Surfing and Cervical Myelopathy (a headline not often seen)

 

Does anyone out there surf and have cervical myelopathy? I ask because, after weeks of pain, an MRI scan reveals that this rather annoying condition is what ails me. I'm no expert on medical matters but basically cervical myelopathy is all about spinal cord deterioration. In my case, the rot probably started 12 years ago following a snowboarding injury and was hugely exacerbated when I hit the deck with my neck while flow-riding in Jersey a couple of months ago. For the past month or so the following symptoms have been regularly present:

1. Intense neck pain accompanied by electric shock sensations running down my spine whenever the neck is flexed (this is known as 'Lermitte's Sign').

2. Convulsive, shock-like feelings if I'm jolted in any way, e.g. when duck-diving or getting caught inside, or even when popping up.

3. Tingling in my fingers.

4. A numb left hand.

5. Ridiculous fatigue, e.g as at my last session at Spot G, when by the time I'd reached the line-up I was so tired and leaden I felt like I'd sink.

6. Clumsiness and loss of balance.

7. A left leg that doesn't quite work properly, e.g when walking downstairs it wobbles ever so slightly out of control before landing.

8. Inability to run without looking like Samuel Beckett's Watt.

All of these are consistent with what the MRI shows to be "significant" cervical myelopathy. In effect, my nerves are so messed up by bony growths in my spinal cord that my body isn't doing what my brain tells it to do.

Curiously, at the end of my session at Spot G, I quipped to Aerial Attack and Mr J. Asbo that when they next saw me it'd be with my neck in traction. My GP tells me that this is one possibility, while another, given the advanced state of my spinal chaos, is a high risk op to remove the bony protusions which are causing all the grief. A neurosurgeon will advise in due course.

Now then, here is the rub. I'm told that I can't do any exercise at all, other than walking the dogs. In truth, even I can accept this, just about, not least because if I were to paddle out in my current state the pain would be hideous and it'd be 50:50 as to whether I'd get back in again. But the prognosis for cervical myelopathy is not all that great, and the thought of not being able to surf again is doing my head in. Does anyone have any advice on this condition or, better yet, know of surfers who've beaten it and got back in the water?

Pictured: Happier days - about to paddle out at the Soup Bowl with Harry and Zed Layson, and getting a wave there a little later.

Comments

[Traceys Tent]

WOW ! lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[jonty]

does beer help? Hope you get some good news, will have to catch up soon,take care, jonty.

[Gram]

I would like to read sometime in the future: "Back in the water, Alex Wade beats Cervical Myelopathy and surfs better than ever."

I am sure I shall, dogged determination and a boxer's bloody mindedness should see to that.

GOODLUCK and sincerest best wishes, If I could help in any way... you know where I am...

Graham

[Jason]

that's a shocker mate and not normal at your age surely?
good luck with it and hope you get some waves again soon
jason

[twitter.com/surfhog]

Ouch, good luck with getting it all sorted out

[Cookie Garris]

I know your pain. I was a registered nurse. Played guitar in clubs. Played basketball on my days off. Now my left leg is locking up and I use a cane. I just got a second opinion and it's cervical myelopathy. My symptoms are much like yours and I can't do any of those things anymore. They waited to long to do surgery on me but it may not be to late for you. Make your doctors listen and not blow you off like mine did me. My spinal cord damage is permanent but maybe yours is not. I haven't had anyone to talk to with this condition and it gets pretty lonely at times. If you need to vent just yell bro.