Tyrannosaurus Arms

[dr_pretentious]

"This is my range of motion," I said, first to my excellent chiropractor who was willing to see me as a walk-in, then some hours later to the nurse who'd squeezed me in for an appointment, and then to the doctor. And I'd demonstrate the low circumscribed arc in which I can move my arms. It put me in mind of nothing so much as the tyrannosaurus rex figures in dioramas at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum.

And if I try to move my arms anywhere outside that low circumscribed arc, lightning strikes my neck and shoots down to my fingertips. It's, ah, vexing. Now I know my efforts to stop swearing in front of the baby have really settled into deep habit.

The chiropractor said, "Oh, yeah, this kind of pinched nerve usually happens to people who spend a lot of time carrying babies. In a few sessions we'll have it mostly cleared up, and your son's almost walking on his own, so you'll be fine by his birthday."

The M.D. spent 45 minutes chasing a red herring, asking lots of questions that clearly indicated she thought I'd had a stroke. But she didn't want to admit she suspected a stroke until after she'd finally ruled it out. She sent me home with a prescription for a drug that's incompatible with nursing my son, and a prescription for an MRI in case my neck vertebrae are disintegrating. Whatever. Good thing for her I'm not a tyrannosaurus.

Thursday I have too many follow-up appointments, so it looks like I may not be registering voters that afternoon after all. Damn and blast. Instead, I'll be finding out what a cross-section of my spine looks like these days. And if still I feel then like I do today, I fully intend to be doped to the gills on percocet, which is maybe not the best condition in which to be importuning unregistered voters.

Meanwhile, all my thanks to tracyandrook, who is coming to save my ass tomorrow, since I can neither pick up the baby nor drive.

Comments

[kistha.livejournal.com]

Feel better soon!

[red-haired-girl.livejournal.com]

I have some good PT stuff for that. Yeah, the doc I had was trying to track down everything from a heart attack, to other major shit. The PT, just massaged me, and made me do exercises, and all was well.

[red-haired-girl.livejournal.com]

Sorry - I was getting at, I'll try and find you stuff, and send it to you, if you want.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Rats. Thank goodness for the chiropractor. And blessings heaped on Tracy the Merciful.

You might also want

[amushink.livejournal.com]

to get on Ebay and look at various kinds of baby carriers. I know the time is almost past, but I had a hip-carrier that helped my aching arms a bit, and my friend swears by her baby backpack. You know you're going to keep carrying him because that's what primates DO, so you might as well get some equipment to help you do it comfortably.

[citabria]

Yeow, I hope the chiropractor helps. I *really* hope it helps, or that your doc also sends you to PT (if she does, I have a recommendation for you). I'm incapable of saying much beyond an additional "yipes!"

[violet-moon25.livejournal.com]

If you want the hip hammock to use you are welcome to it. It does put some weight on one shoulder but puts a lot on the hips as well. I liked that you can hold the baby very securely with 1 arm and have a really free hand. I used a lot when Andrew was 9-18 months and it will be a while until I have one that size again.

Thank goodness for chiropracters.

[(Anonymous)]

owww... Sorry Sarah! :( May your chiro be right, and your MD full of it.

[jaime-sama.livejournal.com]

Oops, that was me, forgot to log into LJ.

[oaktavia.livejournal.com]

okay - I must have a sick sense of humor...
all I could think of was the dinosaur on "Meet the Robinsons"
that said something like: 'because I have small arms & a big head' (it was a while ago that I saw it, I can't remember the exact quote - Tabitha would know it, but she's out right now)

{{{hugs!!!}}
hope the chiropractor can help!!

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

Looks like I'm going to do some time in PT, myself. Thank you, though.

Re: You might also want

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

I'm fond of my Moby Wrap, but the weather's been so hot. Now that things are finally cooling down, the idea of wearing basically another layer all over my torso is going to be much more appealing.

He walked four consecutive steps today without falling or supporting himself with his hands. I'm really looking forward to his not needing to be carried quite so much.

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

Next time we get together I'd like to give it a try. Are we still on for the 13th?