This is a post-injection/happy juice post Thankfully I don't remember a thing about the procedure, for which I am deeply thankful. I am not allowed to drive at all today, and I won't. I certainly don't want to risk a DUI or hurting someone. I've good books and music to occupy my time today. I will also take a break from the trainer, just relaxing today.

I got what I consider good news from the specialist. In his opinion almost everyone my age has bulging discs and that is not where my pain is coming from. He also doesn't think I really have nerve impingement. He made an interesting comment, he said if all of the symptoms on my right side were moved to my left that it would be signs of a heart attack.

He thinks that the cervical spine arthritis was happily doing its degenerative thing without bothering me until the fall when I snapped my neck so hard and that really caused it to flare. In his opinion everything is from the arthritis and all of the apparent neurological symptoms are actually referred pain from the arthritis. Treat the arthritis, do some physical therapy to target specific places, and he thinks I will be good to go and back on the mountain bike/normal activity level long before spring.

I will do the PT, but it will have to wait until January 1 so I can use my flexible spending account to pay for those $35 co-pays since he wants me to go 2-3 times a week for a time.