Medical question

[Perez]

Sometime in mid December when I made a decision about joining the Civil Air Patrol, I started doing a number of exercises to help myself adjust to the various forms of PT and activities that the CAP preforms.(The include stretches,running,pushups,situps,pullups and -some- weight lifting,I'm very cautious about the weight lifting because I don't want to do any damage.) I actually enjoy all of it,especially the running.

So in early Febuary,a friend and I both joined the Brockton Composite Squadron in Massachusetts. I've been in for about two months now,and I absolutely love it. But
recently,I've developed an issue which I hope doesn't develop into anything serious.
Something feels tight behind my right shoulder blade(I've checked,and it's not a muscle.),it gets worse when I do any number of pushups,and my wrist is popping an awe full lot.
The main thing that bothers me is that my circulation in my whole right arm is way worse that my left arm's.

It actually feels cold(I think it may be something that's pinching/blocking from my internal artery to my ulnar artery.)  In the trailer where we have our weekly meetings,if the temperature drops below 40(It's usually 35 Fahrenheit.) My right three fingers will go completely white,and I lose circulation in them. This lasts for around fifteen minutes,and then the bloodflow returns to a complete normal. The flexibility in that arm is completely normal,and I have no problems with preforming any activities that require exertion.
I have no pain either,just lack of circulation :/

I see a chiropractor regularly,though she seems to be rather vague about what the problem could be. This has been going on for around a month now,and it's really starting to bother me Any advice or input would be appreciated.

C/AB Perez

[jimmydeanno]

Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician instead of the chiropractor.  From there, you'll probably get sent to a neurologist.

If you're seeing a chiropractor already, there is probably some other existing conditions that might be adding to your discomfort.  I don't think anyone is going to try to provide a medical diagnosis over the internet, ya know?

When I was 14, every time I'd stand up, the lower half of my body would go numb.  It felt like there was no circulation and felt cold.  I went to a primary care physician who told me I was fine.  I went to a chiropractor who told me that I could fix it with some physical therapy.  Then, I ended up at a neurologist that told me I had a few weeks to walk and had a spine fusion a few days later.

YMMV.

[Perez]

I do have an appointment for a physical scheduled in April. I was supposed to have a physical in december,but they kept on giving all sorts of excuses as to why they changed the date. (IE:"no,he doesn't have an appointment",or "no,that's his brother who has an appointment.") So I will take your advice and talk to him about it,hopefully I can get this resolved without too much trouble.

Oh,I probably should have included this in my first post.

I'm fifteen. 6ft,and I weight 155 Lbs,my father is from Guatemala and my mother is irish/english/french canadian.
The only real health condition that runs in the family that could affect that is Raynaud's syndrome. Though I have no history of it,and have no other circulation problems. My mother who has is,contracted it through an injury too.

My diet consists of many things,but I do keep myself balanced with plenty of greens,veggies,fruits,startches,meats and other things. I do occasionally eat junk food,but due to preference,not often. I also stay hydrated constantly.



My limit right now for pacing is

40 pushups

31-40 situps

one mile in 6:35-6:45

15 pullups pushing it

I forget what I passed for on the sit and reach. But as far as I know,almost my entire squadron passed with 38+

[ßτε]

I would suggest NOT waiting until your appointment in April, if at all possible. See if you can see the physician sooner. Make a special appointment for this issue.

I would also suggest that you stop putting so much of your personal details on a public forum.

[Strick]

get to the DOC as soon as can...........they only issue you one body you know.  Take it easy if you feel any discomfort stop the exercise until you defintely know whats going on.   Play it safe. You dont wan to aggravate the problem .


good luck

[Perez]

Alright, I just talked to my mom,and we're going to try and schedule an appointment.
I'm going to try and tone down any upper body exercises for a while,and do more stretching(safely of course) for my upper arms and back.

[Major Lord]

Cadet Perez,

First, congratulations on your dedication to physical fitness! We see lots of cadets who could not fight their way out of a wet paper bag. Good for you buddy!  The fact that you are experiencing some neuropathy (numbness or tingling in an extremity) should be checked out, but its most likely that you just went a little Gung Ho on working one muscle group to the exclusion of others. All of us who have been in training know that we can cause ourselves no end of grief ( and even permanent injury) by focusing too much on one technique or improper form while training. Your athletic performance for your age and grade are fine, its not worth permanent damage to push it. We see lots of kids who started becoming ortho-victims from pee-wee football and kept it up until they were broken shells of Senior Members.  ( I was told once that running with hand-weights was a really swell idea-sure is, if you are fond of steroid injections in your elbows and hours of agony!) Now while I have enormous respect for Chiropractic, the kind of things you are describing should be addressed by an actual MD, with training in sports medicine. A GP might be tempted to be a little dismissive of the types of symptoms you have brought up, and might be worried that you have been spending too much time on the internet looking up fun diseases ( Reynauds? Seriously? Waaayyy to much "House" dude!) Dial back the PT, see the proper Doc, and focus on the other aspects of your Cadet Training while you get the aches and pains sorted out. And tell your ^&(&^%%*% Squadron to buy a heater for Buddhas sake!

Major Lord
EMT, Etc.

[capchiro]

And if he has a pinched nerve in his neck, and needs an adjustment, the MD will be of no service whatever (oh, unless you call cervical surgery, steroid injections, or pain medications, a service)..  Let's not be disparaging professionals..  A Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to diagnose and to treat or refer as needed..

[JayT]

And if he has a pinched nerve in his neck, and needs an adjustment, the MD will be of no service whatever (oh, unless you call cervical surgery, steroid injections, or pain medications, a service)..  Let's not be disparaging professionals..  A Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to diagnose and to treat or refer as needed..

Who can recommand  the proper Chiropractic or Osteropathic Physician if needed. You say you don't want to be 'disparaging professions' right after you say, and I quote "oh, unless you call cervical surgery, steroid injections, or pain medications, a service."

Just because you have had an evidently bad experience with medicine at some point does not mean you should be directing your juniors to seek improper medicincal treatment because of it.

[capchiro]

I really, really wish you wouldn't use "improper medical treatment" when refering to my post.  My point is that if the cadet needs chiropractic care, he will best receive it from a chiropractor and not an MD.  Chiropractic care is less invasive and safer as a first alternative to the things I mentioned.  As I stated, Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to diagnose and treat or refer if neccesary the symptoms described by the cadet.  I could mention the number of failed back and neck surgeries I have seen and seen documented, but I won't.  I feel fairly comfortable speaking on this subject as I am and have had training as an EMT, Army Medic, Army EENT Specialist, Physicians Assistant, and as a Doctor of Chiropractic with certification in orthopedic and pediatrics..  (Oh, I also attended medical school for a while, but it wasn't my cup of tea)..

[Spike]

Get to the DOC tomorrow!!!!!  Have him recommend a CT/MRI lab that accepts your parents insurance.  Don't want to scare anyone, but more and more cancer cases are coming up where this Cadet lives, and if you search for pediatric cancers, his symptoms are of the two in particular most common to adolescents. 

[Major Lord]

Who disparaged Chiropractors? The only thing I said was that I had great respect for them. I go to one myself, but they can't fix or even diagnose every condition, and since our lad has not met with results, he should go to a Sports Medicine Doc...A doc who may very well send him back to a Chiropractor or DO. I have met a number of professionals who were Chiropractors first and later became MD's. Adjustments are great, but definitive surgical cures are pretty cool too. I am not going to go to an acupuncturist for a gunshot wound,and more lives are saved with surgery and steroids than hot packs. I like Sports Doc's precisely because they are open to non-surgical alternatives.

Major Lord

[tdepp]

C/AB Perez:

Probably TMI with some of the details for a public forum like this, particularly as a minor.  There are dirtbags who troll for this sort of information, looking for young victims.  So be careful.  Think OPSEC for your personal info online.

Besides all the others who have suggested you get in to see a medical professional (MD, DO, DC, etc.) (I've had good results with all three plus physician assistants and nurse practioners) sooner rather than later, there's always acute care or the ER if all else fails.  Your parents and your parents' insurance might not like it because of the higher cost than an office visit but if you are in pain and no one seems to know why, get things checked out.  We all want you safe, healthy and active.

[capchiro]

Major Lord, you are right, my apologies.  I react because I find so much dis-information being dissiminated.  The syptoms the cadet described have walked into my office with some regularity.  I examine, I do testing, I take x-rays and if need be, I send them out for MRI's or CT scans.  I have much more training in physical diagnosis than most GP's.  Musculoskeletal and neurological problems are my speciality.  I have working relationships with GP's, Ortho's, Neuro's, and Internal Specialist.  If it's something I can handle, I do.  If it needs more than I can do, I refer out.  I am a primary care specialist which means my door is open to everyone and I don't work on orders of other doctors.  If a patient comes in with cancer, I have a duty to diagnosis or get them refered to someone that can.  Chiropractoric malpractice insurance is very low because we do a lot of good and very little harm.  Not all DC's have the same level of traing or dedication that I do, but on the whole it's a noble and helping profession.  Thank you for the good words.     

[Major Lord]

Capchiro,

No apologies necessary at all my brother! I just wanted to make sure that nothing I said disparaged your fine art of medicine. I certainly believe that Chiros are generally much more finally attuned to conducting subtle neuro exams than many GP's, because its their primary diagnostic tool! I think its important now for a variety of reasons that our cadet in question gets his medical questions and problems resolved. Teenage life has enough pain without adding physical trauma!

Major Lord

[Perez]

Well,thanks for the help and advice everyone. I've been looking around more for some information related to the kind of problems I've been having,and have found a ton of similar cases,but nothing exact. I did find a number of shoulder joint stretches to try out,and those actually helped it right away, I can still feel a difference in the two arms,but it's not so pronounced. So I am going to go with both options, I plan on seeing my doctor soon,and I am also looking forwards to seeing my chiropractor. (Especially in areas such as pinched nerves/tendons,I've had great success in treating problems in the past.)


Major Lord:

Hehe, I don't enjoy unfounded paranoia,so I'm not trying to say that I have any serious conditions before I know what's what, I was merely stating something that's been confirmed in the past,and trying to go off of what information may be relevant. So I hope you don't think me rude or over-assuming for that.

Also, thanks for pointing that out,I'll tone down personal info as requested, I wasn't thinking from the perspective that anyone could read this when I wrote it :/

Oh,and spike,would you mind elaborating on what you have to say about cancer?

[tdepp]

Hehe, I don't enjoy unfounded paranoia,so I'm not trying to say that I have any serious conditions before I know what's what, I was merely stating something that's been confirmed in the past,and trying to go off of what information may be relevant. So I hope you don't think me rude or over-assuming for that.

C/AB Perez:

We're just happy to have you in CAP and hope you have a good experience and achieve everything you dream of doing.  Thanks for joining CAP and participating on the board here.

[Perez]

After looking around for a while,I'm almost certain it's this http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw007.htm I've got almost all the side effects listed. Though it doesn't seem like I have a serious case,so I'm going to look into non-surgical treatment.

[capchiro]

I don't want to discourage you from seeking medical care, but with cases like this, I have seen really good results with B-6 as mentioned in the article.  Only difference is that I recommend 500 milligrams a day instead of 100 milligrams.  Usually all symptoms are gone within 5-6 weeks.  This also works on carpal tunnel syndrome.  Vitamin B-6 is water soluble and any excess will be discharged with the urine.  Vitamin B-6 toxicity in this dosage range is virtually impossible, so it is safe.  Fat soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K.  One needs to use care with them..

[Perez]

So I'm icing it,taking vitamin B6,cutting back on exercises,and applying various essential oils. So far,it seems to be helping,I'm just hoping this won't be a repeat offender.

[jimmydeanno]

So I'm icing it,taking vitamin B6,cutting back on exercises,and applying various essential oils. So far,it seems to be helping,I'm just hoping this won't be a repeat offender.

There's always the possibility of injuries recurring.  However, you can reduce those chances by exercising with more education about how to do it correctly.

A great place to start would be the Cadet Physical Fitness Program Pamphlet.  I would pay particular attention to the portions covering stretching, warm-up and cool-down.

Also, remember that if it hurts, don't do it.  There is a difference between the soreness experienced after a good workout and actual pain and numbness.

Also, once you have your issue "solved" be careful to take the proper amount of time and don't over exert yourself, take it slow to get back into the routine.

[Major Lord]

Various essential oils? Have you tried Shaman healing rituals yet too? Witchcraft is not going to help your problem.

Major Lord

[jimmydeanno]

Various essential oils? Have you tried Shaman healing rituals yet too? Witchcraft is not going to help your problem.

Major Lord

Anything with Omega-3s has anti-inflammatory properties to it.  Olive Oil also shares this feature.  While the normal method is to consume the oils (food grade oils, I'd like to add) there is research that applying them topically can work, just like the OTC creams.

Ginger also has a great anti-inflammatory property to it.  I eat a bunch of it.

[tdepp]

Various essential oils?

Now I know my problem. Too many non-essential oils! 

[Spike]

Various essential oils?

Now I know my problem. Too many non-essential oils! 

Only those oils found in cakes, cookies and potato chips, right??   

[Fuzzy]

Motor Oil? JP-8?

[Perez]

"Various essential oils? Have you tried Shaman healing rituals yet too? Witchcraft is not going to help your problem."

Haha! Na,that's not what I was referring to,I don't roll that way.
the term "Essential oils" is pretty much a slang to refer to natural oils such as lavender,lemongrass,majorim,frankincense,and various other usefull non-potatochip oils.

[Major Lord]

I knew what you meant. These are basically the volatile oils used in aromatherapy and other new-age pseudo-science, "medicine" . There is no evidence  that these things are absorbed through the skin, and that even if they are, that  they have any therapeutic value beyond the massage used to apply them. ( They are absorbed primarily through inhalation when used as topicals, as far as anyone can tell) You might consider a poultice made of armidilla' spit and mandrake root, which I am sure will be just as effective.....

Seriously, there are people in jail for trying to sell these things as medicine. We have real medicine, no need to go to the soothsayers, conjurers, and multi-level marketers!

Major Lord
Skeptic

[Perez]

Not trying to clash with anyone,and I do understand that you're trying to make sure I don't make any bad decisions,and I appreciate your concern, but I'm not attempting to research any new age medicines,or strange sorcery of any kind. This isn't some new pitch I've recently taken a liking to. These are merely natural supplements that have been tried and tested just as much as any other drug,or antibiotic(which I am not against.)

Our family has found them useful in treating a range of minor and mild illnesses and various other maladies,spanning from headaches to the common cold. So as stated above, I don't want to challenge,or attempt to defy anyone's reasoning. I am merely using what I find works efficiently.

Best regards.

[Major Lord]

If it works for you, all power to you. I am going to go have some eye of newt and tongue of frog with a nice Napa Fume' Blanc...It cures the vapors well....


Major Lord

[tdepp]

If it works for you, all power to you. I am going to go have some eye of newt and tongue of frog with a nice Napa Fume' Blanc...It cures the vapors well....


Major Lord

And also relieves consumption!

[Spike]

I knew what you meant. These are basically the volatile oils used in aromatherapy and other new-age pseudo-science, "medicine" . There is no evidence  that these things are absorbed through the skin, and that even if they are, that  they have any therapeutic value beyond the massage used to apply them. ( They are absorbed primarily through inhalation when used as topicals, as far as anyone can tell) You might consider a poultice made of armidilla' spit and mandrake root, which I am sure will be just as effective.....

Seriously, there are people in jail for trying to sell these things as medicine. We have real medicine, no need to go to the soothsayers, conjurers, and multi-level marketers!

Major Lord
Skeptic

Where did pharmaceutical drugs come from?  Almost all prescription medications today are derived from plant, animal and mineral sources.  Aspirin is a very good example.  Ancient humans used aspirin in its natural form before "Companies" found a way to make some serious CASH off of it.

Almost all Cancer drugs are plant or nature based in their original form.  Science takes these plants, gets the cell killing material and concentrates it into a dose that is beneficial to us.

We can learn much from ancient humans and Native peoples of all lands in regard to medicine.  There are "natural remedies" for most common ailments, yet we spend tons of cash on the same item because it has been package in a pretty box and is called "Alka-Seltzer".  The Romans drank sodium-bicarbonate for the same ailments we have today, yet paid very little if any for it!

As far as drugs being transported through the skin....you better believe they can be.  Everything small enough to fit can go through our skin.  Ibuprofen in gel form actually works better than popping a pill, when the gel is applied to the skin in the area of the pain.

[mynetdude]

I knew what you meant. These are basically the volatile oils used in aromatherapy and other new-age pseudo-science, "medicine" . There is no evidence  that these things are absorbed through the skin, and that even if they are, that  they have any therapeutic value beyond the massage used to apply them. ( They are absorbed primarily through inhalation when used as topicals, as far as anyone can tell) You might consider a poultice made of armidilla' spit and mandrake root, which I am sure will be just as effective.....

Seriously, there are people in jail for trying to sell these things as medicine. We have real medicine, no need to go to the soothsayers, conjurers, and multi-level marketers!

Major Lord
Skeptic

Where did pharmaceutical drugs come from?  Almost all prescription medications today are derived from plant, animal and mineral sources.  Aspirin is a very good example.  Ancient humans used aspirin in its natural form before "Companies" found a way to make some serious CASH off of it.

Almost all Cancer drugs are plant or nature based in their original form.  Science takes these plants, gets the cell killing material and concentrates it into a dose that is beneficial to us.

We can learn much from ancient humans and Native peoples of all lands in regard to medicine.  There are "natural remedies" for most common ailments, yet we spend tons of cash on the same item because it has been package in a pretty box and is called "Alka-Seltzer".  The Romans drank sodium-bicarbonate for the same ailments we have today, yet paid very little if any for it!

As far as drugs being transported through the skin....you better believe they can be.  Everything small enough to fit can go through our skin.  Ibuprofen in gel form actually works better than popping a pill, when the gel is applied to the skin in the area of the pain.

didn't know ibuprofen is available in gel form (no wonder I don't get any satisfaction from ibuprofen pills). Lots of good info here, I too have discomfort with numbness and some pain (nothing what this cadet has though) doc told me I have B-12 deficiency (and oh my gosh! There's SEVERAL different variants of B-12 and I have yet to figure out which one is just b-12!)

B-6 is water soluble? hmm gotta be careful with Vitamin As and Bs and Cs it looks like.

Also weight reduction (for me) will also reduce some of the issues I am having as well.

[Major Lord]

Spike,

Yes, many drugs can be absorbed transdermally, and its no secret that many drugs are organic, or synthesized versions of organic substances. The volatile oils used in aromatherapy have been shown in studies to be primarily passed by inhalation, not transdermal absorbtion. The ancients also cut off the heads of people to let out bad juju ( which may have some merit, considering....) but I don't think that their ancient wisdom can be shown in all cases to have medical benefits. It is interesting to see some of the ancient medicines and techniques being rediscovered. "Sugaring" of wounds, ( treating infected woulds with sugar) Leeches ( for removing extracellular fluids in reimplanted digits, etc.) Maggotts and tiny little fish for debriding necrotic tissues, etc.

Major Lord