Previously, I wrote about the need for us all to stay on top of our mental health during this stressful time. Today, I’d like to talk about the impact on our physical health or, more specifically, my physical health during this pandemic.
Though I’ve been fortunate enough to escape COVID 19, this year has been an extremely challenging one in many other aspects of my physical health. Here’s part of a diagnostic from a recent MRI I had done a few weeks back.
L4-5: The intervertebral disc is mildly decreased in height with a mild annular disc bulge with mild posterolateral L4 marginal osteophytic changes and a 4 mm central extrusion with high-intensity zone extending 3 mm caudal flattening the anterior aspect of the thecal sac.
Though a fairly dry and technical analysis, the aforementioned “mild annular bulge” put me on my back for 4 weeks in immense pain, unable to sit in a chair or stand for any length of time.
I’d like to say this is the worst of my physical ailments this past year, but I can’t. It gets added to a list that includes:
- Ineffective esophageal motility, the inability of the esophageal muscles to move food or liquids down into the stomach, hit in June of 2020 and is still an issue.
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, swollen tendons on the thumb side of my left wrist that have required two cortisone shots to control the searing pain, and will likely require outpatient surgery.
- Insertional plantar fasciitis that also required a cortisone shot to stop the searing pain on the side of my left foot.
- Ongoing right wrist tendonitis, and a slow-healing cartilage sprain at the ringer finger base of my right hand.
It’s a been a helluva painful and emotionally trying pandemic year! At times I was unable to open a jar or any type of container. That was perfectly acceptable during the period where I was unable to eat or drink without considerable distress. Then there were those other times when I couldn’t put on a pair of shoes because it hurt so badly. Or times when I couldn’t even sit upright in a chair.
Though there was some overlap, thankfully these afflictions didn’t hit at the same time. At the worst moments, laying on my back unable to get up OR swallowing a tube inserted through my nose to measure the strength of my swallow, I couldn’t escape the inevitable questions of ‘How’ and ‘Why’ these things were happening to me.
It’s easy to point the finger at pandemic or political stress, but I don’t think that would be entirely accurate. I’m 57, and that might account for some aches and pains associated with aging. But I don’t think that’s it either.
Honestly, I don’t know why my body has been at war with itself (and me) this past year. But that’s not why I’m writing this. My hope is that by sharing what’s happened to my body over this past year, maybe I’ll find out that I’m not the only one. Maybe I’ll help someone else feel better knowing that they they aren’t the only.
And maybe it will all stop when we finally get a handle on this pandemic, and I can get back to my ‘normal’ life. One can hope…
I’m so sorry you have experienced all this in the year we just had. I know you don’t want to blame the pandemic or politics but there is something to be said for emotional stress creating physical symptoms. I have a friend that developed Bells Palsy after caring for a loved one through cancer. Dr told her stress creates inflammation in the body. Each body is different.
I wish you peace and healing both inside and out in 2021
Thanks for sharing Kev! I appreciated when you stopped by early on in the pandemic (from our neighborhood walks). I haven’t had all the ailments but I have the Plantar Fasciitis and went through cortizone shots and after 6 months I had forgotten what is like to walk without pain. I know that tennis is such and important facet of your life and the wrist/hand injuries must be disheartening. Well, we got through the last year, and I have hope in general for the next year. So, I hope things get better for you too.
That’s quite a list Kev! I had back problems due to lack of activity in April but I’ve escaped too much else so far. Hope at least some of the ailments on your list ease for you!
This has been a horrific year, indeed. I’m sorry that you’ve had to endure so much physical distress. As for me, in 2020 I dealt with a strange upward spiral of anxiety and high blood pressure that appear to have fed off each other. I’m certain that some of mine was pandemic-related and most of the rest was politics. It’s been a bit better in recent months, thanks to some therapy, periodic anti-anxiety meds, and the inauguration of Joe Biden.
I’m hoping 2021 will prove to be a better year for all of us. Take care, friend.