Cervical Spondylosis ruminations
Posted , 21 users are following.
Over the years, I've experienced varying confusing reactions, from friends, relatives etc. to my cs problem and I just thought I'd explore these positive / negative influences and try straighten my head out so I can have a nice Xmas!
The problem is this...I can't expect the average person to understand, or even empathise, with the confusing assortment of symptoms I try to explain to them in an effort to reach an understanding of the limitations of my interaction with them, whether that be organising a social event, or just trying to focus and engage verbally. I have developed a disgusting patronising habit of pretending I'm interested when I'm really only concerned with the ache in my neck. Obviously, with c/s, there's a time to socialise and a time not to, and due to the unpredictability of the condition, this can get confusing and even lead to uncalled for bad reactions, again leading to resentment, anger etc. Nothing wrong with resentment and anger as long as they are not the demented children of misunderstandings!
I don't know if anyone else with c/s feels like this. In this post I'm going to try and unravel the conundrum and evolve a positive attitude, as a Xmas present to myself.
Firstly, I know it's not right to dismiss other's opinions just because I'm aware they can't grasp a complex problem of understanding...that would be patronising. Also, although I am aware of my aches / pains twenty-four-seven, I can't really expect a sympathetic ear whenever I feel like whingeing ( though it would be nice!). A lack of tolerance in this department is the norm. So, what am I left with. I must make the intellectual effort to find some middle ground that works for both, but most importantly, works for me, as I am the one who must go through this process to counteract the social stigma of rationally discussing chronic
ailments.
I will return and add to this later (must go out now). would appreciate any comments... eg \"Stop while your'e ahead\".
2 likes, 261 replies
Aunty_Em
Posted
I guess anyone who sufferes any painful condition will be disgruntled with the way they are treated. I personally think there are a few reasons for this.
The over loaded NHS system ( however, if you can pay privately, no problem)
Medications...... what works for one will not always work for someone else, ( as we have found with my husbands Cluster Headaches. CH)
I also believe that there are different levels of degeneration in CS.
When there is no magic wand for a condition, anger/ frustration creeps in. I think it is very important for the sufferer to try and accept what they have and keep positive.
I think it's imperative that patients are sent for MRI scans without delay.
Having an understanding partner goes along way too, we need help somedays, so don't be frightened of asking.
OK rummination over for today :lol:
Wondering if this will make page 5 ?
Em :oops: :lol:
Uninterested GP's ( Intially I was told to go away and take some Ibrubrophen :roll:
chris215a
Posted
Guest
Posted
Post it on here, we'll sort it for you, you have to trust someone from your home town :wink: 8)
Is there anything vaguely sensible in the report?
Em :wink:
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
Today, I've had a result. I was due to do some outside ladder work, freeing up windows, but the customer phoned this am and said he thought it was too windy and wet. He didn't want the wind blowing through his house and his curtains getting wet. Not a thought for old muggins freezing his a** off and getting soaked, to boot!Nice. Still'n'all, you gotta take the breaks when they come along.....so it's back to coffee, ciggy, notes and PC.
Todays rant.I've been humouring myself with thoughts about fast - tracking newly diagnosed c/s patients so they bypass all unnecessary advice, avoid all ill advised medications and get straight to the point where something actually works. This would have knocked 10 years off my life if it had been available to me. I know this is frivolous by my usual standards...but I can't help it!
When I think about other successful fast - track operations, the first thing that springs to mind is EasyJet. Maybe I should call the new system EasySpondylosis.......Costs less and gets you there quicker...I can just see the ad campaign. Frivolous again, I know, but don't take offence...I'm just sort of kidding. Just skip to the next post if you're not in the mood. The alternative to kidding, for me, would be to come on this site, assume the nom - de - plume of a medical professional from the planet Vulcan, and 'enterprisingly' add my comments wherever I felt like, with no rational explanation......EasyPosting?
I'm gonna have to go away now and find a quiet place to prepare myself for the inevitable.
Gerry
chris215a
Posted
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
Imagine this. There are four miners trapped in a collapsed mine. It's gonna take every bit of effort from all four to dig their way out. This is an easy equation with the tasks shared equally. One of them suddenly says \"By the way, I've never said it before, but I am semi disabled. I've got C/S and there's the possibility that if it's aggravated I might not be able to complete my share of the work\" (Try to imagine a Yorkshire accent here). The other 3 miners are perplexed. They've never heard of C/S and suspect they are being duped into taking on a greater share of the work. If the 4th miner had a broken leg, or back, or neck, they would understand immediately what was necessary. One asks \"What is C/S\". The 4th miner explains it is 'Cervical Spondylosis' and their suspicions are further aroused, because they all understand any reference to 'cervical' to be associated with the female body. The 4th miner senses this and explains that 'cervical' is a general term for anything to do with the word 'neck'. They're not fully convinced and ask \"Why haven't we seen you wearing a neck support collar\" and he replies \"Believe it or not, neck collars are no longer used in c/s therapies\". They are even less convinced and must now make the decision for themselves to either take on the extra work willingly, or dismiss his excuses and demand he do an equal share. One asks again \"Why did you never mention it before\" and he replies \"Well, I always wanted to be a miner, and if I'd mentioned it, I would have been excluded\". At this point they are ready to blame him for the whole catastrophe.. Luckily, they are all rescued in the nick of time.
I may be entering the world of fiction here and, although this depiction is a crisis situation, in a way it describes the sort of misunderstandings encountered by a c/s sufferer, on a daily basis, especially those with intermittant symptoms trying to fit in with 'normal' life (like me). Not to mention the confusions of those trying to relate to it. The 3 fit miners mistrust the explanations, because they're not familiar with them, and the c/s miner mistrusts their unwillingness to accept his reasons. General mistrust, giving rise to volatile reactions. Welcome to the world of a c/s sufferer on a bad day.
There are other conditions which might arouse the same kind of mistrusting perceptions. ME, Fibromyalgia, Lupus etc. etc. But, generally speaking, they have been accepted into the social conciousness, and today, wouldn't be treated with the suspicion with which they were treated 20 years ago. Progress has been made with these conditions, even if just in how they are perceived, unlike c/s. Strangely, ME and Fibromyalgia don't yet have a defined specific cause, again unlike c/s, and yet seem to be more socially acceptable.
Maybe it's just a numbers thing...the more people being diagnosed with a condition, the more acceptable it becomes. We'll always be on a loser with c/s on that one. But, if that is the case, and the greater numbers do prod the professionals into better strategies, then, all the more reason for the relatively small numbers of c/s sufferers to make sure their voice is heard
Aunty_Em
Posted
Blimey chuck that's a report and a half isn't it? Has the Neuro given you the report without explaining it to you? Grief!! My Neuro explained everything to me. Can I ask if you went to Hope Hospital??
I could do a search on goodle for you, but that wouldn't be fair or ethical and really not the done thing.
What has your Neuro advised you do now??
Em, old Middletonian :lol:
Gerry,
I'll get back to you later, but to be going on with, do you know there are \"cervical pillows\" to be had, fancy testing one out??? :wink:
Em :wink:
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
Cervical pillows? are they different from the memory foam types with bumps in them? and if so where do you get them?
I'll have a look on web in meantime.
Gerry
Aunty_Em
Posted
I think there are different kinds of these pillows, certainly different prices :shock: I will need to go have another look see, my memory is useless since I started with this bl&&$y thing :evil:
BTW, have found an easier way of getting to the last post on the thread just hit the small white box after the time on list page. Easy peasy :lol:
Also re your rantings above, I know things can get frustrating, when no-one seems to understand. We found this out when my hubby started with cluster headaches (CH) I did web support for a charity that was set up to help get sufferes the correct medication and help for the condition, it has taken about 8 years so far and they are still fighting to get CH understood by the very people who should know, but they are getting there.( Worst pain know to mankind, also known as suicide headaches, no joke)
Sorry don't mean to bang on about CH, just trying to point out that CS is not alone being misunderstood.
What do you think about the possibility of CS being chronic and episodic in form??
Em
Spelling mistakes are all my own :lol:
Aunty_Em
Posted
Will let you know how I get on, because boy do I need alignment :shock:
Em
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
I'd just figured out the link to the last thread myself a few days ago ( after 9 months...clever eh? ). Live and learn. As for the pillow, good luck with new one, and if it works don't tell anyone....we'll set up in business and make a fortune at the same time as improving the quality of life of fellow sufferers. All will be perfect ( I'm dreaming, of course ).
Now to the big one...Chronic or Episodic? Interesting. You'll have to give me a couple of days to develop an opinion on who decides that one...us or them (Mike, where are u?....your absense in noted!).
Gerry
Aunty_Em
Posted
Now to the big one...Chronic or Episodic? Interesting. You'll have to give me a couple of days to develop an opinion on who decides that one...us or them (Mike, where are u?....your absense in noted!).
Gerry [/b:6f096c0f9b]
I wouldn't bother wasting your time Gerry, thinking about it, it's the daftest question ever, :D :roll: as CS is a degenerative desease there is bound to be differences between sufferers, different levels of pain thresholds etc. .same with medications, one med may work for one sufferer, but won't touch another.
Yeah Mike where are you?????
Em :lol:
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
\"Captains log..... Stardate 2009......The ship ran out of fuel today and all we could find to refuel was a large canister of morphine in Bones' medicine cabinet. We are drifting aimlessly through space, bumping into asteroids and causing havoc with the normal traffic. We are being tracked by the Federation Galactic Police, who have asked us to identify ourselves. Mr. Spock advises that we maintain absolute silence and they might just go away. He may have a point ( or two!) but I'm not so sure. THe tension is mounting by the minute!\" :ufo:
Guest
Posted
Lou77
Posted
Aunty Em, how are you going on with your new pillow, hope it is good for you. I was a serial pillow buyer for years but I have settled on the Tempur Queen, I turn it kind of half-diagonal, not perfect, but the best so far.
My best wishes to you all, good luck with the injections philiptheneck, I will go back to reading the rest of the ruminations ...... Lou