TCM Headache and Sleep - (MedBoard: Joint Base Lewis-McChord) Day 249

This morning morning formation was at Keeler Gym, I came in ACUs because I had an appointment at 0800 with my NCM. All those with appointments fell out to the rear and had the first sergeant ask each person when and where their appointment is. The guy next to me showed her his appointment slip and then complained “how come I’m the only guy who shows his appointment slip?”. The funny thing is everyone else just stated when and where their appointment was and the first sergeant moved on to the next. The guy before me said when and where it was and held up his appointment slip. The first sergeant took it and closely examined it before moving on to me. I just verbally told her I had my NCM appointment at 0800 and she moved on. I did have my appointment slip in my pocket, but I’m not going to pull it out for examination unless I’m asked.

After formation I headed to my car and drove to the WTB parking lot, then ate my breakfast, pulled up my blanket, and tried to relax. I had a real crappy night trying to sleep last night, so I thought I might fall right asleep, but for some reason it just wasn’t happening. Maybe it’s meant to be that I’m going to this group class for headaches and sleep. I headed to my NCM appointment at 0800. Her computer was down so she couldn’t input any information or print off a new appointment sheet for me. I just had one printed off though yesterday after all that mess at the appointment desk in the pain clinic. I’ve already input all my appointments into my calendar. I use my iPhone calendar for pretty much everything…it helps me keep everything straight.

After my NCM appointment I headed to the pharmacy and picked up my muscle relaxer refill, surprisingly it wasn’t too busy yet. I then headed up to the pain clinic for my Traditional Chinese Medicine Headache and Sleep group class at 1000. When we all walked in, we found a chair for each of us along with a tub, a towel, and a handout. We were told to fill up our tub with hot water and then come back. We all lined up at the sink and then filled up our tubs one at a time. Some were better than others walking it back without spilling. The instructor put some Epsom salt in each tub and had everyone take off their boots or shoes and start soaking their feet. The instructor is the other acupuncturist in the pain clinic. They rotate teaching this class each month. As we were soaking our feet the instructor went over our handout pointing out all the various places on our feet and hands that can be used for acupressure. Applying pressure or massaging certain spots on our hands and feet will help with headaches and sleep. We are supposed to try this at least 3 times before out next class in a week. I already do the foot soak in Epsom salt about 5 times a week on the advice of my acupuncturist, so I’ll just add in the pressure points. It would be nice if it helped with sleep and my pain. Time will tell I suppose.

I drove home and ate lunch, then did schoolwork. Now I have the rest of the day off to just kick back and relax!

The Headache Class - (MedBoard: Joint Base Lewis-McChord) Day136

Pretty much me on a daily basis!

This morning we had our PT formation at the gym. Our first sergeant went into a big speech about formations, especially the evening formations. I guess a lot of people haven't been showing up. Now she says she's going to start checking and if we're not at the evening formations we better have an MOU or an appointment. Luckily I have an MOU (my internship and my school), so I will never go to another evening formation. She then started going on and on about adding more formations throughout the day because of this. I'm just so thankful I only have to deal with this crap once in the morning on the days that I have to come in because of appointments. She then started to go on and on about soldiers that have early appointments. She's going to require everyone that has a morning appointment to carry their appointment slips with them so she can check them and verify the appointment.

I was going to head to my car after everyone broke from formation and headed to the gym, but after this morning's big speech I decided that may not be such a good idea. I headed into the gym and hopped on a stationary bike. I plugged in my headphones and basically used the time to listen to music while peddling every once in a while. I have no desire to get a workout in during morning PT anymore. I don't want to get sweaty and have to take a shower…I'd rather just change in the bathroom.

After PT I went to my car and drove it to the WTB parking lot. I then ate my breakfast, listened to the radio and then took a nap. I got a call later on from the hydro massage guy, he wanted to see if he could fit me in today. We decided on 1145, this is a nice surprise! I hung out in my car until my new appointment at 1145 and proceeded to get the hydro massage done. It was nice and relaxing, just laying there listening to my music. I can adjust the settings of the hydro massage settings and I had it concentrate just on my upper shoulders and neck.

I headed back to my car and hung out for a while longer until lunch time. I ate lunch in my car and continued just chilling in my car. It seems I live in my car lately (as I've mentioned before). At 1300 I had to attend a headache class given by the neurology clinic. The class was pretty long (3 hours), but it was full of some great information. To be honest I wasn't expecting too much from the class, but they had a lot of good ideas and info...and it helped me understand my headaches and my situation. I get a lot of tension headaches for the most part, but these tension headaches can trigger migraine headaches as well. There are quite a number of things that can trigger headaches and I have a better understanding now of all things headache related.

I headed home after the class and did my normal schoolwork. When my wife came home we went to the YMCA and I got a great cardio workout done. I've always liked working out in the evening or at least the afternoon, and I really prefer doing my workouts away from the army.

What Formation? - (Germany) Day 147

This morning's PT was a run to "the stairs" where we then proceeded to head up and down all 500 stairs once, then ran back to post. It was a good workout, but I realized today that running may be one of perhaps many things that are causing me pain. Not only is my knee pretty sore, but my head was killing me all day today. I hadn't thought about it too much until I found out there was something up with my spine (I'll find out exactly what when I have my follow up appointment next week). I just figured I was having headaches everyday and some days were worse than others. I think running with all the bouncing of each step does something to trigger a massive headache all day long. Unfortunately I only have a temporary profile to keep me from wearing body armor and a ruck sack, so I have to run until at least my next appointment.

Work started as usual at 0900. I checked my email and then surfed the internet for a while, then I had to move off the computer to let another use it. I then sat there wondering how and why I got stuck at this job. Coming to work on a Monday is just depressing, I don't think I've ever had a job where I just have no desire to ever go into work. The job is not what I signed up for, and the army in general is not what I had envisioned when I signed up. I thought I would be working on computers and learning all kinds of new technology. I figured my skills would be put to use on a daily basis and I would be proud of everything I have done during my service. Instead, the only time I have actually really done I.T. work is when I went on the FTX and even that was pretty limited. I feel my mind will be as sharp as a butter knife by the time I leave the army. The other thing I don't care for too much about the army is that we always get assigned to do all kinds of various stupid tasks. Guard duty…moving detail…area beautification…staff duty…setup for the ball…you name it…we can do it. I just want to do my actual job! I guess I'm just a little depressed today…I'll get over it…I think I'm just in a bad mood because my head is pounding and it seems like no amount of Excedrin seems to fix it.

As for my actual job today I walked around with SPC JayZ and did some physical inventory of some encryption cards in a couple different offices. I then checked on my TDY pay that I'm supposed to get for the FTX I was on…still in the "reviewing" stage. I turned in paperwork to get my anniversary off because I found out there was a memo put out by the commander saying we can do this…I'm not holding my breath on hearing anything though. Hell I put in my paperwork for the pass this weekend and haven't heard anything yet. I put it in a while ago and haven't heard a word, but that's not going to stop me from going. I've paid for the tickets already. My wife and I will be heading to Spain for a tour on this 4-day weekend. I can't wait! This is one of the main reasons I wanted to get stationed in Germany. It's right in the middle of Europe and I plan on seeing as much as possible while I'm here.

We were told last week that starting immediately we would start having a formation at 1630 everyday and then be released unless there is mission critical stuff to be done in the office. 1630 came and went….everyone just kind of sat in their chairs and looked at each other for a half hour because we had already cleaned up the office like we were told at 1545. Finally at 1700 the NCOIC released us…so much for leaving at 1630 every day.

Check-Up - (Germany) Day 137

This morning's PT was a run off post in civilian clothes. I have to say I almost died! Too much time off of doing no exercise during the FTX for a month really got me out of shape. I ran…slowly I might add…for the first 2/3 of it, then walked most of the way back. Hopefully I'm able to get back in somewhat shape before my PT test at the start of next month.

I started work at 0900 and wasn't there long enough to do much. I had an appointment at 1020 at the hospital and left work at 0945 to make sure I was there 15 minutes early. The appointment was to try and figure out why I get so many headaches. I have almost constant headaches daily. Most are minor inconveniences, but some are major ones that force me to take up to 15 Excedrin. My doctor was a little shocked by that. I know it's not healthy, but I'm not sure what else to do when these come on. We discussed various issues and I came out with a prescription of some Ibuprofen and muscle relaxers. I also have a short term profile against wearing body armor or ruck sacks, because these are just a couple of the triggers that bring on my major headaches. If I get a permanent profile, then I'll have to go to a med-board and will most likely get discharged. We'll see if any of these less drastic solutions work before we go with that route. I went over and had an X-Ray taken of my neck and should area. I made an appointment to come back for a CAT scan next week.

I took the Ibuprofen, but as expected it did nothing to relieve my headache. I took my lunch break in the parking lot, in the car listening to music. I then went back to work at 1300 and we went over what still needs to be done before the major audit coming up. The 1st sergeant then came in and talked to everyone about ARIs. The army over-uses acronyms. It seems as if they don't make an acronym, then someone is not doing their job. An ARI is an Alcohol Related Incident. I guess they have been on the rise in our company and he wanted to tell everyone to stop it.

We cleaned up around the office and outside before being released at 1700, but not before each of us had to say what we did today to make a positive difference for the army. When I said I picked up trash outside our office, I was told it wasn't good enough. Instead, adding my new customers to my outlook contacts was good enough to allow me to leave.

Once home I changed, then my wife and I headed to Ikea to pick up some stuff and also eat dinner at their little restaurant. When we got back home we relaxed, I took my muscle relaxer and we watched some TV shows before going to bed. Let's hope that the muscle relaxers do something to help with the headaches…. I'm getting a little sick and tired of them.