Accident prone?

Originally posted on March 1st, 2011.

You probably can't really tell by looking at me, but I'm generally an active person. The interesting thing is that most of my more serious injuries happen when I'm not at the gym working out, but when I'm relaxing. That's when I my middle name could be "accident prone". Dislocated shoulder, badly sprained back... At the start of a weekend, visiting a friend in Lisbon, Portugal, respectively. I like walking around bare feet in the Summer, but I tend to stub my toes. Not just once, but several times - on one day.
What did just happen? I sprained my ankle on Saturday morning. I was visiting friends at their new house, and rushed down the stairs for breakfast. No, I didn't fall down, I simply mis-stepped (not noticing a difference in level between carpeting and wooden floor - about half an inch). Combine that with rounding a corner to the left... My ankle sort of gave out and before I knew it, I was on the floor. Great. I eventually managed to get up, but walking hurt. I didn't think of asking for an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) to try and prevent any major swelling.
The later it got, the more I started limping. And when I got home and removed my sneaker, I was greeted by a swelling the size of half a golfball.
I never realized how often I take the stairs to get to one floor to the next. I prefer to take the stairs instead of an elevator, but still... I have been taking elevator rides consciously since Sunday (whenever possible) since walking stairs and inclines (down) hurts. Most of the swelling has gone down, and hopefully my ankle will recover quickly.

Poopy, pukey... And where's my voice?

Originally posted in February 14, 2011.

I must have caught a cold on Saturday. Just as I had almost recovered from last month's Flu. I was feeling a bit under the weather, but I figured it's nothing a decent sweaty work out can't fix. So, that's what I had on Tuesday. When I came home from work I was actually feeling worse, but I figured I put some food in my body, do the dishes and take it easy the rest of the evening. Only... I puked up dinner, and decided to leave the dishes in favor of several hours of extra sleep.
The next morning I woke up feeling dizzy, and between getting out of bed and getting dressed for work I manage to puke and poop as if it was nobody's business. It was like déjà vu to me; after allowing myself two sick days (early January) I went back to work all poopy and pukey. I decided to call in sick. I call off my doctor's appointment - postponing it till Friday.
Mom dropped by with chicken soup and anti cough syrup, and after doing my dishes she went back home. (She later told me she got sick with the Flu the next day.) I spent the day mostly sleeping. (And barfing.) As well as the next day.
My brother's visiting, and he drove me to the doctor the next day, who - after I tell him I have been retching and barfing up food way too much - prescribed me asthma meds and codeine (cough suppressants). My brother also helps me get some much needed groceries. I'm wiped after that, so I went back to bed. Even though I understand it takes a little time for the meds to kick in, I can't help but feel very disappointed when the excessive coughing, the retching and the puking continues. Trust me; the taste of bile gets real old real fast. Not to mention the fact that it has an overpowering taste, so no matter how often one brushes their teeth after barfing, the taste lingers.
Saturday rolled around, and I'm glad I didn't get tickets to a conference I had planned on attending: I wouldn't be able to do so in the shape I was in. The coughing lessened, and I haven't been barfing as much either. Having said that, it would be nice to not wake up in the middle of the night to rush the bathroom to puke your guts out. (That's what I've been doing the past several nights - several times a night.)
Despite the meds I still have trouble keeping in what little food I ingest. And for the past couple of days I at least try to have a decent dinner - even though I know I'll probably barf it back up. Earlier today I was talking to my brother and suddenly noticed the sound of my voice: one of the possible side effects of the asthma meds is hoarseness. And that's exactly how I sounded like; like I was about to lose my voice. Great.

I feel like a walking ad for Tiger Balm - can you smell me?

Originally posted on February 27, 2010.

Apparently, I surprised a few people by my admission of doing yoga. I suck at it, but it's fun. Hey, I had to do something after I ended my membership at the gym!
Some exercises are grueling where my shoulders are concerned, others are simply impossible. I like the fact it's low impact - especially compared to (kick) boxing, and I can only hope it'll pay off in the long run.
I've been taking it fairly easy (or so I thought) keeping my yoga sessions under 30 minutes in the beginning. Then I slowly upped it to over 30 minutes and adding to that a half hour worth of drumming. (I've been told playing the drums is a good workout for the shoulders.)
Unfortunately, that proved to be too much too soon. The last week or so both shoulders started acting up badly, making simple things like lifting arms to pick up something off a shelf or running where one pump their arms to gain speed, a painful affair. What's more: wearing a safety belt the "normal" way while driving is impossible once again. Aargh! This is getting extremely frustrating.

Pop-pop-pop!

Originally posted on September 29th, 2009.


Just a few hours after arriving in Lisbon, Portugal, 2.5 weeks ago I managed to sprain my back - and I only shifted my weight as I sat in a faux leather booth. Initially, I ignored it. Even wandered through the neighborhood with a backpack. By the end of the night my pace had considerable slowed down (think gramps's speed) and my back was killing me. I figured a good night's sleep would solve it. Unfortunately, the mattress was a soft one; besides the fact that I'm not used to it (mine's harder), it didn't provide sufficient support.
A week and a half later I was still shuffling around and a friend of mine suggested I see a chiropractor. She even recommended me a clinic.
They actually had an open spot the next day (somebody cancelled). I went, had my spine and skeleton frame scanned, and the first treatment. Lots of popping, but it seemed to be helping; the pain disappeared for the greater part, and I was able to walk properly again. (Definitely beats popping Robax Platinum!) Turns out my chiropractor's an American. Too funny.
The downside to the treatment was - and still is - the dizziness. It's not as bad as my spells of vertigo, but very inconvenient nonetheless.
I had another treatment yesterday, and told him about it. We also established the reason why the vertebrae in my neck is lined up in pretty much a straight line instead of slightly curved: too much headbanging. The effects are similar to those of whiplash. Good to know, eh?
Anyway, despite it being expensive I do notice progress.

Bronchi + infection = antibiotics

Originally posted on August 10, 2009.

Quick update. And then I stop whining.

I went to see the doctor this morning, cos this flu is taking waaay to long (in my opinion). I told him it wasn't the piggy flu, and I wasn't showing any of the symptoms (it would have been a house call in that case) so he didn't run a test on me - even if it was just to make sure.
Even though I haven't been wheezing, I had some trouble breathing for the past few days, and with the coughing any "strenuous" physical exercise (like a 20-minute-walk to the doctor, which took 30 minutes today) leaves me exhausted. The doctor listened to my lungs - to rule out a possible pneumonia - and diagnosed an infection of the bronchi instead. Not bronchitis; I'm very familiar with that.
Anyhoo, now I hope that with the help of the antibiotics the dizziness and exhaustion go away, too. I'm tired of being sick.
Seriously, what fun is it to sleep your day away during the Summer?

What the Flu?!

Originally posted on August 8th, 2009.


Hi. I'm back. If you think I haven't been diligent in keeping up my blog the past few days: you're right. I was too busy being sick and sleeping away most of the day. I can tell you it gets old real quickly, but I don't have many other options.

A while ago I was telling Krista how I'm hardly ever sick. Which is true; I don't get Flu shots and I've been known to "skip" quite a few flu epidemics (the last time I was sick with the flu was in December 2007) and I can't remember the last time I caught a cold. My friend Jules joked that's what I get for bragging.
Anyhoo, it started with a sore throat on Saturday, but I dismissed it thinking of various other excuses. When I woke up Tuesday morning I felt bad, but figuring I'd feel better as the morning wore on I packed my gym back and went to work... Only to feel worse as time went by. A few coworkers knew something was up by the way I dressed: despite the 27C/81F I wore regular jeans, wifebeater, button down shirt AND a spencer (sleeveless vest?). And I didn't break a sweat. Totally out of character: even in Winter I walk around the corridors at work in ironed T-shirts. (Unless I'm due for a court session.)
I skipped going to the gym and went home early - and crashed. I got a good two hours of sleep before and a good two hours after dinner, and felt better afterwards.

Around rolls Wednesday morning. I had trouble waking up and I felt like utter crap (hello headache and vertigo). Ignoring that I went to work anyway. This time I switched the jeans for shorts - but kept the three layers to keep my upper body warm. It was 30C/86F - and no air conditioning at work... Crazy, eh? I know.
My headache got worse, my shoulders were aching even more - in short: I felt even worse than when I woke up. A coworker of mine couldn't bear to watch me being sick at work and sent me home. I tried protesting, but I felt sick enough I didn't need more persuasion. Again, I crashed when I got home, and I got a good four hours before dinner. I felt better by the time I turned in for the night, and figured I could go to work the next day... But when I woke up Thursday morning I knew how wrong I was. I had to call in sick, and then slept away most of the day.

But when Friday morning rolled around I couldn't deny the fact I'm still sick. I actually coughed up phlegm so hard I woke myself up. I also noticed my head seemed to weigh as much as a ton of bricks, ready to burst, and every movement of the head when upright caused the room to spin. I opted to be prudent and stay home another day. Hopefully I get rid of the remnants of the flu over the weekend.

I talked to someone from HR and she told me that even it's not mandatory yet, my employer wants me to check in with the doctor to verify whether my Flu is a regular one as opposed to the piggy Flu... I told her that I would if I still feel crappy on Monday.

Oh, to wake up painless

Originally posted on August 26th, 2008.



I had a hospital appointment last Friday, and my physiotherapist's diagnosis got confirmed by a medical specialist; I am indeed suffering from "frozen shoulder". He sent me to radiology to get the shoulder thoroughly checked; I got the letter stating I am expected for an MRI scan on 9/11 - I kid you not. If the scan turns out clear (as in: no other damaged tissue or torn ligaments - or whatever those things are called in English) I'll have to make another - hopefully the last in a long, long time - appointment. I get anaestisized and then my shoulder will be "loosened" up. It will be excuciatingly painfull indeed (no, I am not looking forward to that), but I'll ask for painkillers for when the anaestesia wears off. My physiotherapist is glad I am going to get the treatment, since it will shorten the healing process of my shoulder. I'm told that even when the shoulder's healed completely I am not allowed to start working out for another three to four months. No bench pressing, no push ups, no weights... Dude, how am I supposed to keep it all tight? (I walk an avarage of 4 miles on a regular work day, but that's not enough.)

Oh, and how ironic: just last week my physiotherapist read the tattooed line on the inside of my left arm during a session "I wish I would never hurt again".

Frozen shoulder?

This was originally posted on July 24th, 2008.

Yesterday's session at the physiotherapist's was grueling.
Rob had consulted another (more experienced) physiotherapist about my shoulder and the fact that the clavicle was slightly "off kilter". His colleague thinks there might be something torn after all, some kind of ligament that normally keeps everything right in place. I asked him why it didn't show on the echo, and he replied that those kind of torn aren't visible on echos. Hm. He spoke about changing the diagnosis on the shoulder into "frozen shoulder". I've heard of it, but I had no clue what it was... I guess I am feeling it now.
Anyhoo, it gave Rob more leeway to stretch my shoulder to the possible max. And that he did. Let me tell you; I'd rather attack the punching bag without taped knuckles and gloves than endure several more of this. Unfortunately, "this" is going to be waiting for me on next Tuesday's session I joked he must be glad I wasn't going to punch him to get back at him, to which he replied I was allowed to - as long as I used my left arm. Jerk

Bones, my bones

Originally posted on July 16, 2008.



I am glad the ultra sound was clear: everything is healing up nicely. I'm told some swellings can stay on a while - so one thing less to worry about. Not that I did. I noticed the weird bump on my upper arm and swelling on my left clavicle only after almost six weeks.
The pain in my shoulder is not caused by a ripped muscle after all; the person who did the ultra sound yesterday thinks my rotator cuff needs to start making its own (natural) "lube" again and I'll be fine.
I picked up the X-rays at the hospital yesterday evening and my physiotherapist, Rob, had a look at it earlier today. He thinks the left clavicle stands on an (slightly) off angle, but since he's not sure he's going to consult about it.
I have no clue. I just hope the pain (and discomfort) will disappear soon, and to get the mobility back in my shoulder.



Today's physiotherapy session Rob took his time stretching the muscles in my left shoulder, while he let me talk about my travels and my travel plans. The stretching was very uncomfortable, and the fact that I was talking about one of my passions couldn't distract me from the worst pangs. He warned me he'd give me something to remember him by (till the next time). And he was right: the part from shoulder to elbow now feels as if a pick up truck drove over it. Mind you, I don't mind aching muscles after a proper work out. This is different.
Earlier at work I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers to welcome me back after a period of absence due to my shoulder. That was a nice surprise.

Letting go of another bad habit...

This was originally posted June 13th, 2008.



Maybe the dislocated shoulder is a blessing in disguise. I don't know yet. The verdict's still out on it.
In a perfect world I would have called in sick right after the accident happened, and I would rest my injured shoulder. In the real world I didn't call in sick, and I tried to compensate for the fact that I couldn't use my left arm/hand. Incredibly stupid, I know. I did so, despite the warnings of friends and family. I felt responsible and wanted to make sure work went as smooth as possible. My physiotherapist warned me to not work through the pain like I usually do, but stop. This kind of physical pain is meant as a warning that there actually is something wrong. As opposed to the "I-stubbed-my-toe-and-now-it-frikkin-hurts" kind of pain. And I realized that my right shoulder was hurting. I tried to take it easier, but it was too late already. Sleeping became something I wasn't looking forward to (I really like sleeping) since all I could do was lie flat on my back. The entire night. And we all know that it's virtually impossible.
A pillow under my left shoulder supports my injured shoulder, and prevents me from accidentally turning onto my left side whilst sleeping. There's no extra pillow to support my right shoulder, and after waking up multiple times a night because of the pain and a burning sensation in my right shoulder I knew it was bad news. Sunday night I decided to call in sick the next day to give my newly injured some rest, and to try and catch up on some sleep. On Tuesday my superior called me to ask me if I could come in and give some instructions on how to go about the stuff on my desk. I'd get help. So I went in for just a few hours. (I thought it'd be better than to hang around at home.) The help I got came in the shape of an intern, who really is as dumb as a box of hammers; I have to spell out every. Single. Thing. Combine it with fatigue due to lack of sleep, it didn't take long to get seriously irritated.
I felt compelled to do the work myself. But that would be wrong. I shouldn't be at work in the first place.
I went in for just the morning on Thursday. (I know, I am stupid like that, but I feel responsible.) It was pretty much the same story. By the end of the morning I just about had it with the intern, and I went straight to bed when I got home. I managed to get about an hour's worth of sleep before the pain in my shoulders woke me up again. Later that evening I talk to my friend WP who basically says the same things the physiotherapist's already told me, and she suggests I go see the doctor and ask for sleeping pills; they may not numb the pain, but it would give me a good night's sleep. That alone would make me feel better. I knew she was right.
Friday rolled around and I go see the doctor (after managing to squeeze in an appointment). I explained everything and asked him for sleeping pills. The doctor checked my right shoulder, concludes it's bursitis and told me he'd be giving me a cortisone shot. In the shoulder. He also emphasized to give the right shoulder plenty of rest. I call my superior at work; I had the feeling they were expecting me at work. And they were! I told him about the cortisone shot and that the doctor basically ordered rest. I also informed him that I'd be seeing the physiotherapist later, and that I'd be asking for his opinion, too.
Rob, my physiotherapist was not happy to learn about the cortisone shot. And again stressed the importance of rest. He wasn't happy to hear I plan to go back to work (part time) next week. I think I'm starting to breaking a habit - not entirely, but I feel I have taken the first step. I intend to have a talk with my manager and to tell it like it is. If he feels I'm slacking then I tell him to go ahead and subtract the time off my personal leave; this time I'm going to put health first, instead of work.

Nothing new

Originally posted on June 4th, 2008.



I had an appointment with a physiotherapist earlier today. I didn't know what to expect. Which was a good thing: he basically didn't tell me anything new and it looks like I'm taking the shoulder immobilizer with me on my trip to San Francisco... Despite a serious injury I didn't take any sick leave, and I could tell by the look in his eyes he was none too happy about it. He pointed out the importance of NOT working through the pain - like I'm used to doing. He also told me to not over-exert my other shoulder in trying to compensate for the injured one. That's easier said than done, but I have been doing that ever since the shoulder incident.
He showed me some super easy excercises, and the next appointment is Friday next week. I'm glad he's amiable and easy on the eyes. Otherwise I would loathe the lenghty road of recovery even more.

A day at the hospital

Originally posted on May 29, 2008.



I spend part of my morning at the neurologist's. When he asked me about the vertigo I told him I'd quit the drugs after one day as they triggered my eczema. Badly. He was taken aback and very relutant to prescribe me anymore drugs. He again noticed my right eye (I was tired) and referred me to an opthalmologist to have that checked up properly.
Since I practically live around the corner of the hospital I went home... And crashed. Despite the painkillers I haven't been sleeping well lately, and tomorrow it's been two weeks since I dislocated my shoulder. I was out for over two hours. I had to hurry to be on time for my afternoon appointment with the ortho guy. He was smaller than I thought and wore braces - you know, the kind teens wear in high school to correct their teeth.
He basically told me to let my injured shoulder rest some more (i.e. no driving, no sports etc) and gave me a referral for a fysiotherapist.
 



To be continued...

The drugs don't work

Originally posted on May 15th, 2008.



The neurologist prescribed me drugs to combat the vertigo. Since it's really bad when I suffer from jetlag he wanted me to start taking the drugs after I got back from my trip to New York City. And so the first full day at home I took two pills. With a 12-hour interval. Just like he prescribed.
After the first pill I got all itchy after about an hour, and I couldn't stop scratching. I took the second pill some time before I went to bed. Imagine my surprise (not in a good way!) when I woke up the next morning; apparently, the pills triggered my eczema and it had come back and manifested itself during the night. I couldn't remember suffering from it this badly in at least three years. Needless to say I quit the drugs and hope for my body to get rid of the crap as quickly as possible. Now I need to call the neurologist and set up a new appointment...

I think my neurologist needs his head checked

This was originally posted on April 16th, 2008.



The last time I saw the neurologist it was to get results of my brain scan. I had a follow up appointment today, and I left even less satisfied than the last time.
Let me rewind here. I'm not dissing neurologists, I think I just happened to come across a floozy.
I am in need of a second opinion on my cabeza matter: I had a follow up with the neurologist today and left with a prescription to something called "Dogmatil". He said it's an older drug, and I asked him why he came up with Dogmatil - to which he replied "experience".
Now that, in my book, is a wrong answer. The last time I saw him he wanted me to keep a journal, even though I told him I already did that to check off anything that could be related to the headaches and dizziness. He basically waved off any of my remarks with "I've seen some girls with head problems..." I found it very derogatory - and why is he comparing me to those "girls"?! Seems like with every visit my regards of him lowers more.
I didn't have a good feeling about the drug so I googled it, and it turns out the active ingredient is something called Sulpiride.
I've checked with several medical sites and what I read annoyed me: why is he giving me a drug that is mainly used to treat psychosis?!
What the heck was he thinking?!

Scan

This was originally posted on January 20 & 27th, 2008.

After getting a referral to a neurologist I finally got to see one on Wednesday; an older guy who apparently is used to treating Asians.
He asked me several questions (where I grew up, how long I've been having the symptoms) to get some insight.
More about the symptoms: headaches and dizziness. The thing is I really don't know what is up with that. I suddenly started back in Oct. 06 - I never had headaches nor dizzy spells before, but suddenly I did and I was sick literally (throwing up and walking into walls and door posts) for a couple of days. Then I decided to not be such a baby and popped a few pills that are comparable to a combo/mix of ibuprofen and Tylenol or Panadol and went back to work.
After that I occasionally get headaches (imagine someone slowly pushing an ice pick through the back of your skull, and equally slowly extracting it). There are no signs to what causes them (it could be anything from working out to reading a book, or walking through a hallway - and I even checked with foods). The same goes for the dizziness. I just don't want to be driving down a highway and get a dizzy spell, only to find myself "parked" against a metal railing on the other side of the road. After getting back from my Hong Kong trip in March last year I went to see my doctor who was convinced I just needed a nice warm Summer. 
I had a nice Summer in Vancouver and Halifax, Canada, but despite wonderful weather the symptoms came and went randomly. All I could do was hope I wouldn't stagger down the streets like some drunk. 
Anyhoo, I got a nasty flu in December last year, that reminded me how bad the headaches and dizziness got (24 hours a day for several days straight). So I decided to wait out the flu, then go back to see the doctor and demand a referral to a neurologist. I got one - without having punch my little fist onto the doc's desk. Heh.
So, I went to see the neurologist Wednesday. Had to do some test; some with my eyes open, some with my eyes closed, he checked my sense of balance, my reflexes and my hearing (he found out I have excellent hearing *LOL*) but that didn't disclose anything. He told me the headaches are probably "classic" (regular) headaches  but he couldn't find the reason for my dizziness, so he referred me to a radiologist for a brain scan *sigh*
Cross your fingers around noon this Friday!

***

I went back to the hospital on Friday to get the brain scan. It was quick and painless.
I admit I got a little nervous (thankgawd I didn't get anything stick to my head), but that was gone the minute I laid myself down and was then pushed into that tube that is the scan.
The radiologist told me I could open my eyes, which enabled me to see the inside of the machine. A moment later he turned it on and the part that was going to X-ray my brain was revolving around me like a little moon around a planet. I wasn't sure what the deal was, but if they wanted me to lie still I had to close my eyes; the revolving thing was making me dizzy and nauseous. And I don't think they want me to throw up in that expensive thing.
The CT scan made a "peep!" noise every few seconds and the table I was laid on was moving with tiny bursts (or so it seems); I was very comfy, but it wasn't exactly peaceful enough to snooze or have a 30-minute power nap. (The radiologist re-adjusted my head twice.)
And then it was over.
Now I have to wait till February 13 for the result (yes, people, that's 2.5 weeks).

Rain and shine

I originally posted this on January 20, 2008.

The past week has been anything but boring. I'll recap the good parts for you.
After getting a referral to a neurologist I finally got to see one on Wednesday; an older guy who apparently is used to treating Asians - or more specifically, Indonesians.
He asked me several questions to get some insight.
More about the symptoms: headaches and dizziness. The thing is I really don't know what is up with that. I suddenly started back in Oct. 06 - I never had headaches nor dizzy spells before, but suddenly I did and I was sick literally (throwing up and walking into walls and door posts) for a couple of days. Then I decided to not be such a baby and popped a few pills that are comparable to a combo/mix of ibuprofen and Tylenol or Panadol and went back to work.
After that I occasionally get headaches (imagine someone slowly pushing an ice pick through the back of your skull, and equally slowly extracting it). There are no signs to what causes them (it could be anything from working out to reading a book, or walking through a hallway - and I even checked with foods). The same goes for the dizziness. I just don't want to be driving down a highway and get a dizzy spell, only to find myself "parked" against a metal railing on the other side of the road. After getting back from my Hong Kong trip in March last year I went to see my doctor who was convinced I just needed a nice warm Summer. 
I had a nice Summer in Vancouver and Halifax, Canada, but despite wonderful weather the symptoms came and went randomly. All I could do was hope I wouldn't stagger down the streets like some drunk. 
Anyhoo, I got a nasty flu in December last year, that reminded me how bad the headaches and dizziness got (24 hours a day for several days straight). So I decided to wait out the flu, then go back to see the doctor and demand a referral to a neurologist. I got one - without having punch my little fist onto the doc's desk. Heh.
So, I went to see the neurologist Wednesday. Had to do some test; some with my eyes open, some with my eyes closed, he checked my sense of balance, my reflexes and my hearing (he found out I have excellent hearing *LOL*) but that didn't disclose anything. He told me the headaches are probably "classic" (regular) headaches  but he couldn't find the reason for my dizziness, so he referred me to a radiologist for a brain scan *sigh*
Cross your fingers around noon this Friday!
On Thursday I met up with Tweety (and her boyfriend Johan - who I then met for the first time); we were going to book our NYC trip :)
I had been urging to meet up and book ASAP since some time last year but somewhere something in our communication went wrong, so we lost a lot of precious time. And money. Don't get me wrong, Tweety's a good friend and usually very timely. But with about three months to go till the start of our (planned) trip and the TriBeCa film festival running  it was mighty high time to book.
The girl from the travel agent's was a good help and managed, despite the fact that all the cheaper hotels (the Gershin and Thirty-Thirty were our first choices) were solidly booked, to get Tweety and I a fairly good deal at the Radisson!
Even though we were both glad to have arranged the whole trip, we were both shocked at the amount of money it was costing us as well (Tweety even more so than I was). We could've saved about €500,-/€600,- (about a month's rent) by booking last year, but I reminded Tweety it was a temporary set back: US$ is cheap, and there are plenty of places where food is good and cheap. And shopping on the North American continent is cheaper, too.
I hope I'll be able to meet up with my friends Doug and "nuke" (and his family).