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Approved-By:  Bill McGarry <wtm@SHELDEV.SHEL.ISC-BR.COM>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.l-hcap
Date:         Tue, 21 Jul 1992 14:49:14 EDT
Reply-To:     Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
From:         Bill McGarry <wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com>
Subject:      Handicap Digest # 2809
X-To:         LHCAP <l-hcap@VM1.NODAK.EDU>

                             THE HANDICAP DIGEST

                                 Issue # 2809

                           Tuesday, July 21, 1992

Today's Topics:


                                ******


                              Amount of Traffic
                             A question for you
                           Conservative treatment
                                  PAIN MEDS
                           Conservative treatment
                               'bye for awhile
                                  Hip Pain
                     The Olympics and closed captioning
                     Dr. Scholls pads for your fingers?
                                Expectations


                                ******


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                              Bill McGarry (Moderator)
                              (203) 337-1518



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Subject: Amount of Traffic
From: Wayne.Briggs@p3.f26.n392.z1.fidonet.org (Wayne Briggs)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:392/26.3 - Star Express, Abilene Tx


[This is from the Amputee Conference]

Seven ideas:

1. Folks use then when then need it & stop when they no longer need it.

2. Amputees as a group may me more mobile than quads & someother
folks & have a lower felt need for computer use for networking.

3. We haven't provided SYOPS with funds for (a) more hard drive for
TOPICAL FILES,(b)  A SCANNER for newsletters & other printed info
of interested to amputees & their families. and (c) Copies of
Amputee organization newsletters, and a Directory by Type of
Amputation or Interests, such as flying, shooting, spiritual
issues, kids, etc.

4. We users need to identify amputees who might become potential
uses & then introduce them to easy to use computers with a demo in
their or our home. I had computer phobia until I was introduced to
easy to use & now faily low lost Macintosh Classics & a shareware
communications program called MacWoof.

5. Use AMPUTEE as primary communication between support groups all
over North America & else where.

6. Contact major rehab centers such as Texas Institute for
Rehabilitation & Research, Dal;las Rehab Institute, rehab hospitals
nation-wide, Northwestern Medical Center in Chicago, Rehab
Institute in NYC,Scotish Rite PAL program, etc.

7. Volunteer time to accomplish above & other stuff.

Why don't we exchange traffic on this, u

--
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Internet: Wayne.Briggs@p3.f26.n392.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: A question for you
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 Cindy!

13 Jul 92, Cindy Barnes writes to Arthur Saus:

 CB> Where are you stationed? I can't tell from your origin line and I would
 CB> really like to know. My husband is in the Air Force and we have been
 CB> stationed at several bases which were connected to Army installations.
 CB> Where? Please?

Fort Jackson, S.C.  It's a rather large army base in Columbia,
S.C.  The primary mission of this base is basic training, but we
also have one of the larger Army Community Hospitals here.

Arthur

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




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Subject: Conservative treatment
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 Linda!

13 Jul 92, Linda Cummings writes to Jocelyne Dever:

 >> One problem
 >> is at the L4-L5...a herniating disk causing nerve compression
 >> (surprise, surprise! <g>) and is the cause of the pain in the left
 >> leg.

 LC> Stop gloating!  This time, I'm sorry I was right.  No mention of surgery
 LC> to do a laminectomy?  Humm...

 >> The other is at the S1-S2 which he says is probably the old
 >> problem reactivated (discotomy and laminectomy in '85 at L5-
 >> S1)...how that affects the S1-S2 I am not too sure <puzzled look>
 >> and that is causing the pain in the right leg.  The other
 >> overriding problem apparently is that I have spinal stenosis or
 >> narrowing of the spinal column as the GP explained.

 LC> Well, maybe Arthur might chime in here, but it could be that the S1-S2
 LC> surgery weakened the area and now you're having problems around that area
 LC> because of the weakening.  Narrowing of the spinal column?  Hey
 LC> Arthur...is this the degenerative disk disease?

Well, that is one possible explanation, but there are others that
are equally possible if you understand the anatomy.  The L5-S1 and
S1-S2 nerves pass through the L4-L5 spinal canal before they reach
their respective levels.  It is certainly possible that a problem
at the higher L4-L5 area can affect any nerves at a lower level.

It's the same reason that neck fractures can be so dangerous, since
the nerves that go to virtually ALL the rest of the body below the
neck, first have to pass through this area.  Problems at any
specific area of the spine can affect any or all of the nerve
levels below that area.

 >> I don't mind the tens but I have had many
 >> excrutiating experiences with ultrasound in the past and will not
 >> risk it again.  The physio swears that it can't hurt but when she
 >> would rub it over parts of my legs or hips where the pain was
 >> really bad it was like chewing on a piece of tinfoil when you have
 >> a cavity in your tooth.  The pain was the worst I have ever
 >> experienced and I would have absolutely no warning when she would
 >> hit a sensitive spot.

 LC> I've never heard of anyone experiencing this.  It always felt pretty good
 LC> to me.  You're wierd!  [grin]

Other conditions such as trigger points can also cause these
symptoms.  Maybe there's more to it than just being wierd [grin]!

 >> After all this he finally got to the main recommendation of the
 >> neuro and that is that the only treatment that will really help is
 >> for me to lose weight.  That really upset me and made me quite
 >> depressed.

 LC> <snip>

 >> would probably never lose it at my age (47)!  So what do you and
 >> anyone else feel about this?  I can't be the only overweight
 >> person with  back problems but I was made to feel that I *CAUSED*
 >> it, that it is my fault.  Seems like an easy answer for them and
 >> very hard for me to defend or argue against!

I doubt this was intended to be upsetting, depressing, or what ever
other adjective you want to use to describe it.  The fact is that
additional weight appears to be associated with back pain
problems.

Look at folks you know who have back pain problems, or look at
messages on this echo about back pain.  Usually you will find it is
more likely to be a problem for folks who are overweight, although
certainly not always.  Similarly, look at thin people and you will
find it is not as likely that they will have back pain problems.

Although there is not a cause and effect relationship between back
pain and being overweight, the two do seem to be associated.
Therefore it also seems that losing weight puts someone into a
group where back pain is not as likely to be a problem.  A
recommendation to lose weight, although it may indeed be very hard
for an individual to do, becomes an important one for effective
therapy.  It's far more than just "an easy answer".

Arthur

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!376!72.160!Arthur.Saus
Internet: Arthur.Saus@p160.f72.n376.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: PAIN MEDS
From: William.Herrera@f18.n307.z1.fidonet.org (William Herrera)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:307/18 - Cuerna Verde, Pueblo Co


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

 SB> I have a REAL question: is there any way that an anti-
 SB> inflammatory can be administered through an injection?
Toradol.

--
Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!307!18!William.Herrera
Internet: William.Herrera@f18.n307.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Conservative treatment
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]

 >> is at the L4-L5...a herniating disk causing nerve compression
 >> (surprise, surprise! <g>) and is the cause of the pain in the left
 >> leg.

 > Stop gloating!  This time, I'm sorry I was right.  No mention of
 > surgery to do a laminectomy?  Humm...

 >> Now here comes the depressing part.  He made only two
 >> recommendations as far treatment is concerned.  One is to go back
 >> for another round of physiotherapy including tens treatment and
 >> ultrasound.

 > This sounds like a normal course.  They always want to try PT
 > before surgery.  Again, sometimes it works.

One thing I've learned since I had my surgery is that it isn't
always the Dr.'s choice as to whether or not the patient has
surgery before he/she tried PT.  Often it is the demands of that
patient's health care plan.  My nuero, after discussing my options
AND my health care plan (Blue Cross/Blue Shield with major medical
and Kodak Extended Health care) became quite open about what
options I *would* have had if I had any of the many other plans
available (such as Preferred Care, Blue Choice).  I would NOT have
had the option of surgery as quickly as I did (6 days later).  I
would have HAD to go for PT for 3x/wk for 6wks before trying
surgery.  This is a requirement of the plan.  Unless he could
state, without a shred of a doubt, that my going without the
surgery asap and trying PT would permanently damage the nerves and
cause loss of use, then I would have had to go through the PT.  I
shudder when I think of the nightmare that would have been at that
time.

Last Fall, the physiatrist I saw, again after discussing my options
and my health care plan, became candid with me after I told her
about my previous experience with the neuro and the surgery and his
comments on the differnt health care plans verus mine.  Her
comments were "Oh...  you mean No Choice and Deferred Care?" and we
both had to laugh, sadly, at that.

BTW, I have had two family docs, once for me when we moved down
here, and once for Gary recently when his retired suddenly, refuse
to take use because we HAVE good old BC/BS.  They want patients who
don't have to pay for their office visits, etc, up front, they want
someone with something like Blue Choice or whatever.  One gal
explained it bluntly to me that people who have the type of plans
we do may have better overall coverage, but are responsible for
their office visits and they, the dr.  office, get stuck too many
times.  This happened at a total of 4 different Dr. offices.  I
politely told them I wouldn't go to them if they were the last ones
on earth and preferred health care that cared more about the
patient than the dollar.  I didn't bother to mention that we have
no problem paying any of our bills with the income in this
household, nor that I am intelligent enough to know how to take
care of the paper work.  WIth the plan we have they have no paper
work to take care of other than giving me my bill and taking my
money.

I sometimes wonder if some of the answers from doctors that are
related here from different folks, especially the ones that seem so
bizarre, aren't at least partly because the patient has poor health
coverage and that ties the docs hands.  I know not everyone can
afford the type we have, I'm not living in a dream world, and I
don't have any answers to our cruddy health care system, but I
always want to ask if the answers and treatments directly relate to
the health care coverage, or lack of.

Ahh..I've rambled on and on I C.  I must be feeling better (I am) :-)

CUL, Ruthie

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Uucp: ..!uunet!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!223!Ruthie.Hoffman
Internet: Ruthie.Hoffman@f223.n260.z1.fidonet.org




------



Subject: 'bye for awhile
From: Delia.Stark@f218.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Delia Stark)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:260/218 - <NF2G and N2PHA, Rochester NY


[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference]

Well, everyone, I wanted to say a big thanks for all the
encouragement, and I'll be back on the echo as soon as I can after
surgery.  I'll still be reading through the weekend, but probably
won't get any messages sent to me after that....

I'm admitted on the 21, surgery on the 22.  For those of you who
knew I was a little nervous about the start time, the surgeon
changed his cases so that I'm first start Wednesday (I told him I'd
get down on my knees and say thank you but I didn't think I'd get
back up :-)

The only hitch in the whole thing is that he is thinking now he
might have to do another fusion... depending on what he finds once
I'm open.  YUK.  That would mean considerably longer rehab, but if
it works then it'll be worth it.

I'll be back as soon as I can.......
      D.

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Internet: Delia.Stark@f218.n260.z1.fidonet.org




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Subject: Hip 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]

I have a question you might be able to answer. (Excuse an spelling mistakes,
since I have never written this word before)  I have since my back surgery,
been feeling a lot of pain in my right hip. Before the surgery it was there,
but I assume the back pain masked the hip pain. Anyways, when I went in to
see Dr. Bradley for my six-week check up I brought up the pain in my hip and
asked him if it was the arthritis causing it. He said he didn't think it was
the arthritis. He then asked me where the pain centered at. This was a hard
question to answer since there are two points of severe pain, one in the hip
and one to the right of the spine at the top of the hip.

Well, to make this short, Dr. Bradley sent me to PT where I am to get
modilitiy therapy and pool therapy. When I went for my first session, the
therapist told me I had a bursae (sp?) in my hip the size of a paperback
book. I have a feeling this thing has been in my hip joint growing for about
11 years. I say this because when my youngest was born my hip was knocked
out of place about 45 degrees and even after six months of therapy it moved
back into position only about 95%.

Now for my question. If the therapy doesn't reduce the size of this bursae
and the pain continues, will there be a possiblity of another surgery to
reduce it? I have a feeling that this will be the next step and I would like
to prepare myself. I am hoping the therapy will work, but since it has been
there this long, I kind of have my doubts.

Thanks...

Cindy

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Subject: The Olympics and closed captioning
From: Bill.Mcgarry@p0.f420.n141.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Mcgarry)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:141/420.0 - The Handicap News, Shelton CT


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Just noticed in the TV Guide that NBC will be closed captioning

its entire broadcast of the 1992 Summer games.  Even though
parts of the Games have been closed captioned since 1984,
only this past Winter Olympics (by CBS) and these games
will be entirely captioned.

This will also be the first Olympics where there will be
three additional cable channels where you can watch every event
of the Olympics (for a fee, around here, it's $140 or so).
I have no idea of whether these extra channels will be closed
captioned.

Bill

 * Origin: The Handicap News BBS (1-203-337-1607) (1:141/420.0)
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Subject: Dr. Scholls pads for your fingers?
From: Bill.Mcgarry@p0.f420.n141.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Mcgarry)
Organization: FidoNet node 1:141/420.0 - The Handicap News, Shelton CT


[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

I noticed a commercial the other night on the Arts and
Entertainment network for Dr. Scholl's pads.  The actress
in the commercial is signing with another actress saying
something to the effect "when you use and need my hands
as much as I do, you'll appreciate Dr. Scholl's pads for
your sore fingers."  I did not get a good enough look
at the actress but it may have been Marlee Maitlin (sp?).
(interesting - as I get more into signing with my son, I
looked at the actresses's hands before her face.  I guess
that's normal but if I ever say, "Wow, get a load of
those knuckles", then I'm in trouble <grin>)

At first, I considered this a tacky commercial but then
again who said that commercials were not supposed to
be tacky and do whatever they can to sell their product?

Bill

P.S., now that I think about it, maybe this was
a commercial for Dr. Scholl's wart pads?

--- Opus-CBCS 1.14
 * Origin: The Handicap News BBS (1-203-337-1607) (1:141/420.0)
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Subject: Expectations
From: Nikos.Voulgaropoulos@f6.n410.z2.fidonet.org (Nikos Voulgaropoulos)
Organization: FidoNet node 2:410/6


[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 >      I think he needs to get up to speed on the current
 > thinking.  However, his advice might be based upon European
 > statistics.

As far as I know there are not too many differences between the
medical/rehabilitation models. The european paras and tetras can
live as long as the abled bodied does. I think that the disabled
puplications must choose their contributors according rational and
disability orientated criterions. Actually, I don't complaint but I
think that the disability related publications are too
conservative.

Nikos.

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                                ******

                  End of Issue # 2809 of the Handicap Digest

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