I have always thought the concept of Daylight Saving Time was a stupid idea. We still have the exact same amount of sunlight and darkness, it seems the only thing the changing of the clocks does is make people late for work once a year. Unless you have kids in which case that extra hour of sleep goes bye-bye when your toddler gets up at what used to be 6am.
Anyway, it was a rough night of sleeping. Not sure why that is because I was comfortable when I went to bed but I must have been up 4 or 5 times to change positions or go to the bathroom. Once you adjust it takes me a good bit to get back to sleep. This morning I am a bit sore and my left foot and leg are totally numb. It feels like pins and needles being poked into my foot and my leg feels like one big muscle cramp. I took the max dose of flexeril but like I said before I appear to have developed a tolerance. If this crap stays all day, taking the boys out for trick or treating this evening should be a blast.
10/31/2004
10/30/2004
RHAPSODY Link
RHAPSODY Link
So what are you listening to these days? I have a wide range I will listen to I guess mood depending. Right now I am listening to Disturbed and am just in a mood for some harder hitting music this evening. Maybe wind down to some Rob Zombie later on, who knows.
As a child of the 80's though I listen to The Violent Femmes Billy Bragg Pete Wylie Screaming Blue Messiahs and on and on. While there was some INXS, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths, Fine Young Cannibals etc... somewhere they all seem to have either lost touch with their base or moved on to a new one. I would not call them sellouts but rather they stopped making music I liked. Kind of like U2, they seem to have stopped being angry once they realized they were wealthy.
Growing up on Long Island I used to listen to 92.7 WLIR but I believe they have recently changed formats. While I have been off the Island for some time I started listening to them over the web awhile back.
Maybe tomorrow I will edit my playlist on Rhapsody and blog it here. They do have a pretty cool feature that lets you blog your selections straight from the program.
The pain level this evening is fairly low. A nice surprise and a good way to wind down the evening. Since there is still jack shit on the idiot box I am just going to listen to some tunes and hit some of the blogs.
So what are you listening to these days? I have a wide range I will listen to I guess mood depending. Right now I am listening to Disturbed and am just in a mood for some harder hitting music this evening. Maybe wind down to some Rob Zombie later on, who knows.
As a child of the 80's though I listen to The Violent Femmes Billy Bragg Pete Wylie Screaming Blue Messiahs and on and on. While there was some INXS, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths, Fine Young Cannibals etc... somewhere they all seem to have either lost touch with their base or moved on to a new one. I would not call them sellouts but rather they stopped making music I liked. Kind of like U2, they seem to have stopped being angry once they realized they were wealthy.
Growing up on Long Island I used to listen to 92.7 WLIR but I believe they have recently changed formats. While I have been off the Island for some time I started listening to them over the web awhile back.
Maybe tomorrow I will edit my playlist on Rhapsody and blog it here. They do have a pretty cool feature that lets you blog your selections straight from the program.
The pain level this evening is fairly low. A nice surprise and a good way to wind down the evening. Since there is still jack shit on the idiot box I am just going to listen to some tunes and hit some of the blogs.
Man there is nothing on...
My dad came over and we went through the house to check for spots needing to be winterized. We found some spots in the basement that we need to either spray expanding foam in or stuff a roll of Fiberglas in to the spot and it should be good to go. We pulled the molding from around the sliding glass doors and found a gap of about an inch the whole way around the door. No wonder it was always so damned cold back here. We stuffed some insulation around it and we fixed the handle which has never really worked.
I did get to take a short nap this afternoon but woke up from it with my left arm burning and my back feeling like crap. I would say that the pain is about a 6 for both of them which means it is annoying more then anything.
Not much to do for the rest of the day so I thought I would watch some TV, 150+ channels AND NOTHING IS ON. It is a toss up of watching Daddy Day Care or Escape From New York, neither of which I care to see for the 20th time.
I did get to take a short nap this afternoon but woke up from it with my left arm burning and my back feeling like crap. I would say that the pain is about a 6 for both of them which means it is annoying more then anything.
Not much to do for the rest of the day so I thought I would watch some TV, 150+ channels AND NOTHING IS ON. It is a toss up of watching Daddy Day Care or Escape From New York, neither of which I care to see for the 20th time.
Homeland Security Agents Visit Toy Store
Yahoo! News - Homeland Security Agents Visit Toy Store
Ok, this is bordering on stupid. Do our homeland security people have nothing better to do then check on possible patent infringements? While I certainly do not advocate any infringement of a patent or a copyright, I cannot fathom the wasted time of following up something this minor. Would this not be a civil matter? Did those agents not have something more pressing, say something like following up on terrorist threats, port security etc...?
If we have agents who have time for activities like this maybe it is time to look at how the Dept of Homeland Security is organized and trim the fat if and where needed. Nothing like your tax dollars hard at work!
Ok, this is bordering on stupid. Do our homeland security people have nothing better to do then check on possible patent infringements? While I certainly do not advocate any infringement of a patent or a copyright, I cannot fathom the wasted time of following up something this minor. Would this not be a civil matter? Did those agents not have something more pressing, say something like following up on terrorist threats, port security etc...?
If we have agents who have time for activities like this maybe it is time to look at how the Dept of Homeland Security is organized and trim the fat if and where needed. Nothing like your tax dollars hard at work!
Time to winterize...
Man these morning headaches have to stop, they suck. Top it off with I had to run to the store to get some sugar and cream for the coffee so I was not able to take my meds right off the bat. I finally got my coffee and now I am sitting in the recliner listening to Stephen Lynch on Real Rhapsody, who if you have not listened is damned funny.
The numbness in my foot and leg is still fairly moderate but the burning pain in my back is not there this morning. Hopefully it stays away for the day as my dad is coming up to help me winterize the house. Since my house is over 100 years and is on a fieldstone foundation there are some gaps that need to be filled every year with some insulation. While we did this last year there was some settling that we need to finish up. We use spray in foam for the gaps so it should not take to long and I should not have to mess with any fiberglass insulation.
Today should be an interesting day as the candidates and their reps will be going door to door one last time. I am one of the few Republicans on my block so I am sure they will be stopping here to speak with me. Two of the democratic candidates for state positions are family friends so I am positive I am on their "hit list." One of these years I should run for office. I have some decent credentials including board member, past president and judge for the county Teen Court.
Basically teen court is a program offered to youthful offenders in lieu of going through the judicial system. The offender is given an "attorney" who like the "prosecutor" is another teen as is the jury. Most of the "attorneys" and jury are other offenders who have completed the program and have stayed on to help their peers.
The numbness in my foot and leg is still fairly moderate but the burning pain in my back is not there this morning. Hopefully it stays away for the day as my dad is coming up to help me winterize the house. Since my house is over 100 years and is on a fieldstone foundation there are some gaps that need to be filled every year with some insulation. While we did this last year there was some settling that we need to finish up. We use spray in foam for the gaps so it should not take to long and I should not have to mess with any fiberglass insulation.
Today should be an interesting day as the candidates and their reps will be going door to door one last time. I am one of the few Republicans on my block so I am sure they will be stopping here to speak with me. Two of the democratic candidates for state positions are family friends so I am positive I am on their "hit list." One of these years I should run for office. I have some decent credentials including board member, past president and judge for the county Teen Court.
Basically teen court is a program offered to youthful offenders in lieu of going through the judicial system. The offender is given an "attorney" who like the "prosecutor" is another teen as is the jury. Most of the "attorneys" and jury are other offenders who have completed the program and have stayed on to help their peers.
10/29/2004
I thought spring was over???
Well just to the south of us they are getting nailed with bad weather and there have been several tornadoes reported already. Rather freakish weather in the plains for this time of the year. Usually spring is full of this stuff, particularly this last one. We had several thousand dollars damage to our house from a micro burst, which took part of the roof and ripped all the power lines out of the house. Hope they are doing better then that down there.
My left foot is totally numb and my back has been on fire all day. Nothing seems to have worked, not the pain meds or changing positions so I have been fidgity all day long. I feel bad for everyone else in the house on days like this. They all seem to want to help but there is nothing they can do for me. I tell them so, but sometimes I wonder if it comes across as a "leave me alone." It is not intended that way, but at the same time when you are in pain and on meds you tend to be short/terse with some answers.
Top it all off with I did not get in a nap this afternoon which I really wanted to do since I slept horribly last night. Well the night is here so I am going to listen to some tunes and surf the net for a bit and then fall asleep watching the idiot box.
My left foot is totally numb and my back has been on fire all day. Nothing seems to have worked, not the pain meds or changing positions so I have been fidgity all day long. I feel bad for everyone else in the house on days like this. They all seem to want to help but there is nothing they can do for me. I tell them so, but sometimes I wonder if it comes across as a "leave me alone." It is not intended that way, but at the same time when you are in pain and on meds you tend to be short/terse with some answers.
Top it all off with I did not get in a nap this afternoon which I really wanted to do since I slept horribly last night. Well the night is here so I am going to listen to some tunes and surf the net for a bit and then fall asleep watching the idiot box.
Cookies and pain meds...
Woke up this morning at about 0400 very congested and coughing. I tried to blow my nose but all that happened were that my ears popped. I took some benadryl not expecting much from it but within 30 minutes it was clearing up and I was able to get back to sleep for a bit. I have a humidifier on the furnace but it has been warm enough to have the AC on for the past few days and today they are calling for the 80's again.
The burning in my left arm is back my leg and foot are numb and my back is one giant knot. The numbness in my leg is also a bit more then I have had in the past. It seems like it is around the back side and causing a small muscle spasm. I thought sitting in the recliner would help but so far nothing.
I also need to bake cookies this morning for his class party, but they do not need them until after 2pm so I have some time to get them done. Since I am doing those I decided to make some extras for us as well as some brownies. They are all lowfat and made from scratch as I do not care for pre-packaged items. I grew up in a very close family with strong Italian and Greek ties so there was always something good in the oven at my grandmothers/Yaya's house.
The burning in my left arm is back my leg and foot are numb and my back is one giant knot. The numbness in my leg is also a bit more then I have had in the past. It seems like it is around the back side and causing a small muscle spasm. I thought sitting in the recliner would help but so far nothing.
I also need to bake cookies this morning for his class party, but they do not need them until after 2pm so I have some time to get them done. Since I am doing those I decided to make some extras for us as well as some brownies. They are all lowfat and made from scratch as I do not care for pre-packaged items. I grew up in a very close family with strong Italian and Greek ties so there was always something good in the oven at my grandmothers/Yaya's house.
10/28/2004
Would you still love me???
Another rainy and muggy day.
My left leg and foot are burning today as well as my back. While not being high on the pain scale (about a 5) it is annoying because it makes my foot feel like it is freezing. The meds help control the pain but they do not do anything for the burning, which is the nerves that are being slowly squeezed by the scar tissue, so when the meds ware off the pain is back very quickly.
Someone my wife's works with asked her if my back was really messed up. I have become used to this and laugh it off. However some people are so funny it deserves to be blogged for the others to laugh at. This time they actually asked her if she thought bout leaving since my back was so jacked. You have to wonder about some people, do they actually think before they speak? My wife's reply was spot on, she told her that it is "till death do us part." We have been through much worse in the last 7 years, including both of us losing our jobs right after our son was born. She was laid off and I obviously could no longer do mine with my back and the surgery. We went from being comfortable and owning 2 houses and 2 brand new cars down to 1 house and 1 car as well we ended up draining our savings. We are back on our feet and just in time though, had she not found the position she is in now we might have ended up having to declare bankruptcy to save the house and car. Anyway, like I said we have been through worse and done just fine. It was actually a blessing in disguise, we got to spend a lot of time together as well as with our boys.
It looks like Gil is finally getting another MRIdone which is good news. Hopefully they will get him squared away and find some relief for him.
I did get out for a bit this morning to pick up some items to make cookies for my sons class party tomorrow. I thought we would make some chocolate chip as well as some sugar cookies and use some food coloring to make them orange an/or black for Halloween.
We also cruised by the store and hit the DVD section to get some of his favorite movies for Christmas. We also got him some games for the TV that he has been asking for and we checked out the MP3 players. I thought if we got him something like that, we could have a little more control over what he is listening to rather then just letting him listen to the radio. We can also just download the songs he wants rather then the whole CD for $15+. Still a few other things we would like to get for him but we are mostly done with the shopping for the kids.
We decided for Halloween to offer him some options other then trick or treating. Over the last 3 years the number of people participating seems to have dwindled to almost none. What used to be an easy night to get several weeks worth of candy, is no more. You can go for a block or two sometimes and not have anyone with the porch lights on. So we offered him a movie of his choice and a movie to watch or we could go to my parents house where we might have better luck going door to door. We will see what he picks.
My left leg and foot are burning today as well as my back. While not being high on the pain scale (about a 5) it is annoying because it makes my foot feel like it is freezing. The meds help control the pain but they do not do anything for the burning, which is the nerves that are being slowly squeezed by the scar tissue, so when the meds ware off the pain is back very quickly.
Someone my wife's works with asked her if my back was really messed up. I have become used to this and laugh it off. However some people are so funny it deserves to be blogged for the others to laugh at. This time they actually asked her if she thought bout leaving since my back was so jacked. You have to wonder about some people, do they actually think before they speak? My wife's reply was spot on, she told her that it is "till death do us part." We have been through much worse in the last 7 years, including both of us losing our jobs right after our son was born. She was laid off and I obviously could no longer do mine with my back and the surgery. We went from being comfortable and owning 2 houses and 2 brand new cars down to 1 house and 1 car as well we ended up draining our savings. We are back on our feet and just in time though, had she not found the position she is in now we might have ended up having to declare bankruptcy to save the house and car. Anyway, like I said we have been through worse and done just fine. It was actually a blessing in disguise, we got to spend a lot of time together as well as with our boys.
It looks like Gil is finally getting another MRIdone which is good news. Hopefully they will get him squared away and find some relief for him.
I did get out for a bit this morning to pick up some items to make cookies for my sons class party tomorrow. I thought we would make some chocolate chip as well as some sugar cookies and use some food coloring to make them orange an/or black for Halloween.
We also cruised by the store and hit the DVD section to get some of his favorite movies for Christmas. We also got him some games for the TV that he has been asking for and we checked out the MP3 players. I thought if we got him something like that, we could have a little more control over what he is listening to rather then just letting him listen to the radio. We can also just download the songs he wants rather then the whole CD for $15+. Still a few other things we would like to get for him but we are mostly done with the shopping for the kids.
We decided for Halloween to offer him some options other then trick or treating. Over the last 3 years the number of people participating seems to have dwindled to almost none. What used to be an easy night to get several weeks worth of candy, is no more. You can go for a block or two sometimes and not have anyone with the porch lights on. So we offered him a movie of his choice and a movie to watch or we could go to my parents house where we might have better luck going door to door. We will see what he picks.
Glossary of Arachnoiditis-Related Medical Terms
Glossary of Arachnoiditis-Related Medical Terms
Just some medical terms pertaining to Arachnoiditis.
Just some medical terms pertaining to Arachnoiditis.
10/27/2004
Panic attack...
An entire day without access to blogger. I am not sure why but I could not get to mine or any of the others that I read. Arrrrrrgh!!! Looks like whatever it was s fixed though and I was not the only one as I received a few emails from other bloggers saying they were having trouble too. Pretty boring day without my blogs to read.
Burning in the lower back has been there all day and the knot is back as well. I am sure now that I need to change the muscle relaxer as 20mg of flexeril is not working and that is a double dose. The headache was back this morning but the new meds for that kicked it's ass before it got bad. Same side effect though as the other day and that is it in conjunction with the other stuff knocked me out for a few hours.
I need to do some more reading though on some of the meds for pain management. One of the meds they usually prescribe during pain management is an anti-depressant for it's serotonin producing properties but then the migraine meds reduce the serotonin levels when they are taken. Not sure what the effects of both of them on each other but neither of the websites say they are contraindicated.
Burning in the lower back has been there all day and the knot is back as well. I am sure now that I need to change the muscle relaxer as 20mg of flexeril is not working and that is a double dose. The headache was back this morning but the new meds for that kicked it's ass before it got bad. Same side effect though as the other day and that is it in conjunction with the other stuff knocked me out for a few hours.
I need to do some more reading though on some of the meds for pain management. One of the meds they usually prescribe during pain management is an anti-depressant for it's serotonin producing properties but then the migraine meds reduce the serotonin levels when they are taken. Not sure what the effects of both of them on each other but neither of the websites say they are contraindicated.
10/26/2004
Rain, Rain Go Away...
Very rainy day, especially early this morning. I woke up to a flooded front street and water coming up over the curb onto the sidewalks. While we are used to it in the spring being like that we were a little surprised by it today. It certainly did not cool down outside and it reminded me of a Long Island summer. You know, hot and humid. Everything sticks to you and while it was not super hot I ended up shutting the windows and turning on the AC.
Not a bad day in terms of pain, I would say about a 4 to 5 for most of the day. Light enough to actually enjoy a day for a change. We took off and went to my parents house for a bit and then grabbed a bite to eat on the way home.
Not a bad day in terms of pain, I would say about a 4 to 5 for most of the day. Light enough to actually enjoy a day for a change. We took off and went to my parents house for a bit and then grabbed a bite to eat on the way home.
10/25/2004
ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder ARD What you don't know Surgery - prevents Web Journal
ARDvark Blog Journal of Adhesion Related Disorder ARD What you don't know Surgery - Bravenet Web Journal
While surfing and looking for malpractice cases I found this blog. It is rather interesting to see the actual surgical pictures as they are better then looking at the cross sections of the MRI.
I am not about running bout and suing people and certainly believe some measure of tort reform is needed, but at the same time I am facing a life of pain and limited movement because of the ARC. My issue with this is that I was never warned about the potential side effects of the procedures I had done other then I might have a headache within the 24-48 hours after the ESI's & Myleogram.
While surfing and looking for malpractice cases I found this blog. It is rather interesting to see the actual surgical pictures as they are better then looking at the cross sections of the MRI.
I am not about running bout and suing people and certainly believe some measure of tort reform is needed, but at the same time I am facing a life of pain and limited movement because of the ARC. My issue with this is that I was never warned about the potential side effects of the procedures I had done other then I might have a headache within the 24-48 hours after the ESI's & Myleogram.
The headache is back this morning. It is starting the same way it did the other day and since I have already taken my meds this morning there is not much I will be able to do if it gets worse. Hopefully when the doc opens at 0900 they will be able to either get me in this morning or call in something stronger then what I have.
The burning in the back is minimal today and not much numbness in the foot. But over the last few days I have noticed a "twitch" in my left leg. It is not like a spasm but every know and then it just "kicks" out almost like someone tapped the knee with the reflex mallet and it occurs at odd times. I have not noticed a particular activity that precedes it but I will keep on watching.
I am going to try to get some Christmas shopping done this morning since I do not have much on the schedule. My sister sent me a website that has some cool toys for toddlers. If you have a need for something for a child under 6 I would suggest Gummy Lump. They have some great stuff and I did most of my youngest sons shopping on there as well as some stuff for my niece and nephew.
The burning in the back is minimal today and not much numbness in the foot. But over the last few days I have noticed a "twitch" in my left leg. It is not like a spasm but every know and then it just "kicks" out almost like someone tapped the knee with the reflex mallet and it occurs at odd times. I have not noticed a particular activity that precedes it but I will keep on watching.
I am going to try to get some Christmas shopping done this morning since I do not have much on the schedule. My sister sent me a website that has some cool toys for toddlers. If you have a need for something for a child under 6 I would suggest Gummy Lump. They have some great stuff and I did most of my youngest sons shopping on there as well as some stuff for my niece and nephew.
10/24/2004
Well it turned out to be a nice day and we broke out of the cool period for a few hours as the temperature climbed into the 70's. Almost to warm to go to pumpkin picking.
We ended up going to a close by patch but I was rather disappointed. Rather then allowing you to go out into the field to pick your own they had them all picked and piled up by the barn. We found a few that the boys liked and were then surprised by the ridiculous prices that were not displayed until you get to the register. Rather then the standard .50 a lb they were priced by the size. We got out of there fairly cheap but the poor guy in front of us was quite surprised when the wheelbarrow of pumpkins he had ran him into the $100 range. I could see he was about to choke over the price but he also had like 6 kids with him.
The boys also got to run around the barn area where they had some animals out for the kids to interact with. The youngest kept insisting that anything with fur was a dog regardless of what kind of animal. Overall it was a nice day out and the layout of the place did not require me to walk to far nor did I have to carry a ton of pumpkins so I was able to stay a bit longer then I expected.
We hit the downtown for lunch but found almost all the stores closed which is unusual. About the only thing open was a little candy shop that made a lot of their own chocolates as well they carried a nice line of "nostalgic" candy that I grew up with, so naturally we had to spend some money and get some BB's, Mary Janes and a few other things for the kids. I got a 1/4lb of English walnut fudge.
Now it is time to carve the pumpkins, although I think the oldest said he wants to paint his this year.
We ended up going to a close by patch but I was rather disappointed. Rather then allowing you to go out into the field to pick your own they had them all picked and piled up by the barn. We found a few that the boys liked and were then surprised by the ridiculous prices that were not displayed until you get to the register. Rather then the standard .50 a lb they were priced by the size. We got out of there fairly cheap but the poor guy in front of us was quite surprised when the wheelbarrow of pumpkins he had ran him into the $100 range. I could see he was about to choke over the price but he also had like 6 kids with him.
The boys also got to run around the barn area where they had some animals out for the kids to interact with. The youngest kept insisting that anything with fur was a dog regardless of what kind of animal. Overall it was a nice day out and the layout of the place did not require me to walk to far nor did I have to carry a ton of pumpkins so I was able to stay a bit longer then I expected.
We hit the downtown for lunch but found almost all the stores closed which is unusual. About the only thing open was a little candy shop that made a lot of their own chocolates as well they carried a nice line of "nostalgic" candy that I grew up with, so naturally we had to spend some money and get some BB's, Mary Janes and a few other things for the kids. I got a 1/4lb of English walnut fudge.
Now it is time to carve the pumpkins, although I think the oldest said he wants to paint his this year.
Just an ordinary day, finally...
Going to make this a lazy day. Not much on the to-do list and I don't feel like going far. The back is burning this morning, not to bad but enough to remind me that it is there. There is also a slight burning down the left calf muscle and numbness in the toes.
We might take the boys to the pumpkin patch and let them run loose in the maze for a bit, I know the oldest is bouncing off the walls and ready to go. I would have gone sooner but then the pumpkins rot before the end of the month and we have to go get more. Of course pumpkin picking means we get to bake some pumpkin seeds to snack on.
When I was in the ER I was taken by surprise when the attending doc asked me about my meds and why I was on them. When I told him about the arachnoiditis he did not know what it was so I had to explain it from start to finish. Funny how some things don't pop into your head until well afterwards. It's ok though as he knew exactly how to control the headache.
I read some more on headaches yesterday and like Gil pointed out in the comments this may very well be a part of the arachnoiditis, which may be spreading. It is hard to say as I had epidurals at the L5/S1 as well as the C6. I would think if you were susceptible to arachnoiditis it might very well be at both levels. Since they did not do an MRI of the Cervical spine I cannot say, but I will be asking my PCP to get one done to confirm it. The only thing they have done for the headaches is a CT scan a few months back but it showed only normal structures. I will call tomorrow and get an appointment for this.
I guess I could always spend the day on iTunes or Rhapsody and burn some new CD's. Since I have been home for the last year and change I have not really listened to the local stations and spend most of my time on Yahoo Radio. Since we have DSL through SBC we get premium service from Yahoo and they have a pretty decent selection on their 80's station as well as current tunes. Right now I am listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
We might take the boys to the pumpkin patch and let them run loose in the maze for a bit, I know the oldest is bouncing off the walls and ready to go. I would have gone sooner but then the pumpkins rot before the end of the month and we have to go get more. Of course pumpkin picking means we get to bake some pumpkin seeds to snack on.
When I was in the ER I was taken by surprise when the attending doc asked me about my meds and why I was on them. When I told him about the arachnoiditis he did not know what it was so I had to explain it from start to finish. Funny how some things don't pop into your head until well afterwards. It's ok though as he knew exactly how to control the headache.
I read some more on headaches yesterday and like Gil pointed out in the comments this may very well be a part of the arachnoiditis, which may be spreading. It is hard to say as I had epidurals at the L5/S1 as well as the C6. I would think if you were susceptible to arachnoiditis it might very well be at both levels. Since they did not do an MRI of the Cervical spine I cannot say, but I will be asking my PCP to get one done to confirm it. The only thing they have done for the headaches is a CT scan a few months back but it showed only normal structures. I will call tomorrow and get an appointment for this.
I guess I could always spend the day on iTunes or Rhapsody and burn some new CD's. Since I have been home for the last year and change I have not really listened to the local stations and spend most of my time on Yahoo Radio. Since we have DSL through SBC we get premium service from Yahoo and they have a pretty decent selection on their 80's station as well as current tunes. Right now I am listening to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
10/23/2004
Is there a doctor in the house
Well yesterdays headache turned out to be rather severe. By about 10am I could not stand without becoming dizzy and by 10:30 I could not sit or lie down without feeling like I was going to throw up. I walked over to the emergency room but got there the same time as a car accident. Since it is a small ER I walked back home and my wife drove me to the other ER in town.
They took my info and asked me to wait in the TV room until they had a bed for me. Only problem with that was sitting made it worse so I stood against the wall in the hallway and held on to the railing. I guess I must have looked like crap because one of the nurses came out and took me into the ER right away.
They did a litany of tests including checking for glaucoma and an EKG all of which were fine. The doc came in and checked me out and said this was most likely a sever migraine. I told him on the 10 point scale this was an 8. He had the nurse start an IV and then they gave me 3 different things but the only one I remember was benadryl and another one whose name escapes me but they told me was what they normally give for migraines.
Whatever they were the headache went away very quickly and I feel asleep in the room. I am not sure how long I was in there but my wife said it was about 2 hours total, most of that time I was asleep though.
They took my info and asked me to wait in the TV room until they had a bed for me. Only problem with that was sitting made it worse so I stood against the wall in the hallway and held on to the railing. I guess I must have looked like crap because one of the nurses came out and took me into the ER right away.
They did a litany of tests including checking for glaucoma and an EKG all of which were fine. The doc came in and checked me out and said this was most likely a sever migraine. I told him on the 10 point scale this was an 8. He had the nurse start an IV and then they gave me 3 different things but the only one I remember was benadryl and another one whose name escapes me but they told me was what they normally give for migraines.
Whatever they were the headache went away very quickly and I feel asleep in the room. I am not sure how long I was in there but my wife said it was about 2 hours total, most of that time I was asleep though.
10/22/2004
Another day another headache
I woke up to the baby crying at about 0500. It was not one of those I am wet cries it was more like someone come get me because I am wide awake. I got him and brought him downstairs and for some reason out of nowhere I got a monster headache. It is right at the back right side of my head where it usually is and it is throbbing this morning. Hopefully it is just a tension headache and will go away in an hour or so.
Plans this morning are to go check out some store my mom mentioned yesterday. It is one of those places that buys inventory from places that are going out of business or the returns to stores. They deal mainly in brand name and higher end stuff and have some good deals. We are still looking for some drapes for the front room and the patio doors so maybe they will have something we can afford.
Plans this morning are to go check out some store my mom mentioned yesterday. It is one of those places that buys inventory from places that are going out of business or the returns to stores. They deal mainly in brand name and higher end stuff and have some good deals. We are still looking for some drapes for the front room and the patio doors so maybe they will have something we can afford.
10/21/2004
It's the great pumpkin Charlie Brown
Another day of pain and recliners. Once upon a time this would have been a relaxing day but when you have to adjust yourself every so often there is not anything relaxing about it. The knot in the middle of the back was there all day and is still there this evening. I ended up having to sit on the floor for awhile with my legs up over the couch as that was the only comfortable position. Of course that was also the signal for the baby to jump all over daddy like he was a rag doll.
I did finally make it to the store to buy a rag mop, bucket and ringer. While the swiffer does a good job for maintenance I need a better mop for a good cleaning. Those cheesy little mops they sell at the grocery store are worthless and don't last but a few months before they need to be tossed. So know the kitchen floor is clean and I can feel good when the baby drops something and pops it into his mouth before I can get there.
With the weekend coming up I was thinking of taking the boys to the pumpkin patch. They have a few round us that have some cool things like a maze made in the maize (corn) and I think there is a cider mill not to far from one of them. Last year they had a blast running around the place but I am not sure how I will be able to keep up with them. Maybe I will call my folks and see if they want to go as well.
Time to go find a new position to sit in as this chair is killing me.
I did finally make it to the store to buy a rag mop, bucket and ringer. While the swiffer does a good job for maintenance I need a better mop for a good cleaning. Those cheesy little mops they sell at the grocery store are worthless and don't last but a few months before they need to be tossed. So know the kitchen floor is clean and I can feel good when the baby drops something and pops it into his mouth before I can get there.
With the weekend coming up I was thinking of taking the boys to the pumpkin patch. They have a few round us that have some cool things like a maze made in the maize (corn) and I think there is a cider mill not to far from one of them. Last year they had a blast running around the place but I am not sure how I will be able to keep up with them. Maybe I will call my folks and see if they want to go as well.
Time to go find a new position to sit in as this chair is killing me.
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE & SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE & SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY - DENIED, HOW TO WIN, TIPS
Found this site while looking for some other information on arachnoiditis. Funny that I should have found this as I recently have sent in the rest of my paperwork and am waiting for the interview to be done. According to this site people under 40 have a much tougher time getting anything approved.
It also covers how they expect people to return to their position.
Not sure how it will apply to others but my last position was generally a minimum of 50lbs and upwards of 175lbs daily and repeatedly. However, if they could figure out a way to stop the pain for the day I would love to return to my last job.
I do note that the Social Security disability evaluation page notes that they do not approve based on the degenerative disc disease, arachnoiditis or spondylolisthesis alone but rather the level of pain and inability to remain in the same position for a period of time without have to adjust yourself.
Hopefully I have done enough of the homework before submitting my paperwork and all goes smooth.
Found this site while looking for some other information on arachnoiditis. Funny that I should have found this as I recently have sent in the rest of my paperwork and am waiting for the interview to be done. According to this site people under 40 have a much tougher time getting anything approved.
It also covers how they expect people to return to their position.
As a former disability Examiner, myself, I can explicitly state the following: in many cases, Social Security Disability will expect an individual who has performed work of a certain exertional level to go back to that same job, or to a job where the exertional requirements are similar. Naturally, this implies a denial of a claimant's disability claim.
This often means that the person who performed medium-level work in the past (medium exertion is defined as the ability to lift 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently) is expected to return to such work
Not sure how it will apply to others but my last position was generally a minimum of 50lbs and upwards of 175lbs daily and repeatedly. However, if they could figure out a way to stop the pain for the day I would love to return to my last job.
I do note that the Social Security disability evaluation page notes that they do not approve based on the degenerative disc disease, arachnoiditis or spondylolisthesis alone but rather the level of pain and inability to remain in the same position for a period of time without have to adjust yourself.
Hopefully I have done enough of the homework before submitting my paperwork and all goes smooth.
Sleeping In
I actually slept in this morning. I was just as shocked as my wife but I blame it on the pain meds. I woke up originally at about 0500 to go to the bathroom, but since my back was hurting I took my meds and went back to sleep until about 0730.
There is a slight burning sensation in the small of the back but it is not as bad as yesterday nor is it all the way up my back. While this is still more then I would like to have this is at least something that while annoying is tolerable.
There is a slight burning sensation in the small of the back but it is not as bad as yesterday nor is it all the way up my back. While this is still more then I would like to have this is at least something that while annoying is tolerable.
10/20/2004
End of the day
Not much of a change through the day in regards to the pain and whatever that knot in my back is from. I did finally get the pharmacy to run the insurance properly so I am not paying $30 every 5 days for the prescriptions. That was getting old very fast.
I did get the chance to take the boys to get their haircut this evening. Man the days of a $3 haircut are long gone. The 3 of us got your basic run of the mill haircut from the cheapest place in town and it was still $45. It is ridiculous and over priced if you ask me. It's not like we have tons of hair and need to be washed/styled/dried. We all have your basic mens cut, tight on the sides (not skin tight) and short on the top. Just enough to comb with a part. Maybe I should do what my father did for me and my brother, spend $10 on some clippers and cut their hair myself. Crew cuts for everyone!!!
Now it is time to relax. I was hoping my DVD's would have come today. I joined the Wal-Mart DVD club, kind of like Net Flix but a bit cheaper. Since getting out is becoming more difficult I figure I could still enjoy a movie and not have to leave the house and fight the line at Blockbuster. <---BLEEEECH! Although going to the video store does take me right past the frozen custard place.
Did you know that you cn't get brain freeze from frozen custard?
I did get the chance to take the boys to get their haircut this evening. Man the days of a $3 haircut are long gone. The 3 of us got your basic run of the mill haircut from the cheapest place in town and it was still $45. It is ridiculous and over priced if you ask me. It's not like we have tons of hair and need to be washed/styled/dried. We all have your basic mens cut, tight on the sides (not skin tight) and short on the top. Just enough to comb with a part. Maybe I should do what my father did for me and my brother, spend $10 on some clippers and cut their hair myself. Crew cuts for everyone!!!
Now it is time to relax. I was hoping my DVD's would have come today. I joined the Wal-Mart DVD club, kind of like Net Flix but a bit cheaper. Since getting out is becoming more difficult I figure I could still enjoy a movie and not have to leave the house and fight the line at Blockbuster. <---BLEEEECH! Although going to the video store does take me right past the frozen custard place.
Did you know that you cn't get brain freeze from frozen custard?
Lunch time and I am still sore. The knot seems to be getting larger and slowly moving it's way up my back. Nothing is comfortable and my leg has gone totally numb today so elevating it in the recliner makes it worse. Frustrating day all in all as I am not going to be comfortable at all.
I don't even feel like doing this right now as the only way to use the laptop on the recliner is to lean back which hurts like a bitch.
I don't even feel like doing this right now as the only way to use the laptop on the recliner is to lean back which hurts like a bitch.
Very sore this morning and I have a huge knot in the middle of the back. My left foot is numb but it is a little worse then it has been. Usually my toes are ok but this morning they are numb as well, almost painfully numb. While I did do some walking around yesterday I doubt it was enough to feel like this way today. I also ran out of flexeril so I need to call the doc and ask him to change me over to Soma or Skelaxin. I have been on the flexeril for the better part of the year and feel that it just is not working anymore as well I am at the max daily dose when I do take it, so it is not like I could step from 5mg to 10mg and see any effect.
I did wake up a bit early this morning so I came down and straightened out the rec room. My youngest decided he would dump a bucket of about 1000 legos everywhere so I wanted to get them back in their buckets before he came down. Cleaning up while a two year old is standing by is useless for as soon as you put one thing up he will take one out. His latest thing is he figured out how to work the DVD player so know he runs around with the DVD remote opening and closing the tray. He is also all about "buttons" and loves to push them, it does not matter what they do as long as he can press them.
Ok, I have to laugh. I am watching the morning news and they are reporting a county that has more registered voters then they do residents. Oooops! I also heard yesterday some idiot tried to sell his vote on Ebay! HOW DUMB DO YOU HAVE TO BE???
I did wake up a bit early this morning so I came down and straightened out the rec room. My youngest decided he would dump a bucket of about 1000 legos everywhere so I wanted to get them back in their buckets before he came down. Cleaning up while a two year old is standing by is useless for as soon as you put one thing up he will take one out. His latest thing is he figured out how to work the DVD player so know he runs around with the DVD remote opening and closing the tray. He is also all about "buttons" and loves to push them, it does not matter what they do as long as he can press them.
Ok, I have to laugh. I am watching the morning news and they are reporting a county that has more registered voters then they do residents. Oooops! I also heard yesterday some idiot tried to sell his vote on Ebay! HOW DUMB DO YOU HAVE TO BE???
10/19/2004
Where are all the damned Wi-Fi spots?
Since I am home most of the time and generally only get out for things like groceries or doctors visits my wife has been somewhat tenacious in her efforts to get me out a little more. It's not that I don't want to go out but I am cautious as I never know when the pain will kick in or get worse. If it happens while I am out there is generally no place for me to stop and rest for a long bit.
She is getting ready to run out and buy some stuff she needs for work and asked if I would like to go out as well. I figured I would look for some Wi-Fi spots in the area she is going to and found NADA. Not the starbucks, not the Barnes & Nobles, nothing. This is not a small area we are going to either, the area has a population well in excess of 100,000 people so you would think there would be someplace.
If I could find one I could just grab a cup of coffee and sit down and surf while she shops. Oh well.
She is getting ready to run out and buy some stuff she needs for work and asked if I would like to go out as well. I figured I would look for some Wi-Fi spots in the area she is going to and found NADA. Not the starbucks, not the Barnes & Nobles, nothing. This is not a small area we are going to either, the area has a population well in excess of 100,000 people so you would think there would be someplace.
If I could find one I could just grab a cup of coffee and sit down and surf while she shops. Oh well.
10/18/2004
A Patient's Guide to Complications of Spine Surgery
A Patient's Guide to Complications of Spine Surgery:
Well there are obviously other complications from spinal surgery this was the one I recall being told about in advance and is the first thing I noticed when I woke up.
I had these inflatable "boots" on my feet that would inflate and then deflate every few seconds, very much like a blood pressure cuff. I was told this was to keep the blod circulating and to prevent clots forming. Since you are basically staying in the same position your blood will pool and clots will form.
Thrombophlebitis
When blood clots form inside the veins of the legs, it is referred to as Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT). This is a common problem following many types of surgical procedures. It is true that these blood clots can also form in certain individuals who have not undergone any recent surgery. These blood clots form in the large veins of the calf and may continue to grow and extend up into the veins of the thigh, and in some cases into the veins of the pelvis.
The risk of developing DVT is much higher following surgery involving the pelvis, and surgery involving the lower extremities. There are many reasons that the risk of DVT is higher after surgery. First, the body is trying to stop the bleeding associated with surgery, and the body's clotting mechanism is very hyperactive during this period. In addition, injury to blood vessels around the surgical site, from normal tugging and pulling during surgery, can set off the clotting process. Finally, blood that does not move well sits in the veins and becomes stagnant. Blood that sits too long in one spot usually begins to clot.
Why do we worry about blood clots? Blood clots that fill the deep veins of the legs stop the normal flow of venous blood from the legs back to the heart. This causes swelling and pain in the affected leg. If the blood clot inside the vein does not dissolve, the swelling may become chronic and can cause discomfort and swelling permanently. While this may seem bad enough, the real danger that a blood clot poses is much more serious. If a portion of the forming blood clot breaks free inside the veins of the leg, it may travel through the veins to the lung, where it can lodge itself in the tiny vessels of the lung. This cuts off the blood supply to the portion of the lung that is blocked. The portion of the lung that is blocked cannot survive and may collapse. This is called a pulmonary embolism. If a pulmonary embolism is large enough, and the portion of the lung that collapses is large enough - it may cause death. With this in mind, it is easy to see why prevention of DVT is a serious matter.
Reducing the risk of developing DVT is a high priority following any type of surgery. Things that can be done to reduce the risk of developing DVT fall into two categories:
Mechanical - getting the blood moving better
Medical - using drugs to slow the clotting process
Mechanical
Blood that is moving is less likely to clot. Getting YOU moving so that your blood is circulating is perhaps the most effective treatment against developing DVT. While you are in bed, other things can be done to increase the circulation of blood from the legs back to the heart. Simply pumping your feet up and down (like pushing on the gas pedal) contracts the muscles of the calf, squeezes the veins in the calf, and pushes the blood back to the heart. You cannot do this too much!
Pulsatile stockings do the same thing. A pump inflates these special stockings that wrap around the calf and thigh every few minutes, squeezing the veins in the calf and thigh pushing the blood back to the heart. Support hose, sometimes called TED hose, are still commonly used following surgery. These hose work by squeezing the veins of the leg shut. This reduces the amount of stagnant blood that is pooling in the veins of the leg - and reduces the risk of that blood clotting in the veins. Finally, getting you out of bed walking will result in muscle contraction of the legs and keep the blood in the veins of the leg moving.
Medical
Drugs, which slow down the body's clotting mechanism, are widely used following surgery of the hip and knee to reduce the risk of DVT. These drugs include simple aspirin in very low risk situations, and heparin shots twice a day in moderately risky situations. In conditions that have a high risk for developing DVT, several very potent drugs are available that can slow the clotting mechanism very effectively. Heparin can be given by intravenous injection, a new drug called Lovenox can be given in shots administered twice a day, and Coumadin can be given by mouth. Coumadin is the drug of choice when the clotting mechanism must be slowed for more than a few days because it can be taken orally.
In most cases of spinal surgery, both mechanical and medical measures are used simultaneously. It has become normal practice to: use pulsatile stockings immediately after surgery, have you begin exercises immediately after surgery, get you out of bed as soon as possible, and place you on some type of medication to slow the blood clotting mechanism
Well there are obviously other complications from spinal surgery this was the one I recall being told about in advance and is the first thing I noticed when I woke up.
I had these inflatable "boots" on my feet that would inflate and then deflate every few seconds, very much like a blood pressure cuff. I was told this was to keep the blod circulating and to prevent clots forming. Since you are basically staying in the same position your blood will pool and clots will form.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie Named Sexiest Woman by Esquire
Sun Oct 17, 3:02 PM ET Entertainment - Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Angelina Jolie, who manages to mesmerize men -- and fight off robot invaders -- with just one eye in her latest movie, has been named the "sexiest woman alive" in the latest edition of Esquire magazine.
Jolie, featured as the alluring, courageous fighter pilot with an eye patch in "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," was the top pick of the magazine's editors and mostly male readers to grace the cover of Esquire's annual "Women We Love" issue.
The 29-year-old Jolie, who also lends her voice and sexy persona to a vampish fish named Lola in the computer-animated undersea adventure "Shark Tale," received 7 percent of all votes cast by readers.
Fellow Oscar winner and "Catwoman" star Halle Berry ran a close second with 6 percent. Newlywed pop princess Britney Spears made the cut this year at No. 3.
In an Esquire interview accompanying a cover photo of the actress, Jolie acknowledged her image as being "kind of wild or bad or weird or crazy."
"The tattoos, the blood, cutting myself -- it's all very much who I am," she said. "If you knew me privately, you might think I was even wilder than my reputation. But I'm also much softer. I'm a soft woman. Softer than people think."
She also reveals that she recently bought an airplane and is taking flying lessons, a hobby she embraced because she and her 3-year-old adopted son share a fascination with planes.
"I have to concentrate on my son," she said. "That's why I have lovers right now and not a boyfriend. I don't want my son to start calling somebody Daddy unless that person's gonna stay."
Jolie's marriage to actor Billy Bob Thornton ended in divorce in May 2003. She will next be seen as Alexander the Great's mom in Oliver Stone's upcoming epic "Alexander."
Rounding out the field of leading contenders for sexiest woman in the magazine's November issue, which hits newsstands this week, were TV/pop personality Jessica Simpson, sultry R&B singer Beyonce, Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron and former "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston.
I would have to admit that she is certainly one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood as is Halle Berry. The list however contains some doozies IMHO. Beyonce and Charlize Theron certainly belong on the list but Jessica Simpson? She is a moron and proves it every time she opens her mouth. I thought I new some people who would qualify for the dumbest person on the planet but then I saw an interview with her and realized she takes the cake.
Britney Spears is another one who I cannot see being one of the "sexiest" women alive, unless they included 15 year old boys in the survey. She does nothing for me and strikes me as a very immature 20 something who believes that having money makes her better then you. The only smart thing I have heard about her is that she invested in a restaurant but then even that failed.
People that should be on the list that aren't?
Lee Ann Rimes is one I can think of. She seems to be very humble and taking her celebrity status with a grain of salt.
Jamie Lee Curtis should top that list as even in her 40's she is still a knockout!
Ashley Judd is missing from the list, glad the Wynona gene skipped her.
Take a number and get in line granny
Well the flu season is about to start and it appears that we will be short vaccines for those who need them the most, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems and children.
Just how the hell this happened or more to the point why it happened staggers the mind. Why with all the technology and universities here in the US did we outsource this to a foreign company and why was this not caught well in advance of the flu season? Who in this country was responsible for the outsourcing of our health? What are they doing to rectify this situation? Maybe they forgot about the flu epidemic of 1918? Is it possible to see a repeat of this even with some people receiving the shot?
Obviously with less people vaccinated we can expect to see an increase across the board in those getting sick as well as an increase in deaths from this season. Healthcare professionals especially are at risk for getting and spreading the flu this season. I have heard of some facilities getting only 100 doses for a staff of several hundred.
I am by no means a fan of John Kerry (and will not be voting for him) but he finally said something I can agree with and that is in the end this whole fiasco rests on the shoulders of one person and that is the President. When you are in charge you get all the benefits as well as all the bullshit.
Just how the hell this happened or more to the point why it happened staggers the mind. Why with all the technology and universities here in the US did we outsource this to a foreign company and why was this not caught well in advance of the flu season? Who in this country was responsible for the outsourcing of our health? What are they doing to rectify this situation? Maybe they forgot about the flu epidemic of 1918? Is it possible to see a repeat of this even with some people receiving the shot?
Obviously with less people vaccinated we can expect to see an increase across the board in those getting sick as well as an increase in deaths from this season. Healthcare professionals especially are at risk for getting and spreading the flu this season. I have heard of some facilities getting only 100 doses for a staff of several hundred.
I am by no means a fan of John Kerry (and will not be voting for him) but he finally said something I can agree with and that is in the end this whole fiasco rests on the shoulders of one person and that is the President. When you are in charge you get all the benefits as well as all the bullshit.
10/17/2004
Neighbors can be a pain in the ass...
So a few weeks ago my neighbor sold his house way below market value. He did not live there (he rented it out) and I believe he inherited it some time ago. Anyway, with the nice low price it got a buyer right out of the chute. I met them once when they were moving in and that 30 second or so were obviously a waste of time.
Now we live in an older neighborhood where everyone is rather friendly and we all know each other. In the 3 years I have lived here it has been nice and quiet and everyone gets along. That was until they moved in! So far three of my other neighbors have had problems with them and today I went out for 20 minutes to get some milk and by the time I got back they had parked their cars in front of my house. In normal neighborhoods that would not be a big deal except in mine we do not have driveways, just the street. They have 2 people living there and 4 cars out front, WTF is that all about?
While the old neighbors and I did not talk to much at least they were nice people who respected the parking spaces. I know this sounds petty but nothing sucks worse then coming home everyday and having to park a block over when you own the damn house you live in.
Now we live in an older neighborhood where everyone is rather friendly and we all know each other. In the 3 years I have lived here it has been nice and quiet and everyone gets along. That was until they moved in! So far three of my other neighbors have had problems with them and today I went out for 20 minutes to get some milk and by the time I got back they had parked their cars in front of my house. In normal neighborhoods that would not be a big deal except in mine we do not have driveways, just the street. They have 2 people living there and 4 cars out front, WTF is that all about?
While the old neighbors and I did not talk to much at least they were nice people who respected the parking spaces. I know this sounds petty but nothing sucks worse then coming home everyday and having to park a block over when you own the damn house you live in.
Social Security Online
Social Security Online
Why do they make this stuff so hard to find? You would think it would be titles "list of disabilities" or something but after searching I finally found it under "list of impairment". It is a good reference for what the Social Security Administration will cover and what they consider an automatic disability. Generally you must be disabled for one year or prove that your impairment will render you unable to work for one year or more.
Right now my back is burning and is very uncomfortable. I Did not sleep well last night and was up until about 1am trying to get to sleep. I ended up getting up at about 5:45 and going to downstairs to get some quiet time before the boys came down. Needless to say it was short lived as it is the weekend and cartoons are a must.
Why do they make this stuff so hard to find? You would think it would be titles "list of disabilities" or something but after searching I finally found it under "list of impairment". It is a good reference for what the Social Security Administration will cover and what they consider an automatic disability. Generally you must be disabled for one year or prove that your impairment will render you unable to work for one year or more.
Right now my back is burning and is very uncomfortable. I Did not sleep well last night and was up until about 1am trying to get to sleep. I ended up getting up at about 5:45 and going to downstairs to get some quiet time before the boys came down. Needless to say it was short lived as it is the weekend and cartoons are a must.
Social Security Online
Social Security Online
Why do they make this stuff so hard to find? You would think it would be titles "list of disabilities" or something but after searching I finally found it under "list of impairment". It is a good reference for what the Social Security Administration will cover and what they consider an automatic disability. Generally you must be disabled for one year or prove that your impairment will render you unable to work for one year or more.
Right now my back is burning and is very uncomfortable. I Did not sleep well last night and was up until about 1am trying to get to sleep. I ended up getting up at about 5:45 and going to downstairs to get some quiet time before the boys came down. Needless to say it was short lived as it is the weekend and cartoons are a must.
Why do they make this stuff so hard to find? You would think it would be titles "list of disabilities" or something but after searching I finally found it under "list of impairment". It is a good reference for what the Social Security Administration will cover and what they consider an automatic disability. Generally you must be disabled for one year or prove that your impairment will render you unable to work for one year or more.
Right now my back is burning and is very uncomfortable. I Did not sleep well last night and was up until about 1am trying to get to sleep. I ended up getting up at about 5:45 and going to downstairs to get some quiet time before the boys came down. Needless to say it was short lived as it is the weekend and cartoons are a must.
10/16/2004
Radial nerve damage
When I had my surgery it was long enough (9 hours) that they put in a blood gas line to keep a reading on the levels. They also happened to either nick the radial nerve itself or irritate it by being to close to it. When I woke up in ICU after the surgery I told them my arm was numb, like I had fallen asleep on it and the nurse told me this was normal. I asked them about it several times over the 5 days I was in the hospital but kept getting the same answers.
About a month after the surgery the pain was bad enough that my arm felt like it was on fire. My PCP finally got me in to see the pain docs and they gave me what is known as a Stellate ganglion block but unlike this article they did not do it under flouroscopy, they just did it in the patient room. I ended up having a series of these over the 6 weeks and while they did stop the pain from time to time my arm will throb and burn for a bit.
Right now it is feeling like crap and my wrist and thumb are killing me. The pain meds do not seem to work on this and none of the others in the past have done a great job either. They did have me on neurontin but then I found out about the possible side effects and a lawsuitthat was in the works. My doc took me off of it and we tried some other meds.
Most of what I have learned over the years with this is that no one will give you info unless you are asking very specific questions. The only way to get those questions is go out and do some research. I have also found many of the meds I have been prescribed are contraindicated to another med I was taking. You would think that the doc writing the scrip would catch it or the pharmacist would. However in each instance it was my looking it up on the net that caught the problems. Not simple ones either. Two of the meds I was taking when used in conjunction cn cause severe seizures or even death. Kind of scary when you think about it.
In the end it is the person who is being prescribed the meds who should double check the indications. While the Docs & Pharamacies should catch the problems, sometimes they miss.
About a month after the surgery the pain was bad enough that my arm felt like it was on fire. My PCP finally got me in to see the pain docs and they gave me what is known as a Stellate ganglion block but unlike this article they did not do it under flouroscopy, they just did it in the patient room. I ended up having a series of these over the 6 weeks and while they did stop the pain from time to time my arm will throb and burn for a bit.
Right now it is feeling like crap and my wrist and thumb are killing me. The pain meds do not seem to work on this and none of the others in the past have done a great job either. They did have me on neurontin but then I found out about the possible side effects and a lawsuitthat was in the works. My doc took me off of it and we tried some other meds.
Most of what I have learned over the years with this is that no one will give you info unless you are asking very specific questions. The only way to get those questions is go out and do some research. I have also found many of the meds I have been prescribed are contraindicated to another med I was taking. You would think that the doc writing the scrip would catch it or the pharmacist would. However in each instance it was my looking it up on the net that caught the problems. Not simple ones either. Two of the meds I was taking when used in conjunction cn cause severe seizures or even death. Kind of scary when you think about it.
In the end it is the person who is being prescribed the meds who should double check the indications. While the Docs & Pharamacies should catch the problems, sometimes they miss.
Cat nap
So I changed the name of the recliner or actually gave it a name, the Monster chair. It has a snooze monster lurking in it somewhere. I sat down with the baby and 2 hours later I woke up with him saying "daddy", he climbed down and went to my wife and the next 3 hours is a blur. Guess a 5 hour nap works for me.
Got a call from Home Depot about the new patio doors. We are replacing the sliding doors with French doors with double pained glass with enclosed blinds. They said that there will be about a 3" gap at the top of the door and since we have siding on the house it will be noticeable. I need to see how much it would be to add a small strip of siding and if that does not work maybe we could find a paint to match the siding. We really want the doors as they will be more appealing if we decide to sell, they are rated R-8 which is much better then the current sliders and best of all we can get rid of the ugly ass drape over the sliders. I also found some film that can be applied to the doors to give better UV protection as well as increase some of the R value. We will cruise by on Monday to see what the options are or if they have a similar door that will fit the space.
Got a call from Home Depot about the new patio doors. We are replacing the sliding doors with French doors with double pained glass with enclosed blinds. They said that there will be about a 3" gap at the top of the door and since we have siding on the house it will be noticeable. I need to see how much it would be to add a small strip of siding and if that does not work maybe we could find a paint to match the siding. We really want the doors as they will be more appealing if we decide to sell, they are rated R-8 which is much better then the current sliders and best of all we can get rid of the ugly ass drape over the sliders. I also found some film that can be applied to the doors to give better UV protection as well as increase some of the R value. We will cruise by on Monday to see what the options are or if they have a similar door that will fit the space.
Feeling like crap
I spent most of the night hacking up a lung and with a stuffed up nose. Between the coughing and blowing my nose it was tough to sleep, add the pain to the mix and it was impossible. I should probably go grab some kind of expectorant and get with the Doc or pharmacist to see which one I can use in conjunction with the pain meds.
Since I was tossing and turning I came downstairs about 5am and made the coffee. I am looking forward to a nice Pumpkin bread bagel from Panera. Since the nearest one is about 30 minutes away I bought 2 dozen and froze some of them for next week. I also grabbed 4 foccacia bred to make some panini for lunch. They have some great bred and while I love to bake I have been unable to make something even close to what they sell.
It is supposed to be a fairly nice day. I am thinking maybe we should take the boys pumpkin picking. There are a few good places in my area where you can actually still pick your own off the vine rather then like some of the places where they put them in a bin and you pick out of that. How boring is that? The closest place also has an apple orchard and squash vines. I got some great spaghetti squash last year and my mouth is watering for that and some acorn squash.
With the spaghetti squash if you bake it just right, which to me is cut in half and placed face down in about an inch of water, you can scrape it out with the form (looks like spaghetti then) and add some butter and Romano, asiago or other hard cheeses and mix it in. It is wonderful!!!
For the acorn squash I like to cut it in half and bake it with some butter and cinnamon in the cavity where the seeds were removed. Then there is the butternut squash which my wife loves to make a soup from. She is not much of a cook (by her own admission) but what she does know how to make is awesome.
I got lucky and grew up with a family that loves to cook. I am also a bit of a mutt when it comes to heritage. While I am mostly Irish (even have the red hair and temper) I have Greek & Italian. I do have a few others in there but so minor it is less then 1/16th of English, Scottish, Welsh. My mother is 50/50 Irish/Sicilian(NOT ITALIAN) and my dad is 50% Greek, 25% Irish and then all the minor ones above. I remember my Ya-Ya (my paternal grandmother) making Dolmades and Spanikopita when I was growing up and the great aromas that were always lingering in her kitchen. It continued into our house where both my parents were in the kitchen cooking. It all rubbed off on me and I love to cook.
This is the time of the year I really like to cook though. When it is cool outside the food seems to be richer and full of flavor compared to the warm months when we void the hot kitchen like the plague.
Since I was tossing and turning I came downstairs about 5am and made the coffee. I am looking forward to a nice Pumpkin bread bagel from Panera. Since the nearest one is about 30 minutes away I bought 2 dozen and froze some of them for next week. I also grabbed 4 foccacia bred to make some panini for lunch. They have some great bred and while I love to bake I have been unable to make something even close to what they sell.
It is supposed to be a fairly nice day. I am thinking maybe we should take the boys pumpkin picking. There are a few good places in my area where you can actually still pick your own off the vine rather then like some of the places where they put them in a bin and you pick out of that. How boring is that? The closest place also has an apple orchard and squash vines. I got some great spaghetti squash last year and my mouth is watering for that and some acorn squash.
With the spaghetti squash if you bake it just right, which to me is cut in half and placed face down in about an inch of water, you can scrape it out with the form (looks like spaghetti then) and add some butter and Romano, asiago or other hard cheeses and mix it in. It is wonderful!!!
For the acorn squash I like to cut it in half and bake it with some butter and cinnamon in the cavity where the seeds were removed. Then there is the butternut squash which my wife loves to make a soup from. She is not much of a cook (by her own admission) but what she does know how to make is awesome.
I got lucky and grew up with a family that loves to cook. I am also a bit of a mutt when it comes to heritage. While I am mostly Irish (even have the red hair and temper) I have Greek & Italian. I do have a few others in there but so minor it is less then 1/16th of English, Scottish, Welsh. My mother is 50/50 Irish/Sicilian(NOT ITALIAN) and my dad is 50% Greek, 25% Irish and then all the minor ones above. I remember my Ya-Ya (my paternal grandmother) making Dolmades and Spanikopita when I was growing up and the great aromas that were always lingering in her kitchen. It continued into our house where both my parents were in the kitchen cooking. It all rubbed off on me and I love to cook.
This is the time of the year I really like to cook though. When it is cool outside the food seems to be richer and full of flavor compared to the warm months when we void the hot kitchen like the plague.
10/15/2004
Knitting needles in the back
Not even the recliner is comfortable right now and my back feels like it is one big knot that won't relax. On top of that I have that feeling of being poked with a knitting needle right in the small of the back. Combined the two make for a difficult time sitting or standing to long. The pain radiates from the small of the back up to about the midpoint of the back, down the left leg to the foot and on the right leg it is causing shooting pains to about the knee level. I usually do not have pain on the right side but since this is something that can be progressive I have been trying to watch out for when it happens and keep track of what I was doing. This may help me determine what activities are aggravating the arachnoiditis.
I know it is not from overuse today as we did not do much of anything other then run to the Toys R Us to do some Christmas shopping and then to Panera Bread company to get some bagels. I did have to use the cart in the toy store to kind of steady myself and my wife noticed that I was walking with a pronounced gait that I normally do not have.
I know it is not from overuse today as we did not do much of anything other then run to the Toys R Us to do some Christmas shopping and then to Panera Bread company to get some bagels. I did have to use the cart in the toy store to kind of steady myself and my wife noticed that I was walking with a pronounced gait that I normally do not have.
ARACHNOIDITIS - SPINAL CORD INJURY WITH INTRACTABLE PAIN
ARACHNOIDITIS - SPINAL CORD INJURY WITH INTRACTABLE PAIN
I woke with a monster headache and a burning pain in my back which is accompanied by muscle spasms. It woke me up at about 3 am but I was able to get back to sleep until about 6 when it hurt to much to just lay there. I am sure that the weather is playing a role in the pain and we are not looking to warm up anytime soon.
The website about addresses the cause and symptoms of arachnoiditis as well as some other issues like the weather that can affect it.
I have also read where the change from humid to dry conditions can cause other issues that will increase the symptoms of arachnoiditis. The change to a drier environment, like summer to winter, will cause dry skin. By itself not a big deal but when added to the increased neurological sensitivity of the patient it makes it more uncomfortable, mineral content of water can also add to the effect. They have also pointed to central heating as a source for dry skin, but this can be combated by adding a humidifier to either the furnace (which I have done) or smaller models to the rooms where you will be spending time.
I woke with a monster headache and a burning pain in my back which is accompanied by muscle spasms. It woke me up at about 3 am but I was able to get back to sleep until about 6 when it hurt to much to just lay there. I am sure that the weather is playing a role in the pain and we are not looking to warm up anytime soon.
The website about addresses the cause and symptoms of arachnoiditis as well as some other issues like the weather that can affect it.
Physical, mental and emotional stress, prolonged sitting and standing, and weather changes, can exacerbate the symptoms, but often there is no obvious cause for what appears to be an acute flare up of the chronic inflammation resulting in a flu-like illness lasting from days to several weeks.
I have also read where the change from humid to dry conditions can cause other issues that will increase the symptoms of arachnoiditis. The change to a drier environment, like summer to winter, will cause dry skin. By itself not a big deal but when added to the increased neurological sensitivity of the patient it makes it more uncomfortable, mineral content of water can also add to the effect. They have also pointed to central heating as a source for dry skin, but this can be combated by adding a humidifier to either the furnace (which I have done) or smaller models to the rooms where you will be spending time.
10/14/2004
I want my woobie...
Finished out most of the day with a bit of relief through the meds. Grabbed the poncho liner and sat in the chair with Seven Myths about Gun Control. I pretty much stayed there all afternoon and was even able to grab about an hours sleep before it was time to get dinner for the boys. Now I am up in the bedroom in the glider watching a movie and waiting for the next 30 minutes to go by so I can take my next meds and then it is off to sleep.
If you have never had a poncho liner it is the best thing since sliced bread. It is standard issue in the Army and as the name suggests it is an accessory to the poncho. No one I know ever used it like that though as it is perfect by itself and is light enough to use in warm weather without sweating to death and in the winter it will keep you toasty. It is the same material that field jacket liners and ECW pants liners are made from. I have four of them, including the original one I was issued some 16 years ago.
16 years, wow has it been that long? Seems like yesterday I was standing in the recruiters office and going to MEPS to do the physical. The memories of OSUT at Benning still fresh in my mind. I can feel the giant fans in the platoon bays still blowing across my face and I will always remember the smell of the chow hall in the mornings. The crisp autumn air of Georgia in October and the red clay that stains everything you own. The smell of gun powder hanging thick in the air after an afternoon on the ranges firing everything from the M-16A1 to the M-2 .50cal.
I was 17 when I enlisted and barely 18 when I finished OSUT and was sent to my first unit. I do not recall being scared but rather anxious at what awaited for me the next day. In the end I spent the next nine years in the Army (6 years) and National Guard (3 years).
I have been asked many times if I miss it, and I can only say that I am not so sure I miss the job (I was a grunt) but I do miss the camaraderie and my friends. Funny thing is I do not talk to one person I graduated High School with but I talk to a good 20-30 people that I served with over the years. In a strange twist of fate a very good friend of mine got out of the Army a few years after I did and we both landed in the same town. Small world as neither of us are from this town nor do we work in this town. After not seeing him for almost 8 years the conversation picked up like it had only been 1 day.
Ok, enough of the sentimental stuff.
If you have never had a poncho liner it is the best thing since sliced bread. It is standard issue in the Army and as the name suggests it is an accessory to the poncho. No one I know ever used it like that though as it is perfect by itself and is light enough to use in warm weather without sweating to death and in the winter it will keep you toasty. It is the same material that field jacket liners and ECW pants liners are made from. I have four of them, including the original one I was issued some 16 years ago.
16 years, wow has it been that long? Seems like yesterday I was standing in the recruiters office and going to MEPS to do the physical. The memories of OSUT at Benning still fresh in my mind. I can feel the giant fans in the platoon bays still blowing across my face and I will always remember the smell of the chow hall in the mornings. The crisp autumn air of Georgia in October and the red clay that stains everything you own. The smell of gun powder hanging thick in the air after an afternoon on the ranges firing everything from the M-16A1 to the M-2 .50cal.
I was 17 when I enlisted and barely 18 when I finished OSUT and was sent to my first unit. I do not recall being scared but rather anxious at what awaited for me the next day. In the end I spent the next nine years in the Army (6 years) and National Guard (3 years).
I have been asked many times if I miss it, and I can only say that I am not so sure I miss the job (I was a grunt) but I do miss the camaraderie and my friends. Funny thing is I do not talk to one person I graduated High School with but I talk to a good 20-30 people that I served with over the years. In a strange twist of fate a very good friend of mine got out of the Army a few years after I did and we both landed in the same town. Small world as neither of us are from this town nor do we work in this town. After not seeing him for almost 8 years the conversation picked up like it had only been 1 day.
Ok, enough of the sentimental stuff.
Lunch time is here...
And so is the pain. It seems to even be moving up a bit more. I will get a call in to the Doc and see if he has anything to say or if he wants me to come in and see him. The nice thing is that I live within 100 meters of the hospital and could crawl there if need be. Pain level which usually stays about 5-6 (2-3 with meds) is at about 7 right now with the meds, so I am not at all feeling like doing much.
The weather is still rather crappy and the temp has dropped into the 40's in the middle of the day. Looks like the weather man was wrong and the cold front showed up 3 days earlier then expected.
Hopefully Gil's wife has been able to contact his doc and they will get him squared away ASAP. Hopefully he will have some good news posted on his blog by the morning.
The weather is still rather crappy and the temp has dropped into the 40's in the middle of the day. Looks like the weather man was wrong and the cold front showed up 3 days earlier then expected.
Hopefully Gil's wife has been able to contact his doc and they will get him squared away ASAP. Hopefully he will have some good news posted on his blog by the morning.
A new day with new pain
Woke up this morning with the pain in new spots. Usually it is confined to the small of my back but this morning it is above that point, I would say almost 1/2 way up my back. It feels tight and is burning so I am not sure exactly what it is just yet. I took some flexeril to see if it loosens up at all, almost hoping that it is a spasm rather then something else. Only problem there is this is wishful thinking as my spasms usually are more of a twitching then a tightening. If it is still this way by lunch time I will give the doc a call but for know it is the recliner and a pot of coffee to start the morning.
10/13/2004
Out and about
Got out of the house again today, that makes like three in a row. Nothing big, just hit Old Navy to exchange some items and grab some stuff on sale and then we grabbed a quick bite to eat.
We stopped at a restaurant right at the start of the lunch hour. Having worked in the hospitality industry we knew better then this but we were starving. It is a little Mexican restaurant where we have eaten before and found it to be at least good. We were seated and got our drinks rather fast but then our luck ran out. I ad to flag someone down after about 10 minutes to see if someone could at least get something for our toddler. Sadly the manager came to the table and made excuses about what was going on and blamed the servers for the confusion. I cannot stand it when the person in charge passes the buck like that. Seems that the server who we were supposed to have had just taken a large party before we came in and was quite busy with them. Not a big deal as we understand, but instead of getting someone to help him out the manager let the poor guy suffer with an overcrowded section. The server finally made it to our table 20 minutes after we sat down and took our order. We would have left but it would have been even longer before we saw food and like I said, we were starving. The kid was apologetic and I made sure to let him know that we understood and it was not his fault for bad communication on the managers behalf. Lunch was decent, some flauta's for my wife and a chicken chimichnga for me, our son snacked down on some grilled cheese which he kept dipping into the salsa. Feeling badly for the server who has to work for such a poor manager I left him a 30% tip.
Like I said, I worked in the restaurant business for 10 years and my wife is a restaurant manager. We understand that it is not a perfect world, especially at lunch time. However a manager who does not accept blame for problems is a weak manager IMHO.
We stopped at a restaurant right at the start of the lunch hour. Having worked in the hospitality industry we knew better then this but we were starving. It is a little Mexican restaurant where we have eaten before and found it to be at least good. We were seated and got our drinks rather fast but then our luck ran out. I ad to flag someone down after about 10 minutes to see if someone could at least get something for our toddler. Sadly the manager came to the table and made excuses about what was going on and blamed the servers for the confusion. I cannot stand it when the person in charge passes the buck like that. Seems that the server who we were supposed to have had just taken a large party before we came in and was quite busy with them. Not a big deal as we understand, but instead of getting someone to help him out the manager let the poor guy suffer with an overcrowded section. The server finally made it to our table 20 minutes after we sat down and took our order. We would have left but it would have been even longer before we saw food and like I said, we were starving. The kid was apologetic and I made sure to let him know that we understood and it was not his fault for bad communication on the managers behalf. Lunch was decent, some flauta's for my wife and a chicken chimichnga for me, our son snacked down on some grilled cheese which he kept dipping into the salsa. Feeling badly for the server who has to work for such a poor manager I left him a 30% tip.
Like I said, I worked in the restaurant business for 10 years and my wife is a restaurant manager. We understand that it is not a perfect world, especially at lunch time. However a manager who does not accept blame for problems is a weak manager IMHO.
Pleasant surprise
Well I ran out of pain meds yesterday and did not have a refill on the scrip so I have to call it in to the pharmacy and then they check with the doc to see if he will refill it. I called it in first thing in the morning in hopes that it would be done by 1500 as that would be when my other meds should be gone.
I called the pharmacy at about 1430 and they said it was refilled but that my insurance company said that it was to soon to refill and they would not pay for them until the 18th. Not sure WTF is up with them but since it was a generic refill it was only $26. My wife went and grabbed it for me and when I opened the bag I found that not only had my doc authorized the refill, he gave me enough refills for another few months worth. Seems like after our last conversation he has come around to really understand that my pain is something that is not going away any time soon.
While I am a little miffed with my insurance carrier about the co-pay I am glad that I at least have insurance and do not live in a socialized healthcare country. I have read to many accounts of people living in the UK and Europe where they have to deal with socialized healthcare and they wait and wait and wait just to see the doc to be told they will know have to wait again to see the neuro or whoever else they will be referred out to see. In the time I was diagnosed with Spondy and had my surgery (about 1 year) some of them were still waiting to see the docs. Ouch!
I called the pharmacy at about 1430 and they said it was refilled but that my insurance company said that it was to soon to refill and they would not pay for them until the 18th. Not sure WTF is up with them but since it was a generic refill it was only $26. My wife went and grabbed it for me and when I opened the bag I found that not only had my doc authorized the refill, he gave me enough refills for another few months worth. Seems like after our last conversation he has come around to really understand that my pain is something that is not going away any time soon.
While I am a little miffed with my insurance carrier about the co-pay I am glad that I at least have insurance and do not live in a socialized healthcare country. I have read to many accounts of people living in the UK and Europe where they have to deal with socialized healthcare and they wait and wait and wait just to see the doc to be told they will know have to wait again to see the neuro or whoever else they will be referred out to see. In the time I was diagnosed with Spondy and had my surgery (about 1 year) some of them were still waiting to see the docs. Ouch!
10/12/2004
Sweating and Arachnoiditis
About Arachnoiditis - General Information: "Autonomic: bladder/bowel/sexual dysfunction; excessive or reduced sweating; heat intolerance; difficulty swallowing (and sometimes related chest pain); limb swelling; blood pressure disturbance"
I have been experiencing periods of sweating even though I am not hot. I was not able to place this and decided to hit the web and do some searching. Looks like it is autonomic reaction that I will have to deal with. It is not often so far but just one of those little things that adds up with all the other little things to make you uncomfortable.
Pain today is moderate and it is still rainy and cold out and looks to stay that way for a few more days. Very lazy days indeed!
I have been experiencing periods of sweating even though I am not hot. I was not able to place this and decided to hit the web and do some searching. Looks like it is autonomic reaction that I will have to deal with. It is not often so far but just one of those little things that adds up with all the other little things to make you uncomfortable.
Pain today is moderate and it is still rainy and cold out and looks to stay that way for a few more days. Very lazy days indeed!
My life with adhesive arachnoiditis
My life with adhesive arachnoiditis
Here is another blogger who has been diagnosed with Arachnoiditis. While I am sorry we have to meet this way it is nice to have someone else's perspective on how they are doing and dealing with this disability.
Here is another blogger who has been diagnosed with Arachnoiditis. While I am sorry we have to meet this way it is nice to have someone else's perspective on how they are doing and dealing with this disability.
Prognosis of Arachnoiditis - WrongDiagnosis.com
Prognosis of Arachnoiditis - WrongDiagnosis.com
Another interesting site that I have spent some time on. The above link will bring you to the page where I will be quoting from but rather then have a long post here I will just use snippets.
As stated, there is no cure for this and so far out of all the people that I have spoken with about ARC very few have been able to continue to work. Those that do seem to be either self employed and thus can tailor their work to their physical needs or they have jobs where they have the ability to work around the ARC. In my case I will most likely (99.99% sure) never be able to return to my previous position(s) as they all required the heavy lifting or long periods of standing/sitting and none of them certainly would be ok with the use of prescribed narcotics which I spend a good amount of time on.
While I do not think I fall all the way into this category I do believe that it has affected me. Maybe not in the sense that I can not remember t all but more likely a combination of the pain and meds that cause me to space out. I would add this to the list of reasons I have imposed self limits on my driving car. Since I can longer predict when my back may flair up or I might "space out" I do not drive much and usually I only drive to drop off and pick up my son from school.
There are many other issues the site deals with but they are going to vary from case to case. Some ARC patients are or will suffer from Cauda Equina Syndrome where the person has difficulty in either holding their bowels/bladder or has difficulty determining when they need to use the restroom. I do not have this symptom, at lest I do not think so and I was not diagnosed with it, however I do have occasion where a need to use the restroom sneaks up on me or there are times when it feels like I need to but do not really have to. This is one that I keep track of and my be a psychological reason that I do not venture far from home.
Another interesting site that I have spent some time on. The above link will bring you to the page where I will be quoting from but rather then have a long post here I will just use snippets.
Prognosis for Arachnoiditis: There is no cure for arachnoiditis. For the majority of patients, arachnoiditis is a disabling disease causing intractable pain and neurological deficits. As the disease progresses, some symptoms may increase and become permanent. Few people with this disorder are able to continue working. In some cases, progressive paraplegia may occur.
As stated, there is no cure for this and so far out of all the people that I have spoken with about ARC very few have been able to continue to work. Those that do seem to be either self employed and thus can tailor their work to their physical needs or they have jobs where they have the ability to work around the ARC. In my case I will most likely (99.99% sure) never be able to return to my previous position(s) as they all required the heavy lifting or long periods of standing/sitting and none of them certainly would be ok with the use of prescribed narcotics which I spend a good amount of time on.
forgetfulness: A lot of people experience memory lapses. Some memory problems are serious, and others are not. People who have serious changes in their memory, personality, and behavior may suffer from a form of brain disease called dementia. Dementia seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities. Alzheimer's disease is one of many types of dementia.
While I do not think I fall all the way into this category I do believe that it has affected me. Maybe not in the sense that I can not remember t all but more likely a combination of the pain and meds that cause me to space out. I would add this to the list of reasons I have imposed self limits on my driving car. Since I can longer predict when my back may flair up or I might "space out" I do not drive much and usually I only drive to drop off and pick up my son from school.
There are many other issues the site deals with but they are going to vary from case to case. Some ARC patients are or will suffer from Cauda Equina Syndrome where the person has difficulty in either holding their bowels/bladder or has difficulty determining when they need to use the restroom. I do not have this symptom, at lest I do not think so and I was not diagnosed with it, however I do have occasion where a need to use the restroom sneaks up on me or there are times when it feels like I need to but do not really have to. This is one that I keep track of and my be a psychological reason that I do not venture far from home.
10/11/2004
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
This should be interesting. It is going to be a live webcast of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Obviously not the same type of surgery I had but it should be interesting to watch. Looks like they have some other webcasts they will be doing as well.
This should be interesting. It is going to be a live webcast of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Obviously not the same type of surgery I had but it should be interesting to watch. Looks like they have some other webcasts they will be doing as well.
Slip sliding away
A cold day today. I don't think we hit but 55F for the high and this is supposed to be one of the warm days this week.
I love the cold but this is going to suck if the weather is going to play with my back. Seems the colder it gets outside the more my back hurts. Not a burning pain but more like a stiffness in the joints. Simple tasks like bending over to change the baby are difficult to perform. I can bend or kneel down depending on where I am, but recovering to the standing position can be a bit painful. Once I am up I feel ok but just getting up sucks. I try to limit myself but when it is me and the baby at night someone has to change him. Bath time can be tough as well but we bought him a special seat for the tub. It keeps him from slipping so he can play without me having to be down on the floor with him. I can pull the chair in with us and watch him.
I got out and about for a bit today. Nothing fancy, just hit wally world for some batteries and tape. Seems like Christmas is coming earlier every year. Halloween has not even happened yet they had like 5 aisles of nothing but Christmas items while they had about 1.5 for Halloween. Nothing says holiday like corporate America! Pretty soon they will be setting out the Christmas stuff during the Fourth of July.
Right now I am just relaxing and watching a movie (Dumb & Dumber) as there is not much else to do this evening. Both the boys are in bed and snoring way which is where I plan to be here shortly. I did not sleep well last night, in part because of my back but the baby was restless last night.
I love the cold but this is going to suck if the weather is going to play with my back. Seems the colder it gets outside the more my back hurts. Not a burning pain but more like a stiffness in the joints. Simple tasks like bending over to change the baby are difficult to perform. I can bend or kneel down depending on where I am, but recovering to the standing position can be a bit painful. Once I am up I feel ok but just getting up sucks. I try to limit myself but when it is me and the baby at night someone has to change him. Bath time can be tough as well but we bought him a special seat for the tub. It keeps him from slipping so he can play without me having to be down on the floor with him. I can pull the chair in with us and watch him.
I got out and about for a bit today. Nothing fancy, just hit wally world for some batteries and tape. Seems like Christmas is coming earlier every year. Halloween has not even happened yet they had like 5 aisles of nothing but Christmas items while they had about 1.5 for Halloween. Nothing says holiday like corporate America! Pretty soon they will be setting out the Christmas stuff during the Fourth of July.
Right now I am just relaxing and watching a movie (Dumb & Dumber) as there is not much else to do this evening. Both the boys are in bed and snoring way which is where I plan to be here shortly. I did not sleep well last night, in part because of my back but the baby was restless last night.
Rest In Peace Superman
Movies - AP
AP
'Superman' Christopher Reeve Dies at 52
10 minutes ago
By JIM FITZGERALD, Associated Press Writer
MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. - Actor Christopher Reeve, who soared through the air and leapt tall buildings as "Superman," turned personal tragedy into a public crusade, becoming the nation's most recognizable spokesman for spinal cord research — from a wheelchair. Reeve went into cardiac arrest Saturday while at his Pound Ridge home, then fell into a coma and died Sunday at a hospital surrounded by his family, his publicist said. He was 52.
His advocacy for stem cell research helped it emerge as a major campaign issue between President Bush and his Democratic opponent, John Kerry. His name was even mentioned by Kerry during the second presidential debate Friday evening.
Reeve, left paralyzed from the neck down after a riding accident and who pushed for funding to help others like himself, was hospitalized the following day. In the last week Reeve had developed a serious systemic infection from a pressure wound, a common complication for people living with paralysis.
Dana Reeve, Christopher's wife, thanked her husband's personal staff of nurses and aides, "as well as the millions of fans from around the world who have supported and loved my husband over the years."
Reeve's life changed completely after he broke his neck in May 1995 when he was thrown from his horse during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Va.
Enduring months of therapy to allow him to breathe for longer and longer periods without a respirator, Reeve emerged to lobby Congress for better insurance protection against catastrophic injury and to move an Academy Award audience to tears with a call for more films about social issues.
"Hollywood needs to do more," he said in the March 1996 Oscar awards appearance. "Let's continue to take risks. Let's tackle the issues. In many ways our film community can do it better than anyone else. There is no challenge, artistic or otherwise, that we can't meet."
He returned to directing, and even returned to acting in a 1998 production of "Rear Window," a modern update of the Hitchcock thriller about a man in a wheelchair who becomes convinced a neighbor has been murdered. Reeve won a Screen Actors Guild (news - web sites) award for best actor.
"I was worried that only acting with my voice and my face, I might not be able to communicate effectively enough to tell the story," Reeve said. "But I was surprised to find that if I really concentrated, and just let the thoughts happen, that they would read on my face. With so many close-ups, I knew that my every thought would count."
In 2000, Reeve was able to move his index finger, and a specialized workout regimen made his legs and arms stronger. He also regained sensation in other parts of his body. He vowed to walk again.
"I refuse to allow a disability to determine how I live my life. I don't mean to be reckless, but setting a goal that seems a bit daunting actually is very helpful toward recovery," Reeve said.
Before the accident, his athletic, 6-foot-4-inch frame and love of adventure made him a natural, if largely unknown, choice for the title role in the first "Superman" movie in 1978. He insisted on performing his own stunts.
Although he reprised the role three times, Reeve often worried about being typecast as an action hero.
Though he owed his fame to it, Reeve made a concerted effort to, as he often put it, "escape the cape." He played an embittered, crippled Vietnam veteran in the 1980 Broadway play "Fifth of July," a lovestruck time-traveler in the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time," and an aspiring playwright in the 1982 suspense thriller "Deathtrap."
More recent films included John Carpenter's "Village of the Damned," and the HBO movies "Above Suspicion" and "In the Gloaming," which he directed. Among his other film credits are "The Remains of the Day," "The Aviator," and "Morning Glory."
Reeve was born Sept. 25, 1952, in New York City, son of a novelist and a newspaper reporter. About the age of 10, he made his first stage appearance — in Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Yeoman of the Guard" at McCarter Theater in Princeton, N.J.
After graduating from Cornell University in 1974, he landed a part as coldhearted bigamist Ben Harper (news) on the television soap opera "Love of Life." He also performed frequently on stage, winning his first Broadway role as the grandson of a character played by Katharine Hepburn (news) in "A Matter of Gravity."
Reeve's first movie role was a minor one in the submarine disaster movie "Gray Lady Down," released in 1978. "Superman" soon followed. Reeve was selected for the title role from among about 200 aspirants.
Active in many sports, Reeve owned several horses and competed in equestrian events regularly. Witnesses to the 1995 accident said Reeve's horse had cleared two of 15 fences during the jumping event and stopped abruptly at the third, flinging the actor headlong to the ground. Doctors said he fractured the top two vertebrae in his neck and damaged his spinal cord.
While filming "Superman" in London, Reeve met modeling agency co-founder Gae Exton, and the two began a relationship that lasted several years. The couple had two sons, but were never wed.
Reeve later married Dana Morosini; they had one son, Will, 11. Reeve also is survived by his mother, Barbara Johnson; his father, Franklin Reeve; his brother, Benjamin Reeve; and his two children from his relationship with Exton, Matthew, 25, and Alexandra, 21.
No plans for a funeral were immediately announced.
A few months after the accident, he told interviewer Barbara Walters that he considered suicide in the first dark days after he was injured. But he quickly overcame such thoughts when he saw his children.
"I could see how much they needed me and wanted me... and how lucky we all are and that my brain is on straight."
10/10/2004
Yahoo! News - Pain relief a human right, leading professor says
Yahoo! News - Pain relief a human right, leading professor says
Someone finally gets it. This is a step in the right direction but now all we need to do is get the doctors onboard. My time with pain has shown me the different kinds of doctors there are. Some will give you what ever you want if you ask, others will skimp on the pain meds and after so many weeks will cut you off for fear of addiction. My current PCP seems to have finally turned the corner on this though as after denying a refill several months ago but with me still being in pain he finally ordered the MRI that diagnosed the arachnoiditis. It was only then that he started to realize that this was not in my head and that my pain was real.
This is perhaps one of the biggest things I deal with everyday. When I am in pain I am not rolling around on the floor nor am I screaming at the top of my lungs. I tend to just find some place comfortable and settle in with a book, the laptop or just take a nap. People have a hard time understanding that I am in fact disabled. No walker, cane or wheelchair for me so I look like almost everyone else out there. It has given me a new respect for people I see parking in the handicap spots though. Just because you do not see the handicap does not mean it is not there.
While I understand that narcotics are addictive and can cause other problems many of us are facing lifelong illness that cannot be cured. Not to say they are the same but with diseases like cancer there is at least hope of going into remission, removal of the affected organs/tissue and other treatments that can allow a normal pain free life. With arachnoiditis there is no cure right now and there is very little they can do other then treat the pain.
Someone finally gets it. This is a step in the right direction but now all we need to do is get the doctors onboard. My time with pain has shown me the different kinds of doctors there are. Some will give you what ever you want if you ask, others will skimp on the pain meds and after so many weeks will cut you off for fear of addiction. My current PCP seems to have finally turned the corner on this though as after denying a refill several months ago but with me still being in pain he finally ordered the MRI that diagnosed the arachnoiditis. It was only then that he started to realize that this was not in my head and that my pain was real.
This is perhaps one of the biggest things I deal with everyday. When I am in pain I am not rolling around on the floor nor am I screaming at the top of my lungs. I tend to just find some place comfortable and settle in with a book, the laptop or just take a nap. People have a hard time understanding that I am in fact disabled. No walker, cane or wheelchair for me so I look like almost everyone else out there. It has given me a new respect for people I see parking in the handicap spots though. Just because you do not see the handicap does not mean it is not there.
While I understand that narcotics are addictive and can cause other problems many of us are facing lifelong illness that cannot be cured. Not to say they are the same but with diseases like cancer there is at least hope of going into remission, removal of the affected organs/tissue and other treatments that can allow a normal pain free life. With arachnoiditis there is no cure right now and there is very little they can do other then treat the pain.
Failed back surgery syndrome & Arachnoiditis
Failed back surgery syndrome or FBSS is a generic term used for any back surgery that is not deemed a success. Funny thing is that in my reading up on this they say that a common treatment for FBBS is epidurals which are a known cause of arachnoiditis.
Almost seems as if you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. I was in pain before the surgery but at least I was able to work. Don't get me wrong, I am not mad or upset that I am where I am but it does suck from time to time.
The most common causes of arachnoiditis are iatrogenic with Iatros meaning physician in Greek and genic meaning induced. This may be one of the reasons this problem is so under diagnosed. I mean what doctor would want to admit that something they did would be this devastating. Like I have said before, this can be induced by a number of things like surgery, epidural steroid injections and myleograms. There are other causes like menegitis and even TB as well as blood making it's way into the spinal fluid.
I had all the above procedures done and not once during the tie I was having them do I recall the possibility of arachnoiditis being mentioned. Doctors may be facing higher malpractice premiums but what about the patients like myself who know face a life of pain? How about the life of having to get up and take meds all day long just to get through it? Worse, how about never being able to play with my kids like I used to be able to?
I am still fairly healthy and am trying to stay ahead of the arch. by going to the gym when I can and riding the bike and doing some light weights. It helps but at the same time I pay for it the next day or so. The movement iritates the arch. which in turn obviously causes more pain. On the COFWA website the say
I am sure that as time goes on my arch. will get worse as we caught mine in what appears to be the early stages. I was diagnosed less then 1.5 years from the surgery date and within 2 years of the first epidural. Seems that most of the reading I have done has people being diagnosed further along then that as well they say in some cases it could take 20 years for the symptoms to show and be diagnosed. Again though I would think that to be the extreme edge with people being like myself and diagnosed in the first several years.
Quality of life is always a consideration for people with arachnoiditis. Both the patient and the family. I try to keep up with them but sometimes things that used to be simple tasks like walking for long distances are now more difficult. When I was in Junior High School I started running cross country. I was running 6 minute miles when I was in 7th grade. By the time I left the Army I was smoking the PT run (2 miles) in low 11's and on occasions sub 11 minutes. Big change from those days. I never really liked to run, I was just good at it and could go long distances without problem. Now walking 1 mile hurts. Just one more thing I guess I took for granted was that I would always be able to run like that.
Enough for this evening.
Almost seems as if you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. I was in pain before the surgery but at least I was able to work. Don't get me wrong, I am not mad or upset that I am where I am but it does suck from time to time.
The most common causes of arachnoiditis are iatrogenic with Iatros meaning physician in Greek and genic meaning induced. This may be one of the reasons this problem is so under diagnosed. I mean what doctor would want to admit that something they did would be this devastating. Like I have said before, this can be induced by a number of things like surgery, epidural steroid injections and myleograms. There are other causes like menegitis and even TB as well as blood making it's way into the spinal fluid.
I had all the above procedures done and not once during the tie I was having them do I recall the possibility of arachnoiditis being mentioned. Doctors may be facing higher malpractice premiums but what about the patients like myself who know face a life of pain? How about the life of having to get up and take meds all day long just to get through it? Worse, how about never being able to play with my kids like I used to be able to?
I am still fairly healthy and am trying to stay ahead of the arch. by going to the gym when I can and riding the bike and doing some light weights. It helps but at the same time I pay for it the next day or so. The movement iritates the arch. which in turn obviously causes more pain. On the COFWA website the say
One doctor has likened the pain of AA to that experienced in cancer, but without the relief of death. Indeed, some sufferers become suicidal due to the unrelenting pain and the neurological deficits they experience.Now I don't know all about the suicidal part but I guess I could see someone thinking that was the only way to end their pain. I would have to believe though that those who consider that option would have to be those who suffer far worse then I. It is the "like cancer without the relief of death" that got my attention.
I am sure that as time goes on my arch. will get worse as we caught mine in what appears to be the early stages. I was diagnosed less then 1.5 years from the surgery date and within 2 years of the first epidural. Seems that most of the reading I have done has people being diagnosed further along then that as well they say in some cases it could take 20 years for the symptoms to show and be diagnosed. Again though I would think that to be the extreme edge with people being like myself and diagnosed in the first several years.
Quality of life is always a consideration for people with arachnoiditis. Both the patient and the family. I try to keep up with them but sometimes things that used to be simple tasks like walking for long distances are now more difficult. When I was in Junior High School I started running cross country. I was running 6 minute miles when I was in 7th grade. By the time I left the Army I was smoking the PT run (2 miles) in low 11's and on occasions sub 11 minutes. Big change from those days. I never really liked to run, I was just good at it and could go long distances without problem. Now walking 1 mile hurts. Just one more thing I guess I took for granted was that I would always be able to run like that.
Enough for this evening.
10/09/2004
Saturday in the park...
It was an interesting debate last night. John Kerry must have said "I have a plan" 100 times but that is about all he said. President Bush did much better this time then last but I would like to see him bust it out for the last one.
I woke with another headache and a throbbing back. Of course a few minutes later the baby woke up so know we are downstairs and he is playing with his lego's. Darvocet is helping a bit but since it is such a mild pain med if the pain gets much worse it does not do much. My guess is the arachnoiditis is progressing a little faster then they anticipated. Heck, they diagnosed it much sooner then most of the studies say it is generally noticed.
I read somewhere yesterday that it can stay localized but it can also spread up the menengies. As the scar tissue grows and surrounds the nerves it cuts off the blood supply and this means the oxygen as well. Basically what you end up with is a dead nerve. Enough scar tissue and you lose feeling in the effected section of the body. This is what is going on with my left leg/foot.
I have done the NSAIDS and medrol with some relief but the benefits I would say were outweighed by the side effects. Some of the NSAIDS they have tried with me are now being recalled. They are the Cox-2 inhibitors Vioxx and Celebrex (not yet recalled) and I have taken Mobic as well. Vioxx and Celebrex worked ok in conjuction with other meds but the Mobic did not do squat. I take that back, it made my stomach upset even when take with food.
More later, time to grab some yogurt and feed the baby breakfast.
I woke with another headache and a throbbing back. Of course a few minutes later the baby woke up so know we are downstairs and he is playing with his lego's. Darvocet is helping a bit but since it is such a mild pain med if the pain gets much worse it does not do much. My guess is the arachnoiditis is progressing a little faster then they anticipated. Heck, they diagnosed it much sooner then most of the studies say it is generally noticed.
I read somewhere yesterday that it can stay localized but it can also spread up the menengies. As the scar tissue grows and surrounds the nerves it cuts off the blood supply and this means the oxygen as well. Basically what you end up with is a dead nerve. Enough scar tissue and you lose feeling in the effected section of the body. This is what is going on with my left leg/foot.
I have done the NSAIDS and medrol with some relief but the benefits I would say were outweighed by the side effects. Some of the NSAIDS they have tried with me are now being recalled. They are the Cox-2 inhibitors Vioxx and Celebrex (not yet recalled) and I have taken Mobic as well. Vioxx and Celebrex worked ok in conjuction with other meds but the Mobic did not do squat. I take that back, it made my stomach upset even when take with food.
More later, time to grab some yogurt and feed the baby breakfast.
10/08/2004
Fell behind a bit
Spent most of yesterday in the recliner trying to get comfortable. My left foot was burning and my leg was numb, it got bad enough that my whole leg buckled while I was walking up the steps. I decided to take it easy and relax for the afternoon as I had some shopping to do last night.
We went to Sams club to do the bulk shopping and I am glad that I rested for the afternoon. If you have never been into a Sams Club it is pretty much a warehouse and if you walk the whole thing on some of their larger stores I am sure you will log a few miles just cruising the aisles for what you need. The toughest part was having to carry all the stuff from the car to the house. Sams club does not bad as it helps cut down on costs and for most of the items they are oversized so good luck on fitting them into a bag. I spent about an hour getting it all put away which includes breaking down the meat which is sold only in bulk, usually 5lbs or more.
This morning was a rainy one. It actually rained for most of yesterday and was still going this morning. Just one of those blase days but I got a lot of stuff done.
Right now I am watching the debate while sitting in the glider chair upstairs. Once I put the boys in bed for the evening I just like to relax and grab a few minutes to myself. The back though is not happy and darvocet is not touching it this evening.
We went to Sams club to do the bulk shopping and I am glad that I rested for the afternoon. If you have never been into a Sams Club it is pretty much a warehouse and if you walk the whole thing on some of their larger stores I am sure you will log a few miles just cruising the aisles for what you need. The toughest part was having to carry all the stuff from the car to the house. Sams club does not bad as it helps cut down on costs and for most of the items they are oversized so good luck on fitting them into a bag. I spent about an hour getting it all put away which includes breaking down the meat which is sold only in bulk, usually 5lbs or more.
This morning was a rainy one. It actually rained for most of yesterday and was still going this morning. Just one of those blase days but I got a lot of stuff done.
Right now I am watching the debate while sitting in the glider chair upstairs. Once I put the boys in bed for the evening I just like to relax and grab a few minutes to myself. The back though is not happy and darvocet is not touching it this evening.
Missed a day
Damn, I missed posting yesterday.
It was a pretty dreary day and I spent most of it in the recliner. We had some pretty vicious thunderstorms most of the afternoon and evening so I stayed away from the electronic stuff.
We waited until the evening and the ran to Sam's Club to finish the shopping. We ended up spending a good 2 hours running through the place but were able to fit it all in the car. I always forget they do not have bags and unless you find some good boxes you have to load it loose. Once we got it all home I had to divide out all the meat into usable portions. After all the lifting and carrying my back was done and screaming for a break.
I did not sleep to well as I kept getting spasms down my back and leg and I ran out of muscle relaxers. I should have the refill this afternoon, but wish I had them yesterday.
It was a pretty dreary day and I spent most of it in the recliner. We had some pretty vicious thunderstorms most of the afternoon and evening so I stayed away from the electronic stuff.
We waited until the evening and the ran to Sam's Club to finish the shopping. We ended up spending a good 2 hours running through the place but were able to fit it all in the car. I always forget they do not have bags and unless you find some good boxes you have to load it loose. Once we got it all home I had to divide out all the meat into usable portions. After all the lifting and carrying my back was done and screaming for a break.
I did not sleep to well as I kept getting spasms down my back and leg and I ran out of muscle relaxers. I should have the refill this afternoon, but wish I had them yesterday.
10/06/2004
AAOS Online Service Fact Sheet Spinal Fusion
AAOS Online Service Fact Sheet Spinal Fusion
My surgery included fusion at the L5/S1 and I remember all to well the pain I was in after the surgery. It went away in about 2 weeks, or at least the major pain did and after that it was ok as long as I avoided certain things and remembered to "log roll" to get up out of bed.
They can do the graft a few different ways. They can harvest from the patient or they can use donor bone (cadaver bone). My surgeon opted for the donor bone as it would be easier and less painful for me. If I remember correctly the chances of the fusion taking were about the same with either way but if we used my bone I would have additional pain from the harvest site. I am glad they used the donor bone!!!
After surgery I did wear a body brace for several months to help keep the fusion from moving and allow it to heal. I did get some strange looks while wearing it and during the summer months it was hot but without it I did not have the stability. When the cooler months hit I hid it under a sweatshirt.
My surgery included fusion at the L5/S1 and I remember all to well the pain I was in after the surgery. It went away in about 2 weeks, or at least the major pain did and after that it was ok as long as I avoided certain things and remembered to "log roll" to get up out of bed.
They can do the graft a few different ways. They can harvest from the patient or they can use donor bone (cadaver bone). My surgeon opted for the donor bone as it would be easier and less painful for me. If I remember correctly the chances of the fusion taking were about the same with either way but if we used my bone I would have additional pain from the harvest site. I am glad they used the donor bone!!!
After surgery I did wear a body brace for several months to help keep the fusion from moving and allow it to heal. I did get some strange looks while wearing it and during the summer months it was hot but without it I did not have the stability. When the cooler months hit I hid it under a sweatshirt.
Physical Therapy Corner: Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis in Gymnasts
Physical Therapy Corner: Spondylolisthesis and Spondylolysis in Gymnasts
A pretty good site for physical therapy for those with Spondylolisis and Spondylolisthesis. It has a fairly straightforward and simple explanation of the two as well as the grading percentages for slippage involved with spondylolisthesis and a listing of some of the people who might be at greater risk for spondy then the general public.
A pretty good site for physical therapy for those with Spondylolisis and Spondylolisthesis. It has a fairly straightforward and simple explanation of the two as well as the grading percentages for slippage involved with spondylolisthesis and a listing of some of the people who might be at greater risk for spondy then the general public.
Being grounded
My wife called me from work this evening to ask me some questions and a few URL's as one of her fellow workers has an 11 year old daughter who just had surgery to correct her scoliosis.
I can only imagine the pain that poor girl is in. I know that when they do the surgery for that they put in a lot more hardware then I have and it can not be feeling good. She must be a tough trooper to go through that. Hopefully I will get a chance to sit down and chat with her.
I met one other girl who had that surgery. It was about 4 months after mine and we were out eating. I noticed the girls sitting with her back to me had a similar scar like mine but it went further up her back. I did not want to be rude but felt like I had to talk to her. Turns out she was only a few weeks post op for scoliosis but was feeling very good. She seemed to be in good spirits and was certainly doing more then I was doing that close after surgery.
This evening has been fairly painful. Not sure if it is the weather but the barometric pressure was shooting up past 30 last I looked and the temp was starting to drop quickly which can only mean one thing in the plains, RAIN!
Right now I am sitting in the glider upstairs waiting for Law and Order to come on and watching my youngest sleep. He is so peaceful when he is sleeping. I cannot help but smile as I watch him just lying there. I remember doing the same thing with his brother (my oldest son). I was in the Army back then and spent a lot of time out in the field. What little time I did have at home was spent playing with him and spoiling him as much as I could. His mother and I were divorced when he was about 1.5 and she had custody until he was 4. He has been with me since then and is a great big brother.
Anyway, I had to pop some of my pain meds to get through this evening and will have to take another before I rack out. I am hoping it will be just enough to let me get a few hours of decent sleep as tomorrow is a busy day.
I can only imagine the pain that poor girl is in. I know that when they do the surgery for that they put in a lot more hardware then I have and it can not be feeling good. She must be a tough trooper to go through that. Hopefully I will get a chance to sit down and chat with her.
I met one other girl who had that surgery. It was about 4 months after mine and we were out eating. I noticed the girls sitting with her back to me had a similar scar like mine but it went further up her back. I did not want to be rude but felt like I had to talk to her. Turns out she was only a few weeks post op for scoliosis but was feeling very good. She seemed to be in good spirits and was certainly doing more then I was doing that close after surgery.
This evening has been fairly painful. Not sure if it is the weather but the barometric pressure was shooting up past 30 last I looked and the temp was starting to drop quickly which can only mean one thing in the plains, RAIN!
Right now I am sitting in the glider upstairs waiting for Law and Order to come on and watching my youngest sleep. He is so peaceful when he is sleeping. I cannot help but smile as I watch him just lying there. I remember doing the same thing with his brother (my oldest son). I was in the Army back then and spent a lot of time out in the field. What little time I did have at home was spent playing with him and spoiling him as much as I could. His mother and I were divorced when he was about 1.5 and she had custody until he was 4. He has been with me since then and is a great big brother.
Anyway, I had to pop some of my pain meds to get through this evening and will have to take another before I rack out. I am hoping it will be just enough to let me get a few hours of decent sleep as tomorrow is a busy day.
What the hell is that noise
So for the last few days we have been hearing a scratching sound from behind the TV stand not constant and sometimes with a good few hours inbetween. A search behind the stand with a flashlight did not reveal anything so I figured whatever it was might be in the wall and beyond my control right now.
So I am sitting here this afternoon and trying to enjoy a quick nap. As soon as I get comfortable the damned noise starts only this time it is loud enough to make me rethink the wall thing. I pulled the bottom draw out of the cabinet and slid the whole thing forward only to reveal an old mouse trap. One of those with the hinged doors (humane trap) and it had to have been under there for some time as we bought those when we bought the house 3 years ago. I grabbed a lacrosse stick so I could scoot the trap forward and I'll be damned if there wasn't a little white mouse stuck in the thing. Poor thing must have been in there for a week as evidenced by the droppings. I took him out back by the shed and let him out and he made a beeline for the old wood pile to find some food I am sure. LOL.
Funny thing is we bought those traps like a month after we moved in after we saw a small mouse run through the kitchen. This is an old house (100+ years) and I expected a few of them but until this week that was the last one I saw. My guess would be the cold weather at night drove him inside and he smelled the trap. The trap used to have peanut butter smeared in it but just a thin coat for the smell. Guess I will have to clean out the trap and put it back under there to see what happens.
So I am sitting here this afternoon and trying to enjoy a quick nap. As soon as I get comfortable the damned noise starts only this time it is loud enough to make me rethink the wall thing. I pulled the bottom draw out of the cabinet and slid the whole thing forward only to reveal an old mouse trap. One of those with the hinged doors (humane trap) and it had to have been under there for some time as we bought those when we bought the house 3 years ago. I grabbed a lacrosse stick so I could scoot the trap forward and I'll be damned if there wasn't a little white mouse stuck in the thing. Poor thing must have been in there for a week as evidenced by the droppings. I took him out back by the shed and let him out and he made a beeline for the old wood pile to find some food I am sure. LOL.
Funny thing is we bought those traps like a month after we moved in after we saw a small mouse run through the kitchen. This is an old house (100+ years) and I expected a few of them but until this week that was the last one I saw. My guess would be the cold weather at night drove him inside and he smelled the trap. The trap used to have peanut butter smeared in it but just a thin coat for the smell. Guess I will have to clean out the trap and put it back under there to see what happens.
10/05/2004
Adhesive Arachnoiditis
Here is a pretty good site with the definition and some of the key terms concerning arachnoiditis.
It is part of the Circle of Friends With Arachnoidtis.
The biggest thing I think most people do not understand when you tell them about the arachnoiditis is that there is no cure for it and it is usually induced by a treatment such as ESI's, Myleograms or surgery but there are cases brought on by meningitis as well.
Like the Spondylolisthesis exhibition of symptoms is not the same as say a person who has MS or CP. I look and almost walk like anyone else except for a slight gait or "waddle" every know and then. The biggest problem I face from the day to day symptoms is the inability to sit or stand for long periods of time without having to re-adjust myself or change positions entirely. Sleeping can be difficult as I need to change from side to side through the night other wise I wake in a fair amount of pain.
Other then that I am good to go. Some days are good and some are bad as evidenced by some of my entries. I am optimistic that the good days outweigh the bad and even when I have a bad day there are some that are tolerable more often then there are days that I just cannot do much at all.
It is part of the Circle of Friends With Arachnoidtis.
The biggest thing I think most people do not understand when you tell them about the arachnoiditis is that there is no cure for it and it is usually induced by a treatment such as ESI's, Myleograms or surgery but there are cases brought on by meningitis as well.
Like the Spondylolisthesis exhibition of symptoms is not the same as say a person who has MS or CP. I look and almost walk like anyone else except for a slight gait or "waddle" every know and then. The biggest problem I face from the day to day symptoms is the inability to sit or stand for long periods of time without having to re-adjust myself or change positions entirely. Sleeping can be difficult as I need to change from side to side through the night other wise I wake in a fair amount of pain.
Other then that I am good to go. Some days are good and some are bad as evidenced by some of my entries. I am optimistic that the good days outweigh the bad and even when I have a bad day there are some that are tolerable more often then there are days that I just cannot do much at all.
I hate microsloth!
I spent most of today trying to get the freaking database to synch together only to have it not work. Followed the whole process like it said to, assigned the undock license and set the synch time. Four hours later and Nada!!!
Got frustrated with that and decided to work on something else. Seems while I was working on that, my computer downloaded XP SP2 and installed it. I do not remember setting this up to auto updates but it did it somehow. So when SP2 installed my wireless LAN settings got all FUBAR. I ended up having to uninstall and re-install several items and then go into XP and turn off half the crap it installed or "fixed".
Arrrrgh!
Got frustrated with that and decided to work on something else. Seems while I was working on that, my computer downloaded XP SP2 and installed it. I do not remember setting this up to auto updates but it did it somehow. So when SP2 installed my wireless LAN settings got all FUBAR. I ended up having to uninstall and re-install several items and then go into XP and turn off half the crap it installed or "fixed".
Arrrrgh!
Much needed relief
I awoke this morning rather sore from yesterdays mishap and the freezing temps we are having at night. Now I need to break out the humidifier as well. Seems the one we have running off the furnace is not doing a good job. I spent some of the night with a very dry cough.
Anyway, I came downstairs about 0600 and grabbed some coffee and a bagel and set about catching up on the mornings blog reading. While I was rummaging through the cabinet I found some Lortab 7.5/500's that I forgot I had. Normally I do not like it as it leaves you "woozy" but this morning it was a welcome find. It is providing the perfect level of relief so I can continue the days chores.
I am a technical recruiter when I am not being dad to my wonderful boys (11 & 2)and I run a database that has all the info I use daily. Since I bought the new computer I need to get it up to speed with all the same info from the desktop PC. The program is set up to "synch" them but I was having some trouble getting the computers to see each other on the LAN. When I got that fixed I found that I had improperly set up the undocked license for the laptop. Know that I have all that fixed it is chugging away and updating. I figure it should be about 3 hours total to get it all done.
In the meantime I will make some calls and then I need to run to the book store and grab a book I have been waiting for to come in.
Anyway, I came downstairs about 0600 and grabbed some coffee and a bagel and set about catching up on the mornings blog reading. While I was rummaging through the cabinet I found some Lortab 7.5/500's that I forgot I had. Normally I do not like it as it leaves you "woozy" but this morning it was a welcome find. It is providing the perfect level of relief so I can continue the days chores.
I am a technical recruiter when I am not being dad to my wonderful boys (11 & 2)and I run a database that has all the info I use daily. Since I bought the new computer I need to get it up to speed with all the same info from the desktop PC. The program is set up to "synch" them but I was having some trouble getting the computers to see each other on the LAN. When I got that fixed I found that I had improperly set up the undocked license for the laptop. Know that I have all that fixed it is chugging away and updating. I figure it should be about 3 hours total to get it all done.
In the meantime I will make some calls and then I need to run to the book store and grab a book I have been waiting for to come in.
10/04/2004
Adult Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
The spine is made up of a series of connected bones called "vertebrae." In about 5 percent of the adult population, there is a developmental crack in one of the vertebrae, usually at the point at which the lower (lumbar) part of the spine joins the tailbone (sacrum). It may develop as a stress fracture. Due to the constant forces the low back experiences, this fracture does not usually heal as normal bone. This type of fracture (called a spondylolysis) is simply a crack in part of the vertebra (Figure 1) and may cause no problem at all. However, sometimes the cracked vertebra does slip forward over the vertebra below it. This is known as adult isthmic spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisis cn also be caused by what is known as a pars defect which occurs in a portion of the spine called the pars interarticularis .
What are the symptoms?
Isthmic spondylolisthesis may not cause any symptoms for years (if ever) after the slippage has occurred. If you do have symptoms, they may include low back and buttocks pain; numbness, tingling, pain, muscle tightness or weakness in the leg (sciatica); increased sway back; or a limp. These symptoms are usually aggravated by standing, walking and other activities, while rest will provide temporary relief.
Studies have shown that 5-10 percent of patients seeing a spine specialist for low back pain will have either a spondylolysis or isthmic spondylolisthesis. However, since isthmic spondylolisthesis is not always painful, the presence of a crack (spondylolysis) and slip (spondylolisthesis) on the X-ray does not mean that this is the source of your symptoms.
For me the pain started gradually, almost feeling like a pulled muscle. When it did not go away after reasonable time I went to the doctor where they took an xray looking for sciatica. Lucky me, I did not have sciatica!!!
How is it Diagnosed?
Your doctor will begin by taking a history and performing a physical examination, and may order X-rays of your back. However, sometimes it is difficult to see a crack and/or slippage on an X-ray, so additional tests may be needed. A computed axial tomography (CAT) scan can show a crack or defect in the bone more clearly. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study may be ordered to clearly show the soft tissue structures of the spine (including the nerves and discs between the vertebrae) and their relationship to the cracked vertebra and any slippage. It also will show whether any of the nearby discs have suffered any wear and tear because of the spondylolisthesis (slippage).
If isthmic spondylolisthesis is present, it can be graded as I, II, III or IV (Figure 2) based on how far forward the vertebra has slipped.
After the xray showed the spondy I was given a CT scan to confirm the xray. No big deal as I was only a grade I spondy at the time. I was given some stretching exercises and a hot/cold treatment to follow. The main reason my spondy progressed is that I was still working and my job required a lot of heavy lifting.
What treatments are available?
If your doctor determines that a spondylolisthesis is causing your pain, he or she will usually try nonsurgical treatments at first. These treatments may include a short period of rest, anti-inflammatory medications (orally or by injection) to reduce the swelling, analgesic drugs to control the pain, bracing for stabilization, and physical therapy and exercise to improve your strength and flexibility so you can return to a more normal lifestyle. If you are told to rest, follow your doctor's directions on how long to stay in bed. Generally, if recommended at all, this would be limited to a few days. (Strict bed rest is usually not necessary.) Ask your doctor whether you should continue to work while you are being treated.
Your doctor may also-sometimes with the help of a nurse or physical therapist-begin education and training in performing activities of daily living without placing added stress on your lower back.
If a combination of medication and therapy fails to provide relief, however, your doctor may order additional tests, which will provide greater detail so he/she can plan further treatment.
Medications and Pain Management
Your doctor may use one medication or a combination of medications as part of your treatment plan. Medications used to control pain are called analgesics. Most pain can be treated with nonprescription medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen. Some analgesics, referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are also used to reduce swelling and inflammation that may occur. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and a variety of prescription drugs. If your doctor gives you analgesics or anti-inflammatory medications, you should watch for side effects like stomach upset or bleeding. Chronic use of prescription or over the counter analgesics or NSAIDs should be monitored by your physician for the development of any potential problems.
If you have severe persistent pain that is not relieved by other analgesics or NSAIDs, your doctor might prescribe narcotic analgesics (such as codeine) for a short time. Take only the medication amount that is prescribed. Taking a larger dosage doesn't help you recover faster. Side effects include nausea, constipation, dizziness and drowsiness, and use can result in dependency. All medication should be taken only as directed. Make sure you tell your doctor about any kind of medication you are taking-even over-the-counter drugs-and inform your doctor whether or not your medication is working for you.
There are other medications that also have an anti-inflammatory effect. Corticosteroid medications-either orally or by injection-are sometimes prescribed for more severe back and leg pain because of their very powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Corticosteroids, like NSAIDs, can have side effects. Risks and benefits of this medication should be discussed with your physician.
Selected spinal injections, or "blocks," may be used to relieve symptoms of pain. These are injections of corticosteroid into the epidural space (the area around the spinal nerves) or facet joint (between vertebrae) performed by a doctor with special training in this technique. The initial injection may be followed by one or two more injections at a later date. These are most often done as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation and treatment program.
Nonsurgical Treatment
As you begin a physical therapy regimen and/or exercise program, your doctor may prescribe therapies like ultrasound, electric stimulation, hot packs, cold packs, and manual "hands on" therapy to reduce your pain and muscle spasms. At first, the exercises you learn may be gentle stretches or posture changes to reduce the back pain or leg symptoms. When you have less pain, more vigorous aerobic exercises (such as stationary bicycling or swimming) combined with strengthening/stretching exercises will likely be used to improve flexibility, strength, endurance, and the ability to return to a more normal lifestyle. Developing your back and stomach muscles will help stabilize your spine and support your body. Exercise instruction should start right away and be modified as recovery progresses. Learning and continuing an exercise and stretching program are also important parts of treatment, as is maintaining a reasonable body weight.
The presence of this "cracked vertebra" (spondylolysis) or "slippage" (spondylolisthesis) by itself usually does not represent a dangerous condition in the adult. Therefore, treatment is aimed at pain relief and increasing the patient's ability to function. Although none of the nonsurgical treatments will correct the "crack" or "slippage" they can provide long?lasting pain control without requiring more invasive treatment. A compre-hensive program may require three or more months of supervised treatment.
What if I need Surgery?
Surgery is reserved for that small percentage of patients whose pain cannot be relieved by nonsurgical treatment methods. The pain may be caused by a pinched nerve, movement of the unstable cracked vertebra, or from nearby discs which are being affected. If a spinal nerve is being compressed by the forward slip, surgery may be needed to reopen a "tunnel," or space, for the nerve.
In addition to relieving pressure on a nerve around the crack or slippage, a stabilizing procedure or fusion may be recommended. This will stop any further slippage of the vertebra and also will prevent recurrent nerve pressure from developing at this site. Occasionally the "crack" in the vertebra can be repaired by placing bone graft from the pelvis to the site of the crack. A fusion can be performed from the front (anterior approach) or the back (posterior approach). Both require the placement of bone graft or bone graft substitute and/or instrumentation between the vertebrae being fused. The choice of approach to the fusion (front/back) is influenced by many technical factors including need for spur removal, location of the spurs, anatomic variation between patients and the experience of your surgeon. The success rate of fusion surgery for relief of isthmic spondylolisthesis is over 75 percent. After surgery, you will remain in the hospital for at least a few days, and most patients are able to return to work within six to nine months. A thorough postoperative rehabilitation program is advisable to help you resume the normal activities of daily living.
I did lot of non-surgical treatments in the year between diagnoses and the surgery. It involved everything from epidural spinal injections, narcotics, PT etc... I spent a good deal of time with the neurosurgeon prior to deciding that none of them were as successful as we would have liked them to be. For me the decision to have the surgery was more about the quality of life then anything else. The pain was tolerable with the meds but the numbness from the nerve damage was the deciding factor for me. They tried several meds for it including some anti-siezure meds like neurontin. They would offer some relief but never enough.
My surgery was anterior fusion at the L5/S1 with inter body fusion and cage as well as a lamenectomy to relieve the pressure on the nerves. All in all the surgery was a success and I spent the next year feeling great before I developed the arachnoiditis.
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