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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Mon, 11 Jan 1993 02:01:12 EST
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 3087

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 3087

                          Sunday, January 10, 1993

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                Re: headache
                           Re: Shingles/Adhesions
                                re: your pain
                                  Re: radio
                                Re: Hi Stefan
                            Trochanteric Bursitis
                                  Adhesions
                                    Pain
                                    pain
                                    radio


                                ******


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Subject: Re: headache
From: Carl.Mork@p0.f367.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Carl Mork)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/367.0 - The Chess Board, Beaverton OR


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 -=> In a missive from Bob Paddock to Keith Jones <=-

 BP> This isn't Bob writing this message it is his fiance, Karen
 BP> Shettler,  I am the one that was in the accident.  He uploads
 BP> it for me.

 BP> Its been over three years now since my car accident. I would
 BP> be interested in hearing what you have to say about treatments
 BP> that are not part of the medical avenue. I'm open for
 BP> suggestions.

My mother has similar problems.  Hers started from calcium deposits
inside the vertebrae.  This was then aggravated by a defective
wheelchair that had a bad tendency to slam sideways, whipping her
head around sharply.  Then she was hit by a car in a crosswalk(IN
her wheelchair at the time!) and then was in constant pain.  While
specialized anti-inflammatories have helped some, what worked best
for her was the services of a good hypno-therapist.  Accent on
GOOD!  A cheap one doesn't help.

        Hope this can be of some help to you.
        Carl

... One of the new "miracle drugs" is inexpensive. That's the miracle!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!367.0!Carl.Mork
Internet: Carl.Mork@p0.f367.n105.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Shingles/Adhesions
From: Carl.Mork@p0.f367.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Carl Mork)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/367.0 - The Chess Board, Beaverton OR


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 -=> In a missive from Steve Ambrosini to You <=-

 SA> How long does it take to recover from Shingles?
 SA> Might this be a premanent condition?
 SA> Is there any other medication that might help?
 SA> Any other suggestions?

As I understand it, Shingles is a viral infection and is often
chronic.  I wish I knew of a good aid for it, but I don't.  I would
advise against using anything with aloe vera in it, however,
because in some people it produces a rash, which would make things
worse.

        Good Luck.

... One of the new "miracle drugs" is inexpensive. That's the miracle!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!367.0!Carl.Mork
Internet: Carl.Mork@p0.f367.n105.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: re: your pain
From: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Stefan Welch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:125/33.0 - BODY DHARMA ONLINE, Oakland CA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 -=> Quoting Nancy Kowall to Michael Rooney <=-

 MR> Maybe if you could be a little more theatrical about your pain you
 MR> would get farther.<G> Amazing how people react. If you complain about
 MR> the pain and get deepressed and sullen you are a whiner and if you
 MR> don't
 MR> say much and keep a positive attitude, welllll, you're really not
 MR> hurting,
 MR> it's all in your mind. Can't make people happy no matter what you do.

 NK> AMEN!!!! You speak for many of us-

 Amen encore. I find that when I strive for the positive
 attitude--carry forward in spite or the difficulties, invoke my
 best courage--someone will invariably say, "Well, you look
 really good, what's the matter with you? You must not have much
 of a pain problem." AAARRRGGGHHH!!! Well, that is what they see,
 not when I am collapsed later, curled around my stuffed rabbit
 when my endurance over-ride runs out. One woman in my chronic
 illness/disability/pain support group said she has found the
 response, "I look normal, but I'm not normal," is simple,
 direct, and helps people reorient to the realities of disabling
 pain.

 :-)  Stefan

... Catch the Blue Wave!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!125!33.0!Stefan.Welch
Internet: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: radio
From: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Stefan Welch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:125/33.0 - BODY DHARMA ONLINE, Oakland CA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 RH> Is your dad still active in ham radio??  Is he on HF at all?  Maybe I
 RH> have or will run into him sometime!

 My dad is still active. He's doing mostly 2 meter and 440 with
 the local repeaters. He's active in the local RACES and Red
 Cross emergency services. It's a big change for him: in his
 early radio days he did HF and built his own rigs.

 RH> There is also an echo called PACKET that is about packet radio.  I'm
 Thanks, I'll look for it.

 RH> I finally found the time and interest to study for my license after I
 RH> was injured and re-injured (lower lumbar discs) and really hurtin'.  I
 RH> found that it helps me, as does the computer, to take my mind away
 RH> from the pain.  It's another way to communicate with people and make
 RH> contact.  You might find it very interesting.  You can always talk on

 Yes, taking one's mind away from the pain is pricelessly
 valuable. I can imagine that radio can offer more contacts to
 offset isolation. What kinds of things do you talk about on
 radio? I ask because my dad said the conversations are typically
 brief and populated almost exclusively with tech talk and
 contact/location information. I think I got disenchanted because
 I wanted a softer, more human conversation arena, such as that
 we have here. But, do tell, maybe I have misconstrued what radio
 could offer to my couch and phone line setting.

 Wish you well,    :-)

 Stefan

... Catch the Blue Wave!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!125!33.0!Stefan.Welch
Internet: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Hi Stefan
From: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org (Stefan Welch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:125/33.0 - BODY DHARMA ONLINE, Oakland CA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 -=> Quoting Wayne Briggs to Stefan Welch <=-

 WB> thoughtful to send it. For myself, relationships with other people and
 WB> God is what keeps me going. That dosen't mean that my relationships

 Yes, since I had more physical limitations, I find I place more
 focus on interpersonal relationships. These gift/afflictions
 have a way of stripping away some options and opening others. I
 have grown closer to my family in recent years, particluarly my
 sister (in LA). We provide mutual support and comfort, helps me
 a lot.

 WB> Where do you live ?   We are now in west Texas, 180 miles West of

 I live in Albany, right next door to Berkely, across the Bay
 from San Francisco (where I used to work.)

 WB> If you have the time
 WB> and interest, would you like to  share a bit about yourself and how
 WB> you happen to be usuing this echo ? I'm from the Thumb area of

 Okay. I've contended with 2 waves: In late 60's I injured a
 knee, had surgery and things went sort of mediocre, but I was
 mobile. Then in about 1974 I injured the first again the other
 knee as well (finally figured out it was from hiking out too far
 when sailing samll high performance boats). Had a couple of
 surgeries and came out of the second one with severe (!!!) pain
 in my back radiating down both legs. Worked with the ortho guys,
 did the doctor hopping routine for 3 years, had epidural
 injection (which made things worse), had a back brace, spent
 1977 and 1978 flat on my back 24 hours a day. Finally found a
 forward thinking neurologist who targeted the problem a probable
 arachnoiditis. So I wore my brace, invented exercises, studied
 backs, nutrition, biofeedback, self-hypnosis, deep relaxation
 and over the next several years got myself back to a functional
 level with daily pain that I could manage. Got back to work.
 Recreated a carreer. In Jan 1989 had some indeterminate
 inflammation event in my pelvis (like a bladder infection or
 something) that flared, started to disappear and then started
 giving tremendous pain in my pelvis and groin when I would stand
 or sit up for more than a few minutes at a time. Docs suspected
 infection and so I went through massive antibiotics that ended
 up destroying my intestines' ability to process food. Pain
 getting worse. Finally took me off antibiotics. I now also had
 massive intestinal problems. Was hospitalized for a short time.
 Lost 15 lbs that weren't extra. After putting all my food
 through a Cuisinart for 2 years I can eat again !!! In the
 meantime I lost my job, but it had private disability insurance
 (thank the Lord for small favors). So the uncracked nut at this
 point is the pelvic/groin pain like having been kicked. I'm sure
 you get the point. It's been a challenge to keep the docs from
 lumping the pelvis/groin in with the earlier difficulty; I live
 in this body and I can tell they're not intimately related.
 ----- Ok, so I guess I ran on longer than expected. I rarely run
 through the litany anymore.

 Sounds like you've been through your own nasty chapters of the
 comedy of tragedy. Oooooff. It takes my breath away to hear what
 you've endured. Not fun. No, not fun. I'm so sorry to hear
 you've been through such a mill.

 WB> 10-30-92. What are your interests ?

 Well, let's see. I bet I'll learn something about myself by
 describing this. I tend to forget who I am from the
 delegitimization of the in-valid. I like computer tech stuff:
 this was my business for the last 10 years. I'm also interested
 in the dynamics of interpersonal communication. (I've helped
 write guides and train in the corporate environment.) I've
 recently gotten involved with the Disabled Children's Computer
 Group (DCCG) here. Shortly after starting to assist them they
 awarded me sysop status. I've started investigating BBS
 software, reader doors, and offline readers with the intent of
 installing Blue Wave for them. By writing reports and contacting
 software vendors, I've managed to talk myself into Beta testing
 for 5 companies so far. But what I'd really like to do is
 write--fiction books or screen. I got interested in this about 6
 months ago for the first time in my life. I'm reading a lot and
 studying: it is still pretty far away. I keep getting myself
 side tracked into tech work. Hmmm. Got to get the projects
 re-balanced, I'm driving myself nuts by tring to do too
 much--and manage pain at the same time.

 Well, that's all for now. Look forward to hearing from you. How
 do you stay sane and functional with you pain and inordinatley
 incised body?

 :-)  Best well wishes,

 Stefan

... Catch the Blue Wave!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!125!33.0!Stefan.Welch
Internet: Stefan.Welch@p0.f33.n125.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Trochanteric Bursitis
From: Shoshona.Bieman@f102.n103.z1.fidonet.org (Shoshona Bieman)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:103/102 - The Master's BBS, Garden Grove CA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Kim, do you suffer with tochanteric bursitis, too? I've been
putting up with the agony for almost 8 years. I have had the
bursa(e) injected with steroids/lidocaine many dozens of times in
that time span. The Dr. always draws out fluid from the bursa(e) at
the same time. Is that what you were interested in? I am currently
trying to get my Dr. to remove the bursa(e) since my condition has
progressively deteriorated and I just don't respond anymore to the
treatments...

Shoshona ;-)

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!103!102!Shoshona.Bieman
Internet: Shoshona.Bieman@f102.n103.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Adhesions
From: Allison.Mcgill@f512.n167.z1.fidonet.org (Allison Mcgill)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:167/512 - Rocket's BBS, Brossard Qc


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hi Steve,

With my own expierence on adhesions and scar tissues, I had the
similar problems.  After having numerous operations releasing the
nerve from the adhesions is never permanent.  This has been done
for me many times but the nerve still gets caught up in the
adhesions.  Sometimes it does last longer than others then till the
next ime comes along.  She is best off dicussing it with her
physician (if she can get them to listen) some of them won't and
this was hard to face.  I began to think it was just my imagination
but till I found a Dr. who would finally listen and agree the pain
was so severe.  This last bout I was taking leritine 150mg every 3
hours to try to stop the pain but it didn't work.  But I was told
adhesions are a visious circle.  But surgery is one alternative if
you find the right Dr. and you're willing to take the chance it'll
come back.  Nothing is 100% guarentee anymore.

I sympathize with your mother and I know the pain she's going
through.  I've had 20 - 22 operations on adhesions.  No more this
lat one nearly killed me.  I would rather live with the pain.

Till later.............
Allison

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!167!512!Allison.Mcgill
Internet: Allison.Mcgill@f512.n167.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: Pain
From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34 - Batteries Included, Montgomery AL


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 > That's one major disadvantage we have. Even if someone DID take me
 > up on my
 > rather drastic example, at least they would eventually recover. We
 > can't - at least not 100%, and in some cases much less.

I know, Joe.  And, what really gets me, is the fact that Chronic
Pain is not dealt with more in medical school.  It's like, "Ok, if
you get a patient with chronic pain, send 'em off to a pain
clinic."

Linda

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!375!34!Linda.Cummings
Internet: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: pain
From: Michelle.Levett@p2.f26.n243.z1.fidonet.org (Michelle Levett)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:243/26.2 - Echo Valley, Vanier ON


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

I wish my father could feel the pain I've been having for the pain
6 months. Then he'd shut his trap about self-pity and everything
else.

I'll be going home to Brantford in less than a week (away from my
friends and modeming) and boy, do I feel stressed! I finally told
my mother point-blank how bad the pain is. (I don't know if she's
told my father, I hope she hasn't) In any case, she could be coming
down with my father and I'm afraid I'll have two people yelling at
me in the van instead of one.

One thing's for sure. This is going to be the LAST time I'm ever
going home. I'm going to be looking into getting into a special
apartment in Ottawa, and I continue my studies part-time so the
government will cover tuition. At least that way, my dad can't
gripe about paying for my education when I won't even come home!

Yes, I'm hiding from him. But I'll tell you this:I can't sleep, my
apetitite's gone and I just want to call up my parents right now
and tell them I'm not coming home for Xmas.

I'll mail their presents home to them and they can take the gifts
they get for me back to the store. To hell with Xmas dinner, I'll
eat canned food for the next three weeks. Not even the prospect of
seeing the cat that was my best and only friend during my summer of
convalescence will be enough to bring me home.

I sound crass and ungrateful, but I don't know whether to scream or
to just take every last Tylenol, Macrodantin and Naproxen tablet in
my possession and crawl into bed to await the end.

To use an eloquent phrase of a friend, I'm "lone".
.s

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!243!26.2!Michelle.Levett
Internet: Michelle.Levett@p2.f26.n243.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: radio
From: Ruthie.Hoffman@f660.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ruthie Hoffman)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/660


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 >  My dad is still active. He's doing mostly 2 meter and 440 with
 >  the local repeaters. He's active in the local RACES and Red
 >  Cross emergency services. It's a big change for him: in his
 >  early radio days he did HF and built his own rigs.

Sounds VERY much like my dad.  I'm active in RACES myself now, and
have been active in Red Cross Disaster Services for awhile now.  It
runs in the family I guess.  My dad and brother (who is also a ham)
have been involved in RC for around 15 yrs. now.

 >  Yes, taking one's mind away from the pain is pricelessly
 >  valuable. I can imagine that radio can offer more contacts to
 >  offset isolation. What kinds of things do you talk about on

It has been a HUGE help to me in keeping me from feeling too
isolated...especially because I live in a very rural area and
EVERYTHING is long distance.

 >  radio? I ask because my dad said the conversations are
 > typically
 >  brief and populated almost exclusively with tech talk and
 >  contact/location information. I think I got disenchanted
 > because
 >  I wanted a softer, more human conversation arena, such as that
 >  we have here. But, do tell, maybe I have misconstrued what
 > radio
 >  could offer to my couch and phone line setting.

A conversation on ham radio is what YOU make it.  I have WONDERFUL,
non-techy, non-ham radio related chats with folks from ALL over.  I
keep "skeds" (ham slang for scheduled conversations...QSOs as they
are called) with folks and we meet regularly on different
frequencies at different times.  These are on HF, mostly CW (morse
code), but that's cuz that is what I like.  I do the same on voice
too.  And on packet, there is always someone around!  And the
spontaneous conversations are just as good, and different in their
own way than those with folks you come to know.  For example, I
called CQ (that means "here I am, I would like to talk to anyone")
the other night, voice, and ended up having a conversation for over
an hour with a fellow up in Ontario, Canada. The only "techy" stuff
we talked about was the antennas we were using. Other than that, we
talked about ourselves, where we lived, our cats, etc. etc..

Hope you might find this interesting and someday maybe I'll talk to
you on the air!!!

Happy Holidays!!

Ruthie   (AA2IO)

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!660!Ruthie.Hoffman
Internet: Ruthie.Hoffman@f660.n260.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 3087 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
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