Numb and Purple Hands (also, are doctors scumbags?) :-)

[Brillionaire]

Dr. Steve,

Before I begin, I would like to thank you for offering up your services on RonFez.net. You are a true buddy for donating your time and service.

I have had a compilation of ailments over the last several years that has drastically hindered my ability to personally evolve. I have exhausted the conventional route of using Primary Care Physicians (PCP) and specialty doctors. My blood work has always come back negative, sometimes, much to my dismay (I know its awful to want something to be wrong with me but it must be so liberating to point a finger at the culprit and push the blame off on something more tangible ie Fez w/ his "aspergers").

Every doctor I gladly donate a co-pay to see assures me that I am merely depressed and it can all be solved by taking one small capsule 1-2x daily (tried everything up to MAOI and Electro Shock Therapy, I quickly refused both, but to no avail). I have tried to explain to all of them that any psychological issues I may or may not have are derived from whatever is physically tormenting me (the old: "Which came first? The chicken or the egg?" (the egg... interspecies mingling)).

The only avenue that showed any explanation as to what was wrong with me was a positive test for Sleep Apnea (tested positive for moderate sleep apnea (25/hr give or take)). I had surgery for the apneaic events (the more aggressive approach) during which they scoped any obstructive tissue in my nasal cavity (turbinates), reset my septum, removed my tonsils and reconfigured my soft palate. Surgery alone did not fix the issue and I have since used a CPAP and BiPAP machine, which both left me feeling bloated in the morning (I am guessing that I swallow a lot of air in the midst of my slumber) and neither improved my overall quality of sleep.

I have since been pondering explanations as to why I can't obtain restful sleep. I came to the conclusion that most of my issues may be caused by poor posture/muscle instability. It may sound dismissible, but while under the influence of "external enlightenment" (during which I am completely relaxed), I noticed that I am inclined to be hunched over more so than when I am sober. If my posture is awful when I am fully conscious and aware of it, it must be that much worse when I am sleeping on a spring mattress that has become concave towards the center after years of use (further increasing the curvature of my spine). This increased curvature of the spine may be encroaching on the available volume of my upper torso (heart and lung capacity) since my lower ribs tend to dig further into my abdomen when I slouch. If this is true, my lungs and heart simply won't be able to fully oxygenate my blood to provide the most efficient circulatory capability, due to restricted chest cavity volume. I also think that this increased pressure in my upper torso may be compressing my innards towards my neck, which may be limiting blood flow to my limbs and brain (this would explain why my hands are normally a purplish blue color and have an overwhelming numbness and why my head feels like it is stuffed with cotton sometimes).

Having worked a blue collar job my dad in his wood shop since I was 14, I have had the misfortune of doing some of the most grueling work for over 10 years now. A combination of heavy lifting, repetition and poor form are now the culprits for all of my discomfort. I could not even muster a guess as to how many tens of thousands of linear feet of material I have hand sanded or machine sanded ("machine sanding" implies that I am feeding square material into an "edge sander" during which I essentially force the push up motion (working the pectorals and biceps) while clenching my torso and pivoting from right to left (working mainly my right "abs") over the years. A clear distinction in muscle tone from the right side (hand of choice) to the left side of my body, as well as from front to back (front being more formidable than the back), has been noted over the years. I believe I am inclined to hunch over because my pectoral and abdominal muscles are far superior to my back muscles. I have consciously tried to keep my posture upright and proper for about a year and a half now. I can honestly say that I have noticed some improvement in my overall mood and well-being (not nearly what I would like).

This post has become more expansive than I originally thought it might, but I feel it is necessary so that the most vivid picture can be painted...

Now for the questions at hand: Have my years of training in logic served me correctly with my own personal prognosis? Could poor posture/muscle instability be the culprit for pain for so many hard working people in the world (seeing how the spine is the direct impetus for sensation to the brain and the brain is actually "you" with your body being a vehicle for "you") ? If so, what is the best action to take to fix this ailment? Could physical therapy be used to jump start rehabilitation followed by a daily regimen of yoga/calistheniscs to keep my muscles in equilibrium, thus forcing correct posture, blood flow and overall well-being?

Years of mental masturbation on this issue has left me questioning the entire health care system and its legitimacy. I would be better off counting how many times I have been in a doctor's office when there were not 2-3 drug reps pedaling pills than I would be remembering how many times I have seen well dressed reps driving mid to upper range cars selling their swag to doctors while I was sitting in the waiting room. Has this "profession" of civil service become just another business for able minded individuals to pick up a hefty check? My experience, unfortunately, has led me to believe just that.

Thank you for your time reading this.
Please prove me wrong.

Regards,
Brillionaire

[Dr Steve]

Dr. Steve,

Before I begin, I would like to thank you for offering up your services on RonFez.net. You are a true buddy for donating your time and service.

Happy to pitch in, brill...it's fun for me and keeps my mind sharp.



I have had a compilation of ailments over the last several years that has drastically hindered my ability to personally evolve. I have exhausted the conventional route of using Primary Care Physicians (PCP) and specialty doctors. My blood work has always come back negative, sometimes, much to my dismay (I know its awful to want something to be wrong with me but it must be so liberating to point a finger at the culprit and push the blame off on something more tangible ie Fez w/ his "aspergers").


No I totally understand. I had panic syndrome about 25 years ago and I was desperate to be told that there was something tangible wrong with me. I had every test in the book, but finally had to come to the realization that I was having physical symptoms from a mental problem. (I'm not reading ahead, I'm answering this as I come to it, so I don't know if this applies to you or not, by the way). so your desire for a diagnosis is understood, at least by me.


Every doctor I gladly donate a co-pay to see assures me that I am merely depressed and it can all be solved by taking one small capsule 1-2x daily (tried everything up to MAOI and Electro Shock Therapy, I quickly refused both, but to no avail). I have tried to explain to all of them that any psychological issues I may or may not have are derived from whatever is physically tormenting me (the old: "Which came first? The chicken or the egg?" (the egg... interspecies mingling)).

yes! depression and anxiety can cause physical symptoms, but prolonged physical symptoms from an undiagnosed illness will cause...depression and anxiety! It's a tough one.

The only avenue that showed any explanation as to what was wrong with me was a positive test for Sleep Apnea (tested positive for moderate sleep apnea (25/hr give or take)). I had surgery for the apneaic events (the more aggressive approach) during which they scoped any obstructive tissue in my nasal cavity (turbinates), reset my septum, removed my tonsils and reconfigured my soft palate. Surgery alone did not fix the issue and I have since used a CPAP and BiPAP machine, which both left me feeling bloated in the morning (I am guessing that I swallow a lot of air in the midst of my slumber) and neither improved my overall quality of sleep.

hmmm...I would definitely talk to a sleep specialist about this. there are ways around the air-swallowing (aerophagia) and fiddling with the settings should provide better sleep. It may be that an AUTO-TITRATION machine would provide you with some relief...these set themselves depending on the resistance to flow, so it constantly readjusts itself.


I have since been pondering explanations as to why I can't obtain restful sleep. I came to the conclusion that most of my issues may be caused by poor posture/muscle instability. It may sound dismissible, but while under the influence of "external enlightenment" (during which I am completely relaxed), I noticed that I am inclined to be hunched over more so than when I am sober. If my posture is awful when I am fully conscious and aware of it, it must be that much worse when I am sleeping on a spring mattress that has become concave towards the center after years of use (further increasing the curvature of my spine). This increased curvature of the spine may be encroaching on the available volume of my upper torso (heart and lung capacity) since my lower ribs tend to dig further into my abdomen when I slouch. If this is true, my lungs and heart simply won't be able to fully oxygenate my blood to provide the most efficient circulatory capability, due to restricted chest cavity volume.

This is a very sound theory, but the amount of curvature would have to be extreme to cause such a dramatic effect.


I also think that this increased pressure in my upper torso may be compressing my innards towards my neck, which may be limiting blood flow to my limbs and brain (this would explain why my hands are normally a purplish blue color and have an overwhelming numbness and why my head feels like it is stuffed with cotton sometimes).

hmmmm...I'm a little concerned about the purple/numb hands. Purple makes me think of a circulatory problem, while numb leads me in a direction of possible nerve problems. I'd have to see you myself to figure out where to start. Any decent primary care provider can do the workup for numb hands or purple hands (or both).



Having worked a blue collar job my dad in his wood shop since I was 14, I have had the misfortune of doing some of the most grueling work for over 10 years now. A combination of heavy lifting, repetition and poor form are now the culprits for all of my discomfort. I could not even muster a guess as to how many tens of thousands of linear feet of material I have hand sanded or machine sanded ("machine sanding" implies that I am feeding square material into an "edge sander" during which I essentially force the push up motion (working the pectorals and biceps) while clenching my torso and pivoting from right to left (working mainly my right "abs") over the years. A clear distinction in muscle tone from the right side (hand of choice) to the left side of my body, as well as from front to back (front being more formidable than the back), has been noted over the years. I believe I am inclined to hunch over because my pectoral and abdominal muscles are far superior to my back muscles. I have consciously tried to keep my posture upright and proper for about a year and a half now. I can honestly say that I have noticed some improvement in my overall mood and well-being (not nearly what I would like)

Absolutely, I think you're on to something. Our bodies were made to run away from sabertooth tigers and to hunt/gather and do lots of different activities during any given day, NOT to do repetitive motion day in day out year after year. Now that I think of it, your numb hands could be simply due to carpal and/or cubital tunnel syndromes. Again, these should be pretty easy to dope out and correct.


This post has become more expansive than I originally thought it might, but I feel it is necessary so that the most vivid picture can be painted...

Most vivid, my friend. :smile:

Now for the questions at hand: Have my years of training in logic served me correctly with my own personal prognosis? Could poor posture/muscle instability be the culprit for pain for so many hard working people in the world (seeing how the spine is the direct impetus for sensation to the brain and the brain is actually "you" with your body being a vehicle for "you") ? If so, what is the best action to take to fix this ailment? Could physical therapy be used to jump start rehabilitation followed by a daily regimen of yoga/calistheniscs to keep my muscles in equilibrium, thus forcing correct posture, blood flow and overall well-being?

I think if your body is out of balance, your mind will follow (you can't really separate mind from body, you know, well, not easily). You know, if your primary care providers come up with nothing, I wonder if a trip to a good chiropractor might not be useful for you. Some physical therapy wouldn't hurt either, to get that posture straightened out. Acupuncture with a school-trained acupuncturist may even give you some relief. I've found that when allopathic medicine (the kind of doctor I am, and most western doctors are) fails, trying a different discipline may be worth a try. I'll be the first to admit that we don't have all the answers. Most of the answers we DO have we can back up with scientific data, but there are tons of things we don't have a clue about yet.



Years of mental masturbation on this issue has left me questioning the entire health care system and its legitimacy. I would be better off counting how many times I have been in a doctor's office when there were not 2-3 drug reps pedaling pills than I would be remembering how many times I have seen well dressed reps driving mid to upper range cars selling their swag to doctors while I was sitting in the waiting room. Has this "profession" of civil service become just another business for able minded individuals to pick up a hefty check? My experience, unfortunately, has led me to believe just that.


Honestly, there are a few out there who do it for the check, but the docs I know are honest, caring people who worked fucking hard (4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 3-7 years of residency/fellowship) to learn how to competently help people and practice medicine. If I had gone to a different kind of school (law, business) for 11 years I would be making 3 times what I'm making now.

The drug reps are another story, but I'll recuse myself from that argument because I'm married to one and my bias will show (or I'll try to go to far the other way to show I'm not biased, either way it won't be a perfectly honest answer).


Thank you for your time reading this.
Please prove me wrong.

prove you wrong about your diagnosis? or that doctors are money grubbing pigs? :smile: