Cervical Spondylosis 'Delayed' Symptoms. How C/S Symptoms manifest themselves.

[gerry the neck]

Hi

Just something I need to clarify regarding the above Sleeping Posture Therapies. These therapies are aimed at symptoms (headaches, muggy sore head, stiff neck, pain in arm/shoulder/chest) which are indirect associated symptoms resulting from a threat of nerve compression. Of these symptoms, the most important ones to deal with first, are the headaches and muggy sore head symptoms, because of the manner in which these symptoms compromise our resistance to the other symptoms. Headaches and muggy sore head seem to be caused by overactive muscular reactions whilst we sleep, as the neck prepares its protective adjustments for the next day. Unfortunately, they can enter a cyclical phase, especially if sleeping arrangements are not altered as suggested in the posture therapies above. Personally, I've had these types of phases which have lasted for a month, or longer, before they gradually eased off. That was before I learned how to deal with them. Once the overall negative effects of these two symptoms are eased off, it becomes much easier to deal with the remaining symptoms, although they may have eased as well with the same procedures. The main goal of these therapies is to restore the neck to manageable levels, and to implant a sense of control over fluctuating unpredictable symptoms/

Gerry

[gerry the neck]

And finally. I hope I’ve done my best, for the moment, to try and explain my problems with current C/S therapies, and the direction which I feel they should be going in. All things must be tested on their merits, and the only way to accept new therapies is to test them. I could go into further, more precise detail, but enough for the moment. And, hopefully I have helped to fulfil, in some small way, the original purpose of this open forum. I should thank this site for allowing me the opportunity to offer my opinions on such an accessible scale. Another ‘great leap for mankind’.

But, before I finish (did you really expect differently), here’s another one ! Its more to do with side-issues but shouldn’t be ignored all the same. I don’t want it to distract from the purpose of the previous posts on sleeping posture therapies.


How Cervical Spondylosis can cause Social Interaction Problems.

I’m aware that a second or third party perception of my general social interactions might well be ( is ) one of a changeable mixture of OK / Grumpy / Difficult / OK. Strangely, despite often being perceived as such, I am also aware that, behind the façade, I actually feel quite stable, balanced and normal. On days when I’ve got a muggy sore head, or some other symptom, I don’t present myself too well, and I’ve probably acquired a reputation with some people for ‘grumpiness’, breaking arrangements, making excuses etc, when these ‘protective’ attributes interfere with their expectations. I can’t go on explaining, in detail, all the time, what the real problem is. Its too much hard work, and it only exposes an already sensitive state to further irritation. Basically, my face displays the signs of wear and tear, although I feel emotionally ok behind it, and this is continually misinterpreted by others. On good days, I don’t have this problem….I seem to mesh in without fuss. To counteract the unnecessary reactions, I must assume that those reactions are based on ignorance of the real situation. Its sometimes difficult not to succumb to a bit of arrogance in these situations, just to force an understanding to happen. That usually goes wrong. Such is life !

I’m sure most C/S patients experience these sorts of negative reactions constantly, not least when dealing with medical professionals, who we feel should know better. Maybe this only helps to highlight the sensitivities involved, and thus a readiness to feel even more disappointed with outcomes. But, they’re only human after all, and without really understanding the over-sensitised nature of the patient, they will behave mostly just like everybody else. Bottom line here is that, as patients, we must patronise these situations as best we can, hoping that a glimmer of mutual understanding might appear at some stage. I wouldn’t really expect anyone, who hasn’t had C/S , to grasp the whole complexity of that experience, and so I adjust my expectations to accommodate this and try to allow for interactions which reassure the other person, but don’t necessarily have a similar effect on me.

This is my arrogance, and I feel it is justified. Perhaps, over the years, it has also not helped with some of these interactions, but then again, only because I didn’t want to be interfered with by people whose opinion I didn’t necessarily respect. And, by the way, I do respect everyone, up to the point where they give me reason to think otherwise. I have no pre-conceptions of the possibilities of any given situation, unless previous experience has made me wary.

So, C/S patients, and others with similar ‘mood’ altering conditions, must not only deal with the actual symptoms, but quite often are also forced to deal with a recurring cycle of seemingly negative reactions from others. To me, these negative reaction options have evolved culturally, because we live in a society that mistrusts excuses, and any excuse can be perceived as an unwillingness to be fully engaged in the combined efforts of our society to better itself materially. Perhaps, our society, in its self obsessed quest to improve, has gradually lost sight of its own members who don’t quite fit into the equation too well. Who knows ? Either way, it would be difficult to not admit that there exists a patronising overview of people with less ability, and perhaps even this is not afforded to people with an unobvious chronic condition. Some societies have not yet succumbed to classifying their less than able members in this manner, and thus are better able to accommodate them without any underlying confusion about who fits where. But our society seems to be losing this all encompassing embrace, thus the need for ever increasing legislation to protect the diminishing inclusivity. Let’s at least make sure that this aspect of political correctness is not ignored.

I’ve wandered off the subject matter here, I think. The real question I’d like to ask is….”How should I react to the reactions of others, when I know that they shouldn’t have reacted like that in the first place ?” I suppose I’ll just have to put it down to a perversion of cultural standards, and if I remind myself that, well, I’m probably guilty of similar reactions myself, in other circumstances, I’m sure I can neutralise any imbalances in the overall equation.

Note to Self: Must remember to react badly as often as possible in the future !!


Gerry