Back In The Game

Yesterday's pain crisis--horrible burning shoulder/back pain due to excessive computer gaming--has mostly been averted thanks to ibuprofen, heat and valium.

I can't help but think of the term "mother's little helper" when I think of valium--isn't that what they used to call it back in the 50s or 60s or whenever they came out with it? Back in the days before Prozac and before it was ok for housewives to admit they were miserable and bored and lonely at home. I personally don’t think it’s all that great—it just sort of spaces me out, which is not something I need pharmaceutical help with since I am in tune with my surroundings about 25% of the time anyway. The 50s housewives can keep their valium because I don't think it's anything to write home about.

The heatwrap, on the other hand…that thing is pure genius. It’s essentially a giant, hot maxi-pad that you stick on your back, where it magically stays hot for 12 hours. I have no idea how it works but I LOVE it and would definitely take one over valium any day. I have it on today, however, and am slightly worried that people will think I actually do have a maxi-pad stuck on my back because it is clearly visible through my shirt and the adhesive "wing" is clearly visible on the back of my neck.

At any rate, the good news is that no permanent harm was caused by Luxor--which is slightly unfortunate because I'm already craving it like a 50s housewife craved valium.

Luxor

Patrick was away last weekend so I spent an embarrassing amount of time playing Big Kahuna Reef's replacement, Luxor (Google "Luxor game" too see what I'm talking about). I had big plans--go see Meet the Browns (see yesterday's post), shop, go to the gym, etc. I am also reading a really good book, Next by Michael Crichton, and was definitely going to finish it.

Saturday I had the kids but while we were home I spent pretty much every free minute not reading but playing Luxor. Sunday I was on my own from 1-6 pm--perfect time to go see a movie, right? Pedicure, shopping, whatever. Suddenly, though, I was bone tired so lay down on the sofa and watched Arlington Road (again, see yesterday's post). But that only lasted for 2 hours and, if my memory serves me correctly, I think I spent from 3-6 playing Luxor.

Yesterday I started having a burning, wrenching pain in the middle of my back, right next to my right scapula. I thought it was either from excessive sofa time or lifting weights.

This morning I asked my friend/coworker who is a massage therapist in training, to diagnose the pain--did she think it's a pulled muscle? I jokingly mentioned maybe it was a result of my Luxor binge.

Turns out that, yes, she thinks it's a pinched a nerve in my scapula. The cause? Luxor.

I might be the only almost 40-year old woman to ever sustain a video game related injury--how pathetic is that?

**** Update****

My back/shoulder/arm now hurts so bad it's crazy...I'm swearing off computer games forever. Unfortunately I still have to spend most of my waking hours sitting at a computer using a mouse anyway.