Oy, My Aching &%%$#!!
Apr 23rd 2007
Suzanne EnochOn Writing!
I have a book due on June 1st. With writing both historicals and contemporaries, my writing schedule has been…hectic over the past two years. Now my point isn’t the relative mushiness of my brain, though as I wipe drool from my chin I do know that’s probably a valid concern.
Today I’m writing about one of the hazards of writing. Something dark and serious, something that people never really talk about. Not in public. It’s not carpal tunnel syndrome – I know writers who suffer through this, but so far I’ve been lucky. No, this is much more sinister.
I’m a victim of TBS – Tired Butt Syndrome. Basically, I’ve been sitting, in a chair, on the couch, on a bench, in another chair, on the floor, for the past ten months straight while working on four different books. I sit forward, I sit back, I switch from one haunch to the other. But I must sit. I can’t think of a way I can write, either by hand or on a keyboard, while walking. And between you and me, I’m not going to recite a love scene into any kind of recording device while hoofing it on a treadmill. If I didn’t fall off, somebody around me probably would.
And so I sit. And my bottom get numb. I think it’s s p r e a d i n g, too. I’ve tried writing while lying on my stomach, but then my arms fall asleep. Once I tried draping myself over the ottoman so I wouldn’t have to rest on my arms, but then all the blood rushed to my mushy head. After I regained consciousness, I figured that wasn’t a very good idea. Before this, I never would have thought that sitting could be…tiring. But indeed it can be.
Are any of you sufferers of TBS? Do you have another weird work-related ache or pain? Does anybody have a solution for chronic TBS?
38 Comments »
38 Responses to “Oy, My Aching &%%$#!!”
Karen Rose on 24 Apr 2007 at 6:53 am #
I have the same problem, Suzanne! I recommend a massage to the err, afflicted area. (My DH gives good ones, but he’s not for rent, sorry.)
I’ve also seen these weird chairs that almost look like bike pedals for your butt and they kind of make you lean forward, with a chest rail to lean against. Personally, I’d take the butt fatigue.
Karen Hawkins on 24 Apr 2007 at 7:15 am #
Been there! Felt that! Got the numbness to prove it!
Suzanne, I started doing my exercise routine in the middle of the day. That way I can start my day out as all good writers do, in my p.j.s. Then I throw on some gym clothes and rush to the gym. Afterwards, I shower, eat, and I’m revitalized and ready to go. Gives me a second wind.
Of course, if I can’t get to the gym, there’s always the notorious Writers Nap, which is what most writers are doing when you peek into their office unannounced.
Julia London on 24 Apr 2007 at 7:54 am #
Wow. I feel liberated. I’ve been fearful of saying it out loud. Yes, I am a sufferer of TBS. I’ve tried every chair, every piece of furniture and every position. I have even done some work at the kitchen bar standing up. But there is danger inherent in the kitchen….way too close to the snacks, which is another debilitating work-related problem: CS (constant snacking). When n CS meets TBS, it is disastrous.
Like Karen R, I work out in the middle of the day. But it only provides temporary relief. :-(.
Thanks, Suzanne, for bringing this sensitive topic out in the open.
SuzyQ on 24 Apr 2007 at 8:34 am #
Wow, I never knew the actual term. I used to go to the movies a lot and we suffered from TA (theater a$$). Now of course, most movie theaters have updated to more comfortable seating.
But I must admit I suffer from TBS. Sitting at my desk all day can really take its toll!
Ladytink_534 on 24 Apr 2007 at 8:54 am #
Nope never really has TBS because I tuck a foot under me when I sit. Now my knee hurts sometimes because of doing that but hardly ever my rear!
Kasey on 24 Apr 2007 at 8:56 am #
I also am also a victim of TBS. At work I sit at a computer 8 hours a day. Then on nights I have class I sit in those uncomfortable plastic desk chairs for another 3 hours. Then when I am reading or writing papers for school, I am also sitting at a desk or in a chair so I know all about TBS. Sometimes I just need to get up and go for a walk.
Julia London on 24 Apr 2007 at 9:14 am #
You know where the worst worst worst TBS happens? Any flight over two hours. I have noticed as I get older, my body starts aching sooner rather than later, LOL. But those airplane seats are killer!!! At least the cheap seats are. The nice comfy leather ones up front look sooooooo nice when I walk by.
Kasey on 24 Apr 2007 at 9:21 am #
I know what you mean - just last month I had one of the worst cases of TBS on my way back from Italy.
Keri Ford on 24 Apr 2007 at 9:54 am #
My problem isn’t in my bottom. As Ladytink said above, I tuck my foot under me. So my biggest problem in a numb foot while writing and an aching lower back.
Karen Hawkins on 24 Apr 2007 at 10:07 am #
Oh yes, Julia and Kasey, TBS on a plane is bad. REALLY bad cause you can’t hop up and take a stroll when you want.
Just four steps up the aisle –oops! Cart.– back to seat. Wait. Then four steps up the aisle –oops! Man going to bathroom. –back to seat. Wait. Four steps up the aisle — oops again! Seatbelt light on. –back to seat.
It can get ugly. I wish they had a TBS area for sufferers to go and stretch their legs (and arses, too).
Sabrina Jeffries on 24 Apr 2007 at 10:33 am #
Definitely TBS. When I write at the coffeehouse I have a chair I prefer precisely because it doesn’t give me TBS, but now that I’m writing more at home, I need one there, too!
Oh, and glad to know there’s a term for the nap. Since childhood, I have needed a 10 to 15 min. power nap in the afternoon. I even took it on my lunch hour at work, when I worked fulltime in an office (and at the coffeehouse, too–how sad is that?). Can’t function without it.
ct009ct on 24 Apr 2007 at 10:45 am #
As I SIT here printing out programs for my daughters wedding (this saturday), I know exactly what you mean. Yes, I know I could just hit print 50 and leave the room for awhile - but with my luck, I’ll come back to a paper jam - no ink - crooked writing - who knows???? So here I sit with TBS - hey, wait I can stand up and watch the printer, never mind.
Suzanne Enoch on 24 Apr 2007 at 10:58 am #
Oh, thank goodness. I was so worried that by bringing TBS into the light I would be isolated. Ostracized. Now I find that I’m not the only one. And airplane TBS — yes! I like when the little screen says to do those exercises where you lift your knees toward your chin, and then you try and there’s not enough room to even cross your legs.
Ronlyn on 24 Apr 2007 at 10:58 am #
*Raising my hand* Add me to the TBS ranks. Of course, mine is a combo of work & pregnancy related TBS. I sit 85% of my day at my desk. When I am up filing or copying my back hurts, so I go sit again.
I’m debating bringing my exercise ball into my office to sit on. That seems to help at home. and lord knows I’m at the office more than I’m home…or so it seems.
Kasey on 24 Apr 2007 at 11:19 am #
I’m working on a serious case of TBS right now. Thank goodness it is almost lunch time so I can go walk around the mall.
Suzanne Enoch on 24 Apr 2007 at 11:43 am #
I think Karen Rose has come up with the most legitimate reason yet for me to get a DH, or at least a BF — massages. A TBS massage really is something you can’t ask a BIL or even a sister to do for you. Maybe the dog will walk on me. That’s usually not a problem.
Julia London on 24 Apr 2007 at 12:02 pm #
Oh Suzanne, those stupid airline suggestions! Their heart is in the right place, but you can’t help wonder if any of the airline employees have actually flown somewhere in coach in the last five years, right? HAHAHA
DebMarlowe on 24 Apr 2007 at 12:07 pm #
Oh, Suzanne–I’m so glad to know both carpal tunnel flaring up and my spreading behind are hazards of the job! If either my dh or my insurance company gives me any flack, I’m going to point them right here!
Hee hee!
ladydawgfan on 24 Apr 2007 at 12:12 pm #
When I was in architecture school, I used to have TBS to the nth degree!!! What a (literal) pain in the butt!! Sheesh!!! And I had a comfortable drafting chair, too!!!
One of my classmates had a sort of massaging seat cushion that vibrated when you turned on the switch (it ran on batteries). I tried it ONCE. It sort of tickled at first, and then I realized that my butt cheeks weren’t the only things being massaged . . . *blush* . . . Do you know how hard it is to do any work when THAT happens??? *even deeper blush* . . . Then again, maybe now that I’m out of school, I’ll look for one of those cushions . . .
Suzanne Enoch on 24 Apr 2007 at 12:21 pm #
Okay, ladydawgfan, I don’t need a DH or a BF anymore. What was that chair called? *g*
dbrown3400 on 24 Apr 2007 at 12:38 pm #
My work-related problem is AKS, aching knee syndrome. We must stand all eight hours in pharmacy even if we have no customers, no prescriptions to fill, shelves to straighten. And there are six lovely, EMPTY chairs on the other side of the room. If we are truly without business, the pharmicist brings out alcohol, paper towels, and the dreaded MR. CLEAN ERASER and we commence cleaning.
Our super-store is going to close at some nebulous time in the future, but customers are transferring RXs to other pharmacies more frequently. We clean more often. And we stand.
Oh, did I mention my knees are shot to begin with.
Donna
Caren Crane on 24 Apr 2007 at 1:10 pm #
Oh, my! I think I need to dig around in the closet and find the massaging cushion I got for Mother’s Day eons ago. I thought, at the time, it was for my aching back I sustained hauling chubby toddlers around. I found it somewhat annoying, not to mention that my then 8-yr-old son used it more than I did. Now that the toddlers are fully mobile teenagers (and the son is grown), the cushion is looking more intriguing!
Hope that didn’t go in the Goodwill bag, because my own TBS is in full swing!
kay on 24 Apr 2007 at 1:40 pm #
Suzanne, you hit the nail on the, uh, tail, with this one. Last year, I was thrown from a horse and broke my talibone (this is not funny people) and have had a pain in the seat ever since.
A few months ago, I went to a “RELAX THE BACK” store and found one of those big balls, it really helps to take a wiriting break and stretch with one of those. It came ith a DVD that I pop into the computer. I also have a yoga DVD that put in the compuer and I use once a day. They keep the pain in the seat from turning into a back spasm.
A massage sounds gret, Karen. I will have to remind my DH that it is a necessity for my writing…..;-)
Karen Rose on 24 Apr 2007 at 2:16 pm #
Glad to have been of service in the DH or BF department.
FYI - I googled “Butt Massage” and Kay’s massage ball popped right up there.
Ladydawgfan, you’re naughty. Go girl. I want me of them chairs.
Suzanne Enoch on 24 Apr 2007 at 4:41 pm #
Yeesh. We are legion. I think we need to form a foundation. How about a good acronym? Like BUTT — Bottom-Use-Tiring-Tendencies foundation or something.
Kathleen on 24 Apr 2007 at 4:49 pm #
I think I have had a terminal case of TBS since I started grad school (I have since graduated). First I sat for my job, then in class, then at internship (although with occasional breaks between seeing one patient out and the next one in), then for homework…Now between working 3 jobs I sit for ALL THREE, AND for my daily writing as I can fit it in. The derrière has definitely spread…Did we establish where to get those cushions? Not that DH wouldn’t appreciate any opportunity to offer massage….
TinaLouiseF on 24 Apr 2007 at 6:05 pm #
Do you know how annoying it was in school when the teachers would tell me to sit up straight? I keept telling them that I have a compressed fracture of 3 vertebrae in my lower back and it is uncomfortable to sit in one position for any length of time.
My job has contoured backs on the chairs. I usually sit with one leg curled and the other on a footstool to help push my back into the chair since the seats are so long and my feet don’t reach the floor.
Karen Hawkins on 24 Apr 2007 at 6:45 pm #
I want a vibrating cushion …. please? And if my dog ever walked on my back, it’d break. He’s HUGE!
As for massages, bring ‘em on! Of course, I’ve never had my rump massaged before, but then I lived in the Bible belt so there was probably a law against it. I’d really like one of those vibrating cushions …
Carpal tunnel can be bad, too. I DO get a massage for that. I get my arms ’stripped’ which is where they press the length of my forearms and woooork all the knots out. It’s helped more than anything else. Of course, if I had a vibrating cushion, that might do the same thing …
Hey, you guys aren’t just teasing me about the cushion, right? I mean, it really exists, doesn’t it? And vibrates? I hope so ’cause I’m putting it on my birthday wish list RIGHT NOW.
Suzanne Enoch on 24 Apr 2007 at 8:41 pm #
Okay, okay, KarenH. I’ll find you a robe AND a cushion. Yes, a vibrating one. Sigh.
Karen Hawkins on 24 Apr 2007 at 9:04 pm #
Suzanne, you ARE the perfect roomie. Even if there wasn’t a conference in July, I’d come and stay with you just for The Perks.
KMB25 on 24 Apr 2007 at 11:28 pm #
Oh dear…it appears I’ve seriously missed out on the fun today. But I can definitely join the TBS…aka SBS (sore booty syndrome)…as I’ve just gotten back from a dress rehearsal for a symphony…it was 3 hours long. 3 HOURS LONG pretty much in one position…except, my behind is not the only thing sore. I think I need to mandate that the hubby MUST rub my neck and back after these awful rehearsals!
I have a chiropractor appointment on Friday (strategically scheduled for the morning AFTER the concert on Thursday night) Right now I’m just praying my neck, back and butt hold up until Thursday!
~Kim
gannon on 25 Apr 2007 at 12:18 am #
I think I missed the fun too, Kim! I think TBS or SBS will work for this problem. And curse those coach seats on airplanes. It’s even worse when you’re tall. If I ever had to get into crash position (head to knees), I’d break my neck on the back of the seat in front of me.
I love my chiropractor, Kim and swear by one. Between that and acupuncture, my aches and pains are far more manageable.
KariE on 25 Apr 2007 at 8:24 am #
And this whole time I thought it was called secretary a**. Huh. I have a co-worker that did bring a ball to work. I would keep seeing her head popping over the top of my monitor. It made me giggle. It did seem to serve the purpose, altough I think I will go for the vibrating cushion.
KMB25 on 25 Apr 2007 at 9:38 am #
Gannon, I know what you mean–although my hubby is the tall one of the two of us. I’m kinda short…just the average 5′5″….I usually fit ok in the airplanes, but I completely understand airplane TBS…I get it on a regular basis!! Along with Orchestral SBS…hehe.
~Kim
MJ on 25 Apr 2007 at 9:51 am #
Ummm….
1)First, the exercise ball…. I did this for several months. It does work, but you really have to watch that you don’t ’slump’ and trade a pain in the butt for a pain in the neck… Also - I don’t think this works as well for type As like me - we tend to lean forward (perhaps this causes the neck problem?)
2) I’m not a writer, but spend my entire working day at the computer…but my issues are upper back and neck. But since I care about ergonomics especially, I’ve enlisted help… [My brother and mother are both writers. One has no butt issue other than her children (or so she says). The other is a prolific writer…who says his butt pain w/b easily solved by an editor who can spell. (-; ] I did get one useful suggestion - a writer friend has been know to write on her knees on a big cushion, with another behind her knees, leaning back against a big leather ottoman. ?how are your knees?
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Apr 2007 at 10:41 am #
Must get vibrating cushion . . . must get vibrating cushion . . .
susang on 25 Apr 2007 at 2:00 pm #
Did anyone see Dilbert yesterday? Had to laugh when I read the funnies last night, after seeing the blog yesterday. S
Sophia Nash on 25 Apr 2007 at 4:07 pm #
Suzanne-
I feel your pain. I’ve got a book due June 1 too and I have every friggin alphabetic ache you mentioned as well as PANLDS (pins and needles lap dog syndrome) and ICSDANMTII (Irritated Cat Swiping Dog and Needling My Thigh Instead Inflamation) This is what happens when I try to write at home. About the only good part of the above two problems is that it makes you forget all about TBS.
Sophia Nash