Countdown To Fifty

Over the last 90 days I have spent hours and hours at the computer in my office getting the speaking and coaching businesses started. Three times per week I break up the sit-fest with trips to the gym to see my trainer. Coincidentally I have developed the following symptoms:

• pain in the right shoulder when pulling down weights
• inability to sleep on right side
• numbness in the left hand
• pain in the middle and forefingers of the left hand

Fearing that this all had something to do with working out too much, or too hard, I finally broke down and visited the orthopedist. As mentioned previously I hate going to the doctor (like most men) and this is compounded by the fact that I have a $3500 deductible. So the fact that I finally went illustrates the pain and frustration.

The doctor ran me through a series of mobility tests and took x-rays. From this he pronounced the following diagnosis:

right shoulder = tendinitis. Likely brought on by working out.

left hand = carpal tunnel. Undoubtedly the by-product of too much computer time.

To validate this diagnosis he wants me to go to a neurologist for an additional (EMG?) test. Yet this past week I was out of town and away from the mouse for 4 days. During that time the pain in the hand went away. This tells me that the neurologist confirmation visit may not be necessary.

Now I ask you, is this what the future holds? Body parts that begin to fail in pairs? It’s bad enough that both eyes are at the point where I recently upgraded to the next level in the oh so fashionable ‘cheater’ line of reading glasses.

What other pairs will go next? Ears? Knees? Gonads?