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I ignored it too long.
11 years ago
As anyone who is watching will no doubt notice, my output has been really bad for a while. For a long time now, I've suffered off and on with problems with my neck, which looking back, were all caused by my lack of good posture. When I work at the computer, I tend to hover, pecking at the keys rapidly, looking something like a vulture leering off the top of his perch. Never really thought too much about it, really- posture was something people with sticks up their asses would go on about to piss regular folks off. Implication being if I want to slouch, fuck it, I'm going to slouch. that position pretty much carried over into everything I do, from drawing, to work, to eating dinner, etc, etc…
Well, those fucking days are OVER. After enjoying the last 2 weeks in SEARING pain, I decided to get some professional help, and was basically told I now possess the neck, or at least the vertebra, of a 80 year old boxer. The first clue was when I lost the use of my right arm for a couple days. Then, on the way back from lunch, I shrugged at someone's question as I was leaving the restaurant. That was the moment the sharp bone spur that is growing from the base of C5 punctured the nerve that connects my Right arm to my brain.
That hurt a little. Also, it appears I will probably have to go Lefty when I jack off… For the rest of my life.
I have been to 3 doctors now, and they all tell me the same thing: There is no fixing this, the only thing I can do is slow it down- somewhat. Surgery is apparently extremely risky in that area, and with my propensity to grow scar tissue, it would be pretty foolhardy, too. I kind of need my spinal cord to live.
For now, I am stuck in limbo, and 3 days a week, my head is attached to a rope, and they slowly attempt to lengthen the space inside my distorted spine, and retrain the muscles to hold my head in a somewhat proper position. For the time being, I literally cannot lay down to sleep. I also cannot sit in a chair and sleep. I usually pass out while sitting upright in bed, my back pressed against the wall, which only serves to reinforce the bad muscle and posture behavior that caused all of this in the first place.
So the next time someone tells you to stop slouching, I'd fucking listen. I wish I had. Bit late for that now, though. I can only hope the orthopedic doctors can do something to make this manageable, because life sucks right now. I may have to completely change everything about the way I work, live, sleep, etc. It seems to be getting better than the worst of it, but it only takes one bad night to throw it all back to square one.
Ugh, its hurting again. Time to sign off. Need ice.
Well, those fucking days are OVER. After enjoying the last 2 weeks in SEARING pain, I decided to get some professional help, and was basically told I now possess the neck, or at least the vertebra, of a 80 year old boxer. The first clue was when I lost the use of my right arm for a couple days. Then, on the way back from lunch, I shrugged at someone's question as I was leaving the restaurant. That was the moment the sharp bone spur that is growing from the base of C5 punctured the nerve that connects my Right arm to my brain.
That hurt a little. Also, it appears I will probably have to go Lefty when I jack off… For the rest of my life.
I have been to 3 doctors now, and they all tell me the same thing: There is no fixing this, the only thing I can do is slow it down- somewhat. Surgery is apparently extremely risky in that area, and with my propensity to grow scar tissue, it would be pretty foolhardy, too. I kind of need my spinal cord to live.
For now, I am stuck in limbo, and 3 days a week, my head is attached to a rope, and they slowly attempt to lengthen the space inside my distorted spine, and retrain the muscles to hold my head in a somewhat proper position. For the time being, I literally cannot lay down to sleep. I also cannot sit in a chair and sleep. I usually pass out while sitting upright in bed, my back pressed against the wall, which only serves to reinforce the bad muscle and posture behavior that caused all of this in the first place.
So the next time someone tells you to stop slouching, I'd fucking listen. I wish I had. Bit late for that now, though. I can only hope the orthopedic doctors can do something to make this manageable, because life sucks right now. I may have to completely change everything about the way I work, live, sleep, etc. It seems to be getting better than the worst of it, but it only takes one bad night to throw it all back to square one.
Ugh, its hurting again. Time to sign off. Need ice.
I dunno what I can say other than to wish you a return to better health in a speedy fashion.
And also hope that you regain the ability to art. You're not half bad. :3
Stretching, practicing good posture, maintaining a healthy diet, owning a dog or snuggling with a significant other, all good stuff.
My cat teaches me how to take care of myself. She's stretching all the time, and you think it sounds silly to take after her, but give it a try.
Best wishes to your recovery.