discouraged
 

Right hip is really hurting, after many months of favoring it. Leaning to the right, not putting full weight on left foot with RSD. It really is discouraging to have the good side hurting this much. When I first started walking with the cane, and then without it, my right hip hurt some, I had hoped it would go away. Some days it is good. We have had snow and have not been able to walk outside like I had been doing. Wondering if that is part of the problem?

I have started to very slowly taper down on gabapentin. Is it possible that the right hip pain was there all along? That the gabapentin was helping that too? I had to find out how much it was helping, really want to get off of it. Wish I would have kept a better journal. Will start now to keep a daily log. I have to sleep in this unnatural position, which I am sure is not helping either.

Thanks for listening, it is helping me to sort through some of it. So many pieces to this RSD puzzle.

zinnia

Hi Zinnia,

Walking funny can really jack up your back and everything else. I struggled with much ancillary pain when my gait was abnormal.

The only way to know if the gabapentin was masking pain that you had in your hip is to go back up for a few days. It can get really frustrating teasing out what's what sometimes. I just did this myself with foot aches, was it yoga? decreasing nortriptyline? time for ketamine? It can drive you nuts trying to figure all this out and honestly I wouldn't expect to be able to sometimes.

What I found helpful with a wonky gait was massage, swimming and strengthening my core and hip placement with the "bird-dog" exercises given by my PT. She specifically had me use a rod balanced across my hips so I couldn't cheat. I had spent so many months not walking that I just wasn't doing it properly and was really out of balance. What a thing to forget!

The important things is for you to be comfortable and using your limb as much as is tolerable. If you need to use the cane sometimes as you strengthen your gait that's okay. It can be very much a gradual process.

:hug:

Could you consider a chiropractric adjustment? Just do some research first to make sure you find a really good one with lots of experience and lots of favorable reviews. I have two degenerated discs in my lower spine that can really throw my gait off at times (not CRPS related). Chiropractic adjustments make a huge difference, both in pain and proper gait. It's worth a shot!

Thank you so much Littlepaw, you have encouraged me, with your understanding. I really appreciate it. I will go back up on the gabapentin and get out the cane tomorrow. I know my gait is not good. hmmm so I could see this hip pain as nudge in the right direction to get my walking better. Silver lining? Go to the store tomorrow and walk with the cart. Looking for solutions.
:-)
zinnia

Thank you swimtime for your thoughts. You are helping me work through this. I have scoliosis therefore chiropractor told me they could not help me, in the past.

I was talking with my husband earlier about seeing orthopedic doctor that comes to hospitol. hmmm having them maybe make a lift for my shoe, I had one years ago. They also said there is nothing we can do for you. Sent me to physical therapy and made the lift. Guess which shoe the lift goes in? Yup the left one, the foot with the RSD. At this point I can't even lace up the shoe normally, let alone add a lift.

hmmm more pieces of this puzzle. Even though PT had never had a patient with RSD it may be worth a try to go there just to work on my gait. Silver lining.....this is all happening few days before I go back to neurologist. This may all work out for good.
gratefully
zinnia

Zinnia,

There is an external lift I used when I was in a cast boot. It is called an Even-up and they sell for around $20 on Amazon. It attaches to your athletic or lace up shoe and has two different levels so you can adjust. Nothing else to cram in your shoe. I liked it. It kept me from walking so much like Captain Ahab.

If you can't lace normally you might consider going up a half size. I found I needed a special gel insole for a long time that just required extra room. That little bit of Cush made a big difference. I think Swimtime's son had a similar issue. Sometimes those little things really do help.

PT for just a handful of sessions for gait analysis and training sounds like a good idea. Optimize your outcome wherever you can.

To prevent an abnormal gait is one of many reasons I use a rollator (4 wheeled walked). I got one made for short people as I am only 5 ft tall and it has been a lifesaver in so many ways but the fact that it allows me to take weight off my left (RSD) leg but still walk normally has saved the rest of my body from a lot of grief which quiite frankly I just can't handle. It takes every ounce of everything I have to deal with the RSD and still maintain a somewhat normal life...I simply cannot handle any additional problems (as I am discovering with how completely incapacitated I am with my shoulder injury...ugh). The rollator keeps me upright, walking normally, and takes a ton of weight off the leg...plus I have a seat wherever I go when I need a rest...no having to push myself to go just a little longer so I can find a place to sit. Plus...it holds things for me so I don't have to try to carry anything. Plus...it keeps people away from me in crowds so I don't get bumped into. Plus...it keeps me from falling when I lose my balance. It's not a solution for everyone...but I always like to throw it out there as an option because even though I have a can and can use it...it is much harder on me and much more limiting than the rollator...which a lot of people are usually surprised to hear. The rollator is bigger and bulkier...but for me the quality of life is so much better with it. But back to my earlier point...an abnormal gait messes your body up big time and it is worth it to do whatever you need to so you can get back a normal gait and take any extra stress off your body. There's only so much a person can take before they hit the breaking point...

Ah, yes the all mighty Walker... I came out of a post office on a snow covered day, walking behind my walker. Walking toward me on other side of the side walk was another person with a walker. Following me was a person in an extreme hurry. The person behind me bumped into me as she darted around me, and almost tossed me into the snow bank. This same person then bumped into the other person with a walker, who was coming from the other direction. And down into the snow bank landed the person who had bumped into both of us. I walked over and stuck out my hand, helped the person out of the snow bank, dusted the snow off the back of their coat, and said, "We who are handicapped are never in too much of a hurry to lend a helping hand to the healthy!"

I thought the other handicapped person was going to die of laughter.

That's so awful...thankfully these people are the exception rather than the rule.

On a more humorous note...I don't know if any of you have ever seen the movie Michael with John Travolta as the angel? If you have...this will make you chuckle a bit. Every time I see someone coming towards me with a walker...which happens a lot since I work retail in a store where we get a lot of customers who use walkers...the first thing that pops into my head is, "BATTLE!" No matter how bad I feel or what else is going on...this makes me smile.

Finding out gabapentin worked
 

Zinnia,

I can commiserate, but have no suggestions. I am a big mess these days.

My walk is wonky like yours for the same reasons. I recently weaned myself off Neurontin too, because I was worried that I would need new meds after brain surgery and I did not want to be on too many simultaneously.

I was in the ER twice in the last two days for severe headaches and vomiting and my crazy gait was noted by the medicos, I guess I have forgotten how to walk normally. I still cannot do stairs properly, but it is better than it used to be, when I was dragging myself up and down on my butt.

That "Even Up" device mentioned by Littlepaw was very helpful, when I was in a boot. Worth every penny.

hi zinnia. i am sorry you are hurting so much and hope you start to feel better soon. thinking of you.

Thank you all for your kind words, and for sharing your experience with me, it means a lot. Thank you Spike for your story, it made me smile.

I will look into the evenup. I did find the lift, which was surprising, I should have never stopped wearing it. I do need bigger shoes, wider shoes, we had been waiting, there is still some fluid on the top of my foot, I read "somewhere" that may always be there.

I do have a wheeled walker with a seat and will use it in the house for a while, it is so much better than the cane for balance. I got in a hurry to just walk. I need to learn how to walk all over again.

The pain in my hip is a little better today, taking it easy. I did go back up on the gabapentin, I will give that some more thought, now that I know how much it is helping. Thank you for sharing your experience with gabapentin with me. I think all that pain caught up with me and I feel crummy. This too shall pass. There are lessons to learn.
It really made me feel good to see all your responses. I appreciate all of you!
May we all feel better.
gratefully,
zinnia

Good news is I figured out why my hip was hurting so bad. I had went up a long ramp, which turned out to be too steep, to visit my dad in the nursing home. Had to do it twice to understand that was the problem. duhhhhh I was anxious to visit my dad for the first time in the nursing home, and my mind was focused on him. Will not go up that ramp again. Meanwhile, I got out the wheeled walker with seat and put it to good use in the house, and the cane outside, and grandmas stool in the kitchen. Hip feels much better now.

All these aids are a positive, not a negative. They are there to help me be functional. To keep me moving. This I need to learn and remember. When we had a little snow in the yard, I took a broomstick with a screw in the bottom of it, in one hand and my cane in the other and I did feel safe. Just being outside, petting the cats in the sun on the porch swing makes me happy.

Simple pleasures are the best.

As for the neurologist visit. I did my best to have no expectations, and I was not disappointed. Found out he will be retiring in April, maybe the next one will take an interest. This one said so it is your back? NO I have RSD in my foot. WOW!
He renewed the meds.

Hubby said later, why did you tell the doctor you gained weight? Did you think it was the medicine? Then he said

"Why worry about your hairdo, when your clothes are on fire."

lol He can see the Gabapentin helping with the pain. He knows what the pain was like without it. He said it is wintertime, and I am not getting outside to walk. He does not see the weight gain as that big of a problem. It took the gabapentin to get me out of bed and walking again. He always says there will be good days and bad days. I can not tell you how much that quote ment to me. That kind of encouragement and compassion.

I will keep on keepin on one day at a time, one baby step at a time. Thanks for listening.
:-)
peace
zinnia

Zinnia,

I am so glad you got that figured out! I am glad you are finding it easier to get around too. Take your time, you are getting better. If the aids make it easier for you to be mobile that improves the overall picture. You can always try again later to decrease use. I had to do that many times over a period of many months before being able to go without.

Your husband's hair comment was hilarious! Gabapentin does cause weight gain but my neuro said dome of it is just water retention. I dropped 5 pounds in a week after going off it, all fluid.

I like the good days and bad days comment too. My husband and two of my doctors use that one as well. It will come that eventually the balance of good days outweigh the bad.

Keep enjoying those sunny days. Getting out is great for the spirit.
:hug:

What an excellent post. You made my day!

Zinnia.
I have been having some of the same issues. It's difficult sometimes to accept help even from inanimate objcects. Your comment that, "All these aids are a positive, not a negative" is so true. They allow us to do things that we want to do and minimize the risk of injury. Still hard to plop my but in that wheelchair sometimes though.
Your posts are wonderful. They speak to my heart. Thanks~mac

Littlepaw,

Thank you for your encouraging words. Just knowing someone heard and understands is worth so much. I am so glad I found this site. Today has been a bad day emotionally, had a big old cry, will start my day over right here right now. Big sigh, letting it all gooooooo.

Thank you Spike, you made me smile.

Mama mac

I have been walking with the cane in the yard, and even when we went up town. I do need a new attitude about these aides. I need about six of them so I can always find one hahaha. When my hip was hurting, it was a toss up as to which side to put the cane on, which one hurts the most? Happy to report the hip is better, and I learned how to go a different way right into and up the elevator.
:-)
peace
zinnia