Living with illness
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136)
Thu 2008/01/24 08:39
I thought it would be useful to share our experience of any illnesses that we may have and how we have dealt with them and also to provide information to fellow otaku who may share the same illnesses or disabilities.
Until recently, its only been Asthma that I have been living with since a child. Most of my problems with Asthma arose when I was younger and I remember a time when I had my chest pumped to get rid of some sort of fluid which accumulated in my lungs.
Running around would cause difficulty of breathing and wheezing when I was child too. The most recent difficulty I had with Asthma was when I was in Shanghai about five years ago. The dirty air was the cause at the time. Had no such difficulties on my last trip a few weeks ago though. I find that I am susceptible to Asthma related breathing difficulties when there is a sudden change of environment - usually when traveling abroad. I always keep an inhaler on me when traveling but haven't used it for quite a while now.
The reason that I brought up this subject is because I recently had the pleasure (not) of being diagnosed with a herniated disc.
A disc in my lower back region has ruptured and is sticking into the nerves which extend from the spinal cord. This causes pain which goes down to my legs. I had the first symptoms a few years ago but each time the pain would recede only to come back several months later. The last time I had the pain was in October which lasted for a week but the pain has been with me for nearly two weeks now.
The photo was taken when I went to the hospital on Monday. The doctor gave me the news but she wasn't particularly helpful. As usual, I found that I had to ask questions before she recommended that I shouldn't gain weight (which would put more pressure on the disc) and that I should work on strengthening the muscles in my back. I then had to ask what types of exercise before she told me "push ups."
I decided not to waste any more time with another typical doctor (more on typical Japanese doctor behavior in this previous post) and do some research on the Internets and ask as many people as I can for advice.
It turns out that two of the clients who I consult for have staff who have the same illness. One of them has partially recovered through rehabilitation while the other one had surgery to implant some hardware into his back through something called Dynesys - he can now run about and dance all over the place without feeling pain. This is the option I will go for should my condition get worse.
A Herniated Disc (also known as a Slipped Disc) can be caused by many different things - a fall or sudden jolt to the spine can cause a crack in the disc. Many people from the age of 35 may also start to feel symptoms through the disc simply aging through time.
The first time I had symptons, I went to the doctor who only took an x-ray and just said that I pulled a muscle. If you are feeling some intense pain in your back, I recommend you ask for an MRI. An MRI enables slices of your body to be looked at without slicing you up - you can see slices of me in the photo. An MRI will detect whether you have a Herniated Disc and enable you to treat it early. If I took an MRI at an earlier stage, I would have had rehab then and not end up like I am now.
I can still walk however and hope to be able to do rehab as soon as the pain starts to (hopefully) recede. If you have information or experience with a Herniated disc then do share with me ^^.
Have not been as productive of late due to me having to lie down a lot but I probably should be lying down more. One of my main problems is that I find it difficult not to do some form of work. I know I should really take time out to mend but its tough to just pull away especially when you are running your own company. Was at the Kotobukiya offices for a meeting all day today but should have been in bed ^^; But I did manage to get some goodies which I will share with you ^o^
OK, I'm off for a hot shower to relax my back and then off to watch some anime and play some Advance Wars Days of Ruin on the DS which just came out - tis awesome.
Through comments and mails that I receive, I see that quite a few readers are plannin...(more)
Tue 01/15 01:03 comments (146)
The video shot in Shibuya at the end of last year - photo coverage in this article.
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Mon 01/14 00:00 comments (50)
Im a T2 Parapeligic, meaning I have a partially severed spinal cord at the T2 vertebrae. Happened during a murder attempt when I was around 4ish. Life has had its ups and downs but more ups than downs. Im natually an cheerful and find I dont have too many things that bother me that I cant do. Being a nerd type person I spend all my time on a computer so hey, im used to sitting for long hours, lol. I dont get sick much either except for the occasional bronchitis each winter. Did have to go through quite a bit of surgery on my back when I was younger which sucked greatly.
(ID #70496) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:23
Wow that sucks Danny! I know what ya mean though. FYI i'm actually an EMT and i've heard/seen many cases like this. In fact, i'm at risk of this kind of injury all the time with heavy lifting of patients or other stuff. Only think i can really do now is precautionary, like lift with my legs keeping back straight. what i can recommend though, is doing Tai Chi, Which i'm totally serious. i've been doing chinese wushu all my life, and tai chi also incorporates into it. i've only started tai chi for a couple years now, but i can tell you when u do tai chi, it'll help increase blood flow, which will help in the healing process. for example when u walk, walk with your heal touching the floor first. but yeah thats all i can really suggest for now, if ya got any more questions let me know!
(ID #70497) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:25
I'm a T2 parapeligic meaning I have a partially severed spinal cord at the T2 vertebrae. Caused by a gun shot wound I recieved when I was 4. Life has its ups and downs, more ups than downs. Not too many things I can't do that I would like to do except traveling is difficult, which puts a dampener on my dream of going to Japan or any country overseas. Being a nerd type person I spend most of my time around a computer so hey!, i'm used to sitting for long hours, lol. Don't get sick much either except for the occasional bronchitis each winter.
(ID #70498) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:30
Sunshine Empire's merchant
~~ Get well soon DANNY!!! ~~ P/S: Sori i dont have knowledge regardin Herniated disc dats useful to u, but i realli do hope u'll gt well again! Take care ^^
(ID #70499) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:32
sorry for the double post, had a browser crash on me. Danny can go ahead and delete the second one.
(ID #70500) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:34
Deeply sorry for the triple post, dont know what happened, go ahead and delete the second and third one.
(ID #70501) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:37
Danny, dude take care of yourself. Your health should one of the most important things to you. Sorry to hear about your back. I'm amazed your still dancing around with a herniated disc. Take a easy there. Push ups? What kinda advice is that? Sheesh. What I would recommend for you Danny is some low impact exercises with a inflatable exercise ball. Some face forward abdominal lifts and twists, side lifts, and balance exercises will help strengthen your back. I don't know the severity of your pain, so you can adjust to what you are capable of. It will help you balance your core and posture. You can even sit on it while working to keep your back straight and balance your weight. Take care bud.
(ID #70502) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:39
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
My family has had a history of cancer. My father, my uncle and my baby-nephew had been diagnosed with cancer one after another (after my father got cured, my uncle got cancer and then after he got cured, my baby-nephew got cancer. They were all healed fortunately, although my baby-nephew lost one of her kidneys...) Judging from the unusually frequent cancer occurrence in my family, there seems to be a flaw in genetic markups of my family that causes cancer to occur, so I also have my chance of contracting cancer.. I do hope that I'm mistaken ^^ Well, about your illness, I'm sure someone like you will be strong enough to endure this trial, Danny, and it seems you do! Seeing that you still can get some goodies! ^^
(ID #70503) Posted on 2008/01/24 08:57
Yeah I'd have huge jolts of pain in my arms/chest here and there sometimes... The doctor prescribed some medicine for me, which I think it's probably useless. Anyway I don't think pushups help strengthening the back... ~_~
(ID #70504) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:03
Stigmata Martyr
You'll be alright Danny, all it takes is will and a positive attitude. You gotta stay in shape for all those Stormtrooper appearances yet to come. Luckily I've yet to have a major sickness in my life. The only time I have ever been in a hospital was for stitches when I cut my finger making a sandwich. I quit smoking 4 months ago, drinking 2 years ago and I haven't had a blunt in 5 years. My only real guilty pleasure is red meat, can't lay off the stuff. There was a time when I'd eat steak almost daily and I would go outta my way for a t-bone even at 2 in the morning. My family has a history of hypertension though so I know I'll eventually have to give my carnivorous tendencies soon.
(ID #70505) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:09
Take care yourself Danny, hope you can recovery fast. thx for share this to us :).
(ID #70506) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:13
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Where's the Used to have an illness for the poll LOL, used to have asthma... And Myopia which most Singaporean kids nowadays have... Hey Danny, hope your condition gets better! The Dynesys implants looks really... erm... scary, like from some mad scientist movie or something... Japanese doctors sure are helpful... As helpful as a cup full of fish bag of soldiers...
(ID #70507) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:19
Take care, Danny, and get well soon.
(ID #70508) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:22
Take good care of yourself Danny, I'm sure you will get through it :) Very interesting post, doesen't seem like the doctor you talked to wanted to help much?
(ID #70509) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:22
Hey danny, sorry to hear that, but its a common illness to people who sit around alot... us nerds... heh. Anyways, as a personal fitness instructor, I can recommend some exercises for you. Well, push ups do exercise the lower back slightly, since you have to keep your body straight the whole time. But by the time you feel your lower back worked you have already got a chest and arm the size of rambo. So the simplest/lightest work out for the lower back is the plank position: first you lie flat on your stomach, then push yourself off the floor with your elbow directly below your shoulder, make sure you body is straight. You should now in a position where you support yourself on your toes and your elbows. Stay in this position until you cant keep your body straight any longer, then rest for a couple of minutes and repeat. This exercise works the core muscles of the body.
(ID #70511) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:27
Here's more. The other exercise which is just as light involves a gym ball. First you knee on the floor with the gym ball infront of your body. Lay on the gym ball and roll forward so that the gym ball is directly below your stomach. Now, place your hands on the floor like you would when doing push-ups, lift both legs off the floor until its inline with your body, keeping both legs straight, hold this position for a while, rest and repeat for a few times. This exercise is more directed to the lower back muscles. I would recommend a gym ball size of 65cm, its the size for people around the height of 5'7. Send me an email if you want to talk about the exercises more danny.
(ID #70512) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:37
Student
Wow, that really sucks :( I used to have asthma as a kid too, but I didn't really have any more attacks after a serious one many, many years ago when I had to be hospitalized for a week because I couldn't breathe ^^;
(ID #70513) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:37
Online Shop
Danny, hopefully you find a right method to cure your illness and so there won't be anymore pain. I should take a lesson from this and try to take care of my body before anything bad happens. I've been lazy as of late and I can feel my body is effected by that...
(ID #70514) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:42
Physical Therapy student
hey danny, I suggest you go to a Physical Therapist for rehabilitation.."muscle strengthening" is just one part of treating something as serious as this..if you do it wrong..we're talking about possible paraplegia.. I'm only a PT intern so I can't tell you much..better let the professionals do the assessment for you. I hope everything works out for you..
(ID #70515) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:45
Danny, I feel for you, and from your post and stuff I heard about before, it seems that the Japanese medical system isn't all that "user friendly". Most country's doctors and nurses are more forthcoming in terms of information and recommendations, but the Japanese system seems to be much more "hands off".
(ID #70517) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:52
CG artist, Sunrise Emotion
Had asthma as a kid too, I still remember vividly the fresh smell of pure oxygen and that mask I have to put on in the hospital; those days even climbing a flight of stairs was a big challenge. Hope your herniated disc condition improves soon. :]
(ID #70518) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:53
Test Engineer
Holy shiat. Bone rupture/damage is serious business :o I was a brongkitis (sp?) patient when i was a kid. But early detection and treatment saves me from athma.
(ID #70520) Posted on 2008/01/24 09:58
Otaku Webmaster
Take care Danny !
(ID #70522) Posted on 2008/01/24 10:21
IT TechGuy
You should take good care on your health since you already reach 30+. At these kind of age, anything might come up with surprise. So take more exercise and better choice of foods. ^^
(ID #70523) Posted on 2008/01/24 10:30
Web Developer (i.e. Otaku)
Hi Danny, Sorry to hear of your back pain. There could be a psychological element to your problems. Try reading Dr Sarno's books (find "The Mind/Body Prescription" and "Healing Back Pain" on Amazon), he has cured thousands of people of backpain and other long term illnesses. I had chronic RSI from using a computer way too much. I read his books. Now I don't have it anymore - a $10 book saved my career!
(ID #70524) Posted on 2008/01/24 10:47
Doll Customiser, Web Designer, Shop Owner
My Dad lived with this injury for many years, had many operations and even some steel rods inserted, the disc removed and replaced with a silicon prosthetic and a whole bunch of traction (the old school method which just makes it worse!). I hope you find a physical therapist who can assist you. As for me, yep - I have a couple of niggling illnesses - one of which I have to take meds for every day for the rest of my life - but I'm not in pain, so it's all good!
(ID #70525) Posted on 2008/01/24 10:57
Student
Don't lay down Danny, do exercise to reinforce your back with muscles, it's the best way for these types of back problems, my father has the same thing but with two discs instead of one due to an accident. If you lay down it'll only be worse and more pain you'll feel later on. Believe me cause I've watching my father do this for the past ten years. So make exercise
(ID #70526) Posted on 2008/01/24 10:59
hey my mum just had this recently, they also found out one of her disks was cracked or something and she was off work for about 2 months
(ID #70528) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:01
Student
Hey Danny, sorry to hear that. I would suggest you avoid getting into strenuous work or exercises. I wouldn't want to see the world's coolest stormtrooper getting haunted by illness. Hope you get well soon. Take good care of yourself man!
(ID #70530) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:13
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
ouch.... disks are really THE most annoying thing of all humanity. you should get some rest. hope you feel ok soon my friend
(ID #70531) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:17
Bicycling is really helpfull against such a disaster. My english is realy bad, so cant tell much about this, sorry for this. You should try to dig more about bicycling, its a very efficient way to overcome your illnes.
(ID #70533) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:22
Being a physician myself, i must advice that most of time backpains do not involve damages on intervertebral discs, and MRI are only justifed (they do have a huge cost) when there's more symptoms than just the pain in the back (like the pain going to the legs, lost of motricity or certain leg parts, or a pain that would not receed under well taken painkillers). Most of time X-rays themselves are not really usefull (if we really need to see something, we should go straight to MRI or TDM). As of the treatment, just remember that each patient is a case in itself, and something that worked well for a friend would not necessarily either suit you, or improve your condition. Surgery is imo a last resort, or an emergency resort, but should be use carefully, as somehow young people who have been treated might not be improved, but even worsened after the surgery, or the initial lesion might concern one of the upper or lower intervertebral discs (if you stuck the problematic disc, the others disc will have to absorb the damages in its place...). Backpain is a very common illness, and all treatments are not that satisfactory...
(ID #70535) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:26
anybody would like to translate herniate disc to indonesia/melayu? cause i'm pretty confuse now @_@ , thanks good luck if u going to get a surgery, danny never living with an illness, i only had a doctor to pluck my feet thumb nail cause it got cranked by car bumper ^^; nearly shortened my finger when i was 5 Y old, and some scar in my finger due to cutting gundam's ^^
(ID #70536) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:36
Hey Danny, I hope your condition improves. And don't push yourself too hard =)
(ID #70537) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:36
personally i would go for physiotherapy or back muscles strengthening excerise. Is a lot cheaper but time consuming. But the benefits are good in the long run. going for operation would probably be my last resort. Always busy with work ain't a good reason to keep yourself healthy ^^
(ID #70538) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:49
According to Wiki... "The majority of herniated discs will heal themselves in about six weeks and do not require surgery. One study found that "After 12 weeks, 73% of patients showed reasonable to major improvement without surgery." However, you can't heal if you don't stay off your back, Danny. Set aside some time. You really do need some rest for this. Best wishes to feel better, Danny. T_T
(ID #70539) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:55
oh just to add on, i too had asthma as a kid and i also had the chance to use some pump machine too. It was a nasty feeling to not breathe properly and not play sports well/ After that incident, my mum decided that i should take up swimming to combat asthma, which i did and not only my condition improved. Now i dont have any more asthma and running is no longer a issue for me. Staying healthy and excerise regularly has alot of health benefits. I use to take in coffe or energy drink to keep myself awake and put on alot of weight, now i've traded that for jogs and run. Is way more effective and instead of feeling slugish from the run, you feel more alive ^^ is not about whether you have illness to live with. Rather is about how you deal with it and making sure illness isn't burdening your life. Whether or not you want to make changes in your life to improve your health is entirely up to you. The path to a healthy body is tough but once that phrase is over, you'll enjoying its benefits for very very long.
(ID #70540) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:58
may the force be with you. get well.
(ID #70541) Posted on 2008/01/24 11:59
I've got mild case of asthma, but got a puffer anyway. Allergies to fur, so dogs and cats aren't my friends lol Also slightly colour deficient, hereditary from my mother. So when if you gave me one of those circles with plenty of dots, its likely I won't be able to see the number or symbol.
(ID #70542) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:15
i have a the same problem like u. had a slipped disc about 3 years ago when i was 19 due to a rock climbing accident. fell 10 metres down. still recovering. exercising and some physio theraphy. would suggest you get a gym ball to use. i do get the weakness in legs and occasional back pains. almost died as my legs gave way while crossing the road last year. use hot packs on your back for 15 mins 2-3 times a day it works. occasional pain killers if you cant bear the pain. if you can go swimming go swimming but dont over exert your back. my slipped disc is back in place but the nerves are not aligned properly. hope u get well soon man
(ID #70543) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:23
anime/cosplay events organizer
get well and take care of yourself Danny ^^
(ID #70544) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:30
Danny, if you never told us that, we would never know. I always would have believed you'd be the type to be unaffected by such physical affections. The only problem I live with is myopia... Been an integral part of my life since I was born. But I won't even call it a real disability, since I lead a rather normal life (Say, what's "normal" anyway?). Nothing major here in summary. However, many members of my family are now facing cancer, for many reasons. My Great aunt is gone because of it (Died the 1st of this month... I miss her dearly) and my aunt is currently fighting against it, among others. Why do I say that all of a sudden? Well, I believe that certain disabilities and illnesses can't be prevented or avoided, but many can... Healthy life habits, exercising, etc. can easily be forgotten but can be determinant later in life. Don't waste your life, you only got one. And if you fight for it everyday, make efforts to improve or maintain a healthy lifestyle, that is the right way to do things.
(ID #70545) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:33
Hope for you to get well soon!
(ID #70546) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:33
I've had asthma since I was young, but the air around here isn't that bad so I haven't had much trouble with it for a few months now. I'm hoping that you get better. Get better, Danny.
(ID #70547) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:42
Game Designer
Wish I could be more useful, not just a Red Cross member that only knows First Aid... Anyway, take care! (oOo)/"Long live Danny"(oOo)/
(ID #70548) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:43
Link Cosplayer, Video Gamer, Amatuer Programmer, and Artist
That sucks Danny. I hope you get well soon. And you shouldn't push yourself like that, you can damage your body even more! So go lie down and play some Advance Wars. XP
(ID #70549) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:45
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
take care danny. get well soon. we are behind you always. ^^,
(ID #70550) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:49
Policy & Research Officer
I also had mild slip disc during my national service in the army which I kinda recovered with 3 months of physiotherapy. Basically the doctor recommended me to do more swimming and some basic back exercise, and of course I also went for the therapy every 1 or 2 weeks.
(ID #70551) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:54
By the way, be strong Danny and recover fast. We'll look forward to your next shenanigans.
(ID #70552) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:58
Damn, hope you are well. We share a similar back problem, mine is with the ciatic nerve. Even though doctors haven't found the exact reason in my case, I too get a very accute pain in my lower back, wich extends to my legs. We thought it was a disc problem too, but it seems it's not the case. We do have to live with illnesses, I guess for us it's part of our daily lives, and we just have to keep pressing on. Hope you are well, and take care of that back.
(ID #70553) Posted on 2008/01/24 12:58
Sorry to hear about your illness Danny, I hope everything works out for the best and you don't have to go through to much in the way of surgery! I can relate to this illness article as I have been living with AIDS for the last 17 years. I was diagnosed after receiving a blood transfusion after a bad car crash back in '91. I immediately thought it was a death sentence, but thanks to modern science, I've been kept alive and healthy. If you look at me you would never know I was sick at all. What is hard is the day to day living. The constant, I'll say "fear", though thats not the feeling, of getting close to anyone because you don't want to infect them. Sure they talk about "safe sex" but nothing is 100%. I've even had people who say they can handle it, but there is always that doubt. I have my close friends, family and dog. I'm not lonely. This is just a cross you bear for the rest of your life.
(ID #70555) Posted on 2008/01/24 13:10
Hey Danny is the first time i ever write a comment in this website of your s :). Illness is something that i only discovered about 3 years ago. I got an illness that weaken my body as i grow up. I;m currently at grade 10, but my strength, the ability to run is going down, i may not surpass myself when i was in grade 5, that's how weak i am now. I'm getting weaker and weaker everyday. I still can walk and run a little but i cannot run or reach the speed of my friends. This make me feeling terrible, feeling depressed.
(ID #70556) Posted on 2008/01/24 13:15
Contraband Distrabution Specialist
Danny, I too had a herniated disc about 3 years ago. The pain was so great I could not stand for more then 5 minutes at a time without bursting into tears. I was taking 5 to 6 Hydrocodon a day and it was barely touching my pain. I was lucky enough to find an expert surgeon in my area that was able to cut out the offending part of my disc, and I have been relatively pain free ever since. I sometimes wish I could have found a different option then surgery, I can not lift more then 10 pounds and also have to be very careful to not over extend myself and damage the muscles the doctor had to cut to get to the disc. I feel for you and hope that you can find a solution to your problem. Pain medication can work for some, but it can lead to a road you might not want to travel. I am sure that Japan is full of great doctors, but if you would like the name of my doctor please contact me.
(ID #70558) Posted on 2008/01/24 13:36
R-1 in Vault 13