Latest damage assessment

Boy, when you ask for advice, do you get it. I've put my story on a couple of listservs (ASMP-Seattle and freelance-seattle). "GET A LARGE BALL AND SIT ON IT!" was one (CAPITAL LETTER) suggestion. "Ditch the desk. Sit in an armchair, use a laptop." I got a referral to a fabulous Feldenkrais practitioner ("Wait until you're out of the acute crisis, and then let's talk," she said). One friend, a neurologist, had a great take on my drugs--

"What we say in the medical biz about prednisone and its cousins:

    1.    All the indications for these meds are present if we do not know what we are dealing with, and it’s getting worse.

   2.   These medications enable the patient to walk unassisted to the autopsy table."

So, here's what's working. The waking-up-in-agony-and-tears-at-2-in-the-morning phase appears to be over. I now just wake up in pain and agony at five in the morning, which I consider progress.

Neck traction is the modality that give me the greatest relief. About an hour after I make myself an inch taller, the neuropathy in the arm goes away. Tomorrow I take this equipment to my physical therapist, who will tell me how I ought to be using this gear so that I don't hurt myself.

My morning routine is completely altered. I used to consider it my duty as an Informed Citizen to read one or more daily newspapers first thing in the morning. I can't sit still now when I get up, so I am honoring my Gentile heritage by walking the half mile to the bagel shop and getting a coffee and sesame bagel with a cream cheese schmear (during Pesach, mind you), and walking back. My back feels great when I get home.

I have yet to spend any time at my downstairs workstation (with the three screens and the nine hard drives) since this acute episode began. I bought an Airport Express router so that at least I have 802.11n internet speed on the laptop, which seems to be ergonomically friendlier to use. Video editing, alas, is out of the question for the duration.

I'm still at an impasse as to how I'll carry a camera. I have a Kinesis shoulder harness, but it stresses the back at exactly the area that doesn't want any more stress. Again, my PT might have ideas on how to alter this gear. I suspect lengthening my straps and hanging my cameras from my shoulders is going to be the way to go. And I am arranging to have sherpas available on my remaining spring assignments.

Comments

[david adam edelstein]

Yeesh, Doug. Good luck and all that. I'm not sure I'd have the same good attitude you're showing in your blog posts. Enjoy your bagels, at least, and may you be liberated from the slavery of pain.

[Bruce Nall]

Doug, I don't intend to give you medical advice, but I thought I would let you know what finally helped my back. I injured my lower back carrying something heavy and slipping on ice. I was also on the "get up early because of the intense pain" plan and other than some great sunrise photographs, it wasn't working for me. What finally worked was hiring a personal trainer that created a weight lifting routine that strengthened specific muscles in my back avoiding pressure that transferred to my spine. I rarely have back pain now - even after I quit the weight lifting regimen. The doctor agreed with the "weight bearing" exercise plan.

[Doug Plummer]

Bruce, I think you're right on in strengthening my muscle structure to keep this from happening again. That's my intention, but for now I have to get through the acute phase. My PT is already giving me strength and flexibility exercises, and is also exhibiting the acronym that marks an effective one--PT=physical torture.

[Bruce Nall]

My trainer was very specific on machines, free weights, posture and the like. The timeline for the lifted weight increase was well defined and I followed it fairly well. I must say there was very little pain as long as I did things correctly - definitely not torture. It did take quite a long time to build up to the lifted weight goal the trainer wanted. I still do the stretching routines.