I started writing this post, but I quickly got sidetracked by something that completely changed what I have to say.  This will be a two part post.

Last night, after months of babying my back, I decided to head to the gym with the guys.  You see, my husband meets a friend to workout every night at nine.  And I love working out at nine.  In fact the whole tradition was my idea.  Well, the latter half.  I worked out nearly every night at nine during my summers home from college.  It did wonders for me.  It helped me turn my freshmen 15 into the sophomore sans 10.  It strengthened my relationship with my roommate.  And it reminded me that fitness and fibromyalgia could coexist. The whole working out bit was strongly suggested by our doctor, concerned about Dan’s high cholesterol .  Although, I am also a fan of the working out bit, considering I want my husband to live as long as possible.

Anyway, while they guys focused on cardio, I heeded the advice of my family doctor, my chiropractor, and my orthopedic doctor (Is there a one-word name for those folks?) and focused on my upper back and arms.  And like a true exgymnast/athlete, I overdid it… for my current fitness level.  But I am proud of myself.  What an improvement from a week ago!

A week ago was pretty much like a month ago…  the only thing I was overdoing was nothing.  Mysterious and severe back pain, multiple appointments with multiple doctors, and only minor pain relief.  Until Thursday six days ago?

Thursday I met with an orthopedic doctor to discuss my back pain, and before I knew it was receiving trigger point injections.  I really liked this doctor.  He agreed with my opinion of fibromyalgia and he was simple in his explanation of my pain, but he was so efficient I can’t remember if he explained trigger point injections before or after I experienced them, first hand.

Oh well.  I do remember him explaining just how sore they would make me.  I do remember him warning me I may feel dizzy and/or experience a headache (a total understatement).  And I do remember him telling me it’d take at least 36 hours to experience relief.  But, I’m no doctor, and to be frank, I wasn’t satisfied with his explanation (a little late for that, eh?), so when I came home I hit up Mayo Clinic for some info on cortisone shots.

As promised my back was incredibly sore for nearly two days, but by Saturday night I was feeling better.  My back pain, as well as the post-injection soreness, was almost completely gone and I was back to my usual activities.  So, last night, after months of babying my back, I decided to head to the gym with the guys (cue literary comment from my sweetie).

Now that you’ve read Part 1, be sure to head over to Chronic Pain and Cortisone, Part 2.