I have a Slipped Disc

The next time you have lower back pain....think again! It might not be just a normal back pain but it could be a slipped disc...sounds scary right?

yes, let me relate to you what happened to me...

I remembered I was playing games - floorball, with my colleagues after staff meeting on Thursday. I was trying to save the ball from going into the goal post. However, I didn't realise I had overstretched myself while trying to save the ball. I felt the little pain on my back but I thought it is just normal so I ignored. Little did I know, this pain grew and the pain went down my butt one week later. I saw the doctor and he gave me a jab to ease the pain. After that jab, I did, however, felt better.

The same pain tormented me, and I thought it was just a sprained and it will go off eventually. I was wrong. I could feel that this pain went right down the leg later that week, and I could basically feel my muscles around my leg went into spasm.

I woke up in pain that very morning, my right leg in spasm and I felt my veins pulling. I tried standing up, the next thing I know, I was on the floor. Thankfully I fell on Nicole's mattress which was right next to my bed.

Dearie sent me to the same doc I last saw for the back pain. The doc immediately referred me to SGH, saying it wasn't safe to wait any longer.

And there I was at SGH, did my x-ray, and after careful examination, doc diagnosed that it is a slipped disc. He ordered that I should stay at home and rest for the next 6 days, gave me strong painkillers. He also warned me that if I did encounter incontinence, I must go straight to A&E.

I did what I was being told, tried not to walk around too much, only out for a meal or two.

I was admitted on Wednesday because the pain was excruciating. The doc gave me 3 jabs of painkillers in total. I was kept there under observation and was later discharged to go back to rest in bed for another 10 days. I just had a physiotherapy session with the therapist and will go back for another on the 8 April. My MRI scan at Camden medical centre is scheduled on Tuesday 6 April.

Below is an article of what is slipped disc:

Understanding Slipped Disc

With adult having some 80% chance of getting back pain at some point in their lives, who hasn't complained of an aching back? How many people have experienced the sudden pain of "throwing one's back out?"

In most instances, back pain is simply the result of unusual exertion, fatigue or a twist or sharp movement, but occasionally, there has been an injury to the spine and medical attention is required. A slipped disc is one such common injury to the spine. It can be extremely painful, and may damage surrounding muscle and nerve systems. If pain is very severe, if it persists or worsens when you lie down, if it travels down your leg or if numbness sets in, then a doctor should be consulted.

Despite the common name - "slipped disc", it doesn't really "slips" out, rather the gel-like material in the centre of the disc bulges into the spinal canal. A slipped disc is also known as a pro-lapsed intervertebral disc (PID), herniated or ruptured disc.

A disc is a small mass of elastic, gristle-like tissue. Located between each vertebra in the spinal column, discs act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Thick ligaments attached to the vertebrae hold the pulpy disc material in place.

Why do disks herniate?

Occasionally, a single excessive strain may cause a slipped disc. However, disc material degenerates naturally as we age, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to pop out of place.

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to disc problems, and as a consequence may suffer herniations at several places along the spine.

What are the symptoms of a slipped disc?

Extreme, sudden pain is usually the first symptom. Since most herniations involve the bottom two discs in the spinal column, the pain usually begins in the lower back. The bulging disc in this location exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve, and sharp pain may follow that nerve all the way down the leg and into the foot. Pressure on this nerve may eventually cause numbness or a "pins and needles" sensation. Over time, the surrounding muscles can weaken and shrink in size.

Discs can also rupture at higher levels in the spine causing pain and weakness in the neck, shoulders and arms.

Even if the initial pain subsides, it is important that the condition be diagnosed and treated in order to prevent further damage.

Two Car Accidents in 2010 and not counting!!

I met with two car accidents so far from the start of the year 2010. One which happened just last month, weeks before the CNY. A taxi crashed into the rear of my car as I was turning right to Pioneer Road. I made a third's party claim and had my car repaired at the workshop...and all's well until just last Saturday, I met with another.

I do not know if I am down with luck or what...but why must it always be me!??!! This time round, I was driving along bendeemeer road. (winding road due to the massive construction of the flyover) I was in the centre lane turning at the bend...all of a sudden this car on my right coming from the back crashed and scratched my car. She should have gave way to me since I am ahead of her but she didn't. She can't even gauge the size or length of her car I supposed because it is a relatively new car plate starting with SJV..immediately I slowed down and got dearie to take down the idiot's car number. She who happened to be a P-plate (driver who just passed driving test), actually ignored me when I wound down my window to signal to her to follow me and stop by the road to discuss about the claims. She appeared shocked and totally ignored my hand signals or my calling out to her and drove on....

HIT AND RUN!

Damn! I should have followed her if I'd known she would be driving away and running away from the consequences... Too late anyway, I have reported the matter to the police...and the police advised me that I shouldn't worry to much about it and that the officer said the lady driver would most likely be punished because she has just committed a road traffic offence - hit and run! I was told to call traffic police on Friday if I wanna know what actually happened to her.

I have to spend $ to get rid of the scratches and chipped off part on the side rear. My heart ached badly when my car has scratches and dents as a result of these stupid brainless careless drivers...

I spent the day at home...

I was home with nicole...and this was what I cooked for lunch today.

Udon with sliced pork belly in Miso soup
&
Roasted Eel in teriyaki sauce

Tomorrow, I will be in school from 8.30 to 1pm for EL and PW meeting. Choir practice starts at 1pm...once choir members are in the room, I will go for quick lunch and back to school to meet a vendor from mastereign at 2pm. When choir ends at 4pm..I have to make my way down to trevose to teach piano. Lesson will only end at 6.30pm. Then gonna meet citibank guy at 7pm just to hand in my form B1. After that, make my way to clementi for dinner and pick nic up. Long day ya? hmm...gonna be busy tmr...so I will sleep now. Night!

Dinner with Conz & Gil

Just another food post update which happened a few months back...Had dinner at East Coast Lagoon Food Village. This was the spread we had that evening.

Clams. My virgin taste of it...

Gong Gong

Satay, 2 plates of Fried Oyster and BBQ chicken wings

FOod Glorious FOod

Conz posing with her clam

Do you see the difference in size?

Nice...


Cheers!

Knock Knock...am I still around?

Ha! I am back for more updates...my apologies to my readers who kept coming back to a very quiet blog. I have been busy with school work and exam duties and of course, my very own exam. Now, I am back to post all the pictures I have taken the last few months...bit by bit ok?


Escape Theme Park

Nicole was trying out the 'F1' car but she is afraid of losing control of the car...

trying out the smaller jeep...

we queued for half an hour for the go-kart.

It was worth waiting cos it's fun!


While waiting in-line for the ride at Go-kart

Finally...nicole was next to me...

but she was strapped to her seat so can't exactly move to pose for the camera...

Flying Fox...we went it 3 times..both nic and I...brave girl isn't she?

Pasir Ris Animal Farm...nothing much....just a fishing pond for kids.

Fish Farm

Pet shop....saw this fat bulldog walking around

Where they train the dogs...so happened we saw one of these dogs fainted and remained unconscious after one of their exercise regime. It was later sent to the animal hospital.

Poor thing!

Puppies for sale

Interesting fish with eyes that faced upwards to you...

So many of them!

East Coast Park for dinner

Beer and coke

Claypot seafood tofu

Nicole enjoying her coke

Durian Feast at 717 trading kovan

Self-pic of Nicole

Us savouring every bit of it!

Close-up of Mao San Wang....drooling?

Aftermath...

Fingerlicking goodness! Shiok!

Food Expedition

Ice Cream Chefs

@520 East Coast Road #01-06 (Ocean Park Building, along main east coast road) S(458965)Tel: 64466355Beside St. Patricks School & Along East Coast Road.By Bus - No: 10, 12, 14, 32, 40, 155.Nearest MRT: Eunos / Kebangan / BedokOpening Hours:Mondays - Thursday: 1pm to 10pmFriday - Sundays & Eve. of PH: 1pm till 11pm

Click here to know more about them.

My most loved Rum The Raisin

Only $9.50 per pint

Great for two!

Pizza Hut @ Lot 1 shopping mall

Wendy and I

I tried the warm chocolate cake with icecream


but it was not as nice as I thought it to be

Dome @ Dempsey

I like this place because of its mushroom and chicken tart and potato wedges

Most of all, I like it there because of the free parking!

Hong Kong Street Zi Char @ Dawson Place Food Court 2nd Floor

$18 curry fish head






Prawn paste chicken

Dearie

Nicole eating

Ootoya @ Orchard Central

Stew Pork in egg and onion sauce rice set

Eileen's chicken and egg soup and scallop rice

OCBC credit card holders will get a free matcha icecream dessert for every diner

The Aftermath

Tim Sum @ Geylang but not the one I usually eat.

Nothing great so I won't tell you where was it that I ate this.

Hans (24 hours Upper Thomson Road)

Cheese cake, Iced Milo were all that I wanted

Ban Wah Leong Seafood @ Casuarina

5 yummy dishes!

Black pepper crab

Chilli Crab

The Aftermath

Nicole

My mum's home-made Laska. Nice!