G and I were sitting on the couch, both of us in pain, and he said how much it sucked to get old. Now he just had a birthday putting him in the EIGHT YEARS OLDER than me category and I said, “DUDE I am not old.” And he replied, “That’s what makes you all the more pathetic.”
Fucker. I hate it when he’s right.
I know I’ve talked about this before – god, it’s over ten years now – once upon a time G went away on a business trip and I slept funny in the bed and it got a little too cold that night and the muscles between my shoulder blades basically froze and I was in extraordinary pain for a couple of days. I remember going to work that morning and almost throwing up on the subway and when I took a car service home the jostling in the car almost made me pass out. I was able to function after a couple of days and it went away completely about a week later but it left me with a weak spot. Know what I mean? Whenever I sleep a little too deep or the temperature drops a bit or the sun transverses the moon at a 180° trajectory or some other such nonesense I get a nice crick in the muscles between my shoulders. See what happens when you wish for Fall and Summer’s not finished with you yet?
I woke up Saturday and true to rules of the universe, my funk seemed to have passed, but my back was killing me. I’ve never ever had it as bad as the first time, but it’s annoying nonetheless and I want to weep for my husband who is in physical pain on a pretty much constant basis. I probably would be better right now but I’m not because, you see, my husband was in more pain than usual this weekend and nothing tortures my sweet boy more than the weather being a shade better than perfect and him not being able to run around on the tennis court. A good indication as to how much pain he’s in: he asked ME to play tennis with him.
I was going to the tennis court anyway to sit and knit and enjoy the outdoors while he played but he said he might not be able to find anyone to play with so could I bring my stuff. Just in case. I said sure full well knowing he’d find someone. I mean it’s been AGES since I played with him. No such luck. You know what? I’m not bad. He even said I could be really good if I took lessons. You know why? Agression. I’ve got it in spades. I’m not kidding. One time we took a golf lesson out in Palm Springs and I could barely connect with the golf ball but the pro was really impressed. He told G that I had a lot of agression in my swing and “you can’t teach that.” The same applies to tennis. One guy that was there told G that I hit really hard. I do. And I love it when G hits hard back. (Go to it google freaks.)
About thirty seconds into playing I knew I was going to pay for it the rest of the weekend. It didn’t really hurt my back to play, but I knew that as soon as I cooled off I was going to be fucked.
Fucker. I hate it when I’m right.
My back has been awful ever since. And not just my back but pretty much every other muscle in my torso, and a couple in my legs and arms too. Although I have been able to wrangle quite a few BENGAY massages this weekend. Soooo sexxxy!
I did have fun though. I’m looking forward to playing again – sooner rather than later. I also did a lot of knitting and a lot of spinning, neither of which helped my body recover at all. BUT I finished spinning up the rest of the Blue Heaven singles. I think I’m going to wait a few days to ply it all because I want my back to be better not worse. And, of course, I finished the first of the STR Knee Highs. G, in particular, loves the sock. He’s already requested the outfit I’m to wear with it but honestly, these babies will be staying under cover. Like wearing sexy underwear – only you know it’s there but oh does it make you feel good. I’ve cast on for the next one and I’m about halfway through the ribbing. I can’t get a really comfy position to knit with though so I don’t know what I’m going to do. Request for stats on the sock: US #1 Addis. I started with 325 yds of STR (in the old put up) and I have a little more than 1/2 oz left. Not sure what the yardage on that would be. You probably need AT LEAST 500 yds depending on how high you want to go and how big your leg is. I start out with 88 stitches, increase up to 98, then head all the way back down to 64. Whee!
Before I called it a day fiber wise, I decided to turn my attention to the roving Teyani sent me to finish off my Sock Hop Knee Highs. Now that the Blue Heaven only has plying left, I can think ahead to spinning up the heel/toe yarn:
I quickly (read: sloppily – I was in pain and frankly tired of spinning) spun up about a tenth of an ounce of roving to see how it would look and to test run if I can get it thin enough. I think I did okay considering I was high off BENGAY fumes.
The colored yarn is a couple strands from each of the skeins I’m using for the sock bodies. My plan now is to spin it up (I’ve got enough for like five pairs of socks here – at least it seems that way) and do the heels and knit with the old stuff until I run out or I need to start decreasing for the toes. Then, I MIGHT, might – depending on how it looks, clip the cast on stitches and unravel the American Pie yarn down to the stockinette and then knit it back in stockinette and only then start the ribbing with the new blue stuff. Does that make sense? Would it work? I’ve only got like 20 rows of ribbing – then I can make them extra long. We’ll see. But I have a feeling it will work just fine.
Oh, my aching cheeks, Cara! That first paragraph made me laugh and laugh. I just hope that all this tennis is not going to render you unfit to knit, spin, and blog.
Go find a good chiropractor! I had a similar back thing (and it still aches sometimes) and my fabulous chiro has me 95% better! I still go in for tuneups every once in a while, when I feel one of those twinges, but it’s now totally manageable when once I was taking 3 Advil at a time, 4 times a day, just to be able to sit up. Mine practices the Activator method — http://www.activator.com/. Good luck!
Unraveling from the cast on should work (you may not even need to snip it if you are careful) but it won’t just rip like it would in the other direction or if it was in plain Stockinette. At every change from knit to purl you will have to pull the yarn out of the stitch (I’ve done iton a sweater, it took a long time and was very frustrating but it worked).
My husband is a sider and he gets sore muscles all the time. We have some other remedies I’d like to suggest to you:
Epsom salts in your bath water.
Heat applied to the sore spot. We use a cotton sock filled with brown rice and just pop it in the microwave to heat it up. It gives a comforting, moist heat.
Gentle stretching.
I once threw out my back, putting on a mini-skirt. I feel your pain.
I’d suggest Flexoril, but it does strange, STRANGE things to your knitting when you’re on it. No idea what it would do to spinning, but I doubt it would be good.
A massage, maybe? And look out for mini-skirts.
I have a brilliant chiropractor who doesn’t crack or manipulate the spine at all. She practices “Directional Non-Force Technique,” and unlike most chiropractors, you don’t need to go on a ongoing basis. You go for a specific injury or condition, you see her a couple of times and then you don’t see her again unless you want/need an adjustment (i typically go once a year). She advised me to get a book called “Stretching” by Bob Anderson, which is the single best thing I’ve ever done for my back. Daily stretching might help you tremendously. Let me know if you want my chiro’s info.
The roving will make perfect yarn for your heels, toes and if need be ther ribbing. It will work to pick up and knit back but you will be off one half stitch that you’ll need to mess with a little. I’ve cut and ribbed down on a sweater and it turned out fine.
Poor G, poor you. I have a spot under my left shoulder blade with the same problem. The best way to fix it is to strengthen it. Exercise, I’m afraid, is the only thing that worked for me and while it isn’t gone it is bearable.
I have the exact same problem with the chilly air on my back — it doesn’t even have to be chilly, just cool — and it isn’t necessarily my back, it’s my neck and shoulders — and it isn’t just when sleeping (though I sure feel it most when I wake up!). Ought to be interesting this year, trying to keep my upper back, neck and shoulders warm while at the same time, wanting to rip everything off because I’m having a hot flash. I haven’t slept with the covers on in I-don’t-know-how-long and I’m feeling the twinge already.
It sure the fucking hell does suck to get old.
The blue heels and toes and ribbing is going to look AWESOME. Also, unpicking the ribbing might be kind f fiddly, but I think it will be worth it. Those socks are going to be so wonderful!
I too will vouch for the value of a good chiropractor for this type of injury. Not only does a good adjustment ease the pain but corrects the source of it so you shouldn’t be subject to the pain so much. Careful of a good massage: if you are prone to such muscle spasms, massage can (but doesn’t always of course) prompt it. Hope you feel better soon!
Gorgeous color. I say milk those massages for all they’re worth. Is G a Leo, then? Me too!
I have a similar place in my neck…stupid turning in the shower and suddenly WHAMMO, can’t move.
And dude. I AM old. I’m going to be forty this coming spring.
My husband acts older, though, with the creaks and pops and little pains. Don’t tell him I said so…
That blue is making me drool. Which is not attractive. I think I have to have some. Was that a one-off, or would she do it again? Must. Reach. Her. 🙂
fucker. I hate it when’ you’re right too.
TENS (aka transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is the best thing ever! Check out here for a definition:
http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/sportsmedicine/spor5119.html
I ache just reading about your back, but I am so glad your mood lifted. Of the two, that’s the more important.
I spun on a wheel FOR THE FIRST TIME this weekend, and guess what I used? Some of the lovely Indigo Moon merino that you sent me last fall. It looks like poo because it was my first, but I wanted to use it, and darn it, I did! Thanks so much.
xox, J
Oooooh. Your blue yarn is beautiful. Hope you and G. both feel better!
My shoulder aches in sympathy, Cara. I smile broadly, though, when looking at that sumptuous yarn. Kinda balances out.
Get better soon!
That blue is stunning! Your spinning is lovely too!
awwww I hope the two of you start feeling better
sending you good wishes!!
Cara Cara Cara I love your spinning. I know you’re using a wheel but I want to have my spindle make yarn like yours – two sproingy fluffy squishy pillows twisted together. How can I get mine to look like that? Is this …. singles losely twisted then plied tightly… is it the fiber? Don’t tell me it’s the spinning wheel – I can’t have one of those (yet!).
I hope your achey back gets better – I know what you’re talking about – that cold weather muscle soreness that’s best soothed with a crackling fire, romantic music, and … okay. I know what you’re talking about.
Sorry about your back! Hope it’s better soon, hon.
….. or is it your plying angle? ::studying photos:: Hmmmm…..
OK, Cara, time for a Physical Therapist to weigh in…ICE, ICE, BABY! Ice your sore spots since it is an acute injury, as often as 10-15 minutes on, 20 minutes off. I like plastic bags of frozen corn for this purpose, personally.
Also, I highly recommend Arnica tablets, buy from any health food store. You can take these as early as the “Oh, shit, I’m gonna be sore from this” thought crosses your mind, but also after the pain hits.
Just my two cents worth…
If the pain feels like an icepick stabbing into the middle of your shoulder blades that is a rib head out. Go to a chiropractor, they really do help most of the time.
That’s some seriously beautiful yarn there .. and the roving looks simply edible.
But I’m not on that much of a high-fiber diet.
Ice for the first 24 hours, then heat. A good chiro can work wonders after that, too.
The socks are already gorgeous — they’ll be killer with the blue ribbing, etc!
Love the blue roving! It’s absolutely stunning. And your spinning is moch more constant than mine, too. My thickness still varies too much to make me happy.
glad to see it’s not just me who gets told by their husband that they’re more pathetic because they’re not old. i found out that i’ve got stress changes in both hips, knees, ankles and big toes. this means that i’m constantly on high level anti-inflamitories and that i crinkel when ever i move. sadly i’m only 25. i can only imagine what it’s going to be like as i continue to age. it scares me. but hey, we can be pathetic together. remember, i’m here for the ‘hey, i’m not the only one like that’ thought. keep up the awesome knitting and spinning. it always awes me.
–lindsey
Damn, I’m sorry about your back. I have a similar story where I hurt my right trap at work (repetitive stress) and it has always bothered me since. The worst part, I hurt it before I learned to knit and knitting makes it worse. We all have to suffer a little for our art. 😉
I am so amazed by spinners, that you can take a blue cloud of fluff and make it into my favorite stuff on earth; amazing. Thanks for the sock stats, I have almost 700 yards of Regia Nation Fun and am envisioning knee high, rainbow striped socks. It’s totally not my style but I’m having some sort of weird 1984 Rainbow-Brite flashback.
Getting older is cool in a lot of ways, but man does it SUCK too!!!! 😛
Another vote for a chriopractic visit. They all adjust a little differently so don’t be afraid to ask how they do it then chose the style you’re most comfortable with. I know a number of people who have always thought chiros were quacks and they’ll literally allow themselves to suffer for days, weeks, even years without even trying it. My sis-in-law fell into that category until about 2 years ago when she just couldn’t take it anymore. She found a chiro that used an activator (what she was comfortable with – me, I like a good bone cracking) and was fixed immediately. Boy, did she hate to admit it to us pro-chiros!! 🙂
You might also read a book called Healing Back Pain by John Sarno. He makes a connection between emotions/thoughts/stress/etc and back pain. He doesn’t say back pain’s all in your head, but that stress manifests itself in physical symptoms. What you describe – stress, anxiety with hubby gone, etc – seems to fit that. My chiro used to assume I’d show up every October for a major lower back session because that was my stressful work month. Thank goodness I quit that job!
Good luck with the back pain, and remember you don’t have to live with it if you don’t want to!
Yikes! But…excuse to treat yourself to a nice massage? 😉 Feel better soon!
You have a trapezius spasm or strain – I get them too, and I do think a massage will help…
Can’t wait to see you!! Even if you have to lay on the couch the whole time. 😉 Feel better soon!
I could not do what I do without my physical therapist. Stretching, baby. Gotta.