Out of business for awhile. (Off Topic Ramble.)

[cwilk]

My back saga continues. I could barely get out of bed Sunday morning. Monday was no better. Took me about five minutes to get dressed. Arranged for a few days off work and went to see my doctor. This guy does not listen to me, I swear. He is also anti pain medication and relies on muscle relaxers and OTC NSAIDs which have never helped me when I have these spells. He gave me a Soma sample to try and not only did it not help my back, but it also gave me a headache that was about ten times worse than the worst hangover of my life. I called a few friends and asked if they liked their doctor. Made a few calls. Finally found one that was accepting new patients. Went and got my records from old doc and told him I wasn't happy with his services. He told me I was looking for miracles. I said NO, I'm looking for relief from pain. New doc reviewed my case. Told me he could have told me that Soma would not help with the pain I was describing and demonstrating. Ordered an MRI, which I did this morning. Prescribed a 2 week supply of the proper med for the type pain I'm experiencing. An hour after the first pill, I felt like a million bucks! Slept great most of last night for the first time in two or three weeks. New doc gave me the card of a chiropractor he said was the best around. Also not too expensive. I see her Thursday. Said we could think about a cortisone shot (Is cortisone a steroid? He used that word. I think he also said epidural.) if the chiroprator doesn't work out. Had a lot of other common sense advice. Get a better mattress. Try yoga. Stretch before and during a detecting session. (You know, it's actually stupid that I don't already do this.) Suggested a few supplements that should help keep my joints functioning better that I am now trying. Omega 3 fish oil was one, FYI, and I had just watched Dr. Oz Monday where he said everybody should take it. Man, daytime TV sucks!

So I am going to do to myself what local law enforcement has been trying to do to me all year. I'm going to take myself out of the game. I was taking it easy already. Only 3 hunts since 9/7 which is low for me. So close to two big milestones that might not get hit in 2010.

I find it hard to visit here when I can't get out myself. I'm going to try to write a few articles for LT. Not about gold prospecting either. How many issus this year have been devoted to this? Is it four now? I also have a mess of jewelry that needs polishing. A few other tasks that will hopefully keep my detecting itch down a bit.

Thanks for reading. Here's a shot of my favorite find ever just because I like to look at it!

Chris

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Sound like new doc has you headed in the right direction. One thing my chiro told me that helped me with my back pain a few years ago was to never, never, never have anything in your back pockets when you are sitting. Even a hankercheif can throw you out of whack, not to mention what a bulging wallet does. It took me awhile to break the habit, but all my pain went away and so did the doctor bills and his noxoius pills and potions!! Good luck and good health!!

 

[cwilk]

Good idea. Something I never thought about either.

Chris

 

[MNCoinhunter]

Hope you are out and about soon.

Pretty hard to top that favorite find....very nice. Have you ever had it appraised?

 

[BusDigger]

Chris, sorry to hear all that, but I can defiantly relate. I can't tolerate meds, of basically any kind. Was in a bad wreck in '03, twisted my spine & pelvis, damaged discs and vertebra which are causing pressure on my spinal cord to the point of restricting the flow of spinal fluid, and causes full body muscle spasms at times, tore-up my left shoulder, caused chronic carpal/cubital tunnel, and finished-off a knee that was over-due for replacement not to mention causing Fibromyalgia, I already had Arthritis. I'm 53 by the way.

All the Drs. want to do is pump you full of pills, most with serious side-effects. I tried so many different types it ate holes in my stomach. I couldn't lay flat for over 5 years because of the severe acid reflux. I "passed" on a spinal block after reading the "possibles" of having it done. Cortisone is a steroidal hormone, didn't help me. Only thing I could tolerate was alcohol, so I self-medicated that way, it was the only way I got a decent nights sleep.

The ONLY Dr that did me ANY good.....a Chiropractor. After the 1st adjustment I was able to stand fairly straight (as opposed to 45*) and the muscle spasms (which looked more like seizures, I even took seizure medication for them but body couldn't tolerate it). I'd have never believed I could get that much relief after one visit. Sadly, that was the most relief I got, and continued to see him (Chiro) for years, but as my problems grew worse, it became too painful to get adjusted and it just wasn't doing much any more.

Let me give you some advice, I was forced to set for months at a time, couldn't do anything or go anywhere......don't become "idle", you'll only feel worse and will be looking at depression as well. Get-out and MD even if it's every 2 weeks, find someone to dig for you if you need, but keep moving. This was the exact reason I got into MDing. It keeps my mind occupied by reading the forums, as well as doing some research for the times I feel up to hunting. I hurt worse most of the time when I get home, but I'm gonna hurt anyways, and it helps my attitude (which had gotten pretty crappy a few years back). I withdrew from most everyone and just sat.

Good luck with the new meds, I hope they help. If you want someone to talk to, by all means PM me.


Smitty

 

[John-Edmonton]

First of all.....you did the right thing by switching doctors. Pain can be physically debilitating, cause depression and take wind out of your sails for life's pleasures. Getting a cortisone shot in the area where you are experiencing the pain might just be the ticket for you. Cortisone is a steroid, however, you are not using it systemically, but in a localized area, so there shouldn't be any side effects. Using a chiropractor might get you some more relief. As for taking yourself out of the game....DON'T, unless there is some underlying reason. Exercise is good for your back. It will keep your muscles from wasting away. Once we stop exercising, we start to de-mineralize our calcium, which eventually gives you weaker bones, more susceptible to fractures. Get your pain relief,, and go back to work and DO continue detecting. It's a great balancing act and will help keep your body young.

You may want to take a look at how you detect, and think about using good body mechanics. Bend at the knees, not the back. Shorten the length of your rod so you don't swing such a long arc. And do your stretches daily, very important. We often do them at the hospital together. Studies have shown that when employees stretch every morning before starting work, there is a 50% decrees with back injuries. No surprise there. Take yoga, take your fish oils.....things are going to get better for you bud.

Now go get your batteries and stick them back in the charger......

 

[Orion42]

Boy can I relate. I've got nerve damage in my arm going on almost 9 years now. The pain can be completely debilitating. Good meds help, but there are always side effects and you have to weigh them against the relief. Right now I haven't been out detecting in about 2 months due to side effects and attitude, but the side effects are better then how I was feeling. My system is starting to get used to the meds so I may try a short hunt this week. If I can't get out, at least here I can see how others are doing and read about new toys. Some days any little bit helps.

John

 

[oldranger]

Chris

Hope our feeling much better VERY soon.. i really enjoy
being jealous of all your great finds!!!!
Take it easy and do what the Dr says ...

Yeha LT has had 4 gold isssues i didnt even
really read the latest issue .. just kind of skimmed it
but was dissapointed overall.. it was GREAT when i started reading it


anway take care and hope your better real soon

Ron

RLTW

 

[cwilk]

That gold comment was directed at you. Glad you picked it up.

Chris

 

[cwilk]

Good advice, John. I forgot you do this for a living. I think I need that break. Maybe an hour here and there would be in order, though.

I won't waste away, I promise.

Chris

 

[John-Edmonton]

n/t

 

[cwilk]

I appraised it. Let me think.......Oh yeah. Priceless!!! I'm going to be buried with it, and I'm going to give UW permission to detect my grave when I do go so you can figure out the rest of the story......

BTW, sometimes I wear it on the lapel of my black suit. I think it's a woman's pin but who gives a shit!

Chris

 

[cwilk]

I see a chiropractor on Thursday. I'm looking forward to it because I have learned many of my friends rely on them. I think the visit is $45. Is that reasonable?

I'm kind of off booze so no self medicating for me. I didn't plan it, but I have not been drinking much in 2010. Haven't had a glass of my favorite whiskey since Christmas! It does help me sleep. though...

Thanks for sharing your story with me. Makes me feel lucky!

Chris

 

[cwilk]

I hate reading about treasure hunting when I know I can't go out if I feel like it. Even now being here is making me want to get out. I'm trying to finish up an article about coin shooting for a TH magazine. That is sort of like detecting I suppose.

Thanks for the advice.

Chris

 

[Uncle Willy]

Sorry to hear about your back problems bud. Just what kind of injury do you suffer from? You should check around your area and see if they have a Pain Management Clinic ( usually located in a hospital ).. If your problem can't be corrected by conventional means they will load you up with the proper medication to make you a happy camper. Here in Oregon it is against the law to refuse or restricty pain medication to chronic pain sufferers. Several docs here have lost their license over that violation. You might check into the laws in your area or contact the Board of Medical Examiners.

When these guys go to medical school they are taught practically nothing about pain,pain management, pain medication, and the whole nine yards so most of them are totally ignorant of your problem and what to do about it and since they learned nothing about pain medication they all think if they give you any or to much that you'll turn into a raving dope addict. That's how stupid they are. People who are in constant pain don't have the luxury of addiction as they are to busy fighting the pain. The down side is the older you get the worse your problem will become. I've been sucking on pain pills for 20 years and I take the same amount per day that I took at the beginning. If I was a doper I'd be eating them like candy. I hate taking pills of any kind but in this situation I have no choice and I have to be functional to care for my quadriplegic wife. So I hope the new doc takes good care of you and provides the proper meds for you to live a near normal life.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

45 bucks is cheap I would think, compared to what they charge out here. If you ain't got no insurance a visit to a doctor is a couple of hundred bucks. I went to see my urologist and he done a couple of simple tasks and the office visit came to almost $1500. I went to the ER a couple of weeks ago for some pain medication ( and had to wait and suffer five miserable hours before I saw a doctor or got any medication ) and they done virtually nothing and the bill to the insurance company was $1800. When I had my surgery in 2008 it was $75,000.

Bill

 

[slingshot]

I see a chiropractor on Thursday. I'm looking forward to it because I have learned many of my friends rely on them. I think the visit is $45. Is that reasonable?

I'm kind of off booze so no self medicating for me. I didn't plan it, but I have not been drinking much in 2010. Haven't had a glass of my favorite whiskey since Christmas! It does help me sleep. though...

Thanks for sharing your story with me. Makes me feel lucky!

Chris

My dad swore by his chiropractor-until he told my dad to stop drinking his coffee with sugar and milk and he wouldn't have to come to him again. It worked. My father-in-law had severe headaches and after a few sessions and an alignment of his verterbrae in his neck, he never had one again. Even our medical doctor has recommended one to us. Best of luck. Wouldn't be the same without your hunting posts.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah inactivity is the worst remedy.

Bill

 

[skippers]

Do you guys ever remember anyone telling us that getting older would not be fun and we would have to take a bunch of pills just to get by? I don't remember that little talk.
Good luck Chris.

 

[Uncle Willy]

Yeah they left that chapter out. HA.

Bill