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
Welcome to the \"Happy Intergalactic Neck House\" :lol:
Hmmmm, the pillow.... I think I am getting some benefit from it at the mo, my shoulders are not hurting so much in the mornings, which has to be a good result, as anything helps.
Lou, have you a memory foam mattress topper, I swear by mine.
Glad to hear your pillow is working for you , whatever the position, if it works it works.
Philip, really pleased your tens machine is working for you, I have one I bought years ago for my lower back, it gave me some useful relief then, must try and root it out. Read today that Lloyds have a tens machine with heat pads on offer (29.99) might treat myself to one of those, this pain palaver costs small fortune :roll:
Gerry, Have you landed yet, did the clingons git ya :lol:
Em :wink:
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
Gerry
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
Barack and Michelle ( or is it Barack, Michelle and Gordon...?) are in town today and we could well be witnessing a momentuos occassion. Obama has an agenda....\" to boldly go where no American president has gone before \"...to convince other world leaders that the time has come to set up a neutral, independant, global trade organisation to assume power over all trade and regulate all major financial transactions. The Global Economy has teethered on the edge of collapse and a new philosophy of economics must be advocated to ensure there can be no more fraudulent practices by major institutions and, for that matter, my rogue nation states either.. We may well be witnessing the first steps in the demise of the concept of nation states...and none too soon in my opinion.
The flip side of this is that Obama realises he is dealing with intractable history-bound leaders, who won't sign up to his (and Gordon's) recommendations. America will retreat to it's isolationist policies (as happened many times in the past), reneges on it's commitments to repay international loans and tries to ride out the storm. I don't know if anyone saw on the news, a few weeks ago, the Chinese Premier warn the USA about not repaying debts owed to China and, also, warning about any notions of trade barriers.....in the most serious tones heard since the weeks before Pearl Harbour! Have I got your attention now?
It is a critical turning point, and I just hope that the pre-planned anti-global demonstrations in London don't spoil the show. They probably don't even realise what is at stake and what changes can be achieved at this summit. They just blindly vent their anger at the most convenient capitalist icons. It would be a shame to think Obamas only memory of his first visit to London ,as president , might be scenes of anarchic mob violence. He just doesn't deserve that (I'm showing my soft side now, but thats only because I know who his ancestors are !....{ so much for my demise of nation states theory !!} ). Seems a bit strange that the summit to save the global economy becomes the target of dissillusioned anarchists......\" Hey, lets scupper the only opportunity for change we have. Lets break a few windows and let them know how angry we are \". Big deal....I'm pretty sure Gordon is thinking \" No way, not in my hour of glory when I'm so close to saving the planet \" and he has made appropriate arrangements to meet fire with fire.
Should be an interesting 6 o'clock news this evening!
Okay, no need to buy 'The Guardian' today. This posting will probably better their 6 page spread....and it's free !!!!
chris215a
Posted
Aunty_Em
Posted
Barack and Michelle ( or is it Barack, Michelle and Gordon...?) are in town today and we could well be witnessing a momentuos occassion. Obama has an agenda....\" to boldly go where no American president has gone before \"...to convince other world leaders that the time has come to set up a neutral, independant, global trade organisation to assume power over all trade and regulate all major financial transactions. The Global Economy has teethered on the edge of collapse and a new philosophy of economics must be advocated to ensure there can be no more fraudulent practices by major institutions and, for that matter, my rogue nation states either.. We may well be witnessing the first steps in the demise of the concept of nation states...and none too soon in my opinion.
The flip side of this is that Obama realises he is dealing with intractable history-bound leaders, who won't sign up to his (and Gordon's) recommendations. America will retreat to it's isolationist policies (as happened many times in the past), reneges on it's commitments to repay international loans and tries to ride out the storm. I don't know if anyone saw on the news, a few weeks ago, the Chinese Premier warn the USA about not repaying debts owed to China and, also, warning about any notions of trade barriers.....in the most serious tones heard since the weeks before Pearl Harbour! Have I got your attention now?
It is a critical turning point, and I just hope that the pre-planned anti-global demonstrations in London don't spoil the show. They probably don't even realise what is at stake and what changes can be achieved at this summit. They just blindly vent their anger at the most convenient capitalist icons. It would be a shame to think Obamas only memory of his first visit to London ,as president , might be scenes of anarchic mob violence. He just doesn't deserve that (I'm showing my soft side now, but thats only because I know who his ancestors are !....{ so much for my demise of nation states theory !!} ). Seems a bit strange that the summit to save the global economy becomes the target of dissillusioned anarchists......\" Hey, lets scupper the only opportunity for change we have. Lets break a few windows and let them know how angry we are \". Big deal....I'm pretty sure Gordon is thinking \" No way, not in my hour of glory when I'm so close to saving the planet \" and he has made appropriate arrangements to meet fire with fire.
Should be an interesting 6 o'clock news this evening!
Okay, no need to buy 'The Guardian' today. This posting will probably better their 6 page spread....and it's free !!!![/quote:d5df91f62a]
Gerry, :shock:
I'm soooo glad Ilive up Norf 8) I couldn't stand all the excitement :oops:
Still, you made a lot of good points in the post, no need for The Guardian\" of any other dailies with you around :lol: :lol:
Chris, I am really pleased that you have a partner that understands, it makes all difference. Has your Neuro given any indication as to what the next step is for you? Have you got a mattress topper??
Em :wink:
Mike5172
Posted
Is a one-world government a bad thing? I've been struggling with this one for a long time. It will most definatley be good for certain people, this cannot be argued with. Will it be good for everyone? This depends on how much control we are willing to give up. Eventually all movement and privacy will be monitored in some shape or form. You may think this is fantasy but already there are steps being taken to control the internet, have gps devices in all vehicles, i.d. cards for all citizens and even micro-chip implants - all for our own security apparently. I think those protests took the media's eye off the real issues that we should be learning about. But this is a medical forum so I better mention something about pain...
I don't like it. Avoid it at all costs.
chris215a
Posted
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
Have to say I'm ok with swallowing food, but I have a problem with pills. Most people will throw their heads back to take a pill. If I do that, it just won't go down...ever since I was a kid. I have to tilt my head towards my chest and it goes down easy. Even with water. I think the neck tenses when the head goes backwards.
Hi Mike. On this site we tend not to make embarrassing enquiries about temporary disappearances, but There Are Rules!
Three hits and you're out! Will get back later on World Order and surveillance issues (as soon as that white transit van with the blackened windows parked across the road moves on ).
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
I have to say that, since I declared myself as a 'Seventh Day Spondylosist', I've felt a twinge of disappointment that no-one has come forward declaring a similar pattern. So be it....it was a long shot anyway and it must now be returned to the closet for future reference. I know it's a consistent pattern, whose mechanisms are a mystery at this time and , until I can explain it, I don't want to be taking pot shots in the dark and assuming theories based on guesswork.
On the other hand, the pillow thing we have going on is really encouraging. I was just thinking...what if I was to go to the doctor tomorrow and was diagnosed, for the first time, with c/s. Knowing what I already know, I would hope and expect that doctor to advise me to first get myself a memory foam topper and a suitable pillow before plunging me into a cyclical spiral of painkillers and questionable physiotherapy. What are the chances of them doing this?. They only want to advise the therapies that they control the access to, as though this is proof of their professionalism, when they could perhaps easily achieve equal or better results with some simple advice on self management. They don't mind telling us to stop smoking or to cut down on fatty foods, but hey!...we don't need a doctor repeating what we already know. Wouldn't it be more sensible to hand out free bedding advice rather than free prescription drugs!
Anyway, rant over...have a nice day y'all.
Aunty_Em
Posted
Awwww Chris,
Thi sin't fair and no-one should be left out to dry and be forgotten, please ask your GP to refer you to a Rheumatologist, if you would like the name of the doc in Rochdale I'll pm you, do you feel like a hypochondriac ?? This condition makes you feel so ill at times it's flamin' awful, I hate it with a passion.
At the height of the illness I had problems swallowing. You really need to go and see that doc Chris, be polite but firm with your GP. No-one should have to suffer on a scale that is unbearable, my brother knows what this is like, but at least he knows that there is nothing that can be done for him, and he lives his life accordingly. It's not the best solution, but at least the searching for a solution becomes less stressful.
PM me Chris if you need the details, or if you want me to come the docs with you :lol: :lol:
Hiya Mike, good to see you back with us :wink:
Take Care
Emxx
chris215a
Posted
Gerry_the_neck
Posted
I was chatting to someone the other day, who has suffered with Crohn's disease for many years. Crohn's is life-threatening and still in the experimental stages as far as therapy, medication, surgery etc. are concerned. Constant symptom easing meds, restricted diet and repeated surgery until you have very little stomach left are the order of the day...and eventually, it's usually fatal. He saw this as a downward spiral, even though it's the recommended treatment, and he determined to cut down the meds and concentrate on evaluating his own diet (apparently, different foods are triggers for different people), and just see what happened.
He found that, with less drugs in his system, he was able to pinpoint his peculiar triggers and this led to a more manageable condition with greater self control and less problems. He now expects to outlive the doctor's prognosis and doesn't have to continually deal with the side-effects of the recommended drugs to the same extent that another Crohn's sufferer, on full 5 star doctor's advice, would.
Not quite a success story, but one that is headed in the right direction. Once we assume that 'doctor knows best' then we are at their mercy and, to put it mildly, the first time someone with a chronic condition enters the doctor's surgery, that doctor is looking at a failure, both in terms of the patients prospects and in terms of their own professionalism. The only remedies on offer are ever increasing medication, or risky surgery, to ease the symptoms, and the only comfort zone for the patient is the contents of the doc's medicine cabinet. These options come with their own dangers, and do we really need problems added to existing problems.
I know this will sound a bit negative to some, like shutting the door on what looks like the only route to relief...but my experience has taught me that it was only when I came to this conclusion after many years that I started to look at the problem with a positive enquiring nature. I always thought that, if it got bad enough, I would up and off to the doc's for the next upgraded painkiller. Now, I think, 'I'm not going to let it get bad enough'. I will do anything...adjust my lifestyle to suit the condition, pamper my bad days, explore possible remedies, whatever, even obsessively post my ravings!, and a visit to the doc's is a last resort.
With me, it seems I must break the physcological dependancy on the doc before I start thinking seriously about alternative remedies...thus my anti-professionals ranting. It may work differently for others. If all fails, I can always console myself with the thought that I only ever intended the break to be temporary.....best of both worlds!
BTW.....Do let me know at what point my postings become more painful than what you are already experiencing. I need the feedback so I can upgrade my torturing skills...I get so bored!!!!
Aunty_Em
Posted
Hiya Chris,
Brilliant news :? !! Hope things are still easy for you?? You're not a hypocondriac, this condition makes us feel so ill sometimes, our senses become heightened and respond to any new symptom.
Brilliant idea about taking your daughter to the gp's with you, also, write down any questions you may have as it's really easy to forget once you get in the surgery.
Good luck. keep us informed
Emxx
Aunty_Em
Posted
Gerry, re the seven day thingy, have you altered in anyway what you were doing prior to the change??
And yes we do enjoy rumminating on [b:436a0f53f0]your [/b:436a0f53f0]rummination page :lol:
Emxx :wink:
Guest
Posted
Gerry, I used to think there was a two week cycle to my CS but that cycle could sometimes be broken. Aunty Em's question about what you're doing before the change is similar to a thought that was in my head. If Thursday tends to be your bad day at the moment, are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday particularly active days for you? And is the seven day cycle ever broken?