Training for a shorter Tri

Its about 400 quid for a MRI apparently - trying to decide if its worth it just to find out exactly what's going on!! And, yes, I have a lot of respect for the NHS (after living in Africa for 7 years you appreciate these things) but I can't see me being very high on the priority list!! My physio suggest resting it for another week then make a decision, so we'll see!

In another news, i decided 'my' company can pay for private health for me from now on - its tax deductable!

I am guessing you are self employed? private health would be a good option, doubt whether it will cover existing conditions though. MRI is expensive, but then, I guess if I have to make the same decision I think I would pay for it rather than wait months on the nhs

Yes - I set my own comany up a few months ago. Cash flow was an issue initially so 'luxury' expenses such as health insurance were shelved for a while - but I think its probably worth it now, besides its not that expensive!

And I agree - don't think the NHS route is viable!! I'm going to have a chat with some friends who know more about these things and get some more advice - but I can see an MRI happening next week!!

best to get it sorted quickly.

I know my sister needed an op on her arm a few years ago and ended up paying for it herself (well, I think my parents might have helped) rather than wait for the nhs.

Try and get what you can out of the NHS, they do get things right sometimes. You can switch over to Private at most stages if you need to, if you don't get what you need from your GP i belive you have the right to seek a second oppinion.

PaddyP wrote (see)

Cheers CB

Karma, Where are you based?  I visit a great chiro who also does acupuncture and sports massage.  Has great results with sciatica I'm told.  She has really worked out for me with some neck problems I had in past.  I'm up north in Merseyside.

Live in The forest Of Dean (Yes I have the normal number of fingers and toes before anybody starts the forrester jokes! moved here 11 years ago) Have to say NHS have been fantastic here but company provide private health so figure why not use it the biggest advantage clearly being the speed of treatment

PaddyP wrote (see)

Cheers CB

Karma, Where are you based?  I visit a great chiro who also does acupuncture and sports massage.  Has great results with sciatica I'm told.  She has really worked out for me with some neck problems I had in past.  I'm up north in Merseyside.

Rafiki wrote (see)

Yes - I set my own comany up a few months ago. Cash flow was an issue initially so 'luxury' expenses such as health insurance were shelved for a while - but I think its probably worth it now, besides its not that expensive!

And I agree - don't think the NHS route is viable!! I'm going to have a chat with some friends who know more about these things and get some more advice - but I can see an MRI happening next week!!

Rafi would definately have the MRI better to be safe than sorry if you are in that much pain no pockets in a shroud as they say and you dont want to be doing stuff that could make it worse

Welcom DawnShadow

Rafiki - All I know about MRI scans is that they are noisy and you can't have one if you have any metal inside your body.

I have been back to the Osteopath as my piriformis went twang when stretching on Sunday and it still felt not right. She has released the tension in it and is writing up a report and I am seeing a physio next week for second opinion on what is causing the problems and probably more/different exercises. At least the good news was that my pelvis had stayed straight.

REf sarah had a MRI last week on the NHS with her knee but was a lot of faft and waited for a couple of month's if any use to you?

Well Steady, that might make my decision a lot easier as I have a rather large titanium plate in the old noggin - so no MRI!!

Yep Rafiki, that would make a difference, apparently any metal would be pulled out of the body by the magnets, cos they are really strong. Not sure whether titanium is in that class but think it would rule you out. Maybe a CT scan will show enough detail.
So do you set off scanners at the airport is my next question?

interesting, according to wikipedia, titanium is ok for an mri

been back to the physio, he reckons it is the fat pad that is hurting, caused by weak left glute, groin muscle is dominating and tight ITB all conspiring to make my left knee fall inwards when I run. He masssaged the fat pad, and I can confirm that that was incredibly painful. Anway, he told me I should swim normally not with a pull buoy and also cycle normally as other wise I'll lose muscle and it will take me ages to get back back to normal training.

so, tomorrow I will thrash the spin bike in the gym, would rather test this out in the gym and not end up miles away from home and having to cycle back in pain if that is ok I might treat myself to a sufferfest session on friday - haven't had chance to sample them since downloading them a few weeks ago

Ti is not ferrous. Innit!

Indeed - but after a bit of research, some of the screws may be of a titanium alloy - which may contain Fe - basically need to discuss with MRI people..

But, disappointingly, I don't set off metal detectors at airports

Interesting how many people in here are injured...... are you quite sure this exercise stuff is good for you

what would we be like if we weren't exercising?? when I look at other people my age I do sometimes think 'thank god I am not like that' overweight/unable to move far/looking elderly....some people in their 40s look like they are nearing their deathbeds, I want to stay away from mine as long as possible...

Maths I agree having done next to nothing for a couple of months it is alarming how quickly my fitness has vanished and the weight has piled on hope I can get this sorted asap otherwise I will need the couch surgically removed removed from my arse!

Got my back MRI results today. Much of L2-5 seems to be pretty much muesli or dead and L5 is fused to the sacro joint as well. And what the hell is stenosis? At least I know why it hurts so feckin' much now.

Cortisone injections to the joints recommended. Er, dunno, squealy girl in me doesn't like the sound of that.

Sorry, I have a vision of Raf with his head stuck to the inside of the donut on the MRI machine with bolts poking through his skin.

Re 40s and unfit, friend of mine just had his BP measured at 226/127 and told in immediate danger of stroke. Don't think the 25 stone helps.

Good luck all peeps with bits wrong with them!

DB - don't really understand your mri results - is it your vertebra you are talking about?

blimey - your friend's blood pressure is bad! I had mine measured recently and it was something like 140/72 - I think that is around normal 

Shiiiiiit DB!

My shoulder cleared up VERY quickly once cortisone injections were discussed.

(((Rafiki))) & (((SteadyCJ)))  thanks for welcome

(((Cake))) Hi fella *waves*

You could get an MRI via health insurance as long as you don't have a history of treatment for that injury on your medical record at the GPs.