Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Early rising. Very early
Thu Feb 03 2005

TUESDAY EVENING
I finally got the Klonopin that stills my restless legs and anticipated a blissful night's sleep. Well, that was a vain hope.

WEDNESDAY MORNING
I did sleep very well until 4:00 am today. What woke me up was not the bladder, as usual, but a massive, screaming 10+ spasm, and the pain, ooooh! the pain. I staggered out of bed, and I mean staggered, into the kitchen to find the Soma and Vicodin. Moaning. Grabbing my shoulder. Grabbing my arm. Grabbing the back of my neck. I need more hands!!!

I took the meds and went back to bed, for an instant. Then sat on the edge of the bed and did the neck exercises, all the while moaning for mercy. Went to my recliner for awhile. Back to bed. Back to the recliner. I could not find a comfortable place of position. Pacing the floor didn't help, either.

And, of course, Banshee slept through the whole thing.

Finally, when I knew the physical therapy place would be open I begged to be worked in, even though I have an appointment tomorrow.

Problem was, I was supposed to take Harry to a doctor appointment today, and I was in no condition to drive. So I called my neighbor, and she said she'd take us to our respective locations. Nice that they were within two blocks of each other. All Harry wanted was to keep his appointment with the eye surgeon, and all I wanted was relief. As it happened they could work me in at the same time as Harry's appointment with his doctor. Oh blessings! Now all I had to do was hang in there until 11:00 when we could be our way.

I managed a shower with much groaning and grunting, and I would have passed it except I *really* needed the shower.

Of course, by the time we were ready to go, some of the pain had lessened and the spasms were more spaced apart. But, nevertheless, I still needed relief. I got gentle massage and manipulation, and electrical stimulation while I was lying on the cot with an icepack around my neck. But oh! it felt so good. The therapist believes it's a pinched nerve, and I don't like to think about "what if therapy doesn't work?"

The rest of the day was spent in fairly pain free periods. A twinge now and then, and an icebag across my shoulder and down my back. I'm sitting here with the icepack draped over my shoulder and down my back while I type this. I have one of those things that can be chilled in the freezer or heated in the microwave. It's chilly, but it actually gives more relief than a hotpad.

Oh, yeah, and I'm to wear a soft cervical collar in bed.

I think I found what aggravates the condition, although I still haven't a clue as to what started the whole thing. I was crocheting while watching TV, and a muscle in my left forearm started twitching and aching. You don't suppose...?

My favorite handwork.

Bummer!

4 Comments
  • From:
    Calichef (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Feb 03 2005
    Oh, yes! Head down and arms up positions are exceptionally notorious for causing upper back/neck pain! I hurt my back quite badly on a carnival ride when I was 19. The first thing the chiropractor did was forbid any activities that were head down/arms up. It was horrible. I couldn't even sit and read a book, except at a table. Perhaps if you wear the cervical collar and rest your arms on a table it woudln't aggrivate your condition? At least your back wouldn't have to completely support your head and your arms. Worth a try. Hope you feel better soonest.
    Hugs,
    ~Cali
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Feb 03 2005
    Now THAT is not fair! You and InStitches both having to be careful with a little old crochet hook! Grrrrr.....
    Rabbi Wolf tonight! Yipee!
  • From:
    Dreamerbooks2003 (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Feb 03 2005
    There is always acupressure and acutuncture if PT doesn't do the trick. But, I think it will
    Hugs
    p
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Feb 05 2005
    awwww, our poor dear chaya :((((

    glad to hear you're mostly pain-free, i'm hoping this is a trend that continues on

    sez