[colnken]

I'm getting desperate. Did your dr. mention cortisone shots for your ITB Syndrome? Or anyone you know ever tried it? It's been 2 months now. I hadn't run in over 4 weeks and thought I'd give it a try today, no such luck. I'm so pissed. I've been doing my stretches 3x day, getting a deep tissue massage 1x week, had my orthodics adjusted, been to physical therapy 2x, even tried compression running shorts on the advice of my physical therapist. The doctor suggested I try it now and go half the distance of where it would usually start to hurt (1.75 miles), so today I set out to run just under a mile, then walk, then another short run, then walk, etc. (you know, like I STARTED last year at this time.... GGRRRRR). I made it to .75, walked .25, but right off the top of the next run it was back. Did I mention that I'm so pissed?! And depressed- the more research I do (damned internet), I'm finding this has taken people out 6 months to a 1 year +. I'll go insane.

Anyway, I'm desperate to be better by June 10th and the 50-mile bike ride DH and I are doing. I've read mostly good things about the cortisone shots, have you heard anything good or bad?

Thanks for any advice and for "listening" to my rambling.

Lisa

[rachinaz]

The orthopedist I saw in January said to come back for a cortisone shot if it was still hurting in March. It was not something I wanted to do, but I talked to my sister and she had a lot of trouble with her shoulder a few years ago. She was in pain for several months and kept avoiding the cortisone shot. She finally broke down and did it. She said within about a week she was completely pain free.

I've heard mixed reviews about cortisone shots for the IT band. Some say the stats don't show it's very effective for IT problems, then others say it is the only thing that helped them. Honestly, Lisa . . . I'd probably look into the cortisone shot. It's certainly not something you want to do routinely, but it's worth a try, especially if your doctor recommends it. You've tried everything else. After one deep tissue massage and a couple weeks of those exercises I was back to normal.

I would be feeling the same if I were in your shoes. I'd be incredibly frustrated and I, personally, would be getting really pissy about it! LOL!

Keep me posted. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you can get rid of this and be able to do your bike ride. It totally sucks to have an injury that keeps you from doing the things you want to do.

[colnken]

Thanks Rachel, I am going to check into a shot. I feel like the actual "band" is better; I don't have the whole thigh ache anymore, and I can feel the stretches getting easier. I've been doing an insane amount- for the IT Band, hamstrings, quads, calves, inner thigh (can't think of that muscle name now!). It's just that localized spot- I guess the "bursa"- on that side that is inflammed that I can't get healed.

I can see the spring/summer race schedule slipping away, and it frustrates me to no end. I can't miss this bike ride. There aren't many in the area of that distance, and we have a lot of friends that ride it too. Plus, I have a built-in babysitter in my Mom because the ride starts and ends in my hometown, LOL. I just read on the web that you can lower your bike seat to keep your leg from totally extending, so I'm hoping that might help.

Thanks again for your reply. I'll keep you posted.

Lisa