Random Thoughts XIX

We finally had our first ‘monsoon’. It wasn’t much of a monsoon. However, hearing thunder and seeing lighting and a cloudy sky was very cheery. I sat on the back patio as if I was attending a display of fireworks.

My back is out again. More accurate; my L lower erector spinae muscle is in a severe spasm. So I am walking around looking like Groucho Marx. I use an ointment called Tiger Balm, and try to do more stretches. What I need is discipline a good therapeutic massage. Jason, do you need someone on which to practice your massage schoolwork?

Claudius the Cat has a reprieve. He hasn’t touched dry food in weeks, but he seems to be eating some tinned moist food. At least he is sucking up the liquid. So he is getting some nourishment now.

Someone is away this week, so I am filling some evening time by watching the HBO series “Rome”. What a collection of woofy men!

The mother of Octavian is a hoot; she reminds me of some of my patients.

The Car Key Gnomes have been very active lately around the house; moving things around and placing them in odd areas. They have branched out; and leave all over the house half consumed drinks, pill boxes, ipods, tea cups, and watering cans. It drives Someone bats. Ritalin is a good magic pill to chase away the Gnomes.

Also active around the house is the “Why did I come into this room?” phenomena. I am assured by neurology that this is a normal sign in aging, but enough is enough.

I felt smug recently to accurately diagnosis a young man. He came to me with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. He had all sorts of medical work ups and tests to explain his sudden onset night time auditory hallucinations. I did something that nobody yet had done – I took a history. Turns out he has migraines, and they sometimes manifest in the teens with abdominal pains or auditory hallucinations. He got started on some headache medication and the voices and headaches have alleviated.