bbgonnabe’s BodyBlog

Well, shortly after my last post, I had to drop the dumbell bench to 30lb dumbells.  As of today, I had to lower it again. 

I did 1×15@30lb(each arm) with just a little discomfort.  On the second set, I had to stop at 10 reps because I was hit with unbearable stabbing pain in the left shoulder.  I resumed with 20lb and made it to 17 reps when it happened again.  I had residual pain for about 10 minutes following.  (The goal was 3×15@30lb(ea arm).)

I am not going to be able to work through the pain and force the bone to dissolve per my orhto’s suggestion.  The intense pain just becomes unbearable and prevents progression.

I had placed a call in to the ortho earlier in the day to have either the second MRI or an office visit in preparation for the second MRI.
I have not received my Zyflamend order but I don’t think it will help.  The problem seems mechanical and not inflammatory in nature.

I need to get my rear in gear and focus on legs and arms as LongnHard suggested (?).  I got tired of doing legs and just went for cardio.  Also, I could be working my back more.

I finally started benching with dumbells about two months ago, working in the 15-20 rep range.  About a month ago I switched to the 12-15 range for 3 sets.  I am stuck at 35lb each arm due to pain in my left shoulder.  For the last three workouts, I have had excruciating pain on the final set to the point that my arm becomes suddenly weak.  The orthopaedic specialist had told me before to work through the pain and that eventually the bone would dissolve (acromon at a/c joint attachment) and I would have no further pain.  He did offer to do a second MRI.  That was in May.  I’m about ready to take him up on the MRI as the pain is worse than before the surgery in November.  I am concerned about the physical consequences and cost of a second surgery and physical therapy.  I can peform daily tasks with almost no pain.  I just have to consider if it’s worth it to be able to bench.  I’m on disability so I don’t have a ton of money to spend yet again.
I am able to do lat pulldowns now and curls without pain.  The labral repair was successful.

On another front, one of my medications had to be increased by 50% in May.  It caused weight gain of around 8lb and caused decreased motivation and lethargy.  After discussing this with the doctor, she reduced it to only a 25% increase.  My motivation is better and I’m no longer battling lethargy.  However, the weight gain remains.  I’m on two medications that can each cause a 15% reduction in metabolic rate.  Therefore, even if I can raise my metabolism by say 15-30% that doesnt’ really put me ahead of the game.

I saw an Integrative Medicine doctor last week (unexpected benefit considering I’m on a Medicare HMO plan).  Among other things, I was looking for supplements or botanicals that could increase metabolism without interfering with my medications or exacerbate my illness.  Integrative medicine doctors will only prescribe alternative or complementary medicine that has been proven safe and effective.  She advised me that the only thing that will boost metabolism is caffeine.  I asked here about the compund EGCG found in green tea but she said that studies about it’s effectiveness for weight loss are inconclusive and it is not worth trying at this point.  I also asked her about something for the shoulder pain.  She suggested an herbal preparation called Zyflamend.  I’ll be trying that soon.

My workout partner has ditched me.  He’s been playing this passive-aggressive thing about returning phone calls and getting together for a bite.  I don’t know what his problem is and he’s avoiding telling me.  I saw him at the gym recently one night but he was playing racquetball so it wasn’t a good time to talk.  I’m pushing through on my own.  However,  if there’s anyone up to having a cripple <grin> for a workout partner at the Chandler or Mesa LA Fitness locations, please let me know!