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Date:         Wed, 2 Sep 1992 12:24:15 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2918
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2918

                        Wednesday, September 02, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                             Chest/Rib Cage Pain
                                  Re: RSDS
                            Re: General Interest
                            Re: General Interest
                                 Re: greets!
                     Prosthetic & Limb Deficient Support
                                   Phantom
                                 Re: Phantom
                                   Phantom
                               Visitor needed


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Subject: Chest/Rib Cage Pain
From: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org (Arthur Saus)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:376/72.160 - Windows of the Worl, Columbia SC


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hello Bob!

24 Aug 92, Bob Donovan writes to All:

(description of symptoms and complaints about hospitals deleted)

 BD> All I want to know Is how serious is this
 BD> and for how long will I be in this kind of pain and being
 BD> scared every night that I won't wake up ever again?

Although your request may seem simple enough, the answer to that
question will require a full medical examination by a physician.
Obviously this is impossible over FidoNet.  The real answer is to
find a physician you can trust, and whose advice you are willing to
take.  You may be describing something that is serious and requires
significant medical care, or you may be describing something that
is not a significant problem at all.  After taking your medical
history and performing a physical examination with any lab tests
which are needed, your physician will be able to help answer this
question.

Arthur

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Internet: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: RSDS
From: Bob.Eagly@f21.n3619.z1.fidonet.org (Bob Eagly)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:3619/21 - Inner Sanctum, New Port Richey FL


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

I had a operation in 1987, on my wrist that did not fix the
promblem. I was find for aprox 2 years and then while working, I
reinjured my wrist, while digging. And then went thur another
operation in 1990, I have been having burning pain since, I also
complain about the weather changes and ai times I could not
tolerate ceiling fans. The combination of burning and shape pains,
The doctor sent me for a therogram and that is when it showed
up.(Apr 10, 1992). Then again around the first week of this month,
I had another thermogram done, only to be told the same thing. I
can maintain part of the pain with the tens unit, I have it on
about 12 to 16 hours a day. When I use it I am able to sleep a
little better. And without it, I wake up all during the night with
alot of throbing pain. That goes all the  up to my head.

--
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Internet: Bob.Eagly@f21.n3619.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: General Interest
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to John Hargrove <08-09-92 20:52> Shari Messner wrote:

SM> I think he will do better if it will just lessen.  From what I have
SM> read, things *might* improve with the temp and later the permanent.
SM> They say the nerves tend to deaden.  I just hope so as he is such a

Interesting.  Now that you mentioned it my phatom has been more
active durin this hot weather.  Didn't have much trouble during the
cool weather of last winter.

I do not know about the nerves deadenning.  Mine are very active
and have been since the amputation.  Course I have diabetes
neuropathy to tend with also in the stump.

SM> neat
SM> guy.  At 80 things take longer I know.  But.......I can always
SM> hope!!!

Sounds like he is.  We have a few 80 year olds in our amputee support group.
 They're fun to be around.

SM> Thanks for the info on the Golf Assn.  It might be good for him to
SM> see
SM> others *really* do it and not just hear say.....

Anytime.  Hope you can get him hooked up.

John

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Internet: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: General Interest
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to John Hargrove <08-12-92 13:08> Shari Messner wrote:

SM> Maybe that will be the answer.  Our weather has been hot and now
SM> HUMID.

Ours too.  We've been in the high nineties all summer but our humidity has
 been around 75 to 95%.  Has made the phatom pain something else to tend with.
 Mine is more of I feel my foot and want to crack my ankle like I use to.  Also
 I get pains like I have before the surgery and they where bad.  My amputation
 is due to 40 years of diabetes and my system is just falling apart.  Had clots
 in my leg that could not be cleared by any means.  They'd tried but the clots
 came right back.  Pains where tremendous.  Doc walk in and he didn't even get
 the words out before I ask him when could they take it off.  Was glad he could
 get to it as early as he did.  Well that's a bit of my history.

SM> I don't know anything about diabetes neuropathy.  Sounds like you

Diabetes neurpathy is where the glucose (surgar) in one systems ataches itself
 to the nerve ending, in short.  Basically there are two stages: 1) highly
 senstive feeling and 2) no feeling.  Even though it is a bit dangerous I am
 about ready for number 2 to come along.

SM> JH>Sounds like he is.  We have a few 80 year olds in our
SM> JH>amputee support group. They're fun to be around.
SM>
SM> Aren't they fun.  He has such a great twinkle in his eyes and loves

They are the grandparents of all of us in our group.

SM> Warm fuzzies

Warm fuzzied to you to.

John

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Internet: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: greets!
From: Christopher.Baker@f14.n374.z1.fidonet.org (Christopher Baker)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:374/14 - Rights On!, Titusville FL


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

> Hey if you wish you can call my bbs....Diabetes Discussion...in
Austin > Tx.  It  is PC pursuitable and as you know I carry the
echo.  Be gald to > have you.  Number is 512-451-9737.

speaking of diabetes, Raya Systems [medical software and video game
developer] under license from Nintendo has created a SuperNES game
called "Captain Nolovin" that is designed as an educational tool.
it is intended to teach people with diabetes how to control the
disease thru diet and medication.

10,000 free copies are being distributed to healthcare
institutions. the rest will be marketed thru pharmacies and
diabetes supply companies and educators throughout North America.

i have no info on Raya Systems. the notice appears in this month's
issue of "Game Players Nintendo Guide," magazine [Vol. 5, No. 9,
Sep 1992].

i've left inquiries at Walgreens and Rite Aid here in Titusville.
if i get more info, i'll let you know.

TTFN.
Chris

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Internet: Christopher.Baker@f14.n374.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Prosthetic & Limb Deficient Support
From: Wayne.Briggs@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Wayne Briggs)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109.0 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Some possible contacts for you are PALS, Prosthetic & Limb Deficient
Support, 2222 Welborn, Dallas, Tx 75219. 214/559-7430. Current President
is Brenda Staples ,1003 Stell Ave., Mansfield, Tx 76063, 817/477-2968.
This is primarily for kids, teens, college age & parents. A Scotish Rite
or Masonic Hospital O.T. & Scia Work Dept. might be another source.
PLEASE TRY PARACHUTING; BUT NOT HORSES! Another gal who also was born
without arms and was very active made a fatal mistake in trying the
dangerous sport of horseback ridding and was accidently killed. PALS
does have a video about her that you proably could borrow. ANOTHER
SOURCE MIGHT BE THE THILOMIDE (losy speeling) Association. Writing a
note to An Landers might pay off.
What kind of computer do you use ? I'm partial to Macintosh Classics
because they are easy to use. I heard that SPRINT has a special
handicape rate for those of us wh run up big bills networking.
Where are you from & where all have you lived ?  Do you have an
interests or hobbies besides computers? I'm from Michigan & my wife & I
plus 2 kids live about 180 miles West of Dallas. Got sht up n Viet-Nam
with bones thinned & then attack dog got me. Waiting for hospital
financial dept toOK shoulder amputation.
North Texas Amputee Support Group has a VHS by a gal attacked by bear
who lost bost arms at shoulders. Yes, she uses prosthesis some times but
often dosen't. Thought it was tape with useful techniques that you
proably know anyway. Inmy personal research I found that IF your
insurance willcover it, North Dallas Orthothics & Prosetics in
Lewisville (area 214) & Sabolich in Tulsa sometimes are able to give a
bit more functin with a Micha shoulder & myoelectric arm. This is based
not on sales stuff but from talkling with satisfied users.This is a
smsall option for a miniority of folks.
What kind of work d you do ?  Are you involved in any church stuff ?
Hope you make some contacts and also find several nice guys to choosew
from, if that's on your agenda. Good Luck! God Bless! Feel free to send
a message if you are bored or would like to do so.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!124!5109.0!Wayne.Briggs
Internet: Wayne.Briggs@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Phantom
From: Val.Dunn@f337.n202.z1.fidonet.org (Val Dunn)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:202/337 - Yak Attack BBS, La Mesa CA


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Hello Shari,
I am also a BK on the right.  I had a lot of phantom pain at first and
found a few ways to deal with it.
- After surgery and the stitches were removed they gave me a shrinker
that looked like one of those old girdles.  Worked wonders as it fit
MUCH tighter then the ace wraps.
- Slapping the end of the stump with a soft towel sometimes will help to
teach the brain "This is it and there ain't no more".
- Alternating cold packs and warm packs
- Hot tubs
- Swimming

Just about anything that will give the stump a gentle but localized
sensation might help.  I still after almost six years get a periodic
sense of the foot being a sleep or a charley horse....now that's pure
mental torture.

What type of leg are they going to fit him with?
I went through SIX legs in five years trying to find one that wouldn't
cause breakdown.  I have a really great "Leg Man" here in Calif. that
fit me with a silicone (SP?) sleave with a peg in the bottom that locks
into the bucket of the fake leg.  I feel like I have a real leg with
this design because it is "Really" in total contact with my stump.  I
is the same type of leg that a fellow worker at my office uses and he is
a diabetic amputee.  I also have an flex ankle and a energy dynamic foot
so I am one of the luckies that can walk with no limp at all.
Best compliment I can receive is when people think my stump socks are a
knee brace and don't realize the leg below them is fake.

Keep typing these people here are great.

Ps: If he is into swimming my Leg Man and I are trying to develop a fin
to wear on the stump so there is some resistance in the water.  It may
sound like a joke, but we really do swim in circles.  I didn't  want to
add any weight so I didn't want a full leg for swimming.  I ran across a
friend who wears a size 11 fin and tried on on the stump and the sucker
just about fits all the way in.  We are going to try cutting the fin
strap off, slit the sides a little and then join some neoprene (diving
suit material) to make a sleave to roll up over my knee and thigh.

Wish us luck.

My next adventure is learning to spring board dive....YIPEEEEE!!!!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!202!337!Val.Dunn
Internet: Val.Dunn@f337.n202.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Phantom
From: John.Hargrove@f68.n382.z1.fidonet.org (John Hargrove)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:382/68 - Diabetes Discussion, Austin TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

In a message to Shari Messner <08-22-92 08:20> Val Dunn wrote:

VD> sense of the foot being a sleep or a charley horse....now that's pure
VD> mental torture.

Don't those charley horse get to you.  I'm having 'em now.  Nothing you can do
 about the darn things.  Or at least I haven't found anything yet.

VD> I went through SIX legs in five years trying to find one that
VD> wouldn't
VD> cause breakdown.  I have a really great "Leg Man" here in Calif. that
VD> fit me with a silicone (SP?) sleave with a peg in the bottom that
VD> locks
VD> into the bucket of the fake leg.  I feel like I have a real leg with
VD> this design because it is "Really" in total contact with my stump.  I

My pegleg doc and I went through 4 peglegs in 3 years.  Have just been fited
 with a Endolite.  I have a neoprem(sp) sleeve that fits over the boot and when
 I put my stump into the boot and pull the sleeve up over the leg it feel and
 acts like the real thing.  I have more spring in my right leg now then I did
 with the real thing.  It's GREAT.

John

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Subject: Phantom
From: Val.Dunn@f337.n202.z1.fidonet.org (Val Dunn)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:202/337 - Yak Attack BBS, La Mesa CA


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Hi Shari,
I live in San Diego.  We are in Yuma just about every weekend from Nov -
Mar.  Snowbirds, from Idaho, for In-Laws.

I can never remember the name of the type of leg I have but if you
printed it out like I wrote it the Leg Mechanic can figure it out.  The
biggest secret to a good leg is a Leg Man that will listen to the
amputee.  Tell your friend to learn to laugh about it.  I have found it
makes ABP's (Able Bodied Persons) more comfortable and takes the edge
off when some idiot does something stupid.  I was surprised to find out
how many amps have thier cars altered.  I never did I just drive with
the left leg crossed over to the right pedal.
I forgot your friends name but tell him I say:
- You can now wear your socks twice - the rubber one doesn't know it's
  dirty
- You only have to worry about stubbing 5 of your toes.
- At a party and out of glasses?  Put bubble gum in th hole at the
bottom of the leg and it will hold at least a quart.

giggle 8*}
v

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Internet: Val.Dunn@f337.n202.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Visitor needed
From: Richard.Womer@p0.f5109.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Richard Womer)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/5109.0 - National Amputee Co, Dallas TX


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

I'm looking for a well-adjusted woman with a hip disarticulation or
hemipelvectomy to visit a 14-yr-old girl facing a hemipelvectomy.
Means of walking (crutches or prosthesis) irrelevant.  We're in Philly,
and can reimburse travel expenses from NYC, or DC. Please leave me a
message (1) here, or (2) on CompuServe mail (72560,550), or (3) phone me
at (215) 590-2229.

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                  End of Issue # 2918 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
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