Chronic Pain And Computing

It is important for pain sufferers to practice safe computing. Using your computer with improper posture, incorrect keyboard and monitor setup, or even the wrong type of chair, can cause pain and stress to anyone, especially a chronic pain sufferer. If you are a chronic pain sufferer and a blogger it is especially important to make sure that your blogging does not contribute to your torment.

Everyone should make their work setting as comfortable as possible. Many times our bodies will trick us, make us feel like we are comfortable, when we really are not. This is why computer users get sore necks, back pain, eye strain, and carpel tunnel. These things can take time to develop in normal people, but suffering from chronic pain is anything but normal.


Stick with me, for the next five posts (Subscribing is good too!), as I share some of the keys to shaping a pain free computing environment.

Most of us buy our computer furniture based on price or looks, but not ergonomics. It's important to remember that standard furniture cannot accommodate the needs of everyone. If you are taller, you may need to have your work surface raised somewhat; a shorter person may need a footrest.

The desktop work surface should have a matte finish to minimize glare or reflections. The area beneath the desk should be clean and tidy to provide the user’s legs with plenty of room and allow for stretching. If a fixed-height desk is used, add a keyboard tray that adjusts vertically to provide added adaptability.

If you share the work area with others, go ahead and spring for adjustable furniture.
The pain you save may be your own.

Migriaine: Safe Exercise for Migraine Sufferers

Many of us, who suffer from migraines are not able to, or choose to avoid aerobic exercise because of the fear that physical activity may bring on a serious migraine attack. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, say they have developed an exercise program that can improve fitness without aggravating the migraine condition.

"We could see that those who participated in the study were much fitter after the training period, since their ability to absorb oxygen increased considerably," says physiotherapist Emma Varkey, one of the researchers behind the study.

The program involves using an exercise bike under the guidance of a physiotherapist. A low impact ride on a stationary bicycle allows the migraineur to exercise in a way that increases oxygen intake, and burns calories without necessarily initiating a migraine.

Personally, I believe that a slow ride in the park (and maybe memory lane?) maybe just what the doctor ordered. But, if you are light sensitive, a stationary bike would allow you to get the same amount of exercise in a low light environment. Turn on the fan and feel the wind in your hair ;?)

-- Andy

Migraine: It Runs In the Family

It has been a tough week. I have been beaten upon by the migraine monster since early Sunday morning. This morning I woke up in pain, but as the day has progressed I've been left with the hangover.

In addition to my in uneventful loss of a week, my oldest daughter spent her week being poked and prodded in an attempt to diagnose her headaches. In January she had four wisdom teeth removed. Since, she has had an onslaught of headaches that are almost certainly a type of migraine. This week saw her getting blood work, a CT scan, and an EEG.

Since many migraine experts say that migraines are hereditary, the odds are not in her favor for these occurances to be isolated. My hope is that her headaches will be short-lived. If they are not, I'm hopeful that my experiences can at least help to find a way to manage her monster.

-- Andy

Migraine: 5 Things I Dislike About Walmart

There are more than 5 things that I hate about shopping in stores, or in the mall. Or, more often than I care to think about, Walmart.

"Walmart-itus" is what my family calls this aversion. Yes, I could shop somewhere else, but I know that I won't because "I am Lazy". It's on the way to... everywhere I go. So for the sake of convenience, I put up with the potential triggers and well thought out and marketed layout to get my daily essentials.

Here are 5 reasons I dislike shopping at Walmart, in no particular order. You may have some of your own that should be added to this list.

1. The lighting. The fact that it is fluorescent is bad enough, but they use too much lighting.
Even my non-migraine friends dislike the lighting in these stores.

2. The new layout. I've been in three different stores that recently remodeled. Each one of them has a very similar layout (except the oddball, which is lefty instead of righty). They moved electronics to the very back, forcing me to travel through All of the clothing departments, just to look at the new geek stuff. Haarummph.

The food and the toiletries are on opposite sides of the store, forcing a sea of people going back and forth! As my niece, Katie, always says, "Mylanta!!" (Don't ask me, its just her way of exclamation). Please quit trying to herd us poor shoppers back and forth in front of items we are not searching for.

3. Parking. Need I say more?

4. The lack of sound dampening. Metal roof and structure open for all to see. Tile on top of a concrete floor. As an architect, I always see things in a different way. Looking at ways things could be done better. So, I know there are ways they could suppress some of the noise, so that I don't hear the 10 year-old throwing a tantrum at the other end of the store.

5. The smell. No, I'm not saying that Walmart smells baaaad. I am just saying that my olfactory senses are offended at every turn by a new and overpowering odor.

Most of the time, it is several strong aromas at the same time. I use to like the coffee isle. I really like the smell of fresh ground coffee beans. Now, they have it facing the candy shelves. Somehow the smell of mint trumps the wonderful smell of coffee and I am allergic to wintergreen. Actually I'm allergic to salicylates and salicylic acid (wintergreen).

Don't even get me started on the smell of fingernail polish and the smell of permed hair at the front of the store. Talk about olfactory overload.

You don't want to get me started on the overpowering perfume or musk worn by the cashiers and the other shoppers. Some people really need to learn some proper product application techniques.

Migraine: It's Give and Take

Volleyball game 2 did not go as well as had wished. Not because we lost, we didn't, but because I am having a very difficult time dealing with the side effects of my new migraine regime. I am taking 150mg of Mexelitine four times a day. This is essentially lidocain in pill form.

When I left the migraine clinic at the Jefferson Hospital in January, the doctor removed my PIK line that had steadily dripped lidocaine into my veins for a week, and put me on mexiletine caplets.

I know it is working because I have been mostly headache free for 16 out the last 45 days!

Most of the headaches I have experienced over the last two and a half months have been less severe. I have had a handful of what I consider gran mal attacks, but have been able to use the DHE shots to lessen the pain.

Now here's the rub. My headaches are getting better. While my fine motor skills are getting worse every day. Especially on my right side, supposedly my strong side. I realized a few days ago that my fine block architectural writing is non-existent. I can hardly sign my name. My right hand has an almost constant tremor. And you may have already guessed what this has meant to my volleyball skills.

We have played two official matches, where I have had the opportunity if not the ability to serve the ball. I have had pride in a very strong jump serve, for many years. Not any more. I have not gotten a single serve over the net. Depressing it is. I have had a few spikes, but not with my usuall vim and vigor. My digs, sets and bumps have not been affected as of yet, but it may be only a matter of time.

There are two positive things that come out of this situation. The first is that I am having fewer migraines. The second is that my youngest daughter (Team Hero with 10 aces) came up to me throughout the game and even after and told me how much she enjoyed seeing me out playing ball rather than locked in the migraine vault. A precious memory I hope I never forget.

Migraine: Tally Ho

Volleyball season begins tomorrow for our church league team. Boy, can those Christians be a competitive bunch ;?) I always enjoy our volleyball league play. It is exercise that I can usually participate in, without causing a migraine. Although, sometimes I get dizzy trying to follow the ball.

They finally changed to rally scoring this season, which bums me out. I Can't stand it. I understand why it is the way it is, but I still don't like it. I've been helping coach my daughters high school volleyball team and have definitely know why the scoring has changed. I guess I still have that old school mentality.

I especially think that they should not allow you to lose the game on your own serve. The final winning point should have to be won by serving the ball. You could have a 10 point scoring binge to tie the game and then lose by serving into the net. UUUUGGGHHHHHH.

We'll see how this season goes. My medication is playing havoc with my motor skills. Once an A-League softball shortstop, I now cannot even throw the ball. I am afraid that I'll have the same problem serving the volleyball. I used to have a wicked overhead serve with a lot of top-spin, that struck fear in the hearts of the other team (yea, right). I'll try to provide updates as the season progresses.

Migraine: Subdural Remedy May Help

I have seen a couple of different stories about subdural implants to control nerve function and pain. Several months ago, I saw a story about a man in Chicago and how the Mayo Clinic had inserted an implant to control the firing of nerves, which helped him to regain the fine motor skills he had lost due to head trauma and migraines.

I couldn't find that particular story online, but I did find this story. I think it may be relevant to me, due to the fact that the patient had a head trauma that caused the start of his migraine headaches.

My family jokingly, but lovingly, sometimes calls me "Head Trauma Honaker". I like to play as hard as I work. I always give 110%, even if it means diving in head first. I have had many head traumas and concussions during my 47 years. One particular occasion ended with me falling about 20 feet from a tree and landing on the left side of my head. I never felt dizzy, no nausua, no blurry vision, just a stiff neck, so I didn't go to the hospital. This trauma may actually have aggravated my condition, because after that my migraine frequency and pain levels increased several fold.

I had brain surgery to remove an arachnoid cyst in my left anterior temporal lobe in 1999. I had been telling my doctors for many years (with pinpoint accuracy) the point of origin of my migraines. It turned out that was exactly where the cyst was.

Brain surgery is never easy, no matter what the procedure. I recovered enough to go back to work in about four weeks. I don't think I have ever fully recovered from it though. Maybe a subdural transmitter might be something that would help me. Maybe not.

I do know I would prefer it to the "clapper" that my wife wants to have installed. She wants to be able to clap her hands and have me turn off or on, at will. I don't agree with this procedure.



--Andy