(31/08/2015) I start this week feeling a little better than last. Whilst I still have a lot of shoulder pain the ice helps subdue this. My scalp pain (NUMBNESS) seems to be settling down a little. I think, I could just be getting used to it. My tail bone is back to normal and I can sit for long times without pain.
What pain I do have I seem to be managing with Panadol and Nurofen only.
No more Voltaren – Another milestone!
I’m getting out and about with my wife and we have enjoyed a few lunches at our local café’s. The car trips are a pain and I try not to travel more the 20 minutes.
Zits seem to be finally settling down on my face – a little embarrassing as I’m now out and about but I suppose I can’t help people gawking. I think I would as well.
I’m still struggling with sleeping and seem to have 3 hour blocks... This seems to be my routine at week 4
Bed-time 10.30 pm if I can hold out.
Up around 1.30am move to couch.
Back to bed 3.30 wake wife to get me set up.
Up around 5.30am back to couch.
Back to bed around 7.30ish – up when I feel up to it (around 9ish)
Managed to walk 2.5kms today (9th) with my lovely. I paid for it later that night with the shoulder pain but was good the following day. (and I slept well that night too) Also stayed out of bed for the full day! 2 milestones!
“BLOG STARTS”
Thursday 10th September. Today I started writing this blog, please excuse if we go from past to present in my writing.
It’s been 33 days since my accident. Interesting also today I woke to find something standing on end in my pants. A good sign my little friend is back in the picture. A hard on – another mile stone??
“EYE-EYE”
(11/09/2015) Today was a day, I’ve been wanting to get to, but have also been dreading. The meeting with the eye specialist marks the first time I’ve seen anyone since the day after the crash where they really just quickly looked at me and moved onto my Head injury. Deep down inside I have known my eye sight is not improving. Google doctor had said up to 6 months recovery for my condition to improve but my doctors had said we should see some improvement in 5-8 weeks. There has been no improvement so when the specialist starting talking possible surgery in a few months I wasn’t too surprised. The real kick in the guts was the possible reality of not been able to drive if the head fracture doesn’t heal and they have to fuse. Apparently one eyed drivers with fuse necks have trouble seeing everything on the road... I get it and I’m reminded on the way home as a passenger just how hard it would be.
“SIXTH CRANIAL NERVE PALSY”
The following is quoted from “American Association for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus” and is what I have going on…
Sixth cranial nerve palsy is weakness of the nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle. The lateral rectus muscle pulls the eye away from the nose and when the lateral rectus muscle is weak, the eye crosses inward toward the nose (esotropia). The esotropia is larger on distance fixation and on gaze to the same side as the affected lateral rectus muscle.
What causes cranial nerve VI palsy?
The most common causes of 6th cranial nerve palsy are stroke, trauma, viral illness, brain tumour, inflammation, infection, migraine headache and elevated pressure inside the brain. The condition can be present at birth; however, the most common cause in children is trauma. In older persons, a small stroke is the most common cause. Sometimes the cause of the palsy is never determined despite extensive investigation.
The sixth cranial nerve has a long course from the brainstem to the lateral rectus muscle and depending on the location of the abnormality, other neurologic structures may be involved. Hearing loss, facial weakness, decreased facial sensation, droopy eyelid and/or abnormal eye movement can be associated, depending on the location of the lesion.
"Shoulder Pain"
Physio on the shoulder has stopped – at least I have stopped doing it – I am now trying to use it though for light duties, washing dishes, getting dressed and bathing among other things and have reframed from wearing the sling. I still think there is something wrong with it so I’m super careful. The pain is intense… I’m no cry baby and this thing is sore! We have a follow up meeting booked for Tuesday week. Will discuss getting an ultrasound with them if no improvement. Something is wrong, I’m sure.
12/09/2015 I seem to be stretching out my sleep periods. Last night I managed 11.00pm - 4.00am (6hrs) before having to get up to relax my shoulder. After 20minutes sitting on the couch I went back to bed and slept from 4.30am – 6.30. This is not far of what I would consider normal for me.
My shoulder which seemed to only relax whilst lying in bed a week ago now gives me pain whilst lying down? Not sure why but at least I’m up through the day and mildly pain free.
Top Photo - Out for a walk.
Middle Photo - At the eye specialist.
Bottom Photo - occipital condyle area.
What pain I do have I seem to be managing with Panadol and Nurofen only.
No more Voltaren – Another milestone!
I’m getting out and about with my wife and we have enjoyed a few lunches at our local café’s. The car trips are a pain and I try not to travel more the 20 minutes.
Zits seem to be finally settling down on my face – a little embarrassing as I’m now out and about but I suppose I can’t help people gawking. I think I would as well.
I’m still struggling with sleeping and seem to have 3 hour blocks... This seems to be my routine at week 4
Bed-time 10.30 pm if I can hold out.
Up around 1.30am move to couch.
Back to bed 3.30 wake wife to get me set up.
Up around 5.30am back to couch.
Back to bed around 7.30ish – up when I feel up to it (around 9ish)
Managed to walk 2.5kms today (9th) with my lovely. I paid for it later that night with the shoulder pain but was good the following day. (and I slept well that night too) Also stayed out of bed for the full day! 2 milestones!
“BLOG STARTS”
Thursday 10th September. Today I started writing this blog, please excuse if we go from past to present in my writing.
It’s been 33 days since my accident. Interesting also today I woke to find something standing on end in my pants. A good sign my little friend is back in the picture. A hard on – another mile stone??
“EYE-EYE”
(11/09/2015) Today was a day, I’ve been wanting to get to, but have also been dreading. The meeting with the eye specialist marks the first time I’ve seen anyone since the day after the crash where they really just quickly looked at me and moved onto my Head injury. Deep down inside I have known my eye sight is not improving. Google doctor had said up to 6 months recovery for my condition to improve but my doctors had said we should see some improvement in 5-8 weeks. There has been no improvement so when the specialist starting talking possible surgery in a few months I wasn’t too surprised. The real kick in the guts was the possible reality of not been able to drive if the head fracture doesn’t heal and they have to fuse. Apparently one eyed drivers with fuse necks have trouble seeing everything on the road... I get it and I’m reminded on the way home as a passenger just how hard it would be.
“SIXTH CRANIAL NERVE PALSY”
The following is quoted from “American Association for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus” and is what I have going on…
Sixth cranial nerve palsy is weakness of the nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle. The lateral rectus muscle pulls the eye away from the nose and when the lateral rectus muscle is weak, the eye crosses inward toward the nose (esotropia). The esotropia is larger on distance fixation and on gaze to the same side as the affected lateral rectus muscle.
What causes cranial nerve VI palsy?
The most common causes of 6th cranial nerve palsy are stroke, trauma, viral illness, brain tumour, inflammation, infection, migraine headache and elevated pressure inside the brain. The condition can be present at birth; however, the most common cause in children is trauma. In older persons, a small stroke is the most common cause. Sometimes the cause of the palsy is never determined despite extensive investigation.
The sixth cranial nerve has a long course from the brainstem to the lateral rectus muscle and depending on the location of the abnormality, other neurologic structures may be involved. Hearing loss, facial weakness, decreased facial sensation, droopy eyelid and/or abnormal eye movement can be associated, depending on the location of the lesion.
"Shoulder Pain"
Physio on the shoulder has stopped – at least I have stopped doing it – I am now trying to use it though for light duties, washing dishes, getting dressed and bathing among other things and have reframed from wearing the sling. I still think there is something wrong with it so I’m super careful. The pain is intense… I’m no cry baby and this thing is sore! We have a follow up meeting booked for Tuesday week. Will discuss getting an ultrasound with them if no improvement. Something is wrong, I’m sure.
12/09/2015 I seem to be stretching out my sleep periods. Last night I managed 11.00pm - 4.00am (6hrs) before having to get up to relax my shoulder. After 20minutes sitting on the couch I went back to bed and slept from 4.30am – 6.30. This is not far of what I would consider normal for me.
My shoulder which seemed to only relax whilst lying in bed a week ago now gives me pain whilst lying down? Not sure why but at least I’m up through the day and mildly pain free.
Top Photo - Out for a walk.
Middle Photo - At the eye specialist.
Bottom Photo - occipital condyle area.