What may have happened in his life prior to this
that may or may not seem to be related. For example bad news at work or some type of other injiury,...

Ask him to describe the feeling of the pain in addition to what you said about feeling like a knott...is that how he describes it asl well?

Also what does any extentsion of the pain feel like and where does it extend to?

What if anything have you noticed about him mentally or emotionally? Has he clearly changed in any way since this?

Ask him: What is the worse thing about this for you?

What ever he answers, then ask why is that so bad for you?

See how he responds emotionally during any of the questioning or if he shows no emotion.

List all the things he does to make it better or when it is better in general.

Does the massage eventually help it and is ti better rubbing hard or soft?

List all the things that makes it worse adn what brings on the most severe pain?

Any other physicla or emotional or mentlachanges you cna think of since this happened.

Why is sleeping difficult? What do to deal with it then? Is he restless and getting out of bed or changing beds or positions often and what positions better and worse?

I will try and work on this but am limited on time since leaving town soon and much to do but others at this site will likely jump in and help. This should provide a good start of info needed.

Thanks
JO

[ 14. December 2002, 01:29: Message edited by: john oljace ]

Also when did you give rhus-t as soemtimes it takes a while to work andwhat if anything has changed since you gave it.

Also, why does he continue to lift weights? Why not take a break?

curious what he does for a living?

JO

What may have happened in his life prior to this
that may or may not seem to be related. For example bad news at work or some type of other injiury,... Before he got the 'crick' in his neck, we'd travelled to visit relatives and he was sleeping on the couch. It is a terrribly old and lumpy couch.

Ask him to describe the feeling of the pain in addition to what you said about feeling like a knott...is that how he describes it asl well? he describes the pain as a dull constant ache that becomes a sharp pain if he gets his arm in the wrong position...and has lots of difficulty coming up with more descriptors. The knot is something that I can feel because it 'rolls around' when I rub it. He can also feel the knott when I rub it and that's where the pain originates. When I press on it, he says that the pain radiates through his entire shoulder.

Also what does any extentsion of the pain feel like and where does it extend to? the pain extends down his left arm about half way to his elbow. Also, it comes over to the front of his shoulder.

What if anything have you noticed about him mentally or emotionally? Has he clearly changed in any way since this? I have not noticed any change in him emotionally. He is weary of the pain but not different in any way. At first, it only bothered him at night, and especially when he would try to use the computer, now however, it seems to bother him throughout the day, but it is much worse if he tries to use the computer. As an aside, he is right handed and uses the mouse with his right hand. The trouble is with his left shoulder.

Ask him: What is the worse thing about this for you? "the pain" is his reply

What ever he answers, then ask why is that so bad for you? it's a very annoying pain and he can't find a comfortable position

See how he responds emotionally during any of the questioning or if he shows no emotion. He gets impatient because he says the questions are hard to give a good answer to.

List all the things he does to make it better or when it is better in general. He elevates his left arm in an attempt to get relief, but I don't think that helps much. He moves it around trying to find a position that is comfortable. The past two nights, he has used a heating pad and that seems to help.

Does the massage eventually help it and is ti better rubbing hard or soft? the massage doesn't seem to really help although he wants me to really put pressure on it and says, "it hurts so good" To me that means that even though the massage is uncomfortable that it feels good.

List all the things that makes it worse adn what brings on the most severe pain? the worst pain seems to occur when he sits at the computer. He's a real internet junkie and can only sit at the computer for about 5 minutes before he must get up and get in his recliner.

Any other physicla or emotional or mentlachanges you cna think of since this happened. Again, there really haven't been any changes that come to mind...but he does get impatient with the pain.

Why is sleeping difficult? I think getting to sleep is what is difficult because he has a hard time getting comfortable because of the pain. What do to deal with it then? He has to lay on his back, and he's normally a side-sleeper Is he restless and getting out of bed or changing beds or positions often and what positions better and worse? the best position is flat on his back and once he gets to sleep, he isn't restless

Also when did you give rhus-t as soemtimes it takes a while to work andwhat if anything has changed since you gave it. I gave him rhus tox last night. He says that nothing has changed, but this is the first time that he's come home complaining that his shoulder bothered him all day.

Also, why does he continue to lift weights? Why not take a break? He lifts weights to help stay in shape. He's lifted for years. He says that when he lifts there is no pain. He feels like having a bit of weight in his hand makes a difference.

curious what he does for a living? He is a gas line surveyor. He walks natural gas lines checking for leaks. In his work, he must carry a small machine in his left hand and a probe in his right. The machine probably weighs about 5 pounds or so.

Thank you for your interest. If you need more information, please let me know.

Lynn

[ 14. December 2002, 06:15: Message edited by: Lynn_King ]

A couple of weeks ago, my husband woke up with a "crick" in his neck on the left side. It was very stiff and difficult to turn his head, especially to his left. Since then, his neck seems to be ok, but he has had pain in his left shoulder area. It seems to originate under his left shoulder blade, where I can feel a knot that causes pain to radiate when I massage it. The pain seemed to be worse in the evening and he complained of difficulty getting to sleep. The only position with relief seems to be in his recliner. He has no difficulty working or working out with weights. It seems better for warmth. I gave him Rhus Tox 30c, with no improvement. The pain seems to be worse today. I had considered it might be an aggravation from the Rhus, but have ruled this out after talking to him.

Does anyone have any suggestions for us?

Thanks,

Lynn

Dear Lynn,

So if disturb him at times now compared to before the injury would it be fair to say he is irritable?

Any constipation or chilliness since this happened?

If pain is bad and you console him does it help or aggravate him.

If this were to continue what would be the worse thing for him?

What has been on his mind about all this? What could happen as a result of this?

When at relatives did the visit go well?

Is he more sensitive to light or noise since this happened?

Has his thirst changed since this and if so in what way?

Also nay change in food aversions of desires?

I will try and finish this as soon a sI cna but I have a lot to do before i leave town.

Has he been quieter since this happened and does he prefer company or to be alone more since it happened?

How does he act in your opinion when he can not work at the computer and ask him how he feels about not being able to stay long at the computer?

There are only 5-6 remedies that appear likely
and my gut feeling is Nux-v. but want to look closer as time permits.

Thanke
JO

[ 14. December 2002, 15:35: Message edited by: john oljace ]

Dear John,

Thank you for your interest. I must go to work in just a few minutes, so will be unable to answer your questions thoroughly until I get home this evening.

Again, thank you for your time and consideration.

Lynn

When at computer what makes pain worse and what does he do to try to reduce the pain when at the computer.

When he has to go sit in the recliner chair what is he thinking and how does he feelabout it?

Thanks
JO

[ 14. December 2002, 19:41: Message edited by: john oljace ]

So if disturb him at times now compared to before the injury would it be fair to say he is irritable? It is fair to say that it irritates him very much that he can't sit at the computer for very long and that he can't find a position that will alleviate the pain.

Any constipation or chilliness since this happened? No

If pain is bad and you console him does it help or aggravate him. It doesn't seem to have any different effect.

If this were to continue what would be the worse thing for him? He is not sure of the answer, but he doesn't like the limitations of arm positions and difficulty getting to sleep at night.

What has been on his mind about all this? What could happen as a result of this? He has had some apprehension that there might be something serious causing the pain.

When at relatives did the visit go well? Yes. He does miss his family very much and didn't like leaving them.

Is he more sensitive to light or noise since this happened? No

Has his thirst changed since this and if so in what way? No

Also nay change in food aversions of desires? No

I will try and finish this as soon a sI cna but I have a lot to do before i leave town.

Has he been quieter since this happened and does he prefer company or to be alone more since it happened? No

How does he act in your opinion when he can not work at the computer and ask him how he feels about not being able to stay long at the computer?
Irritated at the pain

When at computer what makes pain worse and what does he do to try to reduce the pain when at the computer. When he first sits at the computer, he is not in pain. However, the pain soon becomes so severe that he must get up. The pain seems to result from the position of his arm while at the computer. His position is sitting upright and slightly leaning forward while at the computer, and of course, in the recliner, he's leaning back.

When he has to go sit in the recliner chair what is he thinking and how does he feelabout it? He says that he is thinking, "Well, I guess I'll watch TV since I can't work on the computer." He says that he's frustrated and irritated that he can't do what he'd prefer to do.

Thank you again for your help.

Lynn

[ 15. December 2002, 02:40: Message edited by: Lynn_King ]

Does he actually express anger over this or say anything or keep anger about this inside??

When does he tend ot be concerned about the idea there could be something serious about this? And does he mind being alone when worried about it?

Was he sad after leaving family and has he cried any?

Has he been thinking of family since returning adn if so what about?

What position is his arm in when sitting at the computer?

Should be able to make decision soon.

Thanks
JO

Does he actually express anger over this or say anything or keep anger about this inside??
He doesn't express anger over it and does not seem to be angry. Mildly irritated would be a better description.

When does he tend ot be concerned about the idea there could be something serious about this? And does he mind being alone when worried about it? He is not overly concerned about its being serious. He says he has just had fleeting thougths that way. He doesn't mind being alone when thinking about it.

Was he sad after leaving family and has he cried any? He was sad after leaving family, but not overly so. No crying to speak of.

Has he been thinking of family since returning adn if so what about? Just normal thoughts and wanting to know how they are doing and interested in their lives.

What position is his arm in when sitting at the computer Normal keyboard position, elbow down