Day 4 The most disheartening thing a doctor has told me

I've decided to post on this, since some words I've heard from a doctor (as well as from a physiotherapist before that), have really affected me emotionally.

I was misdiagnosed with a labral tear in the shoulder last April - the physiotherapist told me to consider taking up another sport rather than rock climbing. I am absolutely passionate about climbing, I haven't climbed for 9 months now but I think about it every day. My goal is to be able to climb again, no need to be super good, I just want to able to climb a bit. The physioterapist's words fuelled my depression, and made my symptoms worse. Now my shoulder is better and stronger thanks to a new physio, I have no tears and if it weren't for my other symptoms in the leg and arms, I think I would be able to climb with it.

When I started getting neuropathic pain in June, a neurologist told me to forget about sports. Once again it made me very depressed and the pain got worse afterwards, even though I did the EMG and it resulted normal. I do think that some people in the medical field readily jump to conclusions when it comes to sports, and that they do not think of the emotional issues they might be causing when they tell someone to quit sports for good (when they're not even sure about what's wrong with them!!). They have no idea that for some people this represents an essential component of their lives, it was like I lost someone dear to me when I stopped climbing.

Both people have been an obstacle to me. I only hope that I can prove them wrong, and I shall be doing my best.

 

Hi, Adventureseeker. Doctors and others can give us the worst advice. They should never tell anyone they should quit a sport they love. Just try to do your best. Tests prove you are structurally fit. Do whatever exercise you can, and you will gradually be well again. I've never been a climber, but I bet you will be one again. Just be patient with yourself and the SEProgram.