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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Wed, 2 Sep 1992 02:00:54 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2909
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2909

                         Tuesday, September 01, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                                  Lightning
                               Tens units, etc
                              General Interest
                                 Re: cancer
                             Chest/Rib Cage Pain
                                    Pain
                              General Interest
                                    RSDS
                                 Re: cancer
                             Chest/Rib Cage Pain


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Lightning
From: Butch.Walker@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Butch Walker)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:157/3 - Nerd's Nook, Rocky River OH


[This is from the Rare Disorders Conference]

RK>We have seen two in the tampa bay area,but they do not seem to know
RK>what is wrong. They claimit is mind over matter, or not
RK>directly caused by the lightning, I think maybe they believe he
RK>was born this way. He had a MIR done a couple of weeks later,
RK>but they told me it was normal. A brain scan was done and that
RK>as well came back normal...........Rosemary

Well if an MRI and a CT-Scan with contrast have been done it pretty
much rules out tumor, hemorrhage, AVM, etc. (Not entirely of course
as nothing is perfect).  You might try a NeuroPsychologist for
additional testing.  Just a thought.

                -Butch

 * DeLuxe2 1.21 #573s * Qmail Deluxe2

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Internet: Butch.Walker@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Tens units, etc
From: Ruthie.Hoffman@f223.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ruthie Hoffman)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/223 - Interstellar System, Vine Valley NY


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 > I was trying to gether some info on how long the pads seem to
 > last. I wear in tens unit 16 hours a day. The pad are worn on my
 > lower back. The last about 6-7 days. I found that if I use a
 > Cleans towelet (alcohol) that will last almost twice as long. My
 > problem is that the adheasive no long work well in the pads drop
 > off.

I'm guessing you use the re-usable electrodes???  What type/brand?
6-7 days with 16hr/day is pretty good compared to my experience so
far with the re-usable/removable ones.  I wear mine on my lower
back and upper buttock.  I really like the ones that stick on and
STAY on (not removable/reusable) for 4 days approx., but the
adhesive on those is rough on the skin after awhile, even with skin
prep first.

CULater, Ruthie

--
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Internet: Ruthie.Hoffman@f223.n260.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: General Interest
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]

 [SS] but....it is generally not a good idea to switch around
 [SS] due to possible cross-tolerance between opiods.  A good
 [SS] technique is to stick with one opiod ( controlled-released
 [SS] morphine is the best ) and titrate the dose as needed.

Don't worry, I never switched drugs without my doctor's O.K.  I've
never heard of controlled-released morphine before.  I'll have to
ask the doc about that.

--
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Internet: Kathleen.Mcintosh@f181.n264.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: cancer
From: Debra.Devault@f11.n232.z1.fidonet.org (Debra Devault)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:232/11 - BearWhiz BBS, Peoria IL


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hi.My mother is away from the pain at the moment anyway.A few more days and
she will start up again.They said the hormone was the only thing she could
take for that type of pain.I think they don't know everything themselves.The
cytoxin is making her hands unusable.She has to wear a brace just to pour a
glass of water or turn on her tv. I don't understand why all of this
happens.I mean,why do people have to go through so much pain? She is just
supposed to live with this the rest of her life.It's not much living is it?
She has been cuicidal and they say it's because of the medication.I wish I
knew if they were right.

--
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Internet: Debra.Devault@f11.n232.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Chest/Rib Cage Pain
From: Bob.Donovan@p0.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Bob Donovan)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/15.0 - St Joes Hospital, Phoenix AZ


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

I seem to have a problem that I hope someone can help me
with.  It seems unless you have insurance in this state most
hospitals would just as soon let you die in agony at the
front door before letting you in to see what the problem is.
Even at country where you can get in, they just prescribe
medication to cloak the pain and toss you back out without
even really checking out the problem.

So, maybe someone can help me on the computer without me
coming in to "waste space" in the hospital.  If so, I would
greatly appreciate it.

Nearly 3 years ago I began having upper chest pains that
shot across the top of my rib cage.  It made me nervous and
I went to a hospital (back in Massachusetts) who checked me
out and ran limited tests and told me it was stress.  It has
come and gone many times since this.  Now it is happening
again but this time I am getting VERY sharp pains in other
areas as well.

For example, Just below my left rib cage I get pains
regularly and a couple of times they have been so bad I have
been doubled up on the ground in terrible pain.  Now the
same is happening on the exact other side as well as
shooting across and being very sore in the center of my
chest.

My blood pressure seems to be fine, temperature seems fine,
no pain in arms, no nausea, no fainting, no shortness of
breath at any time.

I am 32 years old, about 185-195 lbs, I smoke 1-1/2 or so
packs a day, don't drink, don't do drugs.  I don't get
"lots" of sleep or eat 3 meals a day, but I do eat and get
sleep.  I used to be in construction and landscape
construction but had to stop due to a back injury a few
years back and, I must say, I don't get much exercise these
days.

Can anyone help me here.  It seems I had the curse of being
born an American and made the mistake of working and paying
taxes for quite a few years.  Now I find all that means is I
don't qualify for any State or Federal help to cover my
doctors bills.  All I want to know Is how serious is this
and for how long will I be in this kind of pain and being
scared every night that I won't wake up ever again?

Thanks,

Bob

--
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Internet: Bob.Donovan@p0.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Pain
From: Mary.Frost@p0.f41.n147.z1.fidonet.org (Mary Frost)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:147/41.0 - American SITE ADANe, Norman OK


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

I recently have learned to use the computer, with the help of my son, at
least I am getting better!  I have read the messages for a few weeks and
never had the nerve to leave a message - until now.  I feel a bit funny
about writing about my back pain after reading how so many people suffer
much more than I do.  I had a car accident in 1983.  I had a chymopapin(?)
injection in the L4-5 area in December, 1983 (it is a papaya emzyme).  That
was terrible, I had muscle spasms and could not move for almost 2 weeks.
Then in Jan 1984 I had surgery on the herniated disk.  I had pretty good
results for almost two years and then had a fusion in May 1986.  I believe
the results would have been good if I had not been hurt only 7 weeks later.
I had returned to my job as a secretary and started to get on the elevator
(in a very old dorm building with very heavy elevators) and the doors slammed
on me.  Of course I ended back in the hospital, unable to work since.   All
my plans changed!  I have been to many different doctors - some who prescribed
medication for pain, anti-inflammatories (which I had a bleeding ulcer from
and thought I may die!).  I went through a spine center pain clinic in
Oklahoma City this past year and the only new thing I learned was that
"again" there was nothing that can be done to help.  Well, for someone
reluctant to leave a message, I have left a book...  Now, I take 150 mg
elavil to help with the pain and go to sleep, although I cannot sleep for
long.  My doctor now says that  pain medication is too addictive to prescribe;
some days are extremely difficult.  Especially if I sit at the computer
very long - so goodbye for now.  Thanks for listening.
                                                         Mary Frost

... Catch the Blue Wave!

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!147!41.0!Mary.Frost
Internet: Mary.Frost@p0.f41.n147.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: General Interest
From: Shelby.Sherman@f67.n123.z1.fidonet.org (Shelby Sherman)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:123/67 - Shelby's Swamp, Bartlett TN


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 > Don't worry, I never switched drugs without my doctor's O.K.

That's who I'm worried about...your doctor <grin>.

 > I've never heard of controlled-released morphine before.  I'll
 > have to ask the doc about that.

The trade name is M.S. Contin and comes in tablet strengths of 15,
30, 60, and 100 mg.  One 30 mg tablet is equivalent to about 3
percocets...but it is spread out over 12 hours.  The advantage is
that you don't have to take pain meds as often, only every 8 or 12
hours and the MSC is a single-entity drug with no acetaminophen.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!123!67!Shelby.Sherman
Internet: Shelby.Sherman@f67.n123.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: RSDS
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!

17 Aug 92, Bob Eagly writes to Wayne Briggs:

 BE> Wayne, I have RSD in my right arm and it goes up to my right ear and
 BE> across half of my chest.

This description is most unusual!  Would you mind telling me how
you came to the decision that you had Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
(RSD)?  From what you said to Wayne, I'm sure you have severe
problems with pain and its management, but based on your
description, I am concerned that RSD may not be the correct "label"
for your pain.

Arthur

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




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


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

In a message to Shelby Sherman:

 >I mean,why do people have to go through so much pain? She is just
 >supposed to live with this the rest of her life.It's not much living is it?

Hi Debra,

I've asked myself this question over and over again.  I still don't have any
answers, unfortunately.  I was sent to the Birmingham Pain Clinic to "learn
to live with my pain for possibly the rest of my life."  I sometimes get so
depressed because I can't even do some of the simple tasks around the house
anymore.  Cooking a big meal (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) now takes at
least 2 days to prepare.  But, I sure don't like the alternative to NOT
living in pain...if it were an option, which it is, to all of us.  I once
wrote a suicide note.  Had it all fixed up.  Got to the bottom, and before I
signed it, I started laughing uncontrollably.  You wanna know why?  I
thought to myself..."I can't kill myself...I'll miss the last episode of
Dallas!"  ;-)

Anyway, we all seem to deal with what we are dealt in our own ways.  With
me, it's computing, crafts, and Nintendo.  I can't work because of my
chronic pain, so I find other things that I can do to keep myself occupied.

Linda

--
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Internet: Linda.Cummings@f22.n375.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Chest/Rib Cage Pain
From: Ruthie.Hoffman@f223.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ruthie Hoffman)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/223 - Interstellar System, Vine Valley NY


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hiya Bob..

I'm sorry to hear you are in pain.  As any of us here can tell you, pain is NO
fun!

One thing though, I am sure I'm not alone here in this "echo" when I say that
you should NOT expect a diagnosis via the computer/online. Instead of heading
to a hospital for help, have you looked into a local clinic or health center?
I'm guessing (and this is a GUESS) that you don't have a regular medical doctor
and don't feel you can afford to go to one in private practice. If that's the
case, there may be a clinic/health center available, or even a doctor in
private practice, that will see you and work with you on a payment plan or find
medical assistance for you. I'm guessing that this isn't what you wanted to
hear here, but I'll bet several folks will echo my opinion.  We'd love to help
you if we could, but this isn't the medium for diagnosis!

That said, I can offer some personal experience with similar pain. I had the
same sort of pain and when I finally went to the doc (I too was very scared),
and after a bunch of tests I was diagnosed as having strained thorasic muscles.
 It took months to heal and I had flare ups of pain for a couple years
afterwards. I'm thankful to say that it's been gone for a number of years now.

My brother had similar pains on 3 different occasions.  He was hospitalized
twice in fact due to the pains.  The last time they ordered him to discontinue
ANY intake of caffine and sugar.  No chocolate, nothing!  He is not overweight,
active and doesn't smoke or drink, but was under alot of stress (always is).
He also found that he has a mitral valve something or other!!!  He is on some
medication now and doing well.

I'm telling you these things to illustrate that there could be MANY different
reasons you are experiencing these pains and the only way to find out what is
causing them is to get to a medical doctor.

The best of luck and please write here and keep us posted.

CULater, Ruthie

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Internet: Ruthie.Hoffman@f223.n260.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2909 of the Handicap Digest

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