RE: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc. etc.

March 25, 2004

Oh Lana --

I am so sorry to hear of the problems you are having -- it must be so scary.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about neck/spine problems, so I can't give any

advice. But I will certainly be keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.

Take care,

Love, Patti

I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc. etc.

Hi everyone,

March 25, 2004

Thanks much, Patti!

Love Lana

But I will certainly be keeping you in my prayers and thoughts.

March 25, 2004

Lana, So sorry Hun, Sounds awful. Could your tight chest feeling be from

anxiety? Go to bed, relax, put on some quiet relaxing music and take deep,

soothing, slow, breaths. Get off the PC! Take what ever meds you are suppose to

and do those polarity/acupressure points. I think you and I both know Betty will

be the best thing you can do tomorrow. Turn your brain off tonight!!!! Find a

cumphy position and relax. Not on the PC!!! Scoot .....

Cindylouwho

I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc. etc.

Hi everyone,

OK, now I'm starting to get scared. This seems like it's progressing so

fast on me - is that possible?? I hear 'stuff' (like crackling or

something) most of the time now when I turn my head. Also, can anyone tell

me if this can effect my chest/breathing??? My chest feels kind of tight,

like it's hard to breathe a little. Mike, do you think it's safe for me to

go see Betty?? I think the least I will do tomorrow, is ask the radiology

dept. to contact my doctor (who is right upstairs) if I can have a soft

collar to wear until this is all settled. It feels horrible again tonight,

and headache again, though not a horrible one, thank God! I'm putting ice

on my neck and took extra meds like the dr. said to do.

Does anyone have any other advice for me? I don't want to do anything

drastic, but I don't want it to get any worse, either. ?? This is horrible,

and I feel so helpless and angry! Sorry for venting, but like I said, I

just need some reassurance. Thanks!

Love Lana

March 25, 2004

Hi Lana

I am so sorry to hear that you are getting scared. Thats the worse

thing isnt it. Unfortunately I cant offer you any advice or answers

but here are some gentle hugs. (((((Lana)))))

Stacey

March 25, 2004

Thanks Stacey! You're a Sweetie!

Love Lana

Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc.

etc.

Hi Lana

I am so sorry to hear that you are getting scared. Thats the worse

thing isnt it. Unfortunately I cant offer you any advice or answers

but here are some gentle hugs. (((((Lana)))))

Stacey

To learn more about EDS, visit our website: http://members.rogers.com/ceda2/

_____

March 25, 2004

GOTCHA, Cindy! Heading there now! Thanks for the push, I needed it! :-)

Love Lana

Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc.

etc.

Lana, So sorry Hun, Sounds awful. Could your tight chest feeling be from

anxiety? Go to bed, relax, put on some quiet relaxing music and take deep,

soothing, slow, breaths. Get off the PC! Take what ever meds you are suppose

to and do those polarity/acupressure points. I think you and I both know

Betty will be the best thing you can do tomorrow. Turn your brain off

tonight!!!! Find a cumphy position and relax. Not on the PC!!! Scoot

......

Cindylouwho

I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc.

etc.

Hi everyone,

OK, now I'm starting to get scared. This seems like it's progressing so

fast on me - is that possible?? I hear 'stuff' (like crackling or

something) most of the time now when I turn my head. Also, can anyone

tell

me if this can effect my chest/breathing??? My chest feels kind of tight,

like it's hard to breathe a little. Mike, do you think it's safe for me

to

go see Betty?? I think the least I will do tomorrow, is ask the radiology

dept. to contact my doctor (who is right upstairs) if I can have a soft

collar to wear until this is all settled. It feels horrible again

tonight,

and headache again, though not a horrible one, thank God! I'm putting ice

on my neck and took extra meds like the dr. said to do.

Does anyone have any other advice for me? I don't want to do anything

drastic, but I don't want it to get any worse, either. ?? This is

horrible,

and I feel so helpless and angry! Sorry for venting, but like I said, I

just need some reassurance. Thanks!

Love Lana

March 25, 2004

I hear 'stuff' (like crackling or something) most of the time now

when I turn my head. Also, can anyone tell me if this can effect my

chest/breathing??? My chest feels kind of tight,like it's hard to

breathe a little. Mike, do you think it's safe for me to go see

Betty?? I think the least I will do tomorrow, is ask the radiology

dept. to contact my doctor (who is right upstairs) if I can have a

soft collar to wear until this is all settled. It feels horrible

again tonight, and headache again, though not a horrible one, thank

God! I'm putting ice on my neck and took extra meds like the dr.

said to do.

---------------

Get to your direct question first - do I think it is safe for you to

see Betty tomorrow? Absolutely. If nothing else, I think she will

be able to help destress and relax you. I don't recall from your

first session that she did anything aggressive at all with you.

Just tell her what is going on and your concerns. From her

background, I know she can work energetically. With alot of the

pain management stuff using energetic modalities, it is not

necessary to even touch the person - you can work off body. I know

this can be done because I do it myself. In fact, before sending

this reply to you I had to work on my wife's wonky knee again. I

never got my fingers closer than about a half inch to the skin. (I

normally do touch but I was practicing the off-body stuff with

her).

The main thing with Betty is that she work energetically with you

and not do standard massage muscle work. But then, I got the

impression that she is into the energetics anyway. What I am saying

is that she won't or shouldn't be doing anything physcially to or

with you that should aggravate your neck. The most I can see her

doing is something like cradling your head/neck to access acupoints

but not applying any significant pressure. This is one of the

things I absolutely love about the energetic modalities - the

ability to get significant results with absolute minimum risk.

Now, as far as the noises, it depends on what is causing the noise.

The fact that you sound like a walking bowl of Rice Krispies does

not of and by itself mean anything. The noise is called crepitus

and is common. My neck does it all the time. So does my mid-

thoracic spine. And my knees have been doing it for years. There

are a number of possible causes for crepitus.

The concern is not the noise by itself. The concern is if the noise

is directly associated with the pain. Specifically, is the noise

caused by bone on bone grating/grinding and are you getting some

kind of nerve compression in the process.

If you were talking about the spine I would agree that it could be

affecting your breathing but it is not likely that your cervical

vertebrae would. Do you get that tight chest feeling when you get

high-strung, tense or nervous? If almost sounds like an anxiety

reaction.

I also agree that a soft collar would be a good idea until you can

get a fix on what is happening via MRI or xray.

March 26, 2004

Lana~~

I am so sorry things are progressing. All I can say is that you should surly

call your doctors. All of them, tell them the same thing and HOW FRUSTRATED

you are. Do you have an " in " with any of the staff? That might get you to

the doctor more quickly on a Friday. If your efforts fail ... please don't be

too proud to go to the ER if you cannot get a response from your docs. ER will

surly find them for you!

Try not to lift, push, pull or anything that has to do with your neck or

back. Even blow drying your hair! OK? You can go a day without opening a can

of

soup till you can find out what the heck is going on. Promise me?

Love and hugs ... better yet, prayers your way.

Debbi

March 26, 2004

Lana~~

I am so sorry things are progressing. All I can say is that you should surly

call your doctors. All of them, tell them the same thing and HOW FRUSTRATED

you are. Do you have an " in " with any of the staff? That might get you to

the doctor more quickly on a Friday. If your efforts fail ... please don't be

too proud to go to the ER if you cannot get a response from your docs. ER will

surly find them for you!

Try not to lift, push, pull or anything that has to do with your neck or

back. Even blow drying your hair! OK? You can go a day without opening a can

of

soup till you can find out what the heck is going on. Promise me?

Love and hugs ... better yet, prayers your way.

Debbi

March 26, 2004

Lana~~

I am so sorry things are progressing. All I can say is that you should surly

call your doctors. All of them, tell them the same thing and HOW FRUSTRATED

you are. Do you have an " in " with any of the staff? That might get you to

the doctor more quickly on a Friday. If your efforts fail ... please don't be

too proud to go to the ER if you cannot get a response from your docs. ER will

surly find them for you!

Try not to lift, push, pull or anything that has to do with your neck or

back. Even blow drying your hair! OK? You can go a day without opening a can

of

soup till you can find out what the heck is going on. Promise me?

Love and hugs ... better yet, prayers your way.

Debbi

March 26, 2004

Lana,

(((HUGS))) I wish I could help you out! I don't know much at all

about neck problems though. Hang in there Lana... I hope you feel

better soon, or at the very least get the problem figured out so it

can be managed.

Big (((HUGS)))

-Rhea

March 26, 2004

Lana,

(((HUGS))) I wish I could help you out! I don't know much at all

about neck problems though. Hang in there Lana... I hope you feel

better soon, or at the very least get the problem figured out so it

can be managed.

Big (((HUGS)))

-Rhea

March 26, 2004

Hi Lana,

I am so sorry!! I have not signed on for over two days now so I , of course ,

missed your message. The crunchiness or sounds of snap, crackle, pop are an

everyday thing for me too, even after the fusion. I get it whenever I turn my

head and wonder why others rarely hear it too. Sometimes, there will be a

particularly bad one that others do hear and it might actually hurt when as

usually, they are painless. As Mike said it is probably crepitus which we all

have

all over the place. If I could get thesounds that my various joints make more

audible to others,I might be able to get an orchestra out of it!!

As far as the breathing parts goes, I may know what you mean. When I was

first doing rehab following the fusion, I would get chest pains more often .

There

are times that I get pains that come when I breathe and they are from when I

get some kind of bursitis under my scapular acc. to my ortho. It will really

hurt to even breathe then.

It can be really scary when you start thinking about spinal stuff. I know

before my fusion I was a teensy freaked about it and I usually am not worried

for any other surgery . There is just so much involved and can be so dangerous.

You've gotten some good advice. Try to minimize computer time ( it still

bothers me), try to relax, use a soft collar and get in to see your doctor.

I hope that you have been a little less worried and more comfortable since

you first wrote the email.

Please let us know what you find out.Be pushy about the mri and their taking

measurements.

Take care and rest and relax!

March 26, 2004

Hi Lana. I know what you mean about being scared about your neck. I'm sorry, I

looked through past posts to find your original post on this but I couldn't. I'm

very behind right now. Plus, right now I'm having problems responding to posts

because I'm having troubles with my keyboard. Actually, my whole computer is so

old, it's just begging to be thrown out the window!

I have crunching and cracking every time I turn my head. It feels like my head

is going to fall off. I haven't been able to look up for years without holding

my head on with my hands. I also have chest pain a lot. The cause of my chest

pain is inflammation in the rib joints. I can't lay on my side at all anymore or

my ribs overlap each other. When I sit up, I have to pull my shoulders down and

I'll feel (and hear) a big pop in my sternum. This, of course causes

inflammation in my ribs. My doctor confirmed that the pain of this inflammation

is almost exactly the same as one would feel when having a heart attack. This

also can affect my breathing sometimes.

I don't know if this helps you at all but I know for me, I have to stay off my

side now and I have to be very careful with how I sleep. (When I sleep! Right

now I have two sick kids so I'm up even more than usual!)

Take care. Onale

March 26, 2004

Lana,

I'm so sorry, I went to bed early last night and missed your e-mail. Are you

home today? The crackling you hear and feel is the degenerative changes in

your neck probably. Mine cracks and crunches too. I think a soft cervical

collar is an excellent idea. I'm not sure what to think about the chest

tightness and the feeling it is hard to breathe, when in doubt see your Dr.

or go to the ER. Are you taking any muscle relaxers? Try and get the

cervical pillow too. Let me know how you're doing, OK?

Love, S.

I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc. etc.

> Hi everyone,

>

> OK, now I'm starting to get scared. This seems like it's progressing so

> fast on me - is that possible?? I hear 'stuff' (like crackling or

> something) most of the time now when I turn my head. Also, can anyone

tell

> me if this can effect my chest/breathing??? My chest feels kind of tight,

> like it's hard to breathe a little. Mike, do you think it's safe for me

to

> go see Betty?? I think the least I will do tomorrow, is ask the radiology

> dept. to contact my doctor (who is right upstairs) if I can have a soft

> collar to wear until this is all settled. It feels horrible again

tonight,

> and headache again, though not a horrible one, thank God! I'm putting ice

> on my neck and took extra meds like the dr. said to do.

>

> Does anyone have any other advice for me? I don't want to do anything

> drastic, but I don't want it to get any worse, either. ?? This is

horrible,

> and I feel so helpless and angry! Sorry for venting, but like I said, I

> just need some reassurance. Thanks!

>

> Love Lana

>

March 26, 2004

, I was so busy at work today, and not much time tonite, my daughter is

here, so will post a general update on this. Thanks so much for your

support and for caring!

Love Lana

Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc.

etc.

Lana,

I'm so sorry, I went to bed early last night and missed your e-mail. Are you

home today? The crackling you hear and feel is the degenerative changes in

your neck probably. Mine cracks and crunches too. I think a soft cervical

collar is an excellent idea. I'm not sure what to think about the chest

tightness and the feeling it is hard to breathe, when in doubt see your Dr.

or go to the ER. Are you taking any muscle relaxers? Try and get the

cervical pillow too. Let me know how you're doing, OK?

Love, S.

I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc. etc.

> Hi everyone,

>

> OK, now I'm starting to get scared. This seems like it's progressing so

> fast on me - is that possible?? I hear 'stuff' (like crackling or

> something) most of the time now when I turn my head. Also, can anyone

tell

> me if this can effect my chest/breathing??? My chest feels kind of tight,

> like it's hard to breathe a little. Mike, do you think it's safe for me

to

> go see Betty?? I think the least I will do tomorrow, is ask the radiology

> dept. to contact my doctor (who is right upstairs) if I can have a soft

> collar to wear until this is all settled. It feels horrible again

tonight,

> and headache again, though not a horrible one, thank God! I'm putting ice

> on my neck and took extra meds like the dr. said to do.

>

> Does anyone have any other advice for me? I don't want to do anything

> drastic, but I don't want it to get any worse, either. ?? This is

horrible,

> and I feel so helpless and angry! Sorry for venting, but like I said, I

> just need some reassurance. Thanks!

>

> Love Lana

>

March 26, 2004

Thanks, Deb, for your support! I will be sending out a general email

tonight, as I was locked out of email today, and I have tons tonight and my

daughter is here. Thanks so much for caring!

Love Lana

Re: Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis,

etc. etc.

Lana~~

I am so sorry things are progressing. All I can say is that you should

surly

call your doctors. All of them, tell them the same thing and HOW FRUSTRATED

you are. Do you have an " in " with any of the staff? That might get you to

the doctor more quickly on a Friday. If your efforts fail ... please don't

be

too proud to go to the ER if you cannot get a response from your docs. ER

will

surly find them for you!

Try not to lift, push, pull or anything that has to do with your neck or

back. Even blow drying your hair! OK? You can go a day without opening a

can of

soup till you can find out what the heck is going on. Promise me?

Love and hugs ... better yet, prayers your way.

Debbi

March 26, 2004

Thanks, Deb, for your support! I will be sending out a general email

tonight, as I was locked out of email today, and I have tons tonight and my

daughter is here. Thanks so much for caring!

Love Lana

Re: Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis,

etc. etc.

Lana~~

I am so sorry things are progressing. All I can say is that you should

surly

call your doctors. All of them, tell them the same thing and HOW FRUSTRATED

you are. Do you have an " in " with any of the staff? That might get you to

the doctor more quickly on a Friday. If your efforts fail ... please don't

be

too proud to go to the ER if you cannot get a response from your docs. ER

will

surly find them for you!

Try not to lift, push, pull or anything that has to do with your neck or

back. Even blow drying your hair! OK? You can go a day without opening a

can of

soup till you can find out what the heck is going on. Promise me?

Love and hugs ... better yet, prayers your way.

Debbi

March 26, 2004

Thanks, Deb, for your support! I will be sending out a general email

tonight, as I was locked out of email today, and I have tons tonight and my

daughter is here. Thanks so much for caring!

Love Lana

Re: Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis,

etc. etc.

Lana~~

I am so sorry things are progressing. All I can say is that you should

surly

call your doctors. All of them, tell them the same thing and HOW FRUSTRATED

you are. Do you have an " in " with any of the staff? That might get you to

the doctor more quickly on a Friday. If your efforts fail ... please don't

be

too proud to go to the ER if you cannot get a response from your docs. ER

will

surly find them for you!

Try not to lift, push, pull or anything that has to do with your neck or

back. Even blow drying your hair! OK? You can go a day without opening a

can of

soup till you can find out what the heck is going on. Promise me?

Love and hugs ... better yet, prayers your way.

Debbi

March 26, 2004

Thanks , this makes me feel much better! I'll be posting an update

soon, but I do appreciate your advice and concern! Thanks so much, you're a

dear friend!

Love Lana

Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc.

etc.

Hi Lana,

I am so sorry!! I have not signed on for over two days now so I , of course

,

missed your message. The crunchiness or sounds of snap, crackle, pop are an

everyday thing for me too, even after the fusion. I get it whenever I turn

my

head and wonder why others rarely hear it too. Sometimes, there will be a

particularly bad one that others do hear and it might actually hurt when as

usually, they are painless. As Mike said it is probably crepitus which we

all have

all over the place. If I could get thesounds that my various joints make

more

audible to others,I might be able to get an orchestra out of it!!

As far as the breathing parts goes, I may know what you mean. When I was

first doing rehab following the fusion, I would get chest pains more often .

There

are times that I get pains that come when I breathe and they are from when I

get some kind of bursitis under my scapular acc. to my ortho. It will really

hurt to even breathe then.

It can be really scary when you start thinking about spinal stuff. I know

before my fusion I was a teensy freaked about it and I usually am not

worried

for any other surgery . There is just so much involved and can be so

dangerous.

You've gotten some good advice. Try to minimize computer time ( it still

bothers me), try to relax, use a soft collar and get in to see your doctor.

I hope that you have been a little less worried and more comfortable since

you first wrote the email.

Please let us know what you find out.Be pushy about the mri and their taking

measurements.

Take care and rest and relax!

March 26, 2004

Thanks , this makes me feel much better! I'll be posting an update

soon, but I do appreciate your advice and concern! Thanks so much, you're a

dear friend!

Love Lana

Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc.

etc.

Hi Lana,

I am so sorry!! I have not signed on for over two days now so I , of course

,

missed your message. The crunchiness or sounds of snap, crackle, pop are an

everyday thing for me too, even after the fusion. I get it whenever I turn

my

head and wonder why others rarely hear it too. Sometimes, there will be a

particularly bad one that others do hear and it might actually hurt when as

usually, they are painless. As Mike said it is probably crepitus which we

all have

all over the place. If I could get thesounds that my various joints make

more

audible to others,I might be able to get an orchestra out of it!!

As far as the breathing parts goes, I may know what you mean. When I was

first doing rehab following the fusion, I would get chest pains more often .

There

are times that I get pains that come when I breathe and they are from when I

get some kind of bursitis under my scapular acc. to my ortho. It will really

hurt to even breathe then.

It can be really scary when you start thinking about spinal stuff. I know

before my fusion I was a teensy freaked about it and I usually am not

worried

for any other surgery . There is just so much involved and can be so

dangerous.

You've gotten some good advice. Try to minimize computer time ( it still

bothers me), try to relax, use a soft collar and get in to see your doctor.

I hope that you have been a little less worried and more comfortable since

you first wrote the email.

Please let us know what you find out.Be pushy about the mri and their taking

measurements.

Take care and rest and relax!

March 27, 2004

Lana,

I am so sorry about this!!! I am sorry I have not responded, but I was off

line for a few days here.....MD appts., Remicade Rx.....I didn't even get on

once yesterday. Anyway, I am saying prayers for you and call me or I will call

you please.

Hugs,Sue

March 27, 2004

Lana,

I am so sorry about this!!! I am sorry I have not responded, but I was off

line for a few days here.....MD appts., Remicade Rx.....I didn't even get on

once yesterday. Anyway, I am saying prayers for you and call me or I will call

you please.

Hugs,Sue

March 27, 2004

Thanks much Onale, and much luck to you!

Love Lana

Re: I need reassurance - Mike, , Sue, , Sis, etc.

etc.

Hi Lana. I know what you mean about being scared about your neck. I'm sorry,

I looked through past posts to find your original post on this but I

couldn't. I'm very behind right now. Plus, right now I'm having problems

responding to posts because I'm having troubles with my keyboard. Actually,

my whole computer is so old, it's just begging to be thrown out the window!

I have crunching and cracking every time I turn my head. It feels like my

head is going to fall off. I haven't been able to look up for years without

holding my head on with my hands. I also have chest pain a lot. The cause of

my chest pain is inflammation in the rib joints. I can't lay on my side at

all anymore or my ribs overlap each other. When I sit up, I have to pull my

shoulders down and I'll feel (and hear) a big pop in my sternum. This, of

course causes inflammation in my ribs. My doctor confirmed that the pain of

this inflammation is almost exactly the same as one would feel when having a

heart attack. This also can affect my breathing sometimes.

I don't know if this helps you at all but I know for me, I have to stay off

my side now and I have to be very careful with how I sleep. (When I sleep!

Right now I have two sick kids so I'm up even more than usual!)

Take care. Onale

March 27, 2004