Physical Therapy, Part Two

Yesterday was my second physical therapy section and it did not go well. Like the last visit, I was taken into a private room and had to insert the sensor. For some reason, it took me a lot longer than my last visit. I talked with my physical therapist about the sensor for awhile. She said she has worked with many VVS patients and is still mystified why there is only one size fits all sensor. No one has taken the time to patent small sensors for women with chronic pain who have difficulty using the sensor. I'm so angry and tired of the medical community ignoring my problem and refusing to make small and easy technological advancements.

I did the three basic exercises last time, and saw some improvement in my resting rate. My therapist also said that resting rates vary with hormonal levels, so it's difficult to note changes over a woman's month cycle. But, I didn't have as much pain during and after the exercises, so I was happy. Then, we did a fourth exercise where I had to tighten my pelvic muscles for two seconds and then rest for two seconds and repeat for about a minute. The first four seconds I was doing fine, and then all of a sudden, my muscles began to spasm. Not only did I feel them, but I saw my levels go crazy on the computer. And as much as I tried to focus on my breathing and not look at the computer and relax, I couldn't get the spasms under control for the rest of the exercise. This was the end of my session, but I had to wait before going home because I was in too much pain. The spasms continued on and off throughout the day, but the direct pain relented after 20 minutes. 

I was upset after therapy but I've been doing better since then. I am just tired of trying things that will "make things easier." I want to be cured. But, I know that things will get better; I still have other options and there are just too many things for me to look forward to. My semester is almost over and I'm leaving for Tanzania in exactly 2 weeks. I have two more visits to physical therapy before I leave, so we will see how things pan out.