August 12- Having talked to others and given myself a good look in the mirror I don't think I'm going the full 8 cm on femurs at this point. At first I thought it was crazy to come here and do anything less than the absolute maximum after spending all that cash but a few factors have influenced me.
A. Now that I am beginning to see my elongated femurs, I think the full distraction may look ridiculous.
B. I talked to a few LL'ers at the end of their journey, who also cut things short- noting that they felt satisfied with where they were at and that more would ruin their proportions. One even mentioned a LL'er who recently left and regrets going 8 cm so much that he contacted Paley in regards to shortening.
C. As the rod expands it becomes weaker. Even a light girl here who did around 6 cm had a mild bend. By stopping earlier I minimize these chances.
D. Especially with the loss of so much weight I do want to re-enter normal life asap and get back to being some semblance of my normal self.
Depending on how this all plays out though I might be interested in tibias to even things out since I am not going the full distance- Although more likely I think I will just enjoy my life at my new height.
Installing height- Programdude's Precice 2 Internal femurs with Dr. Paley
Today the IT band pain is even more intense- affecting walking, smaller motions, and making PT incredibly painful. However my minds responded to this in a very interesting way. Where before this experience was basically a million annoyances bundled into one- now I have something distinct to fight, which has me strangely motivated. Now rather than "I want to get out of here" I feel "I want to conquer this IT band".
Strange, I know, but this real pain snapped my head back into the game.
Quote from: programdude on August 12, 2014, 07:30:57 PMToday the IT band pain is even more intense- affecting walking, smaller motions, and making PT incredibly painful. However my minds responded to this in a very interesting way. Where before this experience was basically a million annoyances bundled into one- now I have something distinct to fight, which has me strangely motivated. Now rather than "I want to get out of here" I feel "I want to conquer this IT band".
Strange, I know, but this real pain snapped my head back into the game.
Oh yes! I know exactly how the pain feels! For me it was a sharp pain when I tried lifting my left leg up and prevented me from performing several movements. It started around day 6-7. Give it a few days and it should disappear.
Really? Thats good news. It seriously snapped me back to earth.
August 13th-
Hard day but still focused and progressing. IT band is giving me hell but I insisted that we still stretch it good. I've gotten good at sort of going to a different place as they seriously stretch my body. I've got zero complaints about PT since bursts of pain aren't a big deal and really should be the last of anyones worries who's considering pursuing this(since you will quit day one).
I've been icing my IT band regularly and it does help- and I urge others who develop this issue to do so even though making ice packs can be a pain when you are alone.
I am somewhat adapting to not being able to sleep properly. For example last night I slept literally not at all- it was a bunch of awful confused tossing and turning. However even though I was a zombie when it was breakfast time I ate, showered to get loose and passed out till right before PT. Again- This is a very up and down experience but you do eventually start to settle into it, getting used to hellish nights of poor sleep and functioning off that and getting into the rhythm of lengthening, napping, eating, PT.
I've talked to a lot of lengtheners here and they keep assuring me things get better. If thats the case things will absolutely become tolerable since even with this incredible pain I am toughening up. I also met a new LL'er today that isn't at the hotels(rich dad, paid for operation and is renting an apartment) who is about a month ahead of me. He, like mostly everyone else reports sleeping issues, but says it does get better as well. Being the newest lengthener can be discouraging in a way, but if what everyone says is true then its also certainly very encouraging.
I tried crutches today, took me a bit to adjust but I actually do like them- the walker is freaking exhausting and the grips hurt so I am pretty keen to upgrade. Plus they said historically those who get on crutches do better overall.
Lastly due to the immense pain I may begin using painkillers before PT, since they basically told me theres no sense in being a hero if it has a chance of interfering there and I'm being responsible.
Do you know your wingspan and sitting height? How does the length of your femurs currently compare to the length of your torso? Can you even notice the 2CM difference, proportionally?
Quote from: programdude on August 14, 2014, 02:57:54 AMusing painkillers before PT
That's definitely a good idea, should make things easier. What kind of painkillers do they offer btw?
Also, how much force it takes to straighten your legs right after waking up?
I actually don't know my numbers, somewhat intentionally, since I don't want to get caught up on them, just what I like the most in terms of feel and look. It is hard to say if I can notice it yet or if it is weight loss/posture.
They offer oxycodone. I try and sleep with legs as straight as possible, but either way it takes a mild bit of effort to fully extend them when I get up to walk. Sleeping really badly again tonight.
Quote from: programdude on August 14, 2014, 08:35:11 AMThey offer oxycodone.
Holy moly, that's like heroin in pills! Can you send me some? Haha jk. I thought they'd give you something less potent like tramadol or NSAIDs. I'd be careful with oxy, it has a good potential of developing addiction. Though it really is FUN!
I have been staying away from them- I was only glued to them the first few days after discharge where pain was absurd. Honestly right now taking them seems to do little to nothing in 5 mg tabs.
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