While we are all "venting"

[65rosessamurai]

I don't consider this so much as 'venting', nor do I believe it is a subject belonging in the "Non-CF Related" section, despite it is in regards to my question of continuing my Iaido classes. I figure this would be one source to help in my research to find a solution.
Without getting into "What Iaido is", I'd rather start off with what my message is that I'm trying to get out.
I went to an Iaido Seminar yesterday, and came home so sore from my knees and the bottom of my feet, that I could barely walk home. On top of that, I had to take the train because there were no facilites to take my car, so the need to walk was necessary, yet painful. (I also have to commute to work by train and foot, and walking has been painful for that, as well)
On the way home, I began thinking how my Iaido is becoming less enjoyable, and more painful to do. I still haven't gotten my shoulder fixed, nor do I think I ever will, because the chance three years ago passed by.
As I write this, i get a little teary-eyed because I had been practicing Iaido for so long, but feel my health issues may prevent me from continuing because it hurts so much to continue now, but also because of how much the shoulder injury has adversly affected my future in some ways.
I had decided, up to this point, to at least fight for my fifth dan in Iaido, and decide whether to continue after that, if things don't improve by then.
The other decision I made was to talk with my general practicioner to find out if he can refer me to a doctor specializing in orthopedics, to help find out what can be done about my knees hurting so much.
I don't know if I'm dealing with arthritis, related to CF; if it's my age catching up to me, or if I just didn't have enough nutrients during my years in Japan, because I never had so many knee problems before I got here.
I really hope I can continue, and enjoy it (pain-free), because most of the instructors are in their late 80's, so it's easy for me to continue.
I was wondering if my knee problems could be related to CF, and for those who have that problem, what is being done to eliviate it? I did get a bone density check (posted a reply on that topic) and it wasn't as bad as I thought-but nothing related to my knees was mentioned.
Also, though I noticed in the forum, things about acupuncture, etc. I have not tried acupuncture, but there are other methods tried, but they only aleviated the pain, never got to the source of the problem, and I wish to look for the source of the problem to tackle it!

 

[Scarlett81]

While we are all "venting

I feel for you too. I have CF related arthiritis, and a rare vascular problem called Henoch Schonlein Purpura Syndrome. It's when the blood vessels in your leg swell up bad, so they burst and your legs fill up with blood and water and you can't walk. And then with the arthritis, I really can't walk. My HSP is something that has to just run its course, and it can be alieviated with steroids, but not cured. It's gotten alot better though.
I'm sure its a matter of opinion, but I do think that the philospohy behind accupuncture gets to the source of the problem, by re-aligning nerves and electric flow. It helped alot with my joint problems. Also, eliminating caffeine helped.
Other than that, I think the main treatment is probably anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, ect. Which, I really chose to not go on b/c of the side effects. But that's a personal choice. They are the going treatment for stuff like this, though.
Maybe you need to be more vocal with your doctor about the amount of pain or discomfort youre in. Sometimes the side issues of CF get fallen the wayside, you know?
Best to you!

 

[65rosessamurai]

While we are all "venting

Thank you for the replies.
I will ask my wife about the idea of acupuncture, to ensure that she would support that method. Some peoples values are different, and she may actually help me find a good doctor who's looking for another 'dart board' to practice on! (or she may believe otherwise)
As for the caffiene, I can't cut 'cold turkey' on it, nor completely remove it from my daily diet, like coca-cola and my morning Java, cuppa Jo, etc., etc. I've already had to sacrifice my love for Domino's and/or Pizza Hut pizza due to the excessive oil content, and the sufferage my wife doesn't want to see after I've consumed it! (P.S. just a funny note; As my new job of becoming a technical writer, the words "and/or" is a no-no, so it was good that it does at least have a home on forums, etc.!)
And with the caffiene, if I cut that out too, and say, start Yoga; I might actually hit "Nirvana", and would rather do that in the next life (hehe)!
I can't rule out yoga, but I had been thinking on another activity to help with my Iaido. Aikido was a great complimentary to Iaido, but I have to face the fact that Aikido is now history for me.
In the meantime, I found some medication to take for the knee pain, which helped, but is a pain to take because it says "on an empty stomache", which in my case, is hard to find the time for (LOL!)

 

[anonymous]

While we are all "venting

I do take "devil´s claw" (Harpagophytum procumbens) since about 6 months and in my feeling my knees do hurt less since, although I do still have problems. Its a african herb medicine used with rheumatic problems. It should not be used if you have gallstones.

Uli,43,Germany

 

[65rosessamurai]

While we are all "venting

Vielen Dank.
Uli, ever consider logging in with a user name? It's simple to do, and no commitments, other than whatever you decide on a user name, that's yours for life! (and some of us can tell when you posted recently, or are online!)
I think I still have gallstones, I get a "flare-up" on occasion, and was diagnosed with it about 15 years ago. If I consider the "Devil's Claw" (I already live with a "Terror-Bear"), I will ask my doctor if he heard of it, beforehand. Maybe he can use his magic ultrasound machine to see if I still have gallstones!
Anyway for everyone's info, I asked my wife about the "dartboard" idea of acupuncture, she said we have one within a stone-throw away, and said it was worth trying.
Oh, one more thing, I had a torn ligament in the right knee, which is probably related to the constant pain. It happened several years ago during my Judo practice, and one of the crossing ligaments had been torn, according to the MRI test result. No need for surgery was decided, but I had to go through rehabilitation then.