Depressed

OK, so I had to go to a training seminar all last week and it stormed, so I couldn't walk. And I had to eat what was served in the cafeteria. I could watch my portions and skip desserts, but there was no way to watch calories.

Came back and started physical therapy for Arthritis and a meniscal tear in my knee and the therapist took me off the treadmill all together until further notice.

One night my boss took us all out to El Chico's and the result is, I get on the scales this morning and I am up by 7 POUNDS! I feel like I might as well be starting all over again!

Therapist will let me on the stationary bike three times next week and he's given me isometric exercises to do everyday but other than that ....

I just want to be skinny. I've still got 50 pounds to go and I've lost so few.

My knee hurts and this is so hard. I'm sticking with 1200 calories until I can exercise again - IF I EVER GET TOO! I may not get to get back on the treadmill at all. He's going to try to ease me back into it. But if I get on and my knee starts hurting again (and I'm afraid its going to) arthroscopic surgery, here I come.

The good news is, I don't want to eat the way I was. OK, I caved at El Chico's because it's Mexican food, even that made me queasy. I just want the weight to drop off when I eat right and for the exercise not to hurt when I do it.

oh my, that's really terrible, having pain when you exercise.  can you do some "floor" exercises instead, or something?  there are other people here who might be able to suggest something.  i know it's not as effective if you can't move the big leg muscles, but every little bit helps.

as for the mexican food, of course it's salty and some of that 7 lb is water rentention, so flush it out with a little extra water for a while, and keep up all the other healthy changes you've made!!

Don't feel bad. I am going to have to start over again. But this time. I am going to stay on the damn wagon. I am so sick of fallen off. I never been this pissed about the scales or the stress in my life before. I think I am stressed because I have had a handle on every thing up til now.

OH.. I am going nuts and depressed with you honey. You are not alone in this one.

I feel like I am in a maze race with the rats trying to find the best cheese at the end of it. :(

But you need a ((((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))))))

Lynn

I have fallen with you many, many times but this time I am going to do this, I also have been having trouble with my knee, Dr. says it is torn cartilage or something floating around in there, mine pops all the time especially when I go up stairs, it does not really hurt real bad it is just an uncomfortable feeling, Dr. says watch weight and exercise daily, that is what I was doing when this started, no more squats or lunges. Mexican food is my downfall I love it. I have upped my calories to try and eat around 1200, will see what happens with that. What kind of therapy are you doing? Dr. said surgery is another option, but I am scared of it, he told me to call if it didn't get better in 6-8 weeks and it hasn't but I am afraid to call. I wish you the best of luck and hang in there you can do this and so can I Keep us updated!!!!!!!!! (((((HUGS)))))))Have a good day!

Lynn - I've been reading your posts and I feel like you and I are in the same boat, so we will support each other. Hang in there, and we start a new beginning together. No matter what, you and I are going to be ok. We've got friends and we know where we are headed. We just got to hang in until we can get there.

Choo - Uhoh. You are describing my meniscal tear. Cartilge is what the meniscus is . And the popping is the torn piece floating around. My doctor perscribed the physical therapy -3 times a week for a month. If the pain returns after that or towards the end, then I'M headed for arthroscopic surgery. My suggestion, ask for the therapy. I did some reading on the internet. I saw my diagnosis. Its combo Osteo Arthritis and Meniscal Tear (although physcial therapist says He THINKS irritated meniscus rather than torn). I realized this is the best my knees are ever going to be. If they have to operate, I'm going to lose a bit because YOU WANT THAT CARTILAGE IN THERE. I figured that out but that's what the therapist said too.

I am so afraid that when I am allowed back on the treadmill its going to start hurting again and that means surgery and all this is going to be harder than it is right now.
I'm just trying to be good (accept for the Mexican food) and hange in there.

The Dr. actually only gave me a couple of therapy exercises to do at home on my own, but they don't seem to help, afraid if I go for the surgery it will be worse, but if I don't do anything it will not get better. I guess I will have to break down and call him. They did x-rays on my knee and that is what he said torn and floating pieces. Mine does not hurt when walking or doing treadmill usually when going up stairs or bending. Keep me updated!!!!

Dr. and therapist maniputated and twisted my legs in ALL KINDS of positions and asked me if it hurt, but my pain only comes with weightbearing. Does your knee lock up or just pop? Locking is another symptom. Mine doesn't lock, which is another reason therapist thinks irritation and not tear. I got xrays too. do the exercises. I'm banking on them to avoid surgery.

P.S. My left knee doesn't hurt, but Dr. and Therapist are surprised. inflamation is worse in that knee. It's the arthritis.

Lynn, I had a meniscal tear in both knees a few years ago. I suffered tremendously...my knees started locking up even when I was walking sometimes. And painful....I know what it was like.

Have the surgery....I'm telling you, it is nothing now...quick day surgery, and you are immediately up and walking with no pain. All they did was trim the ripped part of the tear off.

Of course, now I can't risk injuring it any further as I have less cartelige (sp?). It just means I can't do anything where I may unexpectedly jar or twist my knee...like playing ball, volleyball, etc. I still go bike riding, walking, and work out at Curves.

I'm not advocating Curves here, I think any excersice that strengthens your muscles will help. I also have arthritis in my knees because of the injury, (and it runs in the family), and I could hardly walk for the pain...stairs...omg OUCH! After going to Curves for 2 weeks, there is minimal pain now....it was a godsend.

Go get the surgery....why are you avoiding it? It's not like the tear is going to replace itself. If your doc doesn't think you need it, or is telling you to avoid it, I'd get another opinion. Of course, if the 2nd doc says no surgery, then your case may be different than mine.

I hope all turns out well for you.... 

Chunky.... ditto to you on my last post....the surgery is nothing....it's a godsend....I avoided it for years, and of course it just tore more because the floating stuff was getting caught, and every time I sqatted down, or locked it up, it tore more.

In retrospect, I should have had the surgery a long time before I did.

Thanks united.
I'm checking out the pool thing. The thing is, cold water pools hurt. There are a few heated pools, but either belong to the universities or there's a fee. Our family has a membership to the public pool, but the fitness center is so expensive. The therapist said he heard the universities have some type of arrangement for people with arthritis but he's not sure if its true so I'm going to check it out. Otherwise, its cold water for the summer, and then nothing after September.
I hate bathing suits and I hate swimming. The reason I originally went with the treadmill is I could do it in the privacy of my bedroom.
So now I'm doing exercise in a public physical therapy room. HOW ironic!
I'll check out the videos though. Thanks for the info.

took the words right out of my mouth united.. the Y! cheap... filled with "normal" people.. in other words it's not a meat market gym.. hehe.. and they usually have heated pools (the ones around here do anyway)  i go to the gym run by the local park district that has a regular pool and a heated thearapy pool for water aerobics and for individual therapy sessions.. if you look around you might find something.. :)  

no y. Its a planned and growing community but still small. Three heated pools in town. One at the fitness center and the two universities. Oh, and there is one physical therapy place that has one. I've heard they do a monthly rental for those that need it but I'm not sure if its only for those who are getting therapy there - thats not where my insurance company sent me. Any way, I'm checking out all options on Monday. My therapist just pulled me off the treadmill this past Friday and I was gone the rest of the week, so I haven't had time to check things out yet.

well.. hang in there..  it sucks though.. sorry you have to go through this.. but do follow the doctors orders.. (hug)