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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
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Date:         Wed, 19 Aug 1992 01:30:03 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2414
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2414

                         Wednesday, January 29, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                             BLADDER SPASTICITY
                                  My Story
                          Re: lithium for SCI pain
                     Things I'd like to see at Christmas
                          Re: lithium for SCI pain
                                   Help?!
                                 Re: Help?!
                              Re: pain clinics
                                    Hello
                                    HELLO


                                ******


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Subject: BLADDER SPASTICITY
From: Curtis.Oglesby@f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org (Curtis Oglesby)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:360/1 - Augusta Forum, North Augusta SC


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 > CH> I have too much residual when voiding. Plus the hyperreflexia with
 > CH> voiding is real sweaty and uncomfortable. Hard to concentrate on
 > CH> anything.

 > CO> Have you ever tried dibenzylene or hytrin? Had the same problems
 > CO> until I started dibenzylene. I recently moved to hytrin because of
 > CO> the cancer scare.

 CH> Dibenzylene didn't help me. That was ten years ago. Since I'm now able
 CH> to self cath, I'm not really looking for anything to ward off the
 CH> hyperreflexia. But if I ever have a problem, I'll try to remember
 CH> hytrin.

Guess this is another example of how we can have such different
experiences from very similar injuries.  The difference for me
using dibenzylene (or hytrin) was like night and day.  Couldn't do
without it.  Hmmm........

Curt

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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!360!1!Curtis.Oglesby
Internet: Curtis.Oglesby@f1.n360.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: My Story
From: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:150/175.1 - Busted Flush BBS, New Castle DE


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a message to Keith Jones <05 Dec 91 12:05> Ed Stahl wrote:

 ES> Part of my supposed great attitude was that I had a car accident
 ES> that was totaly my fault and I had no one to blame but my self.

Yeah, it's a bitch when you're that stupid.  At least you can say
the car went out of control because you were driving to fast.  How
do I justify with intelligence diving into 2.5 feet of water when I
am six foot tall.  This type of behavior seems to indicate I don't
always play with a full deck.

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!175.1!Joe.Chamberlain
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@p1.f175.n150.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: lithium for SCI pain
From: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Alan Hess)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

In a missive of <Dec 19 10:24> Keith Jones (1:114/15.13)
writes to Alan Hess:
 KJ>  I don't need to tell you to make damn sure this doctor is aware
 KJ> of
 KJ>  these possible side effects and closely monitors you. Then again
 KJ> if you
 KJ>  tell him about all these possible side effects, he may just say
 KJ> forget
 KJ>  it. I guess in final analysis it boils down to what you want to
 KJ> risk
 KJ>  and how much faith you have in your doctor. Good luck and keep
 KJ> me
 KJ>  posted.

He knows all about them.  Unfortunately, I can't convince the
schmucks to drain my syrinx and see if that helps (they'll never
know if it will until they do it), so all I'm offered is pills.
None has ever worked (not even 300 mg demerol a day.)  Over the
summer, I developed bad abdominal spasms (never had them before),
and pains in new areas (like I needed them.)  Nobody knows why.
I've got a friend who started developing pain and transient
numbness recently.  She's getting the same runaround about a syrinx
that I am.  *adh*

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Alan.Hess
Internet: Alan.Hess@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Things I'd like to see at Christmas
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 Spinal Injury Conference]

At the risk of being crude, I have a list of things I'd like to see
during the holidays.

1) Unbreakable ornaments
2) Mistletoe placed in wheelchair accessible areas
3) A paraplegic cabbage patch kid
4) Handi-man T-shirts
5) A wheelchair replace the boot in Monopoly
6) Big wheels with grade-aids
7) Lionel wheelchairs with square wheels and electric figure 8 tracks
8) A chainsaw for wheelchair users
9) New line of makes, models, styles, and colors of urinals
10) Push handles on tricycles for lazy kids
11) A top selling CD by an all quad instrumental group
12) Ted hose stockings
13) Rubber gloves with pictures of politicians on them
14) Twister for those with SCI
15) A prize in every box of catheters
16) A Barbi doll with atrophy
17) A wheelchair accessible dollhouse
18) Bedbag and legbag pinatas filled with toys and candy
19) Nintendo game in which the principal character is in a wheelchair.
    Have ramps he must climb, curbs he must jump, doors that open and
    close the wrong way, rude people and small children that he must
    dodge, and a crowded elevator he must board. Have him visit a
    doctor's office where he must time a yell and hand wave to be
    noticed by an aloof receptionist. Finally have him get into the
    doctor's office where he must maneuver his chair between the doctor
    and the exit door and thus "trap" the doctor to force him to listen.
    Have each level become more difficult (steeper ramps, higher curbs,
    heavier doors, ruder people and shiftier doctors). Have the highest
    skill level have a doctor briskly walk partially into the office
    and immediately out scribbling hurriedly on a prescription
    pad.(Of course there are numerous other scenarios).
20) A GI Joe and accessories
    Assorted wheelchairs (manual, electric, and racing)
    Portable shower chair and commode
    Reachers
    Assorted braces
    Legbag
    Ramps of various lengths and configurations
    Hands free walkie talkie
    Sergeant York tank with wheelchair lift and hand controls
    Stealth bomber with passenger loading chair

And of course gag gifts.
    Fake vomit and dog crap to put outside the doorways of your
    wheelchair friends.
    Leg bag flasks filled with lemonade or orange juice
    Disapearing urine stains
    Fake pressure sore to show your doctor
    Fake bladder stones to drop in your next urine specimen

I'm sure Callahan would love to see some of these things. too. :)

                       -Keith-

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!114!15.13!Keith.Jones
Internet: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: lithium for SCI pain
From: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

AH>He knows all about them.  Unfortunately, I can't convince the schmucks to
AH>drain my syrinx and see if that helps (they'll never know
AH>if it will until they do it), so all I'm offered is pills.
AH> None has ever worked (not even 300 mg demerol a day.)
AH>Over the summer, I developed bad abdominal spasms (never
AH>had them before), and pains in new areas (like I needed
AH>them.)  Nobody knows why.  I've got a friend who started
AH>developing pain and transient numbness recently.  She's
AH>getting the same runaround about a syrinx that I am.  *adh*

Neither my wife nor I have ever heard of using lithium for the relief of
pain.  Considering all of the other things that could possibility
have helped you and they haven't I myself would be quite
skeptical.
Frank.
___
 X SLMR 2.0 X This message was produced using speech technology

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Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Help?!
From: Kevin.Williams@f809.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Kevin Williams)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/809 - Fantasy Mountain, Golden CO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

I'm quite new to all of this BBS stuff, but I'm learning.  I apologize to
all of you for whom this is old hat, but may I trouble you for some info?
I'm a C-5 quadriplegic and contending with my second winter in Denver.  Does
anyone know of a reasonably priced clothing manufacturer who makes winter
coats for those of us with limited arm and hand function?  Long johns,
turtle necks and sweaters won't cut it during sub-zero.  Thanks.  Also, I'm
taking the LSAT test in February and am negotiating special testing
accomodations.  Is there a quad out there who has taken the test, and if so,
how did you manage?  Thanks again,, and Happy Holidays from the new quad on
the block.

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!104!809!Kevin.Williams
Internet: Kevin.Williams@f809.n104.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: Help?!
From: The.Ranger@p0.f477.n104.z1.fidonet.org (The Ranger)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/477.0 - Jaguar's Networking, Denver CO


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

        Well from a C5-C6 quad in his 14th? year in Denver the only help I
can offer is a electic chair to get you around fast.  With all the metal on
a chair it's impossible to keep warm as it just sucks the heat right out.
(Plus I use a hand brace so my hands are cold October till March.)  Whats a
LSAT?  (Law?)

Terry Kline

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!104!477.0!The.Ranger
Internet: The.Ranger@p0.f477.n104.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Re: pain clinics
From: Joel.Lefkowitz@f8.n135.z1.fidonet.org (Joel Lefkowitz)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:135/8 - CORAL GABLES MEDTER, Coral Gables FL


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Self-hypnosis works well for me, but if I don't do it constantly it
becomes ineffective. I try to hynotize myself about three times a
day. I also work at meditation. If I can leave this body for a
short amount of time and go to a serene area, it almost makes my
day. There isn't a day that goes by, that I don't meditate. I have
found some interesting things about myself from meditating. I don't
meditate when I drive :) but I find meditating the easiest way for
me to leave the pain.

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!135!8!Joel.Lefkowitz
Internet: Joel.Lefkowitz@f8.n135.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Hello
From: Sue.Ramsay@f23.n280.z1.fidonet.org (Sue Ramsay)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:280/23 - The BullPen BBS, Parkville MO


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hello,

I'm new to this message area and have enjoyed reading a lot of the
messages.  I do have a question for anyone that has had experience
with it....I have Crohn's Disease and the possible diagnosis of MS
as well, although that has not really shown its true colors yet.  I
was just wondering if anyone here has had any experience with
Crohn's patients and what kind of problems that they have
experienced.

I am having a lot of "abnormal" problems according to the medical
profession and since I have been unable to work for a while have no
insurance again so cannot seek professional help now.  The chronic
pain and lack of resistance to normal viral infections is causing a
great deal of problems for me.

Anyone having information on this and would be willing to share it
or their own experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sue

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!280!23!Sue.Ramsay
Internet: Sue.Ramsay@f23.n280.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: HELLO
From: Jo.Schwartz@f201.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Jo Schwartz)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:273/201 - US Telematics, Yardley PA


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Hi there!  Everyone here sure is friendly!  In answer to your
question, I didn't have an injury.  That's what's so weird.  I had
back problems for 10 years prior to the big day, as I call it, but
they were always manageable with osteopathic manipulation.

At the end of a leave of absence from my job in 86 I went to the
West Coast and almost themoment I arrived, I got sciatic pain down
my right leg.  It never left and that was the beginning of the
downward spiral.

There were many variations on my diagnosis, ranging from nothing
wrong with your back (this, despite not being able to walk far or
sit!), to herniated disks at L4-l5 and l5-S1.  I tried every
conservative treatment around, finally had a CNL (can't spell it)
at both levels, and ultimately a fusion at L4-l5, (which I feel
should have also been done at s1).

Along to road, I started my own PC consulting business.  Feel very
lucky to have a profession which could be adapted to working at
home and part time.  I don't make much money, but I keep my brain
active.  My big challenge these days is to persuage my disability
company that I should be reporting net earnings to them, not
gross.   I'm afraid to push the issue, for fear they will take all
my benefit away if they get annoyed at me.

What kind of tens units do you (and anyone else reading this)
favor?  I've gone thru 3  brands, none of which do I think is
super, but better than nothing and better than pills most of the
time.

Did you have an accident?  I've read a lot of the other people's
messages and wanted to know the origins of such terrible situations
but didn't know if it was ok to ask.  Apparently it is!

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!273!201!Jo.Schwartz
Internet: Jo.Schwartz@f201.n273.z1.fidonet.org




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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2414 of the Handicap Digest

                                ******
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