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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Wed, 9 Sep 1992 14:00:56 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2937

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2937

                        Wednesday, September 09, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                           Re: Chest/Rib Cage Pain
                                    Pain
                                  12 Steps
                      rsd and related and workmans comp
                                  Re: PAIN
                            Re: General Interest
                            Re: Phantom Limb Pain
                                   Just me
                                GRANT PROJECT
                           free braille telegrams


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Re: Chest/Rib Cage Pain
From: Kathleen.Mcintosh@f181.n264.z1.fidonet.org (Kathleen Mcintosh)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:264/181 - Les's Corner BBS, Richmond VA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 [BD] What exactly is bio feedback?  What does it cost?
 [BD]
 [BD] Bob
Biofeedback is a method of learning to control certain functions
such as heart rate and relaxation by means of a feedback device.
The device is usally a tone that changes as, for instance, your
heartbeat, moves towards the desired level.  Because you can hear
the change in tone, you know when you are doing what you want.  It's
surprizing easy to do.  I would get so relaxed doing this that I
felt as if I was floating.  It seemed that I could feel sun rays and
sound travel through my body.  A trip without drugs!  The main thing
is, you can learn to relax anytime and thus reduce stress symptoms.
I did this at the health center of the university I was attending
and the cost was $25 per session.  Most of that was waived because
of my (lack) of income.  I don't know what it would cost anywhere
else, but I felt it was definitly worth it.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!264!181!Kathleen.Mcintosh
Internet: Kathleen.Mcintosh@f181.n264.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Pain
From: Michael.Rooney@f737.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Michael Rooney)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:106/737 - AirBoat OnLine, Houston TX


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

MF>medication for pain, anti-inflammatories (which I had a bleeding ulcer from
MF>and thought I may die!).  I went through a spine center pain clinic in
MF>Oklahoma City this past year and the only new thing I learned was that
MF>"again" there was nothing that can be done to help.  Well, for someone
MF>reluctant to leave a message, I have left a book...  Now, I take 150 mg
MF>elavil to help with the pain and go to sleep, although I cannot sleep for
MF>long.  My doctor now says that  pain medication is too addictive to
MF>prescribe;
MF>some days are extremely difficult.  Especially if I sit at the computer
MF>very long - so goodbye for now.  Thanks for listening.
MF>                                                         Mary Frost

Mary, not all anti-inflammatories are stomach tearing. Some are quite
a bit gentler than others and when I have taken the stronger one's
the doctor has prescribed cytotec to counteract the stomach reaction.
Fortunately nothing seems to bother me which is fortunate. There are
also various pain medications which are non-addictive and are somewhat
effective depending on your level of pain, but any relief is better than
none. Talk to your doctor and if he is unwilling to help find another
doctor. You didn't say if you were going to a specialist and if not do.
There are also some pain medications that, although they can be addicting
over the long term, can be used successfully on a short term basis
without any problems. I have been very fortunate in that when things
have gotten very bad I have been able to take strong pain killers
without any addictive effects. And believe me, as a recovering alcoholic
I am very much aware of this as is the doctor, and it just takes a
little more care and frequent doctor visits to keep a close watch on it.
Sorry I can't remember the names of all the drugs I talk about but it's
quite a long list that I have taken over the years.
Take care of yourself, Mike...

 * SLMR 2.1a * When in Doubt, stay at the luxurious Doubt Hotel!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!106!737!Michael.Rooney
Internet: Michael.Rooney@f737.n106.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: 12 Steps
From: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Jones)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/15.13 - St Joes Hospital, Phoenix AZ


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 I am a quadriplegic who lives with a variety of chronic pains-some very
 bad and others minor in comparison. I also am a recovered alcoholic of
 3+ years now. I have found the 12 steps and faith in God to be great
 assets not only in dealing with my alcoholism but also the chronic pain
 which is a daily part of my life. My alcoholism was terrible and took a
 heavy toll on those around me, but it is very minor in relation to the
 pain I must deal with on a daily basis. I have also found this
 conference to be very helpful for some of the same reasons AA is. It
 helps you get out of yourself and help others. I have been gone for
 most of the summer and this is usually a very transient echo. It is
 nice to run into somebody else who not only must deal with an addiction
 but also chronic pain. Of course, I wish you did not have the pain but
 then again if you didn't this message would not have been possible.
 Look forward to talking to you more.

                       -Keith-

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!114!15.13!Keith.Jones
Internet: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: rsd and related and workmans comp
From: Jackie.Burtch@p19.f645.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Jackie Burtch)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/645.19 - Rob's Wreck Room, Longview WA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hi all :)

The mail has finally settled down here.  I am writting in public <eeek shy>
:) because perhaps I can help.

My husband has had RSD since 1984  Soooooo.  If anyone needs any info,
all that is necessary is to drop me a line.  I have tons of medline
research and a wearying load of practical personal knowledge and experience.

I have seen it mentioned here many times lately, mostly in the form of

?????????????????????????

So, if anyone  has any questions / problems  / comments

lemme know, I would love to be of assistance.

or just to chat and share experiences.

Jackie

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!645.19!Jackie.Burtch
Internet: Jackie.Burtch@p19.f645.n105.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: PAIN
From: Cindy.Barnes@f22.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Cindy Barnes)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/22 - Ken's BBS, Montgomery AL


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 >The best guess is that I re-injured the L4-L5 by helping Gary side our pole
 >barn.  We had the frame (poles) and roof put up and then sided it ourselves
 >with T1-11, 3/4" stuff.  I decided I could help.  A week or so after that
 >little episode (I only helped two days and then quit cuz it hurt) we went
 >away for a long weekend and I was in misery the whole trip up and back to
 >the Adirondacks.  I called the doc..and away we went.

I gather you did some lifting you shouldn't have?  I am trying real hard not
to lift anything heavier than 20lbs until the doc says it is okay. So far I
have done real well with that. I am going to start bowling in league again
this Fall with the doc's permission. The only concession I have to make is
in the weight of my ball. I usually bowl with a 14lb ball, but that is too
much weight to start with this year. I went out a couple of days ago to try
out my bowling with lighter balls. I started with a 9lber and went thru 10,
11, 12, & 14. I stopped at 12 since it didn't pull on my arm. I bowled
pretty good, too. :-)  I am being smart, though, I will only bowl if I feel
good. If I am hurting for whatever reason, I will let our fifth member bowl
in my place. The arthritis will be the ruler of this old body from now on.

I have to ask...why did your doc decide anothe surgery was not viable? Was
it the way you re-injured your back or something to do with the original
injury? I know I have more surgery in my future, because of two more
herniations, one at C5/C6 and the other at L5/S1. Dr. Bradley seems to think
that if I keep up with my exercises in the pool and watch what I lift I
might not have to have the surgery, but I know that somewhere along the line
I will get put in a position where I will have no choice but to pick up
something too heavy (I always seem to find emergency situations).

Oh Well!  I guess I will behave and go read the Warrior. }:-)

Cindy

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!375!22!Cindy.Barnes
Internet: Cindy.Barnes@f22.n375.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: General Interest
From: David.Venable@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org (David Venable)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/14.0 - Busker's Boneyard, Portland OR


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

It has been shown that excessive pain delays the healing process. It is
better for you to get the medication BEFORE it all wears off, it is
easier to maintain a level of pain relief than to attain it. Does that
make sense?

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!14.0!David.Venable
Internet: David.Venable@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Phantom Limb Pain
From: David.Venable@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org (David Venable)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/14.0 - Busker's Boneyard, Portland OR


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

At 80, I dont see where the problem with an addiction is... Is it going
to keep him from finishing college or get him fired from that high
paying job?
 Comfort measures for the patient are more important that some doc
worrying about his addiction/patient ratio. If he gets relief from the
medication, go for it.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!14.0!David.Venable
Internet: David.Venable@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Just me
From: Bill.Baughn@f20.n112.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Baughn)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:112/20 - Medical Information, Jacksonville Fl


  >and some of these new ones require clicking
  >and dragging mouse actions, or pressing the control key while
  >holding a cursor key.

Greg,

I am assuming (always dangerous) that you don't use a mouse because
of a physical limitation.  I have adapted a Microspeed trackball
for a quadrilateral amputee which she operates with her chin.  It
has a center button which locks the cursor until the right button
is pressed to release it. This allows her to lock the cursor on,
move the cursor and then release it.

I'm putting some information in the mail in case this might be
useful to you.

Bill Baughn

 * SLMR 2.1a * Practice Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!112!20!Bill.Baughn
Internet: Bill.Baughn@f20.n112.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: GRANT PROJECT
From: Molly.Wergeland@f58.n343.z1.fidonet.org (Molly Wergeland)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:343/58 - Silver Lake, Everett WA


I need your ideas. I am in the process of writing a grant to get
money for the hardware and  training, for students in my school
district who have a physical handicap to use local Bulliten Boards
. Most of the students I am focusing on are in wheelchairs and use
computers presently for their school work. They have intrests in
creative writing and architecture and computers. I am looking for
ideas regarding how the Bulliten Boards would be useful to them to
put into the rational of the grant. (examples:  increase
accessability to their peer group without having to deal with
architectural and transportation barriers. )  PLEASE WRITE BACK IF
YOU HAVE OTHER IDEAS

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!343!58!Molly.Wergeland
Internet: Molly.Wergeland@f58.n343.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: free braille telegrams
From: Bill.Koppelmann@p0.f809.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Koppelmann)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/809.0 - Fantasy Mountain, Golden CO


Western Union now allows you to send a free braille telegram.  When I
say free, I don't just mean that you don't pay extra for the braille,
I mean exactly that.  All you have to do is to call their 800 service
at 325-6000 and tell them what you want to do.  It helps to have a
touchtone phone.

                        Boulder bill

... Happiness is Earth in your rear view mirror.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!104!809.0!Bill.Koppelmann
Internet: Bill.Koppelmann@p0.f809.n104.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2937 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU