Ummm still counting down

Two more days - nope, Ladybug, sorry - that's not it. (although I just might make that appointment for Saturday - I have to work this Friday).

Saw the doctor today and we went over my xrays so she could tell me what is happening with my neck and why I am having trouble with my arm and shoulder.

Even I, with my untrained eye, could see the problems with my neck on the films. I have no curve in my neck - we are supposed to have a curve towards the front - mine is mostly straight, although around the 6th and 7th vertabrae it is curving backwards a titch. That's not a good thing.

In addition I have osteoarthritis developing with little calcium projections beginning to impinge on the disks there as well.

And, if you will check out the photo on this page you can see what represents the nerves coming from the vertabrae. On the x-rays you don't see the nerves, but you see the holes from which they come. Mine are starting to close up - from the osteoarthritis. This can't be fixed - no way that a doctor can go in there and burr out those holes without damaging the nerves. ;-/

Soooooooooooooo we are going to try to get rid of the inflamation in the disks and get some curvature back into the neck and get the spine all realigned and holding in place. ;-)

Today I spent 15 minutes in neck traction. Yup, that was fun. Well, it wasn't uncomfortable - in fact I felt better afterwards and had a lot less pain in my arm. So, I think we are on the right track.

I go back Friday and will have another massage therapy treatment - didn't get one of those today due to the time spent going over the xrays. After that we will decide on a long range treatment plan. (including projected cost for budgeting purposes - my insurance will only cover a portion of it).

Soooooooooo - how was YOUR day? ;-))

All in all mine was peachy keen.

'night, friends.

(pssstttt - did I say - only TWO more days)

Posted by Purplemoose at October 6, 2004 11:07 PM