By MichelleT on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 - 08:43 pm:

I thought I'd give running another try today. The last time I ran was last March. I stopped because my right hip went on me, and I've been wearing a hip brace everyday since.
Well, my physio encouraged me to get back running again, and it took me 6 months to get up the nerve to try. I was afraid of how I'd feel if I couldn't do it.
So last Friday, I did an easy 20 minute jog, and felt good. I was so happy. I started planning the races I would participate in this summer, and set a distance goal for September.
Today I went for another 20 minute jog. Six minutes into it my other hip went on me. The pain was intense, almost like a bone on bone feeling. I limped my sad body and broken spirit back to the gym and went home. Now my running magazine taunts me, and I wish I never had the subscription.

Running made me feel good. It cleared my head and relieved my stress. It gave me confidence and changed my outlook on life. Now, it is gone. I am thankful I can still walk, but I'm still bummed out about this. I'm 32 now; will I be crippled at a young age?

By Geri on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 08:47 am:

Michelle, I have a suggestion which might help you if you really enjoy running. . how about getting one of those treadmill machines at the gym or buying one? They have handrails that you could hold onto and you control the pace of them. Hope this helps
Geri

By MichelleT on Thursday, January 25, 2001 - 08:25 pm:

Thanks Geri for the suggestion. I actually have an elliptical trainer at home, which is a wonderful piece of equipment. It has no impact at all. I can still do that when my hip gets better.
I guess I just wanted to run outside, instead of staring at a TV to keep me going.It's hard to describe the feeling I got from running along the river through the trails, with the changing weather and the comraderie of other runners.I'm a marathon runner, and it's difficult to explain the significance of running in my life.

I'm just being a weenie. I should be thankful that at least I can exercise at all.

By Bianca on Sunday, January 28, 2001 - 02:01 am:

I can only say taht I understand you. I was not a jogger but a hiker and I loved so much the quietness of nature- only me, the mountains, the rocks, the trees, the snow, the sun and nobody else. It was overwhelming.
But I am glad that I was able to get this experience for me once in my life.
Waht about biking outside?
Sorry I have no other help.

By MichelleT on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 09:28 am:

Thanks Bianca, for your input. When winter is over, I'll have to make an effort to get the bike out. I'd also like to try rollerblading this summer.

By Andrea on Monday, February 05, 2001 - 12:29 pm:

Michelle, just a bit of info: running is an impact sport, not as bad as, say, rugby, but I am sure you can imagine what happens to your hip joints when you go running: shock after shock, step after step. With HMS, that's the sort of thing our joints cannot take (any more). I am extremely surprised, to say the least, that your PT encouraged you to take up running again! As a former PE teacher I know how you feel, but it looks as if you might have to hang up those running boots for good. I saw some fellow sufferers recommended cycling. Excellent, especially since you enjoy being outdoors. And ideal for going along a river with your condition: nice and flat. Have you considered swimming? Now that's a typical low impact sport because the water takes the weight off your joints. - All the best...

By Kath on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 09:33 am:

I notice that swimming is frequently recommended by people on this site. While it may be preferable to many other sports, it is not without its own hazards for those of us who are hypermobile.

I have been having significant and very painful problems with rotator cuff impingement syndrome, largely as a result of my hypermobility problems. While I was logging heavy miles in the pool prior to developing the problem, I am guessing that Michelle, as a marathon runner, would probably not be interested in the kind of leisurely swimming that would be less likely to aggravate her shoulders.

On the positive side, an intensive physiotherapy and strengthening program, combined with time away from the offending activity, has allowed me to gradually resume swimming.

In closing, I would definately recommend swimming, but if you are planning to swim a lot (distance and frequency of swims), make sure you get your body ready in advance by strengthening rotator cuff muscels, serratus anterior, etc.

Best of luck.

By Renee on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 10:45 am:

Hello-Over the past three years I have struggled with intense hip, si,IT band and ileo psaois pain. The cycle of doctors started when I no longer could run. No doctor will tell my I am hypermobile. Today I found this site. Last year I found a pt that thought I was hypermobile, but no doctor. I really am feeling so down. The pain as you all know is quite reeling. Don't sleep, don't run, don't walk to well. I am only 40.

I am glad to have found this site. I am going to start trying to find some doctor to work with me. Any suggestions, I live in St. Louis, MO.

Thanks, Renee

By MichelleT on Wednesday, February 07, 2001 - 04:51 pm:

Thanks for your feedback and support everyone. I will definitely get my bike out this summer. As for swimming, I'm like a big rock- I sink really well. ha ha
Anyway, I do feel better now. I guess I just have to keep trying other stuff and be thankful that I'm still walking.

Renee, I haven't been officially diagnosed with hypermobility either. But I know I am. I'm 32 and my hips and knees and ankles and...gee, most of my joints clunk or pop or crack. I've sprained many of my joints, and I am often in pain (in my SI and hips). The exercises and therapy that my PT gave me don't work, and he actually gave me bad advice by suggesting that I keep running.
So I've found that this bulletin board is the most informative and supportive place there is for my condition.For that I am thankful. Welcome to this place.
MichelleT

By Ian on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 06:32 pm:

Yes, if you have hyper mobile joints any form of jarring exercise is a real NO-NO, so suggesting running, jogging, fast aerobics and the like is simply crazy. You were dealing with a so called "professional" who did you no good at all!