Yes, that's right...I'm becoming a real pro when it comes to MRI tests. First, a knee MRI after a skiing accident, then my 3D MRI baseline testing last year followed by the multi fMRI misophonia research study tests in London this past February. Well here we go again, unfortunately not for more misophonia testing though. Before I go into why I'm going for more MRI tests, I just want to comment about the latest conference I attended this week.
I think conference facilities are getting wise to people like myself who like to detach the end chairs from rows - in my case, to eliminate the tactile vibration triggers felt when people kick or move around in chairs further down the row. (See my conference post from last year.) I went to a couple of seminars earlier this week only to find that the conference facilities screwed the chairs in the rows together. (Drat!!!) Maybe I'll start bringing a screwdriver to conference seminars from now own. Oh well... That annoyance was minor compared to other happenings this week...
Over the past several weeks, I've been having issues with my shoulder that have been gradually getting worse - to the point of radiating down to my elbow and hand. (Think of a constant dull pain like someone pressing against your funny bone and refusing to let go.) For those of you who have been following the SH blog for a while, it's the same shoulder that was injured in last year's car accident. I haven't had issues with it for over a year but whether it was having to deal with the move (packing, driving 1400 miles, unpacking..) or sleeping on an air mattress for over 3-1/2 months, something got it out of whack again... This time much worse - and even the tramadol that made me completely loopy last year (not to mention the one thing that ever alleviated my misophonia trigger sensitivities) didn't help an iota.
I went to Urgent Care earlier in the week, which was misophonia trigger hell. Like waiting areas in airports, waiting areas at Urgent Care clinics are markedly worse. You have anxious parents and patients fidgeting while waiting for their names to be called - not to mention the sniffling/coughing of sick people who can't be bothered to use a Kleenex. Over an hour and a half later I finally saw the doctor, but having had a
I think conference facilities are getting wise to people like myself who like to detach the end chairs from rows - in my case, to eliminate the tactile vibration triggers felt when people kick or move around in chairs further down the row. (See my conference post from last year.) I went to a couple of seminars earlier this week only to find that the conference facilities screwed the chairs in the rows together. (Drat!!!) Maybe I'll start bringing a screwdriver to conference seminars from now own. Oh well... That annoyance was minor compared to other happenings this week...
Over the past several weeks, I've been having issues with my shoulder that have been gradually getting worse - to the point of radiating down to my elbow and hand. (Think of a constant dull pain like someone pressing against your funny bone and refusing to let go.) For those of you who have been following the SH blog for a while, it's the same shoulder that was injured in last year's car accident. I haven't had issues with it for over a year but whether it was having to deal with the move (packing, driving 1400 miles, unpacking..) or sleeping on an air mattress for over 3-1/2 months, something got it out of whack again... This time much worse - and even the tramadol that made me completely loopy last year (not to mention the one thing that ever alleviated my misophonia trigger sensitivities) didn't help an iota.
I went to Urgent Care earlier in the week, which was misophonia trigger hell. Like waiting areas in airports, waiting areas at Urgent Care clinics are markedly worse. You have anxious parents and patients fidgeting while waiting for their names to be called - not to mention the sniffling/coughing of sick people who can't be bothered to use a Kleenex. Over an hour and a half later I finally saw the doctor, but having had a
thorough doctor evaluate the same shoulder last year, I wasn't happy with how the young doctor barely evaluated the shoulder only to rush me away with three prescriptions (none of which I used yet). So, yesterday I went for a second opinion by a knee and shoulder orthopedic specialist hoping to get a more well-informed opinion by someone who specializes in what I'm experiencing. I'm glad I did...
Again, I had misophonia waiting room trigger "fun," not just by anxious fidgeters, but there were many people who had that annoying whistling message alert on their cell phone. Funny how as much as I'd hope the shoulder pain would distract me from triggers, instead it dramatically lowered my tolerance level to inconsiderate people. (I swear, if I didn't have my earplugs with me, I would have seriously needed to walk out to avoid the urge to throw those cell phones out the windows - which don't open.) But luckily I did have my earplugs with me, so I sat down in a chair - carefully positioning my field of view away from fidgeters - and patiently waited my turn.
After going for some X-Rays, I finally met with the doctor who, after more in-depth motor tests than what I had earlier in the week, he expressed his concern about my possibly having torn my rotator cuff and scheduled me for an MRI to see for sure. It makes sense though... Everything I've read about rotator cuff tears match what I've been dealing with over the past several weeks: constant aching pain radiating down to my elbow and arm... Difficulty sleeping (this week was the worst).
At least, my past experiences with MRI's have prepared me for what to expect - not to mention what to bring. Most MRI facilities can play music through the headphones they give you to cover-up the sound of the machine. I'll definitely be bringing my CD faves and on a USB. With my luck, if I have to listen to their piped in music, I might be stuck with holiday tunes. (Ugh!)
To be continued...
Again, I had misophonia waiting room trigger "fun," not just by anxious fidgeters, but there were many people who had that annoying whistling message alert on their cell phone. Funny how as much as I'd hope the shoulder pain would distract me from triggers, instead it dramatically lowered my tolerance level to inconsiderate people. (I swear, if I didn't have my earplugs with me, I would have seriously needed to walk out to avoid the urge to throw those cell phones out the windows - which don't open.) But luckily I did have my earplugs with me, so I sat down in a chair - carefully positioning my field of view away from fidgeters - and patiently waited my turn.
After going for some X-Rays, I finally met with the doctor who, after more in-depth motor tests than what I had earlier in the week, he expressed his concern about my possibly having torn my rotator cuff and scheduled me for an MRI to see for sure. It makes sense though... Everything I've read about rotator cuff tears match what I've been dealing with over the past several weeks: constant aching pain radiating down to my elbow and arm... Difficulty sleeping (this week was the worst).
At least, my past experiences with MRI's have prepared me for what to expect - not to mention what to bring. Most MRI facilities can play music through the headphones they give you to cover-up the sound of the machine. I'll definitely be bringing my CD faves and on a USB. With my luck, if I have to listen to their piped in music, I might be stuck with holiday tunes. (Ugh!)
To be continued...
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