I'm still amazed at how many visits this blog has received, despite the fact that I hadn't updated it in almost a year.
I had a quick look at what people come here for and the two most popular entries are Perfect Kraft Dinner, followed by Ice Skating Memories.
I can thank Kraft for the hits on the first one since they no longer print the microwave instructions on the box and refer you to their web site where it's damn near impossible to find what you're looking for. But the second one puzzles me.
I'm glad that people are finding use for this blog, despite my slacktitude.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsultis)
A friend, and fellow geocacher, who also happens to have a problem his shoulder with the exact same symptoms as I do, sent me this link today after visiting with a physiotherapist.
Once my doctor receives the results of my MRI, I'll make another appointment and bring a print out with me to see what he thinks.
The part that sucks is that there doesn't seem to be much that can be done, other than let it take its course and physiotherapy. The thought that it could last as long as 3 years makes me shudder. I hope I'm not in that exception. Even 1 year is 1 year too much, imho.
Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsultis)After reading it, I'm convinced that this is what I also have. I have every symptom listed, and the time frames are pretty much bang on to when my shoulder problem began. I'm guessing that I'm in the "frozen stage" right now.
Many patients suffer from "frozen shoulder" which physicians refer to as adhesive capsulitis, or on occasion, bursitis or tendonitis. This is a rather unusual problem that occurs in the shoulder and results in stiffness, loss of motion and often substantial pain.
Once my doctor receives the results of my MRI, I'll make another appointment and bring a print out with me to see what he thinks.
The part that sucks is that there doesn't seem to be much that can be done, other than let it take its course and physiotherapy. The thought that it could last as long as 3 years makes me shudder. I hope I'm not in that exception. Even 1 year is 1 year too much, imho.
8th-grader suspended for buying Skittles in school
SKITTLES?! God no, not Skittles! What the hell is happening to the education system, for crying out loud. Kids are dealing Skittles in school!
8th-grader suspended for buying Skittles in school
It's not like there aren't more important things to deal with, like... umm... cigarettes... or drugs...
8th-grader suspended for buying Skittles in school
It's not like there aren't more important things to deal with, like... umm... cigarettes... or drugs...
Pain
I decided to write about my shoulder problem for the comedians who enjoy linking my Guitar Hero and Rock Band addiction to my shoulder. Hopefully this will clear up a couple of assumptions and/or misconceptions once and for all. :)
First... imagine not being able to raise your arm more than, say, a 60-70 degree angle in front of you. Imagine not being able to raise your arm out to your side more than shoulder height. Imagine not being able to reach behind you -- ever tried tucking your t-shirt in without reaching behind you? And if you DO try to go beyond these "limits" you are treated to a burning, cramp-like pain in your shoulder, that travels down your arm, increasing with intensity by the second, lasting for about 30-60 seconds (if you're lucky)
I can't describe how much this can hurt. There's nothing that I've experienced to compare it to. If I were to make an assumption, I suppose the closest would probably be like hitting your thumb with a hammer. Not a gentle tap. A full swing, capable of driving a railway spike into solid concrete. And you'll feel that pain a few times every day, if you're not careful.
Although my doctor is not sure what is wrong with my shoulder, and I do not recall exactly when it all started, what I AM sure of is that it was NOT caused by my addiction to Guitar Hero or Rock Band. In fact, my shoulder problem began two or three months before I even had the Xbox 360 that I play these games on. My shoulder feels fine, most of the time, within the "limitations" I mentioned above. This means that I have absolutely no problem playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band, as long as I'm not trying to imitate Pete Townshend or Neil Peart.
To date, I have had an X-ray and a cortisone shot. The X-ray showed no signs of any bone damage or calcium build up. The cortisone shot helped a little, but not as much as we had hoped. I am currently taking anti-inflammatory drugs and awaiting the results of an MRI that I had last Saturday morning.
My doctor suspects that it could be bursitis, or some kind of shoulder cuff injury. We'll hopefully know more after the MRI is done.
There are two incidents that I suspect either caused, or contributed to, the pain and the limited mobility of my left arm.
At the end of the summer, we participated in a small volley ball tournament held in our community. I recall that my shoulder was a little sore after that day, but not to the degree that it is now.
The other possibility was when I spent a couple of hours helping to move appliances about 3 or 4 months ago. Although it didn't hurt as much the following day, it did seem to progress from that point to where it's at now.
Could it be "old age"? If being over 40 is "old", then sure. I'm 42. My doctor said that shoulder problems can usually start at around 40. If you're nearing 40 and not having shoulder problems, your day will likely come... and if you think this is funny now, we'll see how funny it is then. :)
First... imagine not being able to raise your arm more than, say, a 60-70 degree angle in front of you. Imagine not being able to raise your arm out to your side more than shoulder height. Imagine not being able to reach behind you -- ever tried tucking your t-shirt in without reaching behind you? And if you DO try to go beyond these "limits" you are treated to a burning, cramp-like pain in your shoulder, that travels down your arm, increasing with intensity by the second, lasting for about 30-60 seconds (if you're lucky)
I can't describe how much this can hurt. There's nothing that I've experienced to compare it to. If I were to make an assumption, I suppose the closest would probably be like hitting your thumb with a hammer. Not a gentle tap. A full swing, capable of driving a railway spike into solid concrete. And you'll feel that pain a few times every day, if you're not careful.
Although my doctor is not sure what is wrong with my shoulder, and I do not recall exactly when it all started, what I AM sure of is that it was NOT caused by my addiction to Guitar Hero or Rock Band. In fact, my shoulder problem began two or three months before I even had the Xbox 360 that I play these games on. My shoulder feels fine, most of the time, within the "limitations" I mentioned above. This means that I have absolutely no problem playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band, as long as I'm not trying to imitate Pete Townshend or Neil Peart.
To date, I have had an X-ray and a cortisone shot. The X-ray showed no signs of any bone damage or calcium build up. The cortisone shot helped a little, but not as much as we had hoped. I am currently taking anti-inflammatory drugs and awaiting the results of an MRI that I had last Saturday morning.
My doctor suspects that it could be bursitis, or some kind of shoulder cuff injury. We'll hopefully know more after the MRI is done.
There are two incidents that I suspect either caused, or contributed to, the pain and the limited mobility of my left arm.
At the end of the summer, we participated in a small volley ball tournament held in our community. I recall that my shoulder was a little sore after that day, but not to the degree that it is now.
The other possibility was when I spent a couple of hours helping to move appliances about 3 or 4 months ago. Although it didn't hurt as much the following day, it did seem to progress from that point to where it's at now.
Could it be "old age"? If being over 40 is "old", then sure. I'm 42. My doctor said that shoulder problems can usually start at around 40. If you're nearing 40 and not having shoulder problems, your day will likely come... and if you think this is funny now, we'll see how funny it is then. :)
So much for being alive...
Too funny.
I post back in June that I was going to start writing here again, and then.... nothing.
Way to go me.
Ok, now I'm going to make an effort.
Really.
I promise.
I think.
I just need something to write about.
While you're waiting, drop on by Popcultini and have a read.
I post back in June that I was going to start writing here again, and then.... nothing.
Way to go me.
Ok, now I'm going to make an effort.
Really.
I promise.
I think.
I just need something to write about.
While you're waiting, drop on by Popcultini and have a read.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I'm still alive...
I just haven't much urge to type. I will return.
It's kinda coinkydinky that I returned two months to the day though.
Spooky.
It's kinda coinkydinky that I returned two months to the day though.
Spooky.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Drinking & Driving & Littering
My wife and I went out this morning to pick up garbage off the highway as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program. Aside from the numerous Timmy Ho's coffee cups that littered the highway, you would be amazed at how many beer bottles, beer cans, and other assorted alcoholic bottles we picked up along the shoulder of the highway. And we only did ~2km stretch of the highway. There are no houses anywhere in sight, so the only place that these could come from would be passing cars.
Of course, maybe not everyone who drank them was driving at the time -- they could have been a passenger -- but even if 1/10th of them were consumed by the drivers, that's pretty scary stuff.
Of course, maybe not everyone who drank them was driving at the time -- they could have been a passenger -- but even if 1/10th of them were consumed by the drivers, that's pretty scary stuff.
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