help

[Guest guest]

It's interesting that your mammogram technician mentioned that they wished

more women would have their implants removed because they can't see the

breast tissue. The plastic surgeon I saw actually told me that my breasts

would be easier to see with an implant behind them! Amazing.

Did I miss your introduction?

Kenda

> Oh my gosh -- please do not allow implants to be the basis for your

> existence!!!!! You have SO much more than that -- and 100% of it does not

> have anything to do with a false, fake product stuck under your skin!!!!!

> You

> have to realize that. If your husband does not understand that -- and

> values something like implants more than yourself -- then, he should not be

> in

> your life. You need to find something more in your life.....

>

> I was explanted a year ago - and my gosh....I feel SO stupid that I allowed

> something like a breast augmentation to give me what I thought I needed. I

> was so far from the truth. I don't have much now - but, I feel so much

> better.

>

> Just last week I had a mammogram -- routine one. Actually, the first one

> since explantation. The technician was telling me how that had to have been

> the best thing I did. She kept saying how they wish women with implants

> could

> understand how mammography just doesn't work with implants. They can't

> really see anything - but the implants!

>

> I'm now in my mid 40's - and maybe that has something to do with it - I got

> implants when I was in my early 20's -- so I blame a lot of it on just being

> young. I'm curious how old you are? If you don't mind my asking!!!

>

> Kate

[Guest guest]

Jenna, congratulations on your recovery! I didn't realize your

symptoms had completely disappeared, that's great!!

Sis

- although I'm still struggling with the headaches and brain fog. -

-- In , " Jenna " <jgalatis@c...> wrote:

>

> , I am so sorry that you are going thru all of this. i

just

> want to say that I hope you come to terms with this and do decide

to

> have them taken out. You are just going to have to continue to

have

> revision surgeries down the road anyhow, so think about the money

> you will have to eventually spend anyhow? You are right, it is a

> difficult decision because we don't have proof for sure if the

> implants are related to your symptoms but look at my outcome. I am

> 100% better after explant. How can you explain that?? My hair is

> growing in fully again, no rashes, no bone pain and the numbness

is

> completely gone. Also, one more thing, after looking at your pic

> that you shared with me, it makes me sick to my tummy when you say

> that you were never looked at before your implants!! Are you

> CRAZY??? I am sorry girl but you are HOT, such a beautiful face

and

> body! Your big breasts do not make you beautiful! Oh, and by the

> way...I saw my entire family at Thanksgiving for the first time

> since surgery. Half of them didn't know and you know what I got

from

> everyone? You look YOUNGER. I will take that as a nice compliment!

I

> really think those things were running me down to the ground! I

will

> continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers girl. You don't

> deserve to be going thru all of this!

>

> Jenna

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > I am 90% positive that my implants are causing my hair loss

> and

> > > other

> > > > minor symptoms point to my implants as well. But I have

become

> > > very

> > > > very depressed with the thought of having them removed. I

> > already

> > > feel

> > > > totally unsexy and it is taking a toll on my marriage infact

I

> > > think my

> > > > marriage is pretty much lost now. He is being less and less

> > > > understanding and even mean at times and I am still at least

> two

> > > months

> > > > away from possible explant....but I am not sure I want to

have

> > it

> > > done

> > > > in the spring, I would miss the military ball and not to

> mention

> > > that

> > > > is the time of year here in Georgia for tank tops so I am

not

> > sure

> > > I

> > > > can cope with being explanted then, but on the other hand I

> have

> > > very

> > > > little hair left to lose and I am having terrible anxiety.

My

> > > husband

> > > > is mad at me for the money wasted on my breasts and he has

not

> > > touched

> > > > me in three weeks, I am so damn lonely. I have no friends or

> > > family

> > > > here, no job, no nothing. What will I do if he leaves me? He

> > will

> > > take

> > > > my daughter and I can't handle losing my kids. What if my

> > implants

> > > > aren't the problem?! HOw the hell can I know??

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

-

Sue

My heart goes out to you. what a terrible terrible dilemna you

faced. I am so glad that you are here too, and that you are able to

care for your six children and your dear husband. How have you been

doing lately?

love, kathy

-- In , gibbense@a... wrote:

>

> Dear ,

>

> I feel really bad for you and understand how you are feeling.

> When I had my implants removed I was very very sick but I had them

in for

> about 9years, I also found out I was pregnant at the same time. My

problems

> really hit home then, to have the removal I had to terminate the

baby, I phoned

> every doctor in America I could (I live in England) trying to find

out if the

> baby would be sick as I was so terribly ill, they all told me the

same thing

> " if you have the baby and IF it lives it could be very very ill "

At this

> point I was so ill I knew I would die if I didn't get them out

and I had six

> children at home to care for. The decision to terminate the baby

was the hardest

> thing I have EVER done but I really had no choice. I guess what I

am trying

> to say is I think you already know what you should do and its

very hard to

> make difficult choices, but here I am eight years later and very

much alive and

> being a good mummy to my kids who I love with all my heart. Of

course I think

> what if, but I could have left six children motherless, I will

always regret

> what I had to do but I didn't see any other choice.

> Be strong , you will make the right choice for YOU how

ever

> difficult.

>

> Love Sue.

>

[Guest guest]

We can all pretty much understand where you are at. It is a very

difficult decision. There is no way to know for sure whether your

implants are causing your symptoms and also whether your hair loss

will stop even if they are. Some people continue to have hair loss

problems after explant and others improve. I think most people

notice at least some improvement. I think it is important to

remember that if you are reacting to the implants, it will only

continue. You will develop more and more symptoms, and they tend to

progress in severity. Certainly most of us can relate to having

small breasts, and the feelings associated with it. Some men are

thoughtlessly cruel when it comes to women's bodies. Your husband

is probably angry and also suffering from conflicting emotions. He

is taking it out on you. It is immature but I have been there. My

first husband had a problem with his aorta that had the potential to

be fatal and it was a dominant inherited condition. I was so

overwhelmed with fear not only for him, but for my two children who

had a great potential to have the same problem. Sometimes I was

loving, yet sometimes I was angry at him for having this problem and

possibly passing it to our children. I was angry about something he

couldn't even help!! I think I was just so upset and afraid that I

at times displaced my fear to anger. I think your husband might be

doing this also. He is upset about the money, but also upset about

the unknown. He wonders the same things you do--what willhappen if

you have them out? His anger is more than just anger. However this

is a very immature and hurtful way to be. I am praying that God

will help you pull together on this because it is very reassuring

when you and your husband are in agreement on how to proceed. His

support is vital to your wellbeing. Perhaps he could pray about it

and you could pray about it and ask God to lead you both to the same

conclusion. I have used this a number of times over the years and I

find that whenever my husband and I do that we always end up making

the right decision. I also think that being indecisive is providing

very high levels of stress. You really need to resolve this and have

a sense of peace about it. Stress can in itself make us very sick.

If you do decide that you should have your implants out, I would not

recommend waiting several months. That in itself is very stressful

as well as more likely to let you get sicker. I will be praying

that you will feel led to the right choice.

Hugs, Kathy

> > >

> > > I am 90% positive that my implants are causing my hair loss

and

> > other

> > > minor symptoms point to my implants as well. But I have become

> > very

> > > very depressed with the thought of having them removed. I

> already

> > feel

> > > totally unsexy and it is taking a toll on my marriage infact I

> > think my

> > > marriage is pretty much lost now. He is being less and less

> > > understanding and even mean at times and I am still at least

two

> > months

> > > away from possible explant....but I am not sure I want to have

> it

> > done

> > > in the spring, I would miss the military ball and not to

mention

> > that

> > > is the time of year here in Georgia for tank tops so I am not

> sure

> > I

> > > can cope with being explanted then, but on the other hand I

have

> > very

> > > little hair left to lose and I am having terrible anxiety. My

> > husband

> > > is mad at me for the money wasted on my breasts and he has not

> > touched

> > > me in three weeks, I am so damn lonely. I have no friends or

> > family

> > > here, no job, no nothing. What will I do if he leaves me? He

> will

> > take

> > > my daughter and I can't handle losing my kids. What if my

> implants

> > > aren't the problem?! HOw the hell can I know??

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I wish I could have my implants out right away and be done with it.

Because as you said I am on a roller coaster of emtions and stress.

However, we just don't have the money until January or febuary to

have it done. Dr Kolb seems to think my hair should start to grow

back once the implants are out and I do some detox.My husband is

also dealing with a lot of things other then the stress of my

explant and money, he just got back from a one year tour in Iraq in

March of this year and he still has stress from that, he lost a very

good soldier and he was in charge so that is a weight he carries as

well. There is a lot of stress in our family right now, we are

trying to reunite after a year of being apart, moved twice in two

months of getting back from Iraq once from Oregon to Germany then

from Germany to Georgia in a matter of 9 weeks, plus we had the

expense of both moves only one was paid for by the Army. So as you

can see, this unforseen breast issue was the very last thing we

needed.

My husband is normally a very loving and caring man so his actions

lately have been very very hurtful and I feel all alone.

> > > >

> > > > I am 90% positive that my implants are causing my hair loss

> and

> > > other

> > > > minor symptoms point to my implants as well. But I have

become

> > > very

> > > > very depressed with the thought of having them removed. I

> > already

> > > feel

> > > > totally unsexy and it is taking a toll on my marriage infact

I

> > > think my

> > > > marriage is pretty much lost now. He is being less and less

> > > > understanding and even mean at times and I am still at least

> two

> > > months

> > > > away from possible explant....but I am not sure I want to

have

> > it

> > > done

> > > > in the spring, I would miss the military ball and not to

> mention

> > > that

> > > > is the time of year here in Georgia for tank tops so I am

not

> > sure

> > > I

> > > > can cope with being explanted then, but on the other hand I

> have

> > > very

> > > > little hair left to lose and I am having terrible anxiety.

My

> > > husband

> > > > is mad at me for the money wasted on my breasts and he has

not

> > > touched

> > > > me in three weeks, I am so damn lonely. I have no friends or

> > > family

> > > > here, no job, no nothing. What will I do if he leaves me? He

> > will

> > > take

> > > > my daughter and I can't handle losing my kids. What if my

> > implants

> > > > aren't the problem?! HOw the hell can I know??

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Isn't there a lady here who had her explant covered by military insurance?

Have you tried that option yet?

Also, do any of the ladies on this list live near you? It sounds like you

really need a friend right now. Perhaps someone here is close enough to

come visit?

Kenda

> I wish I could have my implants out right away and be done with it.

> Because as you said I am on a roller coaster of emtions and stress.

> However, we just don't have the money until January or febuary to

> have it done. Dr Kolb seems to think my hair should start to grow

> back once the implants are out and I do some detox.My husband is

> also dealing with a lot of things other then the stress of my

> explant and money, he just got back from a one year tour in Iraq in

> March of this year and he still has stress from that, he lost a very

> good soldier and he was in charge so that is a weight he carries as

> well. There is a lot of stress in our family right now, we are

> trying to reunite after a year of being apart, moved twice in two

> months of getting back from Iraq once from Oregon to Germany then

> from Germany to Georgia in a matter of 9 weeks, plus we had the

> expense of both moves only one was paid for by the Army. So as you

> can see, this unforseen breast issue was the very last thing we

> needed.

> My husband is normally a very loving and caring man so his actions

> lately have been very very hurtful and I feel all alone.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>>>>>

>>>>> I am 90% positive that my implants are causing my hair loss

>> and

>>>> other

>>>>> minor symptoms point to my implants as well. But I have

> become

>>>> very

>>>>> very depressed with the thought of having them removed. I

>>> already

>>>> feel

>>>>> totally unsexy and it is taking a toll on my marriage infact

> I

>>>> think my

>>>>> marriage is pretty much lost now. He is being less and less

>>>>> understanding and even mean at times and I am still at least

>> two

>>>> months

>>>>> away from possible explant....but I am not sure I want to

> have

>>> it

>>>> done

>>>>> in the spring, I would miss the military ball and not to

>> mention

>>>> that

>>>>> is the time of year here in Georgia for tank tops so I am

> not

>>> sure

>>>> I

>>>>> can cope with being explanted then, but on the other hand I

>> have

>>>> very

>>>>> little hair left to lose and I am having terrible anxiety.

> My

>>>> husband

>>>>> is mad at me for the money wasted on my breasts and he has

> not

>>>> touched

>>>>> me in three weeks, I am so damn lonely. I have no friends or

>>>> family

>>>>> here, no job, no nothing. What will I do if he leaves me? He

>>> will

>>>> take

>>>>> my daughter and I can't handle losing my kids. What if my

>>> implants

>>>>> aren't the problem?! HOw the hell can I know??

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Opinions expressed are NOT meant to take the place of advice given by licensed

> health care professionals. Consult your physician or licensed health care

> professional before commencing any medical treatment.

>

> " Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead you.

> Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to live a

> happy life and how to work for a better world. " - Linus ing, two-time

> Nobel Prize Winner (1954, Chemistry; 1963, Peace)

>

> See our photos website! Enter " implants " for access at this link:

> http://.shutterfly.com/action/

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I wish I had one dollar for each woman who had marital

problems as a result of their implants! . . .

The good news is that most of them get through it.

Hang in there. Keep telling your husband how you feel.

It's obvious you love him very much and understand

he's going through a tough time too.

Hugs and prayer,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Wow

You two do have alot of stress right now. I cant even begin to

imagine it. That certainly explains alot. It takes a pretty mature

person to stay sweet and loving under high periods of stress.

Hopefully you two can pull together on this and make it work to make

you closer rather than farther apart. I am praying for you.

Hugs, kathy

> > > > >

> > > > > I am 90% positive that my implants are causing my hair

loss

> > and

> > > > other

> > > > > minor symptoms point to my implants as well. But I have

> become

> > > > very

> > > > > very depressed with the thought of having them removed. I

> > > already

> > > > feel

> > > > > totally unsexy and it is taking a toll on my marriage

infact

> I

> > > > think my

> > > > > marriage is pretty much lost now. He is being less and

less

> > > > > understanding and even mean at times and I am still at

least

> > two

> > > > months

> > > > > away from possible explant....but I am not sure I want to

> have

> > > it

> > > > done

> > > > > in the spring, I would miss the military ball and not to

> > mention

> > > > that

> > > > > is the time of year here in Georgia for tank tops so I am

> not

> > > sure

> > > > I

> > > > > can cope with being explanted then, but on the other hand

I

> > have

> > > > very

> > > > > little hair left to lose and I am having terrible anxiety.

> My

> > > > husband

> > > > > is mad at me for the money wasted on my breasts and he has

> not

> > > > touched

> > > > > me in three weeks, I am so damn lonely. I have no friends

or

> > > > family

> > > > > here, no job, no nothing. What will I do if he leaves me?

He

> > > will

> > > > take

> > > > > my daughter and I can't handle losing my kids. What if my

> > > implants

> > > > > aren't the problem?! HOw the hell can I know??

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

I am so sorry for your lonliness and struggle with this whole

issue. I know how hard it is to make a decision when nothing is in

black and white. All I can tell you is that so many women have

found renewed life, renewed health, and the hope of a better future

after taking out their implants. In this case, hindsight is what

works. You have to take that leap of faith.

We will be here for you. It is a very tough situation to be in.

Nothing that hundreds of other women have not already gone through

though. Marriages have fallen apart, and women have learned what

their men are really made of when the cow dung hits the fan when

they get sick. Then again, many women have fallen in love more with

their men after all is said and done and you've weathered the trial

together and come out the other side with more respect and a deeper

love for each other. This has happened in my marriage, but I will

tell you that those first few months were pretty hard! I heard some

questionable stuff come out of my husband's mouth! But looking back,

I know it was all out of fear of the unknown. Men are used

to " fixing things " . They are used to having the answers and being

in control of their future. I know mine certainly was. This breast

implant nightmare caught him by surprise, leaving him frustrated and

angry.

I pray that your husband will have the patience and strength to see

that this is a difficulty for both of you to weather together and

come out victorious in the end, as long as he has faith to see it

through. You will get better. This is just the hardest part. You

guys are in the worst of it right now. Once you get beyond this,

when you get those implants out and you can move forward, you can

have more hope of a settled future and you guys will be stronger for

it. Don't give up! We will be here for you to lean on!

Love,

Patty

>

> I am 90% positive that my implants are causing my hair loss and

other

> minor symptoms point to my implants as well. But I have become

very

> very depressed with the thought of having them removed. I already

feel

> totally unsexy and it is taking a toll on my marriage infact I

think my

> marriage is pretty much lost now. He is being less and less

> understanding and even mean at times and I am still at least two

months

> away from possible explant....but I am not sure I want to have it

done

> in the spring, I would miss the military ball and not to mention

that

> is the time of year here in Georgia for tank tops so I am not sure

I

> can cope with being explanted then, but on the other hand I have

very

> little hair left to lose and I am having terrible anxiety. My

husband

> is mad at me for the money wasted on my breasts and he has not

touched

> me in three weeks, I am so damn lonely. I have no friends or

family

> here, no job, no nothing. What will I do if he leaves me? He will

take

> my daughter and I can't handle losing my kids. What if my implants

> aren't the problem?! HOw the hell can I know??

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sue,

Oh what a difficult decision you faced! I am so sorry you went

through this. But you did a very compassionate thing. Your family

needs you, and you did what was the best thing you could have done,

given the circumstances. You are a strong woman Sue!

God bless!

Patty

>

> Dear ,

>

> I feel really bad for you and understand how you are feeling.

> When I had my implants removed I was very very sick but I had them

in for

> about 9years, I also found out I was pregnant at the same time. My

problems

> really hit home then, to have the removal I had to terminate the

baby, I phoned

> every doctor in America I could (I live in England) trying to find

out if the

> baby would be sick as I was so terribly ill, they all told me the

same thing

> " if you have the baby and IF it lives it could be very very ill "

At this

> point I was so ill I knew I would die if I didn't get them out

and I had six

> children at home to care for. The decision to terminate the baby

was the hardest

> thing I have EVER done but I really had no choice. I guess what I

am trying

> to say is I think you already know what you should do and its

very hard to

> make difficult choices, but here I am eight years later and very

much alive and

> being a good mummy to my kids who I love with all my heart. Of

course I think

> what if, but I could have left six children motherless, I will

always regret

> what I had to do but I didn't see any other choice.

> Be strong , you will make the right choice for YOU how

ever

> difficult.

>

> Love Sue.

>

[Guest guest]

,

My oh my, you guys have had alot of stress!

This is a time to give each other wide berth, lots of tolerance and

patience for imperfections that will surface. I can imagine that

these kind of unstable circumstances would test alot of marriages.

I do hope you guys can have a chance to get settled.

And I am so thankful for men who have served in our military,

especially those who have seen the absolute worst with this war in

Iraq. I can't imagine how difficult it would be for them to cope

with what they've seen and experienced. Thank you both for your

sacrifices.

, I really hope and pray for you both to be at peace...

Patty

>

> I wish I could have my implants out right away and be done with

it.

> Because as you said I am on a roller coaster of emtions and

stress.

> However, we just don't have the money until January or febuary to

> have it done. Dr Kolb seems to think my hair should start to grow

> back once the implants are out and I do some detox.My husband is

> also dealing with a lot of things other then the stress of my

> explant and money, he just got back from a one year tour in Iraq

in

> March of this year and he still has stress from that, he lost a

very

> good soldier and he was in charge so that is a weight he carries

as

> well. There is a lot of stress in our family right now, we are

> trying to reunite after a year of being apart, moved twice in two

> months of getting back from Iraq once from Oregon to Germany then

> from Germany to Georgia in a matter of 9 weeks, plus we had the

> expense of both moves only one was paid for by the Army. So as you

> can see, this unforseen breast issue was the very last thing we

> needed.

> My husband is normally a very loving and caring man so his actions

> lately have been very very hurtful and I feel all alone.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

I'm so sorry . . . I know how much you wanted to have

a houseful of kids! . . . It had to be a nightmare

giving up one of them. You did the right thing though.

You wouldn't have been able to live with yourself if

your child was chronically ill and you allowed him/her

to be born in that condition.

I wish the doctors had to tell women about the

possiblities that implants may mean in terms of

inability to get pregnant, miscarriages and sick

children!

Somehow the children seem to have fell by the wayside!

It's all so terribly sad.

Love,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Dear Sue,

Your story is heartwrenching. What tragic decisions you had to make. My heart

goes out

to you. And Yes, You must be a very strong woman to make the decision you made,

for

your family.

-- In , " glory2glory1401 " <glory2glory1401@y...>

wrote:

>

> Dear Sue,

> Oh what a difficult decision you faced! I am so sorry you went

> through this. But you did a very compassionate thing. Your family

> needs you, and you did what was the best thing you could have done,

> given the circumstances. You are a strong woman Sue!

> God bless!

> Patty

>

>

> >

> > Dear ,

> >

> > I feel really bad for you and understand how you are feeling.

> > When I had my implants removed I was very very sick but I had them

> in for

> > about 9years, I also found out I was pregnant at the same time. My

> problems

> > really hit home then, to have the removal I had to terminate the

> baby, I phoned

> > every doctor in America I could (I live in England) trying to find

> out if the

> > baby would be sick as I was so terribly ill, they all told me the

> same thing

> > " if you have the baby and IF it lives it could be very very ill "

> At this

> > point I was so ill I knew I would die if I didn't get them out

> and I had six

> > children at home to care for. The decision to terminate the baby

> was the hardest

> > thing I have EVER done but I really had no choice. I guess what I

> am trying

> > to say is I think you already know what you should do and its

> very hard to

> > make difficult choices, but here I am eight years later and very

> much alive and

> > being a good mummy to my kids who I love with all my heart. Of

> course I think

> > what if, but I could have left six children motherless, I will

> always regret

> > what I had to do but I didn't see any other choice.

> > Be strong , you will make the right choice for YOU how

> ever

> > difficult.

> >

> > Love Sue.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

GM - I checked the membership rolls . . . You look

fine there - No problem indicated.

You might try reading through the list, rather than

individual emails . . . Use this address:

Hugs,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

Good to see you post, even if under the cirumstances.

One thing, AFOs and orthotics are not supposed to hurt - ever.

Second thing, CMT is not always 'symmetrical'. You stated your

doctor is 'perplexed'. Sounds like he doesn't know CMT at all. I

hope your orthotics will be made by a certified orthotist. Mine are,

and yes, if taken apart, they are a series of wedges actually to

support my feet. My legs are the same, however, my feet appear

different from each other.

I had tendon surgery (soft tissue) as a kid to correct my feet from

rolling outward on the left and inward on the right; the orthotics

came in my life about 14 years ago and give me great support. No

further surgery has been necessary for me.

Doctors have a 'knack' for scaring people. Take a few deep breaths

and relax. First, see if the orthotics help. Remember, when you

walk with them, your feet will be striking the ground 'differently'

and this may feel wierd. When I got mine Stefan said to wear them 3

hours a day for the first week. After that I wore them all the time

and love them. Your orthotist may also recommend a particular shoe

to wear with them. This is because the shoe helps. Stefan first

suggested for me, later New Balance.

I would suggest getting a 2nd and maybe a 3rd opinion on the CMT

foot surgery from a Board Certified Orthopedic Foot Surgeon -

hopefully ones that have bonafide CMT experience. Also, if you feel

you have been mis-diagnosed, by all means, get a 2nd Neurologist

opinion also.

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I had surgery on both feet to lower my arches, and my left heel was

indented and the doctor put an implant in the heel so I can walk fairly normal.

Also, I don't know if you have experienced this, but I used to get horrible

callouses on the bottom of my feet. He did surgery on the meta-tarcel bone of

both feet. That elevated the pressure and I have no more callouses.

I am doing so much better since the surgeries.

- Fla.

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems these days. Like you,

my brother and I each have one foot that is noticably more affected

than the other. He chose surgery, which was very successful for him.

His feet hurt all of the time, and the surgery brought him relief. I

chose to try a SMO brace first, which has been very successful for me

(so far!). There's really no right answer here. I put the brace on

first thing in the morning, and I don't even notice it during the

day. In fact, the braced foot feels much better than it did unbraced

by the end of the day, and it makes getting around sooo much easier

for me. I agree with Gretchen about the comfort issue -- a well-

fitted brace shouldn't hurt.

Regarding your diagnosis, have you consulted a neurologist recently to

see if you might have an overlapping condition?

Best wishes,

Helen

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol (again -

I just caught this portion of your message and I thought I'd share

with you my surgeon's recommendations:

> What surgery has anyone had to correct their feet especially the

heel)

- post-tibial tendon transfer

- strip ligaments to relax the arch

- anchor heel

I can't remember the specific names of the second and third

procedures, but he jotted them down for me so I could hop on the web

and research it (like you are doing).

> This doctor just was a bit perplexed and now has me thinking maybe

I was mis-diagnosed.

This happened to me, too. He sent me to an excellent neurologist,

who did find a second underlying condition called CIDP for which I

am being treated.

Best wishes,

Helen

[Guest guest]

Carol,

Boy do I know exactly how you feel. I had surgery about 6 years ago,(left foot

only as it was much worse than my right one).

I also have the very high arch bowed out ankles and turned in heels. My (right)

ankle can literally snap right out from under me by just stepping on the

smallest pebble or uneven surface.

I say my (right) ankle, because my (left) foot that I had TOTAL reconstructive

surgery on is much,much more stable.

I don't know where you are from, but in my opinion the best CMT specialist is

here in Avon, Indiana. His name is J. Milller, and he specializes in

reconstructing CMT feet, and travels the country teaching other Doctors how to

do it.

I have been a single mother of 3 for 15 years, so there was no way he was going

to completely reconstruct both of my feet at the same time,(he knew I was a

little stubborn & would not comply with the down time I would have had to

endure.)

I cannot list all the technical medical terms for everything he did, but in a

nutshell he completly tore down & rebuilt my left foot, and while the recovery

was about 6 months...(3mo in a wheelchair,3 mo learning to walk on my new foot)

I am thrilled with the results.

Keep in mind, that surgery will not stop CMT, therefore my foot has atrophied

back up a little since the surgery as he told me it would.

My foot was FLAT after surgery & for the first time, & I could feel the bottom

of my foot touch the ground! Like I said, my arch has atrophied back up a little

bit, but my foot is still 10 times more stable & pain free than the foot I have

not had surgery on. The biggest & best difference I can tell, is the results of

him breaking & resetting my heel. That in itself,I believe has given me a solid

stable foot to walk on. For example...I can walk through the yard, and my

surgery foot will NOT want to snap out from under me like my non surgery foot

still does.

I hope that someday soon, I can financially arrange to be off work for 6 months,

because as hard and long as the recovery was, I would get my right foot done in

a minute!

Hope this helps a little.

Donna in Indy.

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

I've not had any experience with surgery, but can tell you that my

right side is weaker than my left. I've had the DNA testing done

and definitely have CMT. Last July, I had an EMG done for carpal

tunnel on both hands. The doc doing the EMG said that my nerves in

my right hand were 'sick puppies' even going up into my forearm.

The nerves in my left hand that weren't affected by the carpal

tunnel were within the normal range.

The right foot has lost a lot more feeling than the left - I can

tolerate a fire ant bite on my right foot without really noticing

it - it hurts like the dickens on my left foot for hours. When

wearing regular shoes, it seems as if I have to lift my right leg

higher.

I agree with Gretchen about getting a second and even third or

fourth opinion. Asking for information is a great step as well.

Being knowledgable about CMT can help you to determine which doctor

& treatment are best for you.

Tonya

[Guest guest]

I have one leg that is smaller than the other one but the doctors ignore my

questions about it...the smaller leg seems to be the stronger of the two.

Jeanann

[Guest guest]

My left leg is weaker and has more muscle atrophy than my right leg.

The foot drop is also worse in my left leg. I have type 1A.

Holly

[Guest guest]

Thats if the employer will listen. Mine just got rid of me.

Janet

**************************************

AOL now offers free email to

everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

I always use the Kilz from Wal Mart. They can mix any color one ask

for, even the colors from more expensive paint stores. This is

great paint and less money. I was wondering, is plain Kilz that same

as Kilz anti-biological paint?

>

> Pool_37 ( contaminated wall void and no money )

>

> What about your insurance company? Did the seller know about

the leak?

> As for Do-It-Yourself remediation....Get someone to rip out all

the

> contaminated wall material and insulation....destroy it.....and install new

walls

and seal

> it with paint/sealer and Kilz anit-biological paint. Then put a

HEPA filter

> air cleaner in the room to catch any stray spores. At least this

will allow

> you to get back in the house.

> I would be interested to know........if any of the professional

> remediation experts who monitor this site have any comments on my

suggestion.

>

> Dr. L. Lipsey

> Professor and Toxicologist

> Univ. of North Florida, (OSHA)

> Univ. of Fla. Med. Ctr. Jax, Poison Control

> <A HREF= " http://www.richardlipsey.com/index.htm " >DR. R. LIPSEY

WEBSITE(www.richardlipsey.com)</A>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. Have you discussed this with your management

yet? One thing I do when I have to be near a vent for any given time,

I take filters, the kind one can cut up. I cut it to fit my vent. If

the vent is metal I take magnet with the sticky stuff on the back and

place it all around the filter. I then place the filter on the vent.

This at least keeps some of the filth away from me. People just don't

seem to take clean air seriously. I was in our library the other

day, it is not a very old library. I look up at one of the vents and it

was covered in dust. Being this library is only a few yeard old, I can

already see a problem in the making. I can't help but wonder why no

one ever vacums and clean those things out!

I hope you get the help you need and information. This is a great

group.

--- In , " stacyryanx " <stacyryanx@...>

wrote:

>

> as soon as i walk into work my eyes water. over the last 4-5 months

i

> have been to the doctor twice and emergency room once. tosilitis,

> pluerisy, and allergies. the air vents in my workplace are filthy, i

> am definitely interested in learning more about this subject.

>