The past few days have left me feeling very happy… and a little nervous! On Tuesday evening, walking up the stairs to my bedroom felt much less painful than usual. On Wednesday, I went to physical therapy and noticed that I didn't feel much pain, and all of my normal exercises felt a bit easier.
The next day, I woke up and felt less morning stiffness. I had another PT session that day, and my therapist decided to take advantage of my lack of pain by incorporating weights into more of my exercises. Ankle weights for my kicks, and a kettle bell for my sit-to-stands.
My heel slides went much better than normal because my knees had a better range of motion. Without so much knee pain, even my bridges went better so I could lift more of my body off the table. It was all still hard work, but the lack of acute pain and stiffness meant I could work that much harder, too.
Now, it's Saturday night.
This morning, I took Sophie to her swim lesson at the YMCA. I was able to walk into the Y without needing my cane, and without slowing Sophie down too much.
She wasn't up for a long swimming day, so I worked out a little on the Nu Step recumbent crosstrainer while she was with her instructor in the pool. We ate lunch outside (kids meals from Chipotle), and then Sophie wanted to look around (and smell) the Halloween hand soaps at Bath & Bodyworks.
Usually, with the way both of my knees have been so stiff and sore, walking around a store to smell holiday soaps would be unbearable or even impossible. But today, it was almost easy.
To say it was painless would be wrong, but pain is very relative. Considering where I've been for most of these past two years, it might as well have been painless. I'm still rebuilding my strength and regaining my balance, but just being able to walk pretty freely compared to my normal was amazing.
All day when I walk, I've noticed my posture is different. Even the alignment of my gait feels so much better than it's been in two years. Driving was easier. I've been amazed all day.
Sophie's had Halloween on the brain all weekend, and she's looking forward to making a spider costume for herself. Now, she's hoping I can be walking well enough to take her trick or treating this year.
I'm hoping for that, too.
This lack of pain feels different from those two weeks in May. It's hard to explain, but back in May, I felt like I suddenly had more energy to burn. I don't feel particularly energetic this time around, but I am certainly noticing that I can move so much more freely lately.
I'm almost afraid to talk about these past few good days, because I'm afraid they'll slip away again. My hope is that things will keep getting better from here. Whether this is an effect of taking the tirzepatide injections, or it's my arthritis entering a period of remission, I don't know.
Whatever it is, I'll take it.
I am more than happy to have a few good days.
Next week, I go back to the rheumatologist, and in October, I am supposed to see a lipedema endocrinologist in October —perhaps a bit later, if it turns out that she wants to see me in person in Arizona.
However things work out, I am hopeful about having more doctors who will listen to me. And I'm hopeful about continuing this progress. This morning, I weighed nearly 27 pounds less than when I started the tirzepatide shots on July 19. My goal is to keep losing weight to get down to a BMI that won't prevent me from getting the healthcare and surgeries I need. I'm hoping that my rheumatologist and endocrinologist will have some more answers to help me make sense of my lipedema and arthritis management.
Lots and lots of hope happening over here, but I think I can safely say that something must be working.
Good to hear !!
Great News Shannon, you’ve worked so hard. I love that you are feeling very happy. Sending love from So Cal, Nan and Richard