Originally Posted by ali12

Hey everyone - I hope you're all having a low pain day!!
Just thought i'd give you a quick update on how the PT program is going. The PT is going ok but boy do they work you hard lol!!
The PT's focus a lot on strengthening my muscles - I have to wear 1-2lb weights on my legs and my arms. I am now managing to walk short distances for the first time in 12 months so I am really happy!! I still have really bad pain (the pain is about an 8 on the pain scale, although it will increase whilst doing PT or walking), hypersenstivity, dystonia, rsd, swelling, colour changes etc etc but i'm able to walk so i'm happier than I was!! I go home on Friday (yay!) but the PT's want me to come back for a further 2 weeks from the 8th September to try and focus more on the RSD, Dystonia and Hypermobility. Once I am back home I will have to go for weekly Physical Therapy at my local hospital and I will be given exercises to do daily to try and strengthen my muscles.
The PT's want me to go and see the Podiatrist tomorrow to see if they can suggest anything to stop my foot from bending out so much, I will also be going to see a Psychologist to talk through my pain and how I am coping etc.
I'll keep you all updated when i can
Take care
Alison

Originally Posted by ali12

Hi Frogga,
Thanks for the well wishes - I really appreciate them. I have just finished the 3 weeks stay in hospital but the physio's want me to go back into hospital for a further 2 weeks from the 8th September to focus more on the Dystonia and RSD. The physio's also said that it may be an idea for me to come back into hospital after Christmas if I am still having problems. The pain is still about an 8 and a half on the pain scale (though it increases when I do PT) but the Physio's said that it may take a while to go down, so I guess it's just a case of waiting and seeing.
I can walk short distances at the moment, about 200 yards at the moment. I tried walking with my mum to a small shopping centre that isn't too far away from the hospital on Tuesday but think I overdid it too much as the pain got worse and my leg started spasming. The physio's said that at the moment I should take things really steadily as my muscles get fatigued really easily. The Physio's had me walking without crutches as they said that it can take a lot of hard work to get off crutches once you are on them.
I have also being given some exercises to do that I need to do on a daily basis to try and build strength in my muscles and get rid of the RSD and hypersenstivity. I am also have weekly Physio at my local hospital.
Sue Maillard (the PT that runs the program) is also going to be discussing my case in an International Conference about chronic pain.
I hope you're ok.
Love
Alison