15 Years
October 5th, 2009 - filed under MiscellaneousSomething happened shortly after the release of Jetpack in 1993 that changed my life, and not in a good way. A combination of high stress and I’m guessing food poisoning or a stomach virus, gave me severe stomach pains and ulcers. I didn’t have health insurance so I did not go to a doctor. I took massive amounts of Maalox and Rolaids for a month until the pain settled from acute to chronic. I eventually paid to see a doctor but I couldn’t afford any expensive tests so not much came of it. Eventually the pain went away during the day – it only happens when I’m lying down now, usually around 3am.
Back in 1992 I would sleep 10 hours (generally from 2am to noon) and code 12+ hours every day. I created Jetpack in 4 months. I wrote Squarez Deluxe in 1 month. Now, and for the last 15 years, I have been getting 4-5 hours sleep per day and suffering constantly from chronic fatigue. My short term memory and concentration are shot. I’ll be excited about a project and fired up to work, but when I try to code my abilities slip away and I’ll forget everything that was in my head. I usually end up zoning out on TV or playing video games. It’s a constant struggle to get things done, except on the rare days, maybe 1 or 2 a month, when my brain decides to work.
A couple years after this started, I finally got a job with health insurance (in Seattle), and over a year I saw 5 different doctors. They were all completely useless – one actually listened for 3 minutes then told me to take Metamucil for the rest of my life – he spent more time asking me computer questions than trying to diagnose my problem.
- I’ve had these tests: upper gi, small bowel series, endoscopy, colonoscopy, food sensitivity test, fat absorption test, ultrasound. The only abnormality in my blood tests was elevated Gliadin IgG
- I’ve tried 10 different diets, including vegetarian, no lactose, no fat, no salt, & celiac for 3 months
- I’ve been to 10+ doctors, including gut and back specialists, chiropractors, massage, and acupuncture
- I’ve taken countless drugs and herbal remedies, acid reducers, antibiotics, glutamine, hyoscyamine, etc, etc, etc. Once I took a bad combination of anti-yeast herbals, went a little loopy, and ended up in the hospital.
Now I’m in Boston and the doctors seem a little better here. Recently, thanks mostly to the internet and in part to my doctors, I’ve found 2 things that help my pain about 50% – Sucralfate/Carafate (bonds with hydrochloric acid to form a paste that allows intestinal ulcers to heal) and Dicyclomine/Bentyl (smooth muscle antispasmodic, stops intestinal cramping). Now I find it easier to sleep, but after 15 years of this I have a sleep habit of waking up after 4-5 hours. My latest doctor has also found that my gallbladder has some serious issues – but most of my pain is on the sides, not near the gallbladder. I may have it removed soon, and I hope that turns out to be the cause.
In conclusion, I want to make 2 points:
- This is why there is no Jetpack 2 yet
- Universal health care is a basic human right. No one should be excluded because of preexisting conditions, or have their insurance canceled when they get sick. A friend of mine recently had her coverage revoked after being diagnosed with cancer – the reason? She hadn’t disclosed a high blood pressure test 5 years earlier. The decision to deny care should not be made by people whose jobs depend on maximizing profit – it’s just that simple.
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October 5th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Thank God I live in Canada. That’s all I can say. Sure, it sucks ass to pay 14% tax on almost everything I purchase, but in the long run, it’s totally worth it. Not to say that Canada’s system is perfect…
My mother had her gallbladder removed a while back. She too had a lot of misdiagnosis. I wish you the best of luck!
October 5th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Im so sorry for all that bad things which happened to you.
Here In germany its the law to have a health insurance.
You cant have none. And you cant lose yours because of anything.
October 5th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Yikes. Thanks for sharing your story. That sounds awful.
Now that the pain’s getting better, you might look into meditation and relaxation techniques to work on sleeping longer. That sort of thing can work wonders. Getting better sleep would probably help your body to heal, too.
Don’t worry about Jetpack 2. We can wait, as much as we’re itching for it. Take care of yourself.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Hey Adam,
Sorry to hear about that! Yes, our health care system in the USA sucks. I’m no doctor, and many people will probably criticize me for saying this, but have you tried medical marijuana? Not quite legal in all states/areas, but could def help with your stomach issues, and certainly provide pain relief that might help you sleep. Also would help with your focus, concentration, and short term memory (despite what the government will tell you with some made up tests). http://www.norml.com has a lot of good (and scientifically back up) information/articles on this “drug”.
My mother in law recently had her gallbladder removed – she had been misdiagnosed about a million times and the doctors told her it was all in her head – until it was close to bursting… it’s a common procedure though with fairly low risk and fairly quick recovery.
Best of luck man!
October 7th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Your stomach probably never healed becuase the problem(s) that caused it is either still around and/or was never dealt with. The doctors can tell you whats wrong based on a SYMPTOM, and misdiagnose your SYMPTOM because they have confused symptoms with problems. You probably have some stuff to straighten.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Sorry about your condition. That is rough and painful.
Universal healthcare wouldn’t solve your problem though. Per Canada’s example, we can see that universal healthcare delays or eliminates treatment, rather than providing it. Its a cheap political ploy. Don’t fall for it out of sentimentality.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:53 am
My apologies – I thought you were referring to government healthcare. Sorry I’m a moron.
October 13th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Canada’s health system is ranked higher than ours, and it costs less than half of ours per capita. Also, I had to wait 4 months in our great capitalist system to see a specialist!
October 15th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
hey body, dont give up the fight!
wainting for JP2.
your fan
from Brazil.
thx.
October 18th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
I’m also from Canada, and trust me – if you’re in need of something then you get it as quickly as anywhere.. And it won’t cost you a hundred thousand dollars either. The difference is if you go to a hospital here and say ex.”my knee hurts sometimes when i jump”, then ya it will take a couple months to get the tests done because its not a priority. My brother had cancer, and the day after they found out about it he was already in the hospital getting chemo, and radiation after that – and now he has been cured for 5 years, and it didn’t cost anything. I hope that the U.S. gets a similar healthcare system for the millions of people that can’t afford the proper treatment for what they need. Stay strong Adam, and take care of yourself before the game.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Hey,
Jet pack was the first computer game I ever played in my life. I was 10 years old. I totally look forward to part 2 and have been tracking its progress on this website since I had the internet. I still play Jetpack religiously. Love it!!! I wish you all the best in getting better.
Here’s a couple things I would suggest about your health:
1. Sleep is extremely important to your health. You should be getting 6 – 7 hours of it a night, and at least 1-2 minutes should be REM (when you dream). This is when your body does amazing things that we think we can explain but truly cannot. If you are having trouble staying asleep. I would suggest, and I really seriously mean this, smoking a little marijuana before bed. Certain kinds, usually mid grade will put you right to sleep and keep you there. If smoke bothers you, use a vaporizer. It gives you the important chemicals needed to make you relax, without the harmful carcinagens. I know it is a little alternative, but this will really help. It also will assist with the pain.
2. Your mind is a very powerful thing. Use it to your advantage. You’d be surprised what thought alone can accomplish. Keep a positive mind frame. Everyday when you wake up (regardless of how you actually feel) feel better than the day before. Tell yourself everyday that you are getting better, and you are finally able to sleep regularly and your stomach pains are going away, and I swear to you this will start happening. You are in control of your body completely, you control how it works and what it does. Try to visualize your ulcers healing, and the pain easing up, and I bet you the rights to Jetpack 2 that you will get better.
3. In order to better your short term memory, do simple memory exercises. You know, like when you were a kid. Use memory cards, play sudoku, search-a-word, do math quiz challenges. All of these things will fire your memory back up, and you can do it all on your computer. The internet has billions of these little games to play. If you are going to play video games, at least play ones that will assist in the growth of your memory. Eat more fish! The fatty acids in fish actually promote cell regeneration in your brain. You will be amazed at how easy remembering where you put your keys the night before will become. It also will improve your focus.
4. Don’t feel pressured. This is your life. Do things that make you happy, not stress you out. Stress causes ulcers, and degenerates health in a major way. That is why this country is full of so many sick people, and over time health has ultimately declined, even with all the advances in medicine. We as a race have complicated life to the point where if you don’t stop and just take a breath every now and then and just enjoy the sky or a song, or anything, we will go insane.
This is all the advice I have. Its not the best advice, but it is what works for me. I look forward to Jetpack 2. I know it will be amazing. Don’t rush it! Perfection takes time. Good Luck! Let me know if any of this helps.
Gabe
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I too have taken Sucralfate for stomach issues. What an amazing difference. I hope that someday your pain will go away as mine has. Best of luck!