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Medical question

Started by Perez, March 12, 2010, 04:20:26 PM

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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
Train hard, train smart, and love life.

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.
If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law. - Winston Churchill

Perez

#2
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+
Train hard, train smart, and love life.

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
[darn]atio memoriae

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.
Train hard, train smart, and love life.

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.
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

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..
Lt. Col. Harry E. Siegrist III, CAP
Commander
Sweetwater Comp. Sqdn.
GA154

JayT

Quote from: capchiro on March 12, 2010, 08:33:47 PM
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.
"Eagerness and thrill seeking in others' misery is psychologically corrosive, and is also rampant in EMS. It's a natural danger of the job. It will be something to keep under control, something to fight against."

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)..
Lt. Col. Harry E. Siegrist III, CAP
Commander
Sweetwater Comp. Sqdn.
GA154

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
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

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.
Todd D. Epp, LL.M., Capt, CAP
Sioux Falls Composite Squadron Deputy Commander for Seniors
SD Wing Public Affairs Officer
Wing website: http://sdcap.us    Squadron website: http://www.siouxfallscap.com
Author of "This Day in Civil Air Patrol History" @ http://caphistory.blogspot.com

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.     
Lt. Col. Harry E. Siegrist III, CAP
Commander
Sweetwater Comp. Sqdn.
GA154

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
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

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?
Train hard, train smart, and love life.

tdepp

Quote

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.
Todd D. Epp, LL.M., Capt, CAP
Sioux Falls Composite Squadron Deputy Commander for Seniors
SD Wing Public Affairs Officer
Wing website: http://sdcap.us    Squadron website: http://www.siouxfallscap.com
Author of "This Day in Civil Air Patrol History" @ http://caphistory.blogspot.com

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.
Train hard, train smart, and love life.

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..
Lt. Col. Harry E. Siegrist III, CAP
Commander
Sweetwater Comp. Sqdn.
GA154

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.
Train hard, train smart, and love life.