Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[Ken Morgan]

It’s kind of a drag (pun dern sure intended) that I start each time after an extended quit session...but this time has to be the final stab at it. At least now I’ll have something else to blame besides my personality for being - brusque- at times

 

[spankdaplank]

My 78 year old sister quit smoking 30+ years ago. She told me that if she ever found out she had a terminal illness, the first thing she would do would be to buy a carton of cigarettes.

 

[Spidey2112]

Well...this is gonna be a ride: after getting nagged by everyone involved in the medical profession in this part of the state, the decision has been made to become a non smoker come Monday morning.

Done it several times before...longest spell 5 years...just never stuck...if I don’t do this now, said docs, et al, tell me I may not have 5 years left, so...

Break out the carrot sticks

I wish you luck, my friend... I never smoked, but Mom did... she quit, lasting several years afterwards, and I still think 'it' got her, rest her soul... stay strong, and do the best you can...

 

[fnordlyone]

Good thing then...we see javelinas all over the place, even wandering into town during droughts. Mean things. The only animal I ever shot was a javelina hog decades ago...shot him with a .22 pistol in the shoulder. All it did was piss him off. He chased me and another guy up a tree where we stayed until the boar got bored and finally left., about 3 hrs we reckon.

 

[fnordlyone]

Never bring just a .22 pistol to a hog fight. Double barrel shotgun loaded with buckshot... maybe, but you're still getting too close to the monster. Use a rifle from your roof; now you're getting somewhere. Not that I'd know, I quit hunting when I was 12-- trying to hit doves with a 410... not worth the trouble.
Atari and Stephen King novels kept me inside mostly,
f!

 

[BadExample]

This sucks. My right hand is getting tingly to numb for a week now. Thumb goes almost full numb and the tip of my index finger tingles a lot. Driving and computer use aggravates it. Tried to practice a few nights ago and couldn't use my index finger to pluck. Don't pervert that, Ken, I said pluck, not the word that rhymes with it. So I've been using an inversion table trying to get some pressure off my back's disks and then neck traction at 12 to 13 pounds. Helps a little, for a little while.

There's a bright side. Tonight doing the traction, I discovered a new good way to experience severe pain. It's a real PITA to setup alone. Got to get the harness on my head in such a way that it doesn't slip or make me tense, negating the effects of traction, then hang a bag with 12 or 13# of water on the door mounted pulley. I added one of those parachute or mountain climbing clips to the gizmo so I could add the water bag with one hand. You know, the gizmo people use for their keys now. When you open the clip, it exposes a very, very dull pointed end. Well, I got the harness on and adjusted, picked up the water bag from the chair to hook it on the clip, I have my hand on the rope, holding tension on the harness or it will go all wrong, start to clip the bag on, and the SOB slips and I try to grab it with the hand holding the tension on the rope. That dull pointed end of the clip commenced to dig into the underside of the tip of my left ring finger, like an old horse drawn plow on hard soil. Egads! That hurts. Cut about a 1/2" gash, something between a cut and a puncture wound. Peroxided and wrapped it well, then went back to the gallows and finished the job. Yesterday the relief was decent, tonight, only maybe 10% relief. Pain radiates from my arm betweent he elbow and shoulder, up the right side of my neck to the base of my skull, then down my back across the shoulder blade.

I fear I'll have to go back for a round of steroid injections in the neck and back and maybe go back on the pain meds. If this keeps up, I might discuss disability claims with the doctors... or bite the bullet and get some bionic disks installed. I really don't like any of those options.

 

[agedhorse]

Jesus Christ BadExample, we really don't want to see you on the national news over this man!

 

[spankdaplank]

And to any youngsters out there, things like this are the main reason why we're GRUMPY.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Dude...just, just, just...

Damn

 

[donhank]

I still don't know why, how, or what happened to me . . . but I woke up one day 25+ years ago and I didn't first light a cigarette. That streak still continues. Of course I still play bass !!

 

[ric426]

This sucks. My right hand is getting tingly to numb for a week now. Thumb goes almost full numb and the tip of my index finger tingles a lot. Yesterday the relief was decent, tonight, only maybe 10% relief. Pain radiates from my arm betweent he elbow and shoulder, up the right side of my neck to the base of my skull, then down my back across the shoulder blade...

I fear I'll have to go back for a round of steroid injections in the neck and back and maybe go back on the pain meds. If this keeps up, I might discuss disability claims with the doctors... or bite the bullet and get some bionic disks installed. I really don't like any of those options.

Oh man, you have my sympathies. I've been down that road and I know that pain all to well. I've had two neck surgeries, the second one to fuse three vertebrae together. Now instead of C4, C5 & C6, I have a C15, but no more nerve pain, just some arthritic soreness in my neck. That would have still happened without the neck surgery.
I tried the water bag traction with limited success and a lot of hassle. I wound up getting an older version of this:
https://www.amazon.com/Model-Comfortract-Home-Cervical-Traction/dp/B001UL7FJ2
They're not cheap, but it was worth it. If you can get a doctor to prescribe one you may be able to get it covered if you have insurance. This model looks more comfortable than mine. These wouldn't do much spinal traction below the neck, but if you're getting hand and arm sensations, that part of it is almost certainly cervical.
I sure hope you find relief. I feel for ya.

 

[BadExample]

Jesus Christ BadExample, we really don't want to see you on the national news over this man!

It's the beard and hair, I get confused with JC all the time, but I'm no where near his level! Not famous enough to make national news and I am not touching IT during the traction process.

 

[BadExample]

Oh man, you have my sympathies. I've been down that road and I know that pain all to well. I've had two neck surgeries, the second one to fuse three vertebrae together. Now instead of C4, C5 & C6, I have a C15, but no more nerve pain, just some arthritic soreness in my neck. That would have still happened without the neck surgery.
I tried the water bag traction with limited success and a lot of hassle. I wound up getting an older version of this:
https://www.amazon.com/Model-Comfortract-Home-Cervical-Traction/dp/B001UL7FJ2
They're not cheap, but it was worth it. If you can get a doctor to prescribe one you may be able to get it covered if you have insurance. This model looks more comfortable than mine. These wouldn't do much spinal traction below the neck, but if you're getting hand and arm sensations, that part of it is almost certainly cervical.
I sure hope you find relief. I feel for ya.

Thanks ric426. I have a TENS things too. My physical therapist thinks I should get a 4 probe model. Instructions say not to put it on your head. What wrong with a little DIY electroshock therapy?

 

[Al Kraft]

Thanks ric426. I have a TENS things too. My physical therapist thinks I should get a 4 probe model. Instructions say not to put it on your head. What wrong with a little DIY electroshock therapy?

A good chiropractor can do some incredible things - and they have some super cool machines. Not sure if you've tried that route, but I'm a believer today even though I grew up thinking they were little more than hands-on witch doctors.

 

[Ken Morgan]

About 22,000 yrs ago, I was wearing a TENS when I got called to fill in 6 string for a buddy at his house gig who had taken ill...so I show up with trust Telecaster in hand, and lo and behold there is the most gawd awful racket emanating from the provided amp...

Forgotten had the TENS on and running on low...the 4 electrodes present interesting problems with inherently noisy single coil pickups...

Just in case you needed to know that. Hope you get better soon.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Jon you know that all my dirty thoughts and best wishes are with you. If the wishes don’t help perhaps the dirty thoughts will give you a smile!

Be well soon my friend!

 

[BassmanPaul]

As for me I’m playing tonight. Just loaded the Jeep and I can get the drums in too. This means I have company on the road trip. The gig is in Bolton about and hours drive away.

 

[Al Kraft]

As for me I’m playing tonight. Just loaded the Jeep and I can get the drums in too. This means I have company on the road trip. The gig is in Bolton about and hours drive away.

Safe travels and have a good gig!

 

[BassmanPaul]

Jon, just imagine our Ken with TENS running attached to the affected parts chasing after lusty, willing wenches in his movie heyday.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I foo suggest that a good Chiropractor can work wonders. We here see a lady whom we have become friends with. She has magic in her hands. We are invited to dinner at her place on Christmas Eve.

Thanks for the good wishes Al. I’ll try and do you all proud.