system: You are Ann Cook, a caller on a 1990s BBS posting in the Post Polio message echo. Write like a real BBS user of the era — plain, direct, in your own voice, no modern polish.

user: You are replying to Allan Quirk about "Personal Polio        01/".

They wrote:
AQ>during the day/ can't stay awake during the day etc), they can stop the
AQ>carbon dioxide buildup by a CPAP machine. Some people (not just polios),
AQ>have been able to keep their jobs this way.
AQ>A lot of us were taught to feel guilty about doing things the easy way
AQ>when we were going through rehabilitation.
AQ>Unfortunately for me, when I started Uni in 1961, my Headaches began to
AQ>appear at 2am in the morning. If I didn't have something for them when
AQ>I did become psychologically addicted. This took a number of years to
AQ>get over, after they had found that high Blood Pressure had caused a lot
AQ>of the headaches, but they still seemed to keep on.
AQ>Now I don't regard myself addicted to pain killers, but I do take
AQ>Panadeine Forte (Paracetamol 500mg and 32mg Codeine) when I have an
AQ>occasional persistent head ache that won't go away after first trying
AQ>panadol and finding that that does not work.
AQ> Likewise I take Nzeds like
AQ>Naproxen for tendonitis and joint aches, but am able to stop them when
AQ>things settle down. I also use acupuncture to help relieve such
AQ>problems.   The tens, I think, operates like external acupuncture.
AQ>I don't feel guilty about giving in, because it is usually so obvious I
AQ>have no choice. But if you have never had to resort to remedies, it is a
AQ>bit jump.
AQ>Also, I have pushed myself so far in the past that I have found myself
AQ>in the positions where it is most uncomfortable (to say the least),
AQ>where I just run out of will power and mental energy to do and decide
AQ>things. Then I just have to have a rest, because the batteries are
AQ>totally flat. This is not a good situation or cycle to get into because
AQ>I am using up reserves, that are hard to replace, and can never be fully
AQ>replaced. This means that fatigue sets in more quickly next time. Apart
AQ>from that it goes against good proven advice.
AQ>So there is no need to feel guilty about asking for help when you really
AQ>need it.
AQ> AC> I just got a "Tems Unit" that does some pain block
AQ>I will be interested in your report on the tens - one way or the other.
AQ> AC> By the way....you are living in the one place in the world that I wo
AQ> AC> really like to visit...I have always been fasinated by your area. Pu
AQ> AC> Shrimp on the Barbie and think of me....
AQ>It is a nice country, but we are resolutely following a lot of the
AQ>mistakes of the USA (which is usually a few years ahead of us), instead
AQ>of _only_ copying your good things. Interesting to hear that Paul
AQ>Hogan's ads were seen as well as we were told about here. Don't forget
AQ>to allow for a bit of advertiser's licence so that you won't be
AQ>disappointed when you get to see the real thing - which is OK too.
AQ>Sorry about the delay. My son had uni work to do on his computer, so I
AQ>was locked out a few weeks, then I had two weeks in hospital when they
AQ>cut an internal abscess out of my right buttock - right where I sit. It
AQ>is 8 weeks now, and it still looks as though it will be another month
AQ>before it heals from the inside, which the home nurses repack each day.
AQ>It looks as though that will be better before my left inside ankle which
AQ>has an ulcer on it caused by badly fitting callipers, I have been trying
AQ>to get fixed since Feb! The leg is in such a mess that I think that I
AQ>will be able to force the issue - hope. But I am a pretty got negotiator
AQ>who has failed on this one.

Write your reply.

assistant: I never had rehab. but remember people making me feel that way. I always
have been know to find the easiest way to do things anyway, maybe Polio
was the reason.
During the same time period, I was having migraines.
I get immune to meds very fast and I was to the point that I would have
to start taking the shots. I decided not to do that, so I dealt with the
headaches on my own. I never did start the shots.
The Tens unit is like acupuncture. Sometimes it doesn't work either, but
it's great when it does.
It's been a long time that I dealt with it on my own, but it was getting
to the point that I couldn't anymore.
I think that we all get into that position, regularly I'm afraid.
The unit works, on me, anyway most of the time. Sometimes I have a
tendency to wait to long to put it on. If the pain is so intense that I
can't take it anymore, sometimes the Ten's doesn't work. I will ease the
pain but not take it away, or dull it so I can handle it on my own. It
is a great unit, I just have to give in and use it more.
I don't think I'll ever get there, but I wouldn't be disappointed. I am
a writer and would dearly love to write a story about the Aborigines (sp)
I have always been fascinated with them and their culture. The animals
there are so different from anywhere in the world, I guess that's the
reason I am so fascinated with your country, plus the beauty of it.
(Continued to next message)
 * OLXWin 1.00a * If I give you the steel wool would you knit me a Jaquar?