The Law of Unintended Consequences (a rant of sorts)

Bruce K · #1 03-11-2009, 08:13 PM

So a week ago Friday I did my weight workout and then went to bed.

I woke up Saturday morning with my left arm numb and my ring and pinkie fingers useless.

I called the MD on Monday and starting taking Motrin, thinking I had pinched a nerve sleeping.

MD visit Wednesday and the Practioner decides we need an MRI of my C-sspine just to be sure I haven't done anything else.

The MRI was Monday. In the meantime, things are slowly getting better with the Motrin. Monday night I took the CD to a freind of mine who is a chiropractor just to get a read.

Yup, I pinched the C8 nerve between C7 and T1 vertebrae.

But wait, there's more. Apparently I have a herniated C4 disc, several other bulging discs, and a bone on bone at C6/C7.

I have never had any issues but this is scary. No one can tell my if it was several years of HS football, which of my ski racing accidents, or maybe my 2 major auto racing accidents (one end over end at about 120), or the last 8 years of cycling (and a couple of crashes with that) that caused any or all of these various issues but the general consensus is that the herniation needs a serious looking at by an expert.

I see a spine MD at the Sports Medicine Center tomorrow and am just hoping that the fleet won't be for sale anytime soon.

I think I would have been much happier not knowing.

In fact, I know it.

Keep your fingers crossed.

BK

1centaur · #2 03-11-2009, 08:18 PM

I will definitely be keeping my fingers crossed for you Bruce.

Make sure you seek multiple opinions - I think the Boston sports medicine scene is much better than the North Shore's - lots of Bruins/Patriots doctors in the city.

gman · #3 03-11-2009, 08:21 PM

Good luck Bruce. I hope it is something that can be fixed and your time off is minimal.

Blue Jays · #4 03-11-2009, 08:25 PM

Ouch.
Best wishes for great doctors and a full recovery.

rounder · #5 03-11-2009, 08:27 PM

Good luck Bruce.

jel · #6 03-11-2009, 08:31 PM

Sometimes it's just life. I'm 5 months out from cervical surgery, c5, 6 & 7. I'm not riding yet, but my Dr says he sees no reason why I cannot get back on the bike. If he'd only tell me when!!!

avalonracing · #7 03-11-2009, 08:34 PM

I don't know you Bruce but I wish you well with this.
You are in a part of the country that has some of the best doctors in the world so you should be able to get some top notch medical advice and treatment.
Even so, I am all about the second, and third opinions.

Back problems are serious, if left untreated the complications and pain can be the worst but I have seen friends do very well with treatment.

Keep us in the loop.

-Robb

RPS · #8 03-11-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce K

Keep your fingers crossed.

BK

Definitely will, and good luck.
Rick

Louis · #9 03-11-2009, 08:40 PM

Bummer.

My thoughts: As long as things are improving on their own, avoid surgery - it should be the last option. In my experience many orthopedic-types are way too eager to resort to it.

Caveat: I'm not a doctor.

Best of luck.
Louis

hansolo758 · #10 03-11-2009, 08:50 PM

Good luck with the appointment. I'll be joining you in a few months...not my neck, but my knee.

BumbleBeeDave · #11 03-11-2009, 08:58 PM

Bruce, I join everyone else in hoping fervently that the huge crowd of good doctors in the Boston area will be able to fix you up and make this into the minor problem it should be. Don't give up, buddy! The HED mafia needs you!

BBD

gemship · #12 03-11-2009, 08:59 PM

That's not good to hear but I will keep my fingers crossed and wish you well. Thanyou for extending the invite to the ECV riding club's meeting last month. I hope you don't take offense to me not getting back to you. I'm on the fence with riding with groups, it may have something to do with my upbringing.

Then again I haven't been working since Nov. and living on a ever stringent budget for far too long.

Again hope for the best.

Ozz · #13 03-11-2009, 09:00 PM

I was just fine until I went to the doc in January...now I have high blood pressure and Bell's Palsy.....

Gothard · #14 03-11-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce K

Monday night I took the CD to a freind of mine who is a chiropractor just to get a read.

When you have a leak in the roof, you call a plumber???
MRIs are made to be read by radiologists. I am generally fedup with having to correct false diagnoses made by people who have no right to read MRIs.

Rant off. I hope you'll get better. Well prescribed physical therapy does wonders.

Climb01742 · #15 03-12-2009, 03:35 AM

bruce, i second 1centaur's thought. i know i great guy in woburn who treats bruins and celtics -- and coincidently is dealing with his own back issues right now, so he knows exactly -- both professionally and personally -- what you're going through. happy to give you his info if and when you'd like.

good luck and beware the knife!