[Always_Believe]

In the midst of waiting to see if I got a sit-down job that I'm not even sure I can physically manage, I had my first official pool therapy today. I am in so much pain and my leg is so swollen it's pitting but I am still hopeful.

I had such awkward sensations throughout the session. My heel felt as though it was constantly balancing on a ledge with every step I took; a few sharp, shooting pains through my knee; and my entire leg quivered once the session was over. I have to say that the walk (with a pool wheelchair) from the zero entry to the lane therapy was in was derned near enough therapy in and of itself. I'm hoping these new sensations will diminish the more sessions I have. Certainly not effective for me as a means of 'pain-free/reduced pain' therapy.

Has anyone that has had pool therapy experienced something similar? How long did it last?


(side note: I finally received my VE (verification of employment) form from my last employer to send to the IL Dept of Professional Regulation so I can reinstate my expired IL LPN license. Perhaps it will enable a door to open for something I can do from home since I more than likely won't get/be able to do the case review position)

[swimtime]

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience! Make sure you let the therapist know just how bad it was. Maybe they started you out too aggressively? Also, I wonder how deep the water was. If it was too shallow on you, you could have been weight bearing more than you were ready for. I'm sure others will jump in who can be of help.

[Always_Believe]

Originally Posted by swimtime

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience! Make sure you let the therapist know just how bad it was. Maybe they started you out too aggressively? Also, I wonder how deep the water was. If it was too shallow on you, you could have been weight bearing more than you were ready for. I'm sure others will jump in who can be of help.

My therapist actually noticed my discomfort during and on the way out of the pool. Water was above my waist & walked up to my clavicle.

I think all the walking just to get to the therapy area of the pool must have played a factor. I am thinking I will see about getting a ride from the therapy office to the pool tomorrow.

[Littlepaw]

Ouch! Waist high water may be too shallow. I started out about chest high. Hmmm, I am kinda short though... If they have a deeper area that could be good. My therapist had me do a lot of leg work in the water that wasn't even weightbearing. There are many exercises to try. getting a ride sounds good. You don't want to start out all used up already!

Hang in there and keep up the good work! It just takes a little finagling to find your start point.

Sending healing love,

[Always_Believe]

2nd session today with a different therapist. We went deeper. Still rough. I told her this was my 4th round of therapy, my 1st aquatic, and each one left me with minimal (if any) gain, most likely due to the increased pain. She told me she will not take it the entire 4 weeks if it's still painful after 2 more sessions. Also gave me the 'come to Jesus' about pushing through the pain.

I'm not quite as uncomfortable now as I was with the 1st session. Perhaps I can count that as a bonus.

[Always_Believe]

Funny thing happened on the way to "not taking it all the way if it's still painful after 2 more sessions"...I had a DIFFERENT therapist on Monday (for those keeping score: Therapists-4; Therapy visits-5. Not appreciating the inconsistency of therapists and I was in tears Monday night, useless Tuesday, therapy again Wednesday (went to the deep end) and then a meeting with voc rehab counselor, today has been near impossible to move. Mid evaluation is Monday and I am inclined to put the remaining visits on hold until I see PM on the 30th.

Voc Rehab went okay. I sat on my walker seat and my leg was killing me so I think they must have thought I was doing the 'pee-pee dance' in my seat. This woman asked if I was getting SSDI, I told her I received an initial denial, she asked if I filed a recon, I told her I did. This morning I got a phone call from my adjudicator. (hmmmm....) Hoping they will find something nursing telecommuting/medical transcription/etc.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better.