, tweaks in random parts that didn’t seem exercise related. They’re annoying. I only went 2x to a chiropractor, but my daughter-in-law swears by them. Huh
Every body is different and responds to different things. It makes the world way too complicated.
Hugs Rachel. You have my deepest empathy.
Thank you!
So good to gave furry friends to distract us from our pain. Im at occupational therapy twice a week since a bad fall downstairs. So understand the feeling of trying to drive when you cant turn your neck. Hope you improve really soon.
Thank you and best wishes for your recovery too!
Sorry to hear about your struggles and hope your physio can help. I see a physio once a fortnight and we go for a fast walk together where we chat so she can also gauge how my breathing is going. She gave me these dynaband things to do my exercises. There’s one she gave me which she calls the “Drunken sailor” where you gently move your body in a circle in a way that slightly stretches your balance. I do notice when I haven’t done my walk and yet it is hard to motiate myself at the moment. I blame this particular slump on the week of exceptionally heavy rain and no sun. I’m hoping to feel on top of the world tomorrow and hope that I won’t regret not seizing hold of these brief rays of sun this afternoon.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Best wishes to you too!
Hang in there. I am a Physical Therapist and I suffered from back pain so extreme that I could barely walk. I didn’t follow the typical pain patterns either and it’s so frustrating to hear “nothing is wrong.” Keep following your gut when you get a feeling about what might help. You know best. Good luck to you.
Thank you!
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