I thought I'd start a new one - 5 pages is way too much for me... Debbie - sorry arms/hands are flaring. That is interesting about the damage part. How are you feeling after that run to trembling? I did call the doc's office yesterday about the MRI - today they called me back a couple of times. 1) I'll get a call from MRI place after insurance approves & 2) insurance is trying to mess with me - they don't want to cover it, and are trying to call it pre-existing condition. They say I did not have a trauma in March, so it must be from prior.. grrrrr So, I'm faxing over my certificate of coverage from last two insurances tomorrow. Pt did ultrasound yesterday & no traction because neck is too sensitive. But today I felt my triceps vibrate a little & some pain too.. maybe its trying to recover? That had been my the location of my most severe pain, and that stopped when the numbness started & tricep stopped responding to reflex test. I've been trying to keep the tingling to a minimum with better posture, trying to keep my shoulders back more. Hopefully that helps. Tomorrow, will see normal doc & also the orthopedic specialist to check out my shoulder xray. Joni - bummer on the allergies & asthma. Do you warm up walking for awhile before you run? I have asthma and that's the only way I can run. Luckily no bad allergies for me yet - its the weeds that really get me. So, did I mention that I caved & requested the school to develop a plan for my son. I think its the right thing to do for everyone involved. Too late for this school year, but will contact the principal in late August.

Laurie - yes I have full range of motion now. I didn't before the shoulder physical therapy, so I guess I did need that part. I have more pain in my arm today, I think the nerve is healing. PT did ultrasound with topical cortisone on Tuesday.. tomorrow I'll have to tell her that it seemed to work. Here's my news for the day - saw the orthopedic surgeon & he says my shoulder is fine. But he confirmed the C6/C7 nerve diagnosis.. another doc's opinion can't hurt I guess? I faxed a ton of stuff to insurance this morning, and got a call from MRI scheduling that they received authorization for the MRI.. yay! So, just need to call back & schedule it tomorrow. Wow, that was easier then I thought it would be.

Joni - bummer on the allergies & asthma. Do you warm up walking for awhile before you run? I have asthma and that's the only way I can run. Luckily no bad allergies for me yet - its the weeds that really get me.

Linda, yes, I warm up by walking and then I start out with a slow jog first. I'm trying some different meds,so we'll see what happens! Sounds like you're dealing with some nerve? issues. I hope that your MRI shows some positive results! Laurie, do you bike into work often? That's great that you have that option! I'm a stay at home mom now, but when I used to work at a campground mannnnny moons ago, I'd ride my bike to work (~16 miles I think?) then shower in the campground. Talk about starting your day out right! It was great!

Sorry I've been so neglectful of my newbie buddies lately. This week and a half of allergy/asthma heck has made it hard to concentrate - and given me new respect for you guys - Linda and Joni - who still get out there and run with asthma. Laurie - biking to work sounds nice. My commute is 22 miles one-way, though, and I'm a serious pack rat, so I don't know if that's in the cards for me as long as I have this job. I am thinking of driving my bike over to the island, parking the car, and using the bike to get around town this summer, though. Linda - hope the MRI reveals an easily-treatable problem on Monday. Ive been busily gathering trash from my basement for the last half hour or so. Some of the stuff has been in there, untouched, since I moved in four years ago. It's all lined up by the front door, ready to be taken to the dumpster - and the rain and thunder just started! : So now I have a neat, but dusty, basement and an extremely cluttered living room! Eliz

1 mile walking on the treadmill - first exercise since Eugene.. increased my symptoms all up & down my arm maybe tomorrow I'll try outside, and see if the neck is in a better position.. guess its a good thing I have not been running. Eliz - sorry you're struggling right now. So you're doing shots right now? hope it gets better soon. ls - glad you're hanging in there. They tell me my symptoms are classic C6/C7 pinched nerve, it is now supported by 2 doctors, 1 PT, and a nerve conduction test.. really too bad it was diagnosed as bursitis & shoulder issues first, but glad I'm getting somewhere finally.

Roberta - oh I'm hoping for something much less severe. If its a herniated disk, I hear it can be a very simple procedure to fix. My dad had a fusion of disentegrating 3 vertebrae when he was in his 40's, he came within 2 weeks of being paralyzed permanently so they said at the time. They used some of his hip bone to build some bone and did not need any metal to stabilize. I hear they use animal bone now too. I'm going for full mobilization here... i.e. running & stabilization of my neck... Yes, that's what they told me regarding an IEP, actually principal called it Sec 504 plan - I think I've heard both terms. or are those different things? he said they do a CSP (child study plan) which is informal, or a 504 which is permanent that would follow him through HS. I have actually had good support from teachers & we worked very well together until this school year. A plan was discussed when he was in 2nd grade, and then avoided due to meds, & good working relationships with teachers through 5th grade (in california), we moved to oregon for his 6th grade year.. his teacher was very structured & we worked well together.. 7th grade its a totally different story at the same middle school, even though we discussed what worked well last year. So, I finally saw the light a couple of weeks ago & why a plan is necessary for him at this point. He is very bright, but classic ADHD symptoms with concentration, impusiveness, organization & planning & and well the lack thereof & hyperactivity is much less as he seems to be entering puberty... he's gained 40 pounds in the last year while off meds & has grown a TON.. from a size 8 pants to size 14 this year & seems healthy now. He's refusing meds at this point, and really I don't think they do anything for him anymore. So that's where we're at.. my focus is to avoid the problems my stepbrother had - no diagnosis of ADHD (but sure he was), very, very similar problems in Jr. High & it just disintegrated into a lot worse problems in HS including drug use, rehab by his Senior year, and never graduated from HS.. horrible for someone who was originally placed in a GATE program in elementary school... Ok I'm off to take DD to see Narnia.

Hey Guys, I havent posted in a while. But I have been reading. You are all doing well. Linda, youve got a lot of people praying and pulling for that shoulder to heal. Hows your breathing? Does the warmer air help? L's, glad to hear from you and glad youre still running! I overdid it this week and now I pay the price. Monday bike ride (both mountain and road), Tuesday run, Wed gym, Thursday road 24 miles to work and back, Friday swam 50 laps, Sat gym with Ali, Sun ran 7 with running partner and womens club. Had a good time and 7 is my longest since PT, but now I hurt and I am worn out. I had to go "rescue" Kim on her run yesterday. Glad she told me her route. She left for a 3 mile run. 30 mins max. But didnt show up after 40 mins. So I set out to find her. Found her a few blocks from home. Her knee tape all fell off and she got chased by two dogs and after 48 mins of running she was exhausted and glad to see me in the car. Moral...let someone know your route and when to expect you home. Looking forward to hearing from Deg, Kevin, Mike, Jem and newbies. Laurie

Linda, glad to hear that Symbicort's made such a difference with your asthma! It's such a challenge when you're trying to figure out what works and still drag yourself through go about your day! Do you feel it's pretty much under control for you then? I just looked up Symbicort and looks like it's an anti-inflammatory as well as bronchodilator while what I'm prescribed, Asmanex, is just an anti-inflammatory. We'll see how it goes! I've heard good things about Advair, which sounds like Symbicort. If mine doesn't work, I'll have to check into it! Do you take it year round? Did you get a chance to try walking outside vs. the treadmill? Just wondered how it went. Good luck on your MRI tomorrow night too. Oh! We're taking our 2 sons (8 and 5) to see Narnia. How'd you & your DD like it? eliz, sorry you're dealing with the allergy stuff too! It rained here Saturday, so things got a little better pollen-wise. Is this new for you? Sounds like you may be getting shots? And I want you to know you're not alone with the boxes from moving! We've been in our house almost 3 years now and STILL have boxes that we haven't gone through. Who'd have imagined! We figure if we haven't needed it yet, we must not need it. But then, I've gone through some boxes pleasantly surprised to find some things I'd forgotten we had! It's like an extended Christmas. You just keep opening stuff! Laurie, sounds like you're a workout machine! That's wonderful! And that's so true about letting someone know where you're going. I don't know Kim, but I'm glad you found her!! Hi Roberta, dg & others! Me- I finally got out and did an easy 4 miles today. I'm still not 100% but can breathe a lot better. Also starting to add some weights and core work into the weekly routine to hopefully help the running! It's also the last week of school for the kids, so afterward things will calm down a bit! Very hectic but very fun! I get a little sad every year that school ends. They just keep growing up!!