Anyone care to share stories about their swimming related injuries, recovery, how you recovered, etc.?
I have just been diagnosed with a C7 injury...saw the sports medicine doc on Monday and I'm scheduled for an MRI on the 6th. It's not serious; however, I cannot swim and I am going stir crazy. I am now a "back injury person" and I can't stand it. The only exercise I can do without pain involves a treadmill or eliptical trainer or stairmaster and I am not a machine person! I'm a swimmer!! Waaaaaaaa.....!
I don't have anyone to "talk to" about this, so I'd love hearing about your recovery, what it took to recover, how you dealt with having to be couch bound, the mental aspects of being injured....etc.
By the way, I injured myself working on my starts. Your injury doesn't have to be like mine, but I'd love the feedback and support. What's so weird is that my hands broke the water, not my head...!? Go figure...even the doctor was flummoxed
Being injured sucks, ya know? The acceptance thing is really hard, and I can't keep drinking merlot and taking vicodin (don't worry - not at the same time!!).
I was reading hmlee's "life of a college swimmer" blog and I can totally relate in that there's only so much you can do without pain, missing the water, feeling left out, etc.
Feel free to blog on....
Former Member
Kari, can you do pilates or yoga? Is there any swimming you can do that does not cause pain? Can you try water aerobics?
Watch your stress level, your body is used to the endorphs and you may feel some depression and/or mood changes. Fortunately, the only thing I have ever experienced is a broken collarbone so I'm not the best source, but I would think if you can do what you can in the water, it is better than nothing at all. At least you'll get the smell of chlorine and the feel of the water.
Having read your replies to some of my posts I know that you have worked very hard to become the person you are today and swimming was definitely a big part of that. Just remember, this is temporary!
At least you'll have the NCAA BB games to keep you occupied for the next couple of weeks.
Hang in there!
I'd venture to say there are PLENTY of us out there that know what you are going through. I myself had knee surgery last year that put me out of racing bicycles forever. Before that injury bikes were my life. I spent over 20 hours a week training, each weekend was dedicated to racing...I was addicted. That is how I found swimming actually. Anywho - I agree with the stress comment. The first month of my injury required me to stay off it...no running, no cycling, no skiing, no walking, no NOTHING. That's why I took up swimming. You have to find a way to get your release still. You'll be back to normal before long. Hang in there.
Thanks you guys. I can exercise standing upright; I might try to get in the water tomorrow and just kick, but I probably should just rest.
I hate to rest. Anyone out there know what I mean? I don't understand how people can be sedentary. I am going bananas as it is; I can't imagine a life without movement.
A very dear friend of mine had to give up soccer after a knee injury. This was in the early 80's so things have really changed; if he was hurt today he probably would have been able to continue to play...he was getting ready for the Pan Am games, prelude to the Olympics.
Anyway...I'm finding that this rest the injury thing requires a lot of mental discipline!
Thanks for your support
Welcome to the injured back club. Actually I have now been feeling good for an entire year. I started feeling myself by February of last year, and have not done anything else(knock on wood) to reinjure. I work on core strength and flexibility a lot, so once you are able, start investigating preventive measures so you don't have to sit out again.
I also reread my previous post and what I meant to say was that I have a hard time understand folks who have a sedentary life by choice ('choice' being the operative word here).
It would actually anger me to think about all the people who could exercise but didn't want to at all, and yet I wanted like heck to, but couldn't!
Heidi...me too. There are lots of reasons why people can't exercise...and there are lots of excuses for folks who refuse to find the time.
In my own minor way, it's become very clear to me that we cannot take the ability to move for granted.
Thanks, A.K. I sure don't want to damage it further! I had shoulder surgery over the summer and it is amazing how non-invasive it has become. I had a really good doctor and healed quickly.
I also reread my previous post and what I meant to say was that I have a hard time understand folks who have a sedentary life by choice ('choice' being the operative word here).
I take a large can of Clorox/lysol spray with me and spray down the shower stall before I enter- I also spray my flip flops when I'm done showering after I've changed.
Dropped soap in the lockers- they still right where they are and aren't coming home with me.
I guess I've heard of too many nasty stories about fungus/bacteria.
My current swim injury ... a very minor case of athlete's foot got a secondary infection. I may be in dry dock 6 weeks or more while it heals, best scenario.
Anyone want to recommend their favorite kind of deck/shower footwear that is anti-slip, easy to put on when getting out of the water, and cleans easily? My carefree barefoot days are over at the pool. The flipflops I have are absolutely treacherous and I'm scared of slipping and reinjuring an unstable knee - I've already done that a couple of times.
I'm not sure of the footwear, but I recently read an article that athlete's foot is caused by bacteria found basically everywhere in the lockerroom. Even wearing flipflops, etc in the shower will not stop athlete's foot unless you thoroughly dry your feet before putting on your shoes and socks.
