Saturday, September 24, 2016

A "shocking" morning.......


I never had much to do with nerves, so to speak. Idiomatically or literally speaking.

I cannot recall anyone shaking their head in anger and saying,  "My God, she has the nerve ...."  or anything like that. Being nervous and showing it was not usually an option, and the thing to do was to always get on with what one was doing and look ahead.

So why suddenly this conversation about nerves ?  Because someone decided my nerves were possibly misbehaving, and recommended tests. 

Given that all kinds of medical diagnostic procedures were introduced during my adult life, I have had an interesting time doing things like ultrasonography, mammography,  smear tests, and MRI's. And later blogged about it. Like the MRI's.

Technologies have since gone through versions .  While the technology is impressive  in instrumentation, size and capability,  one has things to say about preparations for the same.  I mean , ultrasound science shows you pictures of your internal tissues by moving a probe over your body, but hasnt been able to find an alternative to all that drinking of water, till you are desperate to go to the loo, and the receptionist telling you to hold on because another patient was inside.  Or having to remove your earrings, bangles and mangalsutra  for an MRI, wear a hospital gown , and lie down on a plank that slowly slides you into a dark sphere which rattles. No one else in the room , and chaps look at you through a glass pane, and click things on a screen.  And whats more, no one can accompany you  and sit alongside somewhere on a chair.  Some tests are downright embarassing in the postures you have to be in, but you see other folks being subjected to the same , and just join the masses .

A bad back problem, a ankle swelling and a burning feet problem, (the burning akin to standing in a kilo of ground green chillies for one hour), had me losing sleep and peace, and I saw a neurologist . After some physical movement examinations,  a lot of diagrams  consequent to my asking questions, I was advised two tests NCV (Nerve Conduction Velocity) and SSEP (Somato Sensory Evoked Potential) .   Fancy names. Very impressed, and I  Googled.

Then I booked an appointment and went in.

Turns out, that these are tests to find out nerve damage , and what kind of damage .  The nerves contributing to my feet burning originated in the spine. Old age does things to your vertebral column ,  and these tests are particularly useful to figure out nerves that may be pinched somewhere, or nerves that may be damaged , say internally . 

 Went to a big hospital in the suburbs where both recommended tests were done . Surprisingly,  while the NCV test is common , not many hospitals will do the SSEP test.

Thankfully , there was no change of clothes into hospital gowns, no drinking water and stuff like that. You lay down on a raised bed,  and someone then proceeds to stick electrodes at places on your scalp, hands , feet, behind your neck, and so on.  You are not supposed to have applied lotions, oils etc that day , and even then they have some conduction fluid thing which they apply after cleaning your scalp areas and rubbing it strongly before sticking the electrode.

After many years,  a rubbing of various areas of the scalp really brought back old memories.  I actually felt like falling asleep. But didnt.

Then the fun part began.  There is a thing like an electrical  two pin plug which they touch to predecided points on your body. The fun part is there is a current running in it and you get shocks.

 How your body responds tells them something about the nerve and how well and fast it transmits sensations  which are detected by surrounding electrodes at a known distance.Your are not supposed to move . Initially the shocks are small, and they gradually increase in amplitude.  There are occasional involuntary cries of "Aai Ga", and the young lady tells me to take a long deep breath , and exhale quickly. I see through it and ask her if all that deep breathing has anything to do with the shocks , and she smiles and says no.  They tell it to people so it distracts them from the shocks.  I tell her to keep the shocks going and ignore my cries . I need to get over with it.

This stuff is repeated for each upper and lower limb, with my lower limbs coming up with some creative shock sensations, thanks to the swellings. A break is announced before the ssep procedure is begun, as an paralytic emergency patient is scheduled for a quick test . I wait outside and try to investigate things on Google on my phone.

I am then called inside for the SSEP procedure .   This is basically designed to see how well the brain and spinal cord can react to messages to and from the various body parts. The speed with which nerves transmit the sensory messages, across known distances.  Brain to tips of the upper limbs, and likewise for lower limbs. So there are electrodes attached to your crown, again with the nice rubbing , and sticking.  A new electrode to your back at your waist, and then lots attached to your ankles. This test doesnt give shocks, but more of a buzz, like a big mosquito bite. Once again they apply voltages/currents, and for some reason the swelling in my ankles seems to behave like an insulation. Time an again i get no sensation from their electric touch, and they keep moving the probe in a certain area, till I overreact, when a slight electric  zing is felt. The test proceeds. I dont sense things going up and down my back, but they see stuff on the screen , and make knowledgeable comments to each other. Two hours later , I am through.

I am simply impressed by the two young girls, who handle these complicated tests, with varied patients. In between they interact with the doctors, as well as the administration/billing people, all this while answering  my questions, They also have excellent people skills, dealing with frightened types, older people who cant hear or language-disabled types.

I realize that while the body has all these glorious systems ticking away inside, it is the brainy high command up there that is kept informed by the nerves about the status of all.  Something doesnt respond to an impulse, something overreacts in pain, something works intermittently. Their are local responses, spinal responses and high command responses. Some nerves, being under an autonomous spinal control, go haywire , and it is sometime before the high command brain figures it out.

Sometimes the nerve itself has gone bad, sometimes the path it follows is in trouble.

And it occurs to me that this is so much like  whats going on in our country., Lots of people, locally controlled, going out of control, making random statements, accusing others, performing faulty actions. By the time people at the top find out, it's too late.

Medicine has all these tests for nerves . I wonder if we need such tests in society.  Backed by science. So we can take action if the person is at fault, and guide him if he is on the wrong path. The tests also tell you if this is a "gone " case, not likely to recover, and likely to lead to some serious affliction. Even then there are ways of making things tolerable.

As for me, I am still waiting to find out my nerve health, and if they have learned any lessons from the shocks they were subjected too .  The report is to arrive in a day.

Just think .Like the country,  sixty plus (and more) - decades of tolerating me, right from birth. I wonder what the nerves will have to say. In society, someone can always get up and give a speech and run someone down with choice epithets.

I think my nerves have more class ...   :-)

Hopefully, it will not be another "shock".......

30 comments:

  1. I can relate,
    every test known to man given me.
    Even bone marrow drawn out, blood work, recent MRI.
    This healthy one, doing everything right
    has severe arthritis, could be worse.
    Glad it did not arrive until 80 :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heyy,
    Your Blog seems really beautiful. I have gone through some of the posts. I found them really attractive, please check my blog and follow.
    http://www.adarshbadri.com/blog/

    I write articles related to Indian lifestyle, society, fashion-trend, youth (lol! relationships too), politics and everything concerning India. Please read them and leave your comments.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is the precise weblog for anybody who needs to seek out out about this topic. You notice so much its almost arduous to argue with you. You positively put a brand new spin on a subject that's been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply nice!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chandigarh has also been the main destination where business Call Naziaa 9050825804 and enjoyment correctly blend into the corners of the Area’s skyscraper buildings. In a town such as this, one cannot assist but be in awe with the shove and bustle of the town collates to a good-looking charming With Naziaa. Indeed, Chandigarh escorts service is an Area Available Top Class Models, the celebrity of love, fervor, wish, and trust.
    Escort service in Chandigarh
    Chandigarh russian escorts
    Zirakpur escorts service
    Chandigarh call girls
    Chandigarh independent escort
    Escort service in Chandigarh

    ReplyDelete
  5. If you're planning a suppose night out where you want to enjoy some erotic game. In Escorts service in Zirakpur, you're searching for an intelligent woman escort business. You're just calling a step-way now. You can go with our Zirakpur Escorts service for clubbing, lunch or even a film. Then at night, in a luxury hotel room, you can go on an erotic meeting. You'll be relaxed with a sensation of intense fulfillment the next morning. Our female escorts from New Zirakpur are taught at the moment of the outing to bring pleasure and happiness. But they're getting wild and warm in bed so you can appreciate the most.
    Escorts service in Zirakpur
    Escorts in Zirakpur
    Zirakpur Escorts
    Call Girls in Zirakpur
    Zirakpur Call Girls
    Zirakpur Independent Escorts
    Zirakpur Russian Escorts
    Russian Escort in Chandigarh
    Escorts service in Chandigarh
    Escorts service in Bathinda

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jaipur Escorts Services understand exceptionally well how to conduct distinctive positions of foreplay in bed. They are able to take care of and fulfill their clients by doing every probable thing. Look at some items that are sensible and make up your own mind. Appreciating your state of mind and feeling like no other moment can be an exciting point of view.

    Udaipur Female Escorts
    Malviya Nagar Female Escorts

    ReplyDelete
  7. If you have any idea what sexy implies you're never going to go to any other Zirakpur escorts service. Not only are our escorts warm and sexy, but they're also more than that. Below we've discussed some of our escorts ' finest characteristics to make sure you're just choosing our Zirakpur escorts for sexual enjoyment.
    Zirakpur escorts
    Zirakpur escort
    Zirakpur escorts service
    Zirakpur escort service
    escorts in Zirakpur
    escort in Zirakpur
    escorts service in Zirakpur
    escort service in Zirakpur
    Zirakpur independent escorts
    Chandiagrh call girls
    Mohali escorts
    Panchkula escorts
    Chandigarh escorts service
    escort service in Chandigarh
    Call girls in Chandigarh

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Find The best perfect Escorts Service with Us. Ascorts Club is Safe and secure Escort Agency who Provide Vip Call Girls in india With many Big Cities. Hire indian Or Russian Escort Girls, Models, Celebrity, Local Call Girls.

    Mumbai Escorts Service by Ascorts Club
    Jaipur Escorts Service by Ascorts Club
    Goa Escorts Service by Ascorts Club
    Bhopal Escorts Service by Ascorts Club
    Indore Escorts Service by Ascorts Club
    Ahmedabad Escorts Service by Ascorts Club
    Jaisalmer Escorts Service by Ascorts Club

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Guys, This is a Chandigarh Escorts Service that can afford not only gorgeous but glad as well. You will encounter many fresh and interesting individuals who stay an enjoyable night in personal bars, designed for VIPs, oligarch community, politicians and entrepreneurs. You're going to be accessible for vast fresh possibilities! After all, it cost faster for all this! Women's jobs-very well! Girls and females Escort service in Chandigarh conferences, cultural activities, and transport and company journeys! Chandigarh VIP escorts
    Chandigarh independent escorts
    Independent escort in Chandigarh
    Chandigarh female escorts
    Chandigarh russian escort
    Chandigarh russian escorts

    ReplyDelete
  11. Chandigarh City is India's very powerful and lovely town. Chandigarh is a very historic town of India and the Escorts service in Chandigarh are very sleek and very lovely, the town environment will create you mad and you'll be fascinated by nature. They have the characters that can readily draw you, and you're going to push you to tell that escorts models are very distinct from the rest of India. Chandigarh call girls have excellent communication understanding and are very worthy of doing everything with their customers at the same moment. Escort in Chandigarh
    Chandigarh Russian Call Girls
    Zirakpur Female Escorts
    Mohali Russian Escorts
    Chandigarh Sex Escorts
    Twitter Sex Chandigarh
    Tumblr Hot Chandigarh

    ReplyDelete
  12. The adventure alone is really exhausting and disconcerting. That's why we've launched top-level travel accompanies across India as well as across the world's countries. Your adventure will be fantastic and comfortable. Dream will stay with you constantly. You can embellish with her while on the journey and hold on as long as you can.

    Chandigarh escorts
    Escorts service in Zirakpur
    Escort service in Panchkula
    Mohali Escorts
    Dehradun Call Girls
    Mussoorie Escorts
    Escorts in Haridwar
    Call Girls in Rishikesh
    Manali Call Girls
    Shimla Escorts Service

    ReplyDelete
  13. Many thanks for coming to Call Girls. Let me tell you that Jaipur is a very Tamil place where many Tamils live, and they also live in Malayalam because there is no comprehension of the language, and we can tell everybody that we took call-girl service that we operate Escort in Jaipur as a whole. We have all the girls who can understand your language and you can give good reason, as many of the callers we have are girls and Tamil and Telugu language and English, and we can speak English because there are girls and women who want to come because there are many women working as Escort Service in Jaipur.
    Udaipur Escorts Service
    Malviya Nagar Escorts Service

    ReplyDelete
  14. The women of our service calling girls from Zirakpur Escorts are not only charming but also capable of offering the finest distinctive service. They are beautiful, amazing and knowledgeable to understand how to fulfill your present desire that you can get a wild variety of Zirakpur escort service to call us at any moment to book in Zirakpur.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Goa Escort Service is the one that is only made for you and for your traditional desire. Our Goa Call Girls process from the beginning of your reservation to the end is very reliable; you will feel very comfortable because of the way things happen and the friendly nature of the women. She will become your friend after you booked her and give you a lot of freedom to enjoy your fantasies. Escorts in Baga Beach
    Panjim Beach Escorts

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi! If you are searching for an Exotic Girl then you can contact and recruit our Best Zirakpur Call Girls, this is the Zirakpur Escorts Service. Anyone can recruit our 24 * 7 call girls. If anyone is interested they can contact on our phone.
    Escorts Service in Zirakpur
    Amritsar Call Girls

    ReplyDelete
  17. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Packers and Movers in Deoband, have a customer-oriented approach towards the varied needs of our clients. Packers and movers in Deoband, Our company situated in Delhi is built on the strong principles of safety, integrity and, reliability.visit here: Packers and movers Deoband, We offer our clients cost-effective and prompt moving & packaging services and goods transportation services, addressing the varied needs of customers throughout India.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very Nice Thanks For Sharing I never Saw these type of Blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I truly enjoy looking through on this web site , it holds superb content .

    ReplyDelete