Update on Kodiak (aka: Jim)!

boarderchick · Since 10 Aug 2007 196 Posts Wherever there's wind:-) Stoked

Thanks All.

Yes, I was a very upset wife in the ER yesterday. Sending Jim away with a numb/tingly hand, neck that isn't moving well at all, and arms in pain, with Vicodin and ice I feel is not acceptable. I wanted an MRI because my fear was something was out of place, but they seemed confident to give him a couple days for swelling to go down. My arm went completely numb on me after a Chiropractic adjustment, and it was because a couple vertabrae were out of alignment and pushing against a nerve. So, we will be watching things carefully!

He's still tingly this morning and not feeling well with the Vicodin.

See ya'll on the water.

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

just some thoughts here, not meant to supplant the need for expert evaluation.

d/t the fact that he had numbness, but (at least it sounds from your thread) no WEAKNESS, he may be dealing with a relatively mild compression neuopathy.

siginificant spinal cord injury almost always presents with both motor and sensory changes, and any good er doc can sort this out pretty quick.

compression neuopathy is just what is sounds like, neurological changes (numbness) associated with compression somewhere from the brain/cord to the sensory end-units. turn on a garden hose and watch the flow, then step on the hose-like that. some water gets through but it ain't normal, right?

carpal tunnel syndrome is a form of compression neuropathy. ever hit yor "funny bone" wrong-same deal but more transient.

the lesion can be traumatic, associated with fracture and/or edema from microtears in blood supply. it can be discogenic. it can also be malignant, but not likely given the sudden onset of his symptoms.

steroids can be useful but recommending them is beyond the scope of this thread. no disrepect, but free advice is usually worth what you pay for it. have him scanned, and if the MRI is normal, a nerve conduction velocity electromyelogram is useful to look for problems further down the hose. a visit to a neurologist is in your future if he doesnt improve.

if you say yes to the question, "do you have good insurance" vote republican. if you say "no" -GO OBAMA!

just kidding, they are probably all scoundrels anyway.

jimmi

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

I'm sure Jim will be back KL-ing v. soon. - He was spreading the good karma all over the place today, and some of that has to come back to you. Thx for grabbing my kite bro .- C

boarderchick · Since 10 Aug 2007 196 Posts Wherever there's wind:-) Stoked

Thanks Shastadgs2. I've had that nerve testing done, UGH!

Yeah, Jim was all about getting people on and off the water today. He was certainly rocking it. He is also feeling it now;-)

Talk to you all later.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

hows jim doing now???

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Thanks for asking. Very poorly because it has been an awesome month for kiting and I am stuck off the water!!

Had my MRI done last Friday. I herniated a disk between C5/6 I think and someother ones were more mildly injured. At this point most of my normal nerve functions have returned. Tingling is gone, in my hand and I can just feel some residual pain if I push on my middle finger so that is still not quite healed up. My neck is still sore, and that will take some time to heal.

I am hoping in a couple weeks I can get back on the water on a strapless board, but I am sure it will be a while before I start jumping again. Both my doctor and chiropractor think it should heal up again, but if I reinjure it before I build up strength again in those muscles and it is sufficiently healed it could cause permanent nerve dmg or worse.

I have a trip to brazil/africa this fall so hopefully everything is 100% before then. I will probably invest in a better camera and a cam corder for my trips and just take more pictures/video of folks while I am still healing. I have stayed away for the last couple weeks because I am very weak willed and I know I will want to be right back on the water again if I am out there Smile

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

bummed you're off the water, glad that what went wrong can heal. Good luck man.

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

Heal quick Jim!