Thanks Sue. It's ok. I'm happy with my progress so far. The reduction in pain continues to get better.

Swam 1,000 yds in 27 minutes. I was so freaking tired from trying to up my Cymbalta to 30mg per day. It manages pain better, but it makes me feel so freaking tired! What to do? I keep thinking that there is some way to avoid the oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I know it's gross, but the constipation is a bother. At some point maybe a bit of humility and gratitude for how well things are going with my health might be in order. Heh?

ran 6.2 miles (10K) on Saturday in 1 hours 2 miutes

rain rain go away!!!! it has literally rained all day for the last 2 days straight and we're in for several more days just like the last 2. so no walk or bike ride or getting the herbs i bought last week into the garden; i guess i could have walked, but instead at least the house is clean. used having to stay indoors to my advantage. and got my stretching and floor exercises in. my breast bone especially sore these days, wonder why?

erica, how long have you been on cymbalta? maybe your body will adjust and you'll feel less fatigue to it? one of the nsaids was making me really tired but my body adjusted after awhile. constipation? i didn't realize how bad i had it, til i started the probiotics; now i'm their biggest fan. might you consider them? don't know if they'd help or not, regardless of the cause.

Oh, it's the constipation that comes with narcotics. I've started eating five prunes every time I take one and that seems to help a bit. I'll try the probiotics too.

Hi EricaK,
I know I've been off line for a while, so here is my total for this month: 6 hours in the pool, including today.

P.S., Ive found eating a yogurt a day helps with the constipation too.

Good job in the pool! And thanks for the tip about the yogurt.

Today I swam 1,400 yds in 38 minutes.

rain rain rain! and more rain!

so went to the mall (needed something anyway) and walked the length of it first.

1 mile, 20 min.

then bought something for myself somehow that makes the day a little cheerier to beat the dreary weather.

erica, figured the constipation was from the drugs, so not sure if the probiotics will work as they do with me since my problem seems to be a gut flora problem, but an easy thing to try. for me, the probiotics in the yogurt wasn't enough, but for you it could be since your problem is different; stoney field is the best one, a good mix of good bacteria. but if the prunes are working..... the other good thing is psyllium, that's what i used to use til i discovered the probiotics.