Just a "zebra" trying my best to live life to the fullest with EDS and POTS...and loving the ride.

A Better Thursday

Written by Katie. Posted in Physical Therapy

Where has this week gone?  Better yet, where has May gone?  I was just looking through my last couple posts, and realized last Thursday’s was not the happiest of posts.  And since, I am lacking the energy to blog about the other topics I want to blog about, I decided to recap my day; which happens to be a tad bit more uplifting than last week.

First of all, I did not get sick on any exercise equipment.  That in itself is a small victory. 

Home Rehab

Written by Katie. Posted in Physical Therapy

I have had some questions about what I do on my home rehab days.  As I have gotten stronger, I have been able to add more exercises and a few more reps.  My PT has discussed with me that less weight, and higher reps, help create energy in the tissue. 

I have learned on my own that one of the most important parts of rehabbing with EDS (for me) is making sure I work all areas of my body-arms, core, back, legs, neck…If I only work one area, the other areas start to feel like they are coming “unglued.”  I have also learned that rehab for me must remain very consistent.  Otherwise, within a few days of not rehabbing, I feel a lot more pain, and like my body is starting to fall apart.     

Eat Your Heart Out Jane Fonda

Written by Katie. Posted in Physical Therapy

This would be considered a not so great EDS day…Back brace.  Check! To keep my ribs from subluxing, and to try and keep them in place.  They have been giving me real fits lately.  Cervical Collar. Check!  To keep my neck stable so the headaches and neck pain stay at bay.  And as always, my oh so cute compression stockings to help with circulation (POTS) to keep my blood from pooling. 

R & R

Written by Katie. Posted in Physical Therapy

So today I got to therapy ready to get on the full body gym, and my PT pulled me into one of the exams room instead.  She said we were going to talk first today.  Uh oh.  She said she was watching me on Monday and was worried that I am overdoing it, and that we need to think more about pacing.  Ughhhhh, “pacing”…I have developed a strong dislike for that word ever since I was diagnosed.  She asked me how I have been doing after therapy and I was honest.  I said some days I feel great and do completely fine and other days I crash hard.  She asked me about how I was after Monday and I admitted that I went to Meijers afterwards (I was supposed to go straight home and rest), and by Tuesday morning I was throwing up and had to sleep during the day.  Busted.