u/No-Matter-8222

A little off label here, but I know you guys know what I’m going through. Herniated C5/C6 8yrs ago, pretty severely. Horrible radiculopathy for about a year then annoying pain for another year. Healed without surgery (although wouldn’t do it again). Fast forward, it’s re-herniated and I’m in the awful acute phase. The issue I’m having is, my 1st time, I could sit still on the couch and lay flat at night to sleep without agony (still had awful burning arm pain but the actual neck pain would quiet this way). I’m on day 3 today and each day the electric shock pain gets worse and worse. I cannot sit, stand, move or even breathe without the shocking pain; it makes me audibly gasp/yell out in pain. I cannot move my head or neck in any direction, chin tucks are a huge no, and cannot do any stretches without severe pain. My question is: has anyone experienced this type of acute phase? I have no numbness, and so far the pain is staying in my neck/traps but it’s a 9/10 every second of the day. This morning has been the worst so far. I tried sleeping in “zero gravity” with our adjustable base, tried sleeping on both sides, flat on back with towel under neck and flat on back without… all of these hurt terribly bad. Just non stop shooting pain with every movement. I know soft collars are a no-go long term but considering one for a few days until this initial phase subsides.

TLDR: electric shock neck pain, how long does this acute phase last (I know it varies wildly), and any tips (especially for sleep). I’m desperate.

Trying to figure this out via Google, but I know you guys will be more help. Been hooked up at an RV park on city water for 4 days. Just this morning we noticed a faint rotten egg odor. Came and went quickly, couldn’t pinpoint any specific spot the smell was coming from. Definitely not from the bathroom. The bathroom sink is outside the shower/toilet room and it was in that general vicinity. A few things: Checked the battery, seems fine. Propane tanks are turned off (could they still leak?). We seldom use propane as we cook outside on a grill and don’t really utilize the stovetop inside (over a year ago). The smell stayed gone all day but I washed my face just now and it’s back. The kitchen sink/water doesn’t smell… so it’s odd. My main concern is that it’s the hot water tank (bacteria). We never use the hot water tank, either, always shower where we are staying. It’s never been drained or cleaned. We aren’t drinking the water but have of course washed our faces, dishes and brushed teeth 😩 I’m worried for our little girls. Will this make us sick? Someone tell me, how bad is this?! Husband doesn’t know anything about anything as we are newer-ish to RV’ing. He’s annoyed, and I’m trying to figure this out on my own.

Well, I turned in my notice in March and effectively left teaching as of the end of May. I have tons of connections and assumed I’d easily find a job. I didn’t become a teacher until I was 35, so I have other job experiences and skills. Piece of cake, right?! Wrong. Rejection after rejection and I’m starting to panic. Additionally my confidence is shot. I got a call today from the hiring manager for a credit/loan position at a bank notorious for promoting within (they even told me during my interview I could promote up quickly as someone is looking to retire) telling me they went with a candidate who had more direct experience. We had really hit it off and it would’ve been a perfect fit, so I’m totally defeated. This one stung, I actually broke down crying after the call. I’ve never interviewed for a job I haven’t been offered. To complicate things, I need a job with minimal speaking, as the main reason I had to leave teaching was due to vocal health/strain. It’s as if employers think teachers are just certified babysitters?! I have so many skills and things to offer, and come with excellent references and recommendations. I left on great terms. I am a high achiever, totally dependable/loyal, have been very successful teaching, never been late to work a day in my life, but companies do not seem to care. How can I ever gain direct experience in another field?! The positions I’m applying for explicitly state “no experience required” or I at least match the general expectations which are mostly clerical. I don’t even know what I want. Advice? Help? Or just shoulder to cry on. Thank you if you’ve even made it this far.