Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I would like to gently point out that many of the countries that the US 'take care of' have not actually requested, or appreciated, such 'care and attention'. I would prefer my 33% tax rate was spent on helping fellow citizens have good universal health care, rather than being spent on weapons... I guess it all comes down to prorities. P'raps this discussion has run its course now? in NZ ----- Original Message Follows ----- > That's what the highest rate is in the US. Our military > system is very expensive to operate. Our constitution > mandates a military complex. We take care of the world. > There is no mention in our constitution of health care > for all. In fact, there is no mention in our constitution > of many of the roles our expansive federal government has > taken on. Arianne > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Arianne, What is your addy? You sound like you are one of the few in this nation who are aware of what is going on and not one of the sheeple. Sherry Re: TKR> >> >> >> > ,> >> > Where does the money come from to pay all the peoples> > medical expense? You cannot possibly believe that> > the portion people pay actually covers the cost.> >> > Sherry> > Recent Activity> > a.. 16New Members> > Visit Your Group> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 na I disagree with you. Generic medications have the same active ingredients as the brand name. I am a pharmacist. Re: TKR> > > the problem is our American system has become to socialized like> Canada and has gone down hill from there. Medicine was much> better when doctors made house calls and had PRIVATE PRACTICES.> There were NO HMO's. Now doctors have a slew of people just to> do paperwork and things in the medical profession have gone to hell> in a handcart. When the #1 cause of death in the US are medical> mistakes you know there is a huge problem. It never used to be> this way. The US was #1 in health care. Pretty much like our> public school system.> > Sherry> > > ----------------------------------------------------------> My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti-spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 It's: Arianne377@... - email me anytime Arianne -- In Joint Replacement , " S.A.M. " <blueopal@...> wrote: > > Arianne, > > What is your addy? You sound like you are one of > the few in this nation who are aware of what is going > on and not one of the sheeple. > > Sherry > > > Re: TKR > > > > > > > > > > > > , > > > > > > Where does the money come from to pay all the peoples > > > medical expense? You cannot possibly believe that > > > the portion people pay actually covers the cost. > > > > > > Sherry > > > Recent Activity > > > a.. 16New Members > > > Visit Your Group > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 I'm glad you believe that. Sometimes it isn't the active ingredient, but whatever proprietary ingredient that's missing in the generic that was in the patented medicine. Do you expect me to believe that a pharmaceutical company is going to divulge their proprietary secrets??? If so, talk to my physician who will inform you otherwise. Arianne > > > > > > S.A.M.-- > > > > The healthcare sysytem in the US is anything but socialized. It has become a > purely private business, with all the corner-cutting and minimum service provision and > maximum charge that the insurance companies can get away with. > > > > If you want someone to blame for this, blame, in order of importance: 1) the > Republican Party, which defeated the Clinton healthcare bill (and felt very proud of itself > for doing so, btw); 2) the insurance companies that lobbied to kill the healthcare bill, and; > 3) the AMA, which supported the insurance companies. > > > > Healthcare has gone to Hell in a breadbasket in the US, to the point where I'm very > happy that my healthcare is socialized. To explain what that means, very simply: I pay a > premium, which is a certain percentage of my income, for a " basic package " of services, > defined by the Ministry of Health, and uniform throughout the healthcare sector, which is > actually operated by about half-a dozen " sick funds " ... private companies that provide > services in accordance with the Ministry of Health requirements, and under its auspices. > > > > Anyone wanting additional insurance pays for the extras, either as they happen, or > in a monthly premium to cover certain possibilities. My sick fund had the levels of > additions, each with more treatments covered than the previous level. > > > > For two THRs, I paid absolutely nothing. This includes: all preliminary lab tests, > imaging requirements, etc., stay in hospital, surgery, anesthesiologist, PT in the hospital, > transportation home after surgery in a private ambulance, 6 weeks of home visit PT and 6 > weeks of outpatient PT at my local sick fund clinic, and all follow-up blood tests and > imaging. The only thing I paid for were the 10 days of anticoagulants after release from > the hospital and the bandages I covered the surgical incision with for 2 weeks (and the > health fund paid 75% of the meds, 50% of the dressings). > > > > After my first surgery, I found out that THRs and TKRs are included in the " basic > package " . In other words, necessary surgery is available to all, no matter what their > financial situation. Granted, there are sometimes waiting lists, depending on the > particular hospital you choose, and you may not necessarily be able to choose your > surgeon (working in the medical device industry, I had enough connections to be able to > choose), but the services are available to all, and affordable to all. > > > > That's what socialized medicine is supposed to be about... (and the doctors don't > complain, either). > > > > It could be germane to note that part of the high cost in health care is the " lawsuit > mania " ... the company I worked for stopped exporting devices to the US because the legal > costs for fighting frivolous lawsuits was too high to make it worthwhile. Manufacturer's > journals have noted that a large number of European manufacturers have done the same, > including chemical supply companies, such as du Pont (France), who are the sole suppliers > for certain raw materials that go into artificial heart valves. Suing everyone down to the > janitor who cleaned the OR and the company that pumped the crude petroleum used to > make the plastic of a medical device are counter-productive, and will, in the long run, > guarantee that a) there will be a mass exodus overseas for treatments that become > unavailable in the US due to lack of devices or materials to manufacture them, and a > black market of such devices and materials in the US, driving their cost up even more. > > > > The only people who get rich off these lawsuits are the lawyers, the people who > actually suffered a loss get peanuts (if the decision is in their favor at all). > > > > Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004 > > mdavison@ > > > > From: Joint Replacement [mailto: > Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Ann > > Sent: 29 October, 2006 1:38 AM > > Joint Replacement > > Subject: Re: TKR > > > > > > > > American medicine has become the opposite of socialized. It's become for-profit. > This causes the Big Businesses that own them to slash everything they can, including > treatments, to make big profits for their investors and obscene salaries, bonuses, and > retirements for their execs. They invented the HMO model. It was that that stopped > house calls. And the insurance companies discovered that they could make a lot more > profit by denying services, keeping office visits to 15 min (how ridiculous is that?), > reducing access to expensive tests that could save lives, like MRIs. And a lot of doctors > for some incomprehensible reason bought into it (I don't mean they chose it -- they didn't > have a choice, but they Believed). If the AMA had risen up and roared loud enough in > 1991 when it all started, they could have prevented it, but they didn't. The only reason I > can think of is that doctors thought they were gods back then and maybe assumed that > they couldn't be hurt by the change. Now they get paid less & punished (in some clinics) > for Rx'ing MRIs or referrals. When I had my horrible back pain for 2 years back in '94- '96, > I asked my doc to refer me to an orthopedist so he could evaluate my spine (I'd had an > acute injury of indeterminate cause that resulted in my whole body being in pain) and she > said " Oh, you don't need an orthopedist " because she had a small practice and any money > paid to a specialist would have to come out of her pocket. That's why there are fewer > independent doctors nowadays. And wait till you get on Medicare. Good luck finding a > doc if you're a new patient. Our " socialized " medicine doesn't pay them enough. 80% of > docs here in Olympia won't take new Medicare patients. And I found out that the medi- > gap your insurance may offer doesn't pay the doc the difference between what Medicare > pays and what your insurance would normally pay (with you paying 20% of that, of course) > -- the doc gets no more than what Medicare pays (which is only 80% of what they say the > cost should be). The difference is that you don't have to cough up the Medicare 20% -- > your medigap covers that. So having medigap won't get you a doc if that doc doesn't take > new Medicare patients. " New " means you've never seen that particular doc before. So if > you come down with kidney failure & need a nephrologist, forget it if you're on Medicare. > Make sure you contract all your diseases before you hit 65. > > Ann S. > > > > > > Re: TKR > > > > > > the problem is our American system has become to socialized like > > Canada and has gone down hill from there. Medicine was much > > better when doctors made house calls and had PRIVATE PRACTICES. > > There were NO HMO's. Now doctors have a slew of people just to > > do paperwork and things in the medical profession have gone to hell > > in a handcart. When the #1 cause of death in the US are medical > > mistakes you know there is a huge problem. It never used to be > > this way. The US was #1 in health care. Pretty much like our > > public school system. > > > > Sherry > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti- > spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 As a pharmacist, please tell me why, if someone starts out with a generic version of a medication, it most often works for them, but if someone who started the patented version of the same medication and is then switched to the generic version, if often does NOT work in the way the patented version did? Arianne > > > > > > S.A.M.-- > > > > The healthcare sysytem in the US is anything but socialized. It has become a > purely private business, with all the corner-cutting and minimum service provision and > maximum charge that the insurance companies can get away with. > > > > If you want someone to blame for this, blame, in order of importance: 1) the > Republican Party, which defeated the Clinton healthcare bill (and felt very proud of itself > for doing so, btw); 2) the insurance companies that lobbied to kill the healthcare bill, and; > 3) the AMA, which supported the insurance companies. > > > > Healthcare has gone to Hell in a breadbasket in the US, to the point where I'm very > happy that my healthcare is socialized. To explain what that means, very simply: I pay a > premium, which is a certain percentage of my income, for a " basic package " of services, > defined by the Ministry of Health, and uniform throughout the healthcare sector, which is > actually operated by about half-a dozen " sick funds " ... private companies that provide > services in accordance with the Ministry of Health requirements, and under its auspices. > > > > Anyone wanting additional insurance pays for the extras, either as they happen, or > in a monthly premium to cover certain possibilities. My sick fund had the levels of > additions, each with more treatments covered than the previous level. > > > > For two THRs, I paid absolutely nothing. This includes: all preliminary lab tests, > imaging requirements, etc., stay in hospital, surgery, anesthesiologist, PT in the hospital, > transportation home after surgery in a private ambulance, 6 weeks of home visit PT and 6 > weeks of outpatient PT at my local sick fund clinic, and all follow-up blood tests and > imaging. The only thing I paid for were the 10 days of anticoagulants after release from > the hospital and the bandages I covered the surgical incision with for 2 weeks (and the > health fund paid 75% of the meds, 50% of the dressings). > > > > After my first surgery, I found out that THRs and TKRs are included in the " basic > package " . In other words, necessary surgery is available to all, no matter what their > financial situation. Granted, there are sometimes waiting lists, depending on the > particular hospital you choose, and you may not necessarily be able to choose your > surgeon (working in the medical device industry, I had enough connections to be able to > choose), but the services are available to all, and affordable to all. > > > > That's what socialized medicine is supposed to be about... (and the doctors don't > complain, either). > > > > It could be germane to note that part of the high cost in health care is the " lawsuit > mania " ... the company I worked for stopped exporting devices to the US because the legal > costs for fighting frivolous lawsuits was too high to make it worthwhile. Manufacturer's > journals have noted that a large number of European manufacturers have done the same, > including chemical supply companies, such as du Pont (France), who are the sole suppliers > for certain raw materials that go into artificial heart valves. Suing everyone down to the > janitor who cleaned the OR and the company that pumped the crude petroleum used to > make the plastic of a medical device are counter-productive, and will, in the long run, > guarantee that a) there will be a mass exodus overseas for treatments that become > unavailable in the US due to lack of devices or materials to manufacture them, and a > black market of such devices and materials in the US, driving their cost up even more. > > > > The only people who get rich off these lawsuits are the lawyers, the people who > actually suffered a loss get peanuts (if the decision is in their favor at all). > > > > Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004 > > mdavison@ > > > > From: Joint Replacement [mailto: > Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Ann > > Sent: 29 October, 2006 1:38 AM > > Joint Replacement > > Subject: Re: TKR > > > > > > > > American medicine has become the opposite of socialized. It's become for-profit. > This causes the Big Businesses that own them to slash everything they can, including > treatments, to make big profits for their investors and obscene salaries, bonuses, and > retirements for their execs. They invented the HMO model. It was that that stopped > house calls. And the insurance companies discovered that they could make a lot more > profit by denying services, keeping office visits to 15 min (how ridiculous is that?), > reducing access to expensive tests that could save lives, like MRIs. And a lot of doctors > for some incomprehensible reason bought into it (I don't mean they chose it -- they didn't > have a choice, but they Believed). If the AMA had risen up and roared loud enough in > 1991 when it all started, they could have prevented it, but they didn't. The only reason I > can think of is that doctors thought they were gods back then and maybe assumed that > they couldn't be hurt by the change. Now they get paid less & punished (in some clinics) > for Rx'ing MRIs or referrals. When I had my horrible back pain for 2 years back in '94- '96, > I asked my doc to refer me to an orthopedist so he could evaluate my spine (I'd had an > acute injury of indeterminate cause that resulted in my whole body being in pain) and she > said " Oh, you don't need an orthopedist " because she had a small practice and any money > paid to a specialist would have to come out of her pocket. That's why there are fewer > independent doctors nowadays. And wait till you get on Medicare. Good luck finding a > doc if you're a new patient. Our " socialized " medicine doesn't pay them enough. 80% of > docs here in Olympia won't take new Medicare patients. And I found out that the medi- > gap your insurance may offer doesn't pay the doc the difference between what Medicare > pays and what your insurance would normally pay (with you paying 20% of that, of course) > -- the doc gets no more than what Medicare pays (which is only 80% of what they say the > cost should be). The difference is that you don't have to cough up the Medicare 20% -- > your medigap covers that. So having medigap won't get you a doc if that doc doesn't take > new Medicare patients. " New " means you've never seen that particular doc before. So if > you come down with kidney failure & need a nephrologist, forget it if you're on Medicare. > Make sure you contract all your diseases before you hit 65. > > Ann S. > > > > > > Re: TKR > > > > > > the problem is our American system has become to socialized like > > Canada and has gone down hill from there. Medicine was much > > better when doctors made house calls and had PRIVATE PRACTICES. > > There were NO HMO's. Now doctors have a slew of people just to > > do paperwork and things in the medical profession have gone to hell > > in a handcart. When the #1 cause of death in the US are medical > > mistakes you know there is a huge problem. It never used to be > > this way. The US was #1 in health care. Pretty much like our > > public school system. > > > > Sherry > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti- > spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 > > I would like to gently point out that many of the countries > that the US 'take care of' have not actually requested, or > appreciated, such 'care and attention'. > This may be true but they all like the money we send don't they? Arianne> I would prefer my 33% tax rate was spent on helping fellow > citizens have good universal health care, rather than being > spent on weapons... I guess it all comes down to prorities. > P'raps this discussion has run its course now? > > in NZ > > > ----- Original Message Follows ----- > > That's what the highest rate is in the US. Our military > > system is very expensive to operate. Our constitution > > mandates a military complex. We take care of the world. > > There is no mention in our constitution of health care > > for all. In fact, there is no mention in our constitution > > of many of the roles our expansive federal government has > > taken on. Arianne > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 And it's not true that once a med becomes generic, it goes OTC. My mail-order pharmacy (through my insurance) has generics, name brands, and meds they haven't approved. Ann S. Re: TKR> > > the problem is our American system has become to socialized like> Canada and has gone down hill from there. Medicine was much> better when doctors made house calls and had PRIVATE PRACTICES.> There were NO HMO's. Now doctors have a slew of people just to> do paperwork and things in the medical profession have gone to hell> in a handcart. When the #1 cause of death in the US are medical> mistakes you know there is a huge problem. It never used to be> this way. The US was #1 in health care. Pretty much like our> public school system.> > Sherry> > > ----------------------------------------------------------> My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti-spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com.> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Where do you get your information on that? Where are the stats? Ann S. Re: TKR> > > > > > the problem is our American system has become to socialized like> > Canada and has gone down hill from there. Medicine was much> > better when doctors made house calls and had PRIVATE PRACTICES.> > There were NO HMO's. Now doctors have a slew of people just to> > do paperwork and things in the medical profession have gone to hell> > in a handcart. When the #1 cause of death in the US are medical> > mistakes you know there is a huge problem. It never used to be> > this way. The US was #1 in health care. Pretty much like our> > public school system.> > > > Sherry> > > > > > ----------------------------------------------------------> > My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti-> spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com.> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 I didn't say that, Ann. What I said was once a new patented medicine comes to market that is like, but better than the previous one, the previous one generally goes OTC. Think about Cortaid for example. It was once a prescription med but became OTC when an improved version became patented. Arianne > > > > > > S.A.M.-- > > > > The healthcare sysytem in the US is anything but socialized. It has become a > purely private business, with all the corner-cutting and minimum service provision and > maximum charge that the insurance companies can get away with. > > > > If you want someone to blame for this, blame, in order of importance: 1) the > Republican Party, which defeated the Clinton healthcare bill (and felt very proud of itself > for doing so, btw); 2) the insurance companies that lobbied to kill the healthcare bill, and; > 3) the AMA, which supported the insurance companies. > > > > Healthcare has gone to Hell in a breadbasket in the US, to the point where I'm very > happy that my healthcare is socialized. To explain what that means, very simply: I pay a > premium, which is a certain percentage of my income, for a " basic package " of services, > defined by the Ministry of Health, and uniform throughout the healthcare sector, which is > actually operated by about half-a dozen " sick funds " ... private companies that provide > services in accordance with the Ministry of Health requirements, and under its auspices. > > > > Anyone wanting additional insurance pays for the extras, either as they happen, or > in a monthly premium to cover certain possibilities. My sick fund had the levels of > additions, each with more treatments covered than the previous level. > > > > For two THRs, I paid absolutely nothing. This includes: all preliminary lab tests, > imaging requirements, etc., stay in hospital, surgery, anesthesiologist, PT in the hospital, > transportation home after surgery in a private ambulance, 6 weeks of home visit PT and 6 > weeks of outpatient PT at my local sick fund clinic, and all follow-up blood tests and > imaging. The only thing I paid for were the 10 days of anticoagulants after release from > the hospital and the bandages I covered the surgical incision with for 2 weeks (and the > health fund paid 75% of the meds, 50% of the dressings). > > > > After my first surgery, I found out that THRs and TKRs are included in the " basic > package " . In other words, necessary surgery is available to all, no matter what their > financial situation. Granted, there are sometimes waiting lists, depending on the > particular hospital you choose, and you may not necessarily be able to choose your > surgeon (working in the medical device industry, I had enough connections to be able to > choose), but the services are available to all, and affordable to all. > > > > That's what socialized medicine is supposed to be about... (and the doctors don't > complain, either). > > > > It could be germane to note that part of the high cost in health care is the " lawsuit > mania " ... the company I worked for stopped exporting devices to the US because the legal > costs for fighting frivolous lawsuits was too high to make it worthwhile. Manufacturer's > journals have noted that a large number of European manufacturers have done the same, > including chemical supply companies, such as du Pont (France), who are the sole suppliers > for certain raw materials that go into artificial heart valves. Suing everyone down to the > janitor who cleaned the OR and the company that pumped the crude petroleum used to > make the plastic of a medical device are counter-productive, and will, in the long run, > guarantee that a) there will be a mass exodus overseas for treatments that become > unavailable in the US due to lack of devices or materials to manufacture them, and a > black market of such devices and materials in the US, driving their cost up even more. > > > > The only people who get rich off these lawsuits are the lawyers, the people who > actually suffered a loss get peanuts (if the decision is in their favor at all). > > > > Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004 > > mdavison@ > > > > From: Joint Replacement [mailto: > Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Ann > > Sent: 29 October, 2006 1:38 AM > > Joint Replacement > > Subject: Re: TKR > > > > > > > > American medicine has become the opposite of socialized. It's become for-profit. > This causes the Big Businesses that own them to slash everything they can, including > treatments, to make big profits for their investors and obscene salaries, bonuses, and > retirements for their execs. They invented the HMO model. It was that that stopped > house calls. And the insurance companies discovered that they could make a lot more > profit by denying services, keeping office visits to 15 min (how ridiculous is that?), > reducing access to expensive tests that could save lives, like MRIs. And a lot of doctors > for some incomprehensible reason bought into it (I don't mean they chose it -- they didn't > have a choice, but they Believed). If the AMA had risen up and roared loud enough in > 1991 when it all started, they could have prevented it, but they didn't. The only reason I > can think of is that doctors thought they were gods back then and maybe assumed that > they couldn't be hurt by the change. Now they get paid less & punished (in some clinics) > for Rx'ing MRIs or referrals. When I had my horrible back pain for 2 years back in '94- '96, > I asked my doc to refer me to an orthopedist so he could evaluate my spine (I'd had an > acute injury of indeterminate cause that resulted in my whole body being in pain) and she > said " Oh, you don't need an orthopedist " because she had a small practice and any money > paid to a specialist would have to come out of her pocket. That's why there are fewer > independent doctors nowadays. And wait till you get on Medicare. Good luck finding a > doc if you're a new patient. Our " socialized " medicine doesn't pay them enough. 80% of > docs here in Olympia won't take new Medicare patients. And I found out that the medi- > gap your insurance may offer doesn't pay the doc the difference between what Medicare > pays and what your insurance would normally pay (with you paying 20% of that, of course) > -- the doc gets no more than what Medicare pays (which is only 80% of what they say the > cost should be). The difference is that you don't have to cough up the Medicare 20% -- > your medigap covers that. So having medigap won't get you a doc if that doc doesn't take > new Medicare patients. " New " means you've never seen that particular doc before. So if > you come down with kidney failure & need a nephrologist, forget it if you're on Medicare. > Make sure you contract all your diseases before you hit 65. > > Ann S. > > > > > > Re: TKR > > > > > > the problem is our American system has become to socialized like > > Canada and has gone down hill from there. Medicine was much > > better when doctors made house calls and had PRIVATE PRACTICES. > > There were NO HMO's. Now doctors have a slew of people just to > > do paperwork and things in the medical profession have gone to hell > > in a handcart. When the #1 cause of death in the US are medical > > mistakes you know there is a huge problem. It never used to be > > this way. The US was #1 in health care. Pretty much like our > > public school system. > > > > Sherry > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti- > spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 I can give you an example. I was on Paxil for several years. I was taking 20 mg. once a day. It went generic and I was switched to the generic version of Paxil 20 mg. I became depressed within 2 weeks. I went to see my doctor and HE said that he had had problems with his patients who were likewise switched. He said that the formulary was not the same and many of his patients were getting depressed because the med wasn't working as it should. He wrote a new script for me for Paxil 20 CR (controlled release) that doesn't have a generic equivalent. I have been on that now for 3 years with no problems. Now, had I been placed on the generic version of Paxil in the beginning, it might have worked because my body wasn't used to the previous version. The same has also been true with Naproxen. The patented version works fine on some people but once switched to the generic version, often fails to work. Arianne > > > > > > > > > S.A.M.-- > > > > > > The healthcare sysytem in the US is anything but socialized. It has become a > > purely private business, with all the corner-cutting and minimum service provision and > > maximum charge that the insurance companies can get away with. > > > > > > If you want someone to blame for this, blame, in order of importance: 1) the > > Republican Party, which defeated the Clinton healthcare bill (and felt very proud of > itself > > for doing so, btw); 2) the insurance companies that lobbied to kill the healthcare bill, > and; > > 3) the AMA, which supported the insurance companies. > > > > > > Healthcare has gone to Hell in a breadbasket in the US, to the point where I'm very > > happy that my healthcare is socialized. To explain what that means, very simply: I pay > a > > premium, which is a certain percentage of my income, for a " basic package " of > services, > > defined by the Ministry of Health, and uniform throughout the healthcare sector, which > is > > actually operated by about half-a dozen " sick funds " ... private companies that provide > > services in accordance with the Ministry of Health requirements, and under its > auspices. > > > > > > Anyone wanting additional insurance pays for the extras, either as they happen, or > > in a monthly premium to cover certain possibilities. My sick fund had the levels of > > additions, each with more treatments covered than the previous level. > > > > > > For two THRs, I paid absolutely nothing. This includes: all preliminary lab tests, > > imaging requirements, etc., stay in hospital, surgery, anesthesiologist, PT in the > hospital, > > transportation home after surgery in a private ambulance, 6 weeks of home visit PT > and 6 > > weeks of outpatient PT at my local sick fund clinic, and all follow-up blood tests and > > imaging. The only thing I paid for were the 10 days of anticoagulants after release > from > > the hospital and the bandages I covered the surgical incision with for 2 weeks (and the > > health fund paid 75% of the meds, 50% of the dressings). > > > > > > After my first surgery, I found out that THRs and TKRs are included in the " basic > > package " . In other words, necessary surgery is available to all, no matter what their > > financial situation. Granted, there are sometimes waiting lists, depending on the > > particular hospital you choose, and you may not necessarily be able to choose your > > surgeon (working in the medical device industry, I had enough connections to be able > to > > choose), but the services are available to all, and affordable to all. > > > > > > That's what socialized medicine is supposed to be about... (and the doctors don't > > complain, either). > > > > > > It could be germane to note that part of the high cost in health care is the " lawsuit > > mania " ... the company I worked for stopped exporting devices to the US because the > legal > > costs for fighting frivolous lawsuits was too high to make it worthwhile. Manufacturer's > > journals have noted that a large number of European manufacturers have done the > same, > > including chemical supply companies, such as du Pont (France), who are the sole > suppliers > > for certain raw materials that go into artificial heart valves. Suing everyone down to the > > janitor who cleaned the OR and the company that pumped the crude petroleum used to > > make the plastic of a medical device are counter-productive, and will, in the long run, > > guarantee that a) there will be a mass exodus overseas for treatments that become > > unavailable in the US due to lack of devices or materials to manufacture them, and a > > black market of such devices and materials in the US, driving their cost up even more. > > > > > > The only people who get rich off these lawsuits are the lawyers, the people who > > actually suffered a loss get peanuts (if the decision is in their favor at all). > > > > > > Greywolf - RTHR-2003; LTHR-2004 > > > mdavison@ > > > > > > From: Joint Replacement [mailto: > > Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Ann > > > Sent: 29 October, 2006 1:38 AM > > > Joint Replacement > > > Subject: Re: TKR > > > > > > > > > > > > American medicine has become the opposite of socialized. It's become for-profit. > > This causes the Big Businesses that own them to slash everything they can, including > > treatments, to make big profits for their investors and obscene salaries, bonuses, and > > retirements for their execs. They invented the HMO model. It was that that stopped > > house calls. And the insurance companies discovered that they could make a lot more > > profit by denying services, keeping office visits to 15 min (how ridiculous is that?), > > reducing access to expensive tests that could save lives, like MRIs. And a lot of doctors > > for some incomprehensible reason bought into it (I don't mean they chose it -- they > didn't > > have a choice, but they Believed). If the AMA had risen up and roared loud enough in > > 1991 when it all started, they could have prevented it, but they didn't. The only reason > I > > can think of is that doctors thought they were gods back then and maybe assumed > that > > they couldn't be hurt by the change. Now they get paid less & punished (in some > clinics) > > for Rx'ing MRIs or referrals. When I had my horrible back pain for 2 years back in '94- > '96, > > I asked my doc to refer me to an orthopedist so he could evaluate my spine (I'd had an > > acute injury of indeterminate cause that resulted in my whole body being in pain) and > she > > said " Oh, you don't need an orthopedist " because she had a small practice and any > money > > paid to a specialist would have to come out of her pocket. That's why there are fewer > > independent doctors nowadays. And wait till you get on Medicare. Good luck finding a > > doc if you're a new patient. Our " socialized " medicine doesn't pay them enough. 80% of > > docs here in Olympia won't take new Medicare patients. And I found out that the medi- > > gap your insurance may offer doesn't pay the doc the difference between what > Medicare > > pays and what your insurance would normally pay (with you paying 20% of that, of > course) > > -- the doc gets no more than what Medicare pays (which is only 80% of what they say > the > > cost should be). The difference is that you don't have to cough up the Medicare 20% -- > > your medigap covers that. So having medigap won't get you a doc if that doc doesn't > take > > new Medicare patients. " New " means you've never seen that particular doc before. So if > > you come down with kidney failure & need a nephrologist, forget it if you're on > Medicare. > > Make sure you contract all your diseases before you hit 65. > > > Ann S. > > > > > > > > > Re: TKR > > > > > > > > > the problem is our American system has become to socialized like > > > Canada and has gone down hill from there. Medicine was much > > > better when doctors made house calls and had PRIVATE PRACTICES. > > > There were NO HMO's. Now doctors have a slew of people just to > > > do paperwork and things in the medical profession have gone to hell > > > in a handcart. When the #1 cause of death in the US are medical > > > mistakes you know there is a huge problem. It never used to be > > > this way. The US was #1 in health care. Pretty much like our > > > public school system. > > > > > > Sherry > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > > My mailbox is spam-free with ChoiceMail, the leader in personal and corporate anti- > > spam solutions. Download your free copy of ChoiceMail from www.digiportal.com. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 2, 2006 Report Share Posted November 2, 2006 Hi Ann, Sorry I haven't replied since you wrote but I've been busy keeping warm in this cold weather in Michigan. I live in the country and the OS that did my original knee replacement had fixed a torn medial meniscus a couple years before. My husband and I researched him on the internet and his credentials are impecable. The only problem that I really have with him is that he threw his hands up in the air and after the two manipulations (to get rid of some of the scar tissue that formed and to try and get my knee straightened out), said there was nothing else he could do for me. I have a copy of all his notes and I have to say, he wasn't very nice in some of the things he said about me because I was devastated by the pain I was in and that I couldn't straighten or bend my knee, he as much as called me a cry baby. I did seek a second, third, and forth opinion. The second opinion was with an OS in the same system as the first OS but he thought that more surgery was indicated but I didn't go with him. The third OS in a different system did another surgery on October 27, 2005 to remove scar tissue but the end result was the same, it just formed once again even though I had a CPM machine at home. My first OS decided that a CPM machine wasn't warranted at home and wouldn't help me out, that's a bunch of crap because my girlfriend had a CPM machine at home and kept her leg in it all night long and in four weeks, she was walking great. I then went to the forth OS at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI where they are supposed to have the cutting edge of technology. This OS had a Cat Scan done on my knee, all components and everything was okay. To much scar tissue. He recommended a Nerve Specialist which is where I'm at now. I'm just waiting for this specialist to read the notes from my Pain Management Rehabilatation doctor. When he's read them, I should be receiving a call for an appointment. He can possibly deaden the nerve in my knee so that I might be able to work to get my knee loosened up to where I can straighten it out and bend it. If this doesn't work, I will have my leg amputated. I can't live like this for the rest of my life. I know all of you say no, I shouldn't do this but you aren't living with my pain that is constant, it never stops, EVER!!!!!! If you have any suggestions for me, please email me at susan71353@.... I welcome any and all suggestions. Please only email me if you really think you have a good suggestion. Thanks for reading my long reply. Have a wonderful day. Oh, and I don't feel badly for myself. I'm happy but could be happier, lol. > > > -- I'm horrified at what you've had to go through. Please tell us what the subsequent surgeries did, and was it the same OS? Are you currently seeing the original OS who did the first surgery? If so, I think you should take a black marker & cover his name up in your phone book & find someone else. Sometimes, in a smallish town, or if doctors belong to the same organization, they won't contradict each other, so watch out for that. > > DON'T GET YOUR LEG AMPUTATED!!!! There has to be a solution that will save your knee. Would it be possible for you to see someone at one of the big name hospitals, just for a consultation? Where, more or less, do you live? > > I'm glad you got a better anti-depressant. I'm so sorry you've felt so bad for so long. Keep in touch with us. I'm sure we can help you get through this. > > Ann S. > > > Hi There, > > I haven't written in a very long time. Have gone through a long > spell of depression since my total knee replacement August 31, 2004. > Since that time, have not been able to straighten out my knee or bend > it. My knee is locked in a very painful position and I have been > walking with a cane ever since my surgery. I have had three > subsequent surgeries with no good results. My last hope will come > hopefully soon with a nerve specialist. Hopefully this doctor will > deaden the nerves in my knee to where I can work through the scar > tissue to be able to move my knee. I have exhausted all avenue after > this and my only option (which I have thought through and discussed > with my husband and doctors) is to have my leg amputated above the > knee. I know that I would still be facing phantom pain but anything > is better then pain every minute, of every hour, of every day even > being on pain meds. I'm on high doses of Percocet and Neurontin. > Hopefully I won't have to go this route. My primary care physical > changed my anti-depressant medication in August to Cymbalta which has > worked wonders for me. Every day all I could think of was suicide > and treated my husband so badly along with other members of my > family, friends, and doctors. Cymbalta has made a big difference for > me. I don't think of suicide but every once in a great while now, if > that. I just wanted to get some people who know me on this forum up- > to-date on what was going on with me. If anyone has a response, I'd > love to hear from you. > > from Michigan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2006 Report Share Posted November 8, 2006 Dear , I am so sorry to hear of the terrible situation you have been in. Please get another opinion before considering amputation - it is so final, and phantom pain, I understand, can be quite substantial as well. There has to be another answer for you! Take care, Judy > > Hi There, > > I haven't written in a very long time. Have gone through a long > spell of depression since my total knee replacement August 31, 2004. > Since that time, have not been able to straighten out my knee or bend > it. My knee is locked in a very painful position and I have been > walking with a cane ever since my surgery. I have had three > subsequent surgeries with no good results. My last hope will come > hopefully soon with a nerve specialist. Hopefully this doctor will > deaden the nerves in my knee to where I can work through the scar > tissue to be able to move my knee. I have exhausted all avenue after > this and my only option (which I have thought through and discussed > with my husband and doctors) is to have my leg amputated above the > knee. I know that I would still be facing phantom pain but anything > is better then pain every minute, of every hour, of every day even > being on pain meds. I'm on high doses of Percocet and Neurontin. > Hopefully I won't have to go this route. My primary care physical > changed my anti-depressant medication in August to Cymbalta which has > worked wonders for me. Every day all I could think of was suicide > and treated my husband so badly along with other members of my > family, friends, and doctors. Cymbalta has made a big difference for > me. I don't think of suicide but every once in a great while now, if > that. I just wanted to get some people who know me on this forum up- > to-date on what was going on with me. If anyone has a response, I'd > love to hear from you. > > from Michigan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Hi Judy, I have just about exhausted all avenues as I have stated. I have had second, third, and fourth opinions and have been treating with a Pain Rehabilitation Management doctor for a while now. The last doctor I hope to see is a nerve specialist. This is my last hope. I know all about Phantom pain and I'm willing to put up with that rather then be in pain every minute, of every hour, of every day like I am now. My knee has been burning besides the pain for the past week, I don't know what it is from but it is terrible. The alternatives are just not there for me. I have sought out doctors that were supposed to have the cutting edge of technology and they can't even do anything for me, they suggested amputation also if the nerve specialist doesn't work out. Thanks for your comment but I'm just about at the end of my rope with this knee. I will never have another knee replacement done ever!!!! > > > > Hi There, > > > > I haven't written in a very long time. Have gone through a long > > spell of depression since my total knee replacement August 31, 2004. > > Since that time, have not been able to straighten out my knee or bend > > it. My knee is locked in a very painful position and I have been > > walking with a cane ever since my surgery. I have had three > > subsequent surgeries with no good results. My last hope will come > > hopefully soon with a nerve specialist. Hopefully this doctor will > > deaden the nerves in my knee to where I can work through the scar > > tissue to be able to move my knee. I have exhausted all avenue after > > this and my only option (which I have thought through and discussed > > with my husband and doctors) is to have my leg amputated above the > > knee. I know that I would still be facing phantom pain but anything > > is better then pain every minute, of every hour, of every day even > > being on pain meds. I'm on high doses of Percocet and Neurontin. > > Hopefully I won't have to go this route. My primary care physical > > changed my anti-depressant medication in August to Cymbalta which has > > worked wonders for me. Every day all I could think of was suicide > > and treated my husband so badly along with other members of my > > family, friends, and doctors. Cymbalta has made a big difference for > > me. I don't think of suicide but every once in a great while now, if > > that. I just wanted to get some people who know me on this forum up- > > to-date on what was going on with me. If anyone has a response, I'd > > love to hear from you. > > > > from Michigan > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2006 Report Share Posted November 10, 2006 Al, Thanks for your wishes. I'm so tired of doctors and I think they are tired of me. I am at the end of my rope and have just about exhausted all avenues that I know of. > > , > > There must be a reason your knee is frozen. I have a stiff knee which > is 90 days post tkr. I am going to have a full revision soon. > > Before you do something drastic, you should seek out the nation's best > knee doctors and see one. Perhaps it would make sense to contact the > Clinic where doctors go from all around the world to learn > special knee surgery teachings? > > http://www.andersonclinic.com/ > > There must be a way your knee can be revised and the pain made to go > away. > > Wishing you the best and a cure for sure. > > Al Welch > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2007 Report Share Posted February 25, 2007 In a message dated 2/25/2007 8:01:38 PM Eastern Standard Time, Lewcite@... writes: percodan and oxycodyn for 4 days, resulting in bad constipation. I am going to stop the pain meds soon, I am wondering how people manage to stay on pain meds for a log period of time, as with TNR without having problems. Before my TKR I was on Diclofenac for a couple years (it's a NSAID).....I was on Vicodin after the TKR for about2 - 3 months )off and on when needed).....the oxycontin made me very sick (as it does to almost everybody I have talked to who took it!)....but the Vicodin did very well for me....you can ask your Dr to switch to another pain med if those don't "feel" right to you.....also if you are taking those strong meds now, it's probably time to go for the TKR! AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Robin, Do you have a list of helpful hints -- how to prepare your home, what to take to the hospital and what you need or will find handy when you get home? Wishing you the very best outcome and will be thinking of you. You're knee replacement will be one day after 's. Glad you're lurking and learning. :-) Warm regards, Donna levan_53 <levan_53@...> wrote: Hi, my name is Robin and I'm scheduled for TKR on April 26th. Been putting it off for over 6 years but the doc said to schedule when my quality of life was no longer acceptable, and I reached that point mid-March. I understand I will be receiving the Biomet Ascent system.I will continue to lurk, but I am grateful to be learning so much from all of you.Robin in NWFlorida Never miss an email again! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 For those newbees with TKR coming here is a book I highly recommend. " Total Knee Replacement and Recovery " By Dr. Brugioni MD and Dr. Jeff Falkel Ph.D, PT. Dr. Falkel had both knees done and he is an orthopedic doctor. So you are getting info from both sides of the knife so to speak. Also to restate the importance of post surgery excersizes this is very important. Get as much strenght and stamina as you can. If you are confined or resticted do what you can. Go to a swimming pool. Ride a bike (that is what I did because walking was not an option). Even just lift you legs one at a time or together and count to ten or twenty in bed. Don't forget your upper body strength. You will be needing you arms, back and shoulders post-op. Lastly eat good fresh food (no more Big Macs). This effort will help you recover much quicker I promise. I figure that I was about a week ahead in my recovery because I had worked out. Good Luck Don PS BTW almost any subject is fair game on this forum related to joint replacement. From sex to shoes 8^). So ask away. > > Hi, my name is Robin and I'm scheduled for TKR on April 26th. Been > putting it off for over 6 years but the doc said to schedule when my > quality of life was no longer acceptable, and I reached that point mid- > March. I understand I will be receiving the Biomet Ascent system. > > I will continue to lurk, but I am grateful to be learning so much from > all of you. > > Robin in NWFlorida > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Heck!! I reread this message and said " post surgery " I should have said " presurgery " SORRY if anyone was confused. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 hi You don't indicate your age <G>, but, if you feel not ready for TKR because you're not old enough, it may still be something to consider My 43 year old sister in law has had JRA since age 2 and has had most of her problems with her knees and she works as a physical therapy asst. and has to life children and get on the floor with them....She had a bilateral TKR done in April....returned to work full-time in July and is able to do so much more than she has for years She is pain-free and SO happy with the results The surgeon wanted to do the knees one at a time, 10 wks apart, but, she decided one surgery, one rehab made more sense, esp, since she had to go back to work....and it while the first weeks were tough, she feels it was well worth it good luck nancy At 06:58 PM 11/29/2007, you wrote: >I am radiographically ready for bilat. TKR, but not there mentally. >At the ortho today I was evaluated for my tight knee ligs. and >tendons that are making me look like I am squatting all the time >when I stand. He ordered me to visit the PT to learn some exercises >and a knee dynamic splint to stretch things out. Trying to avoid TKR >for 3 more years until I can finish school! > >The odd thing was to help with some of the pain that we might try an >experiment with Supartz injections. It isn't indicated for RA, but >since I have no or next to no joint spacing, and have some >radiographically defined osteoarthritis changes, that we might give >it a shot. Has anyone had success with these types of injections with their RA? > >Shandi > >--------------------------------- >Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make your homepage. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 I am 32. It isn't an age thing, I am ok with being 32 and having TKR, as is my RD and ortho. My ortho went over quality of life issues and to be honest I am debating back and forth about it. However, he is ok with me not getting TKR, I suppose because I wasn't an active person to begin with so I don't miss things like a lot of functionally challenged people do. Whenever I do it it WILL be one at a time. Not doing two at once. I am TERRIFIED of blood transfusions and I am not a candidate to donate my own. He said that given my age and health he doubt a transfusion would be necessary...but still...AHHHHHHHHH! Of course, he went over the infection risk and blood clot part of it...which I try to forget about. Although he mentioned that I am on immunosuppressants I am healthier than just about everyone if it wasn't for these joints! So I suppose that means I would get a whopper of a post-op infection. Before I get TKR I MUST get some weight off. Just about 20 pounds. I don't have the hand or arm strength to pull myself around after TKR, much less extra weight. My RD is going to try me on antibiotic therapy soon. After failing all the biologics I am hoping this may be the answer to stopping the inflammation. I am still trying to talk myself into Rituxin. Shandi <nancynfoster@...> wrote: hi You don't indicate your age <G>, but, if you feel not ready for TKR because you're not old enough, it may still be something to consider My 43 year old sister in law has had JRA since age 2 and has had most of her problems with her knees and she works as a physical therapy asst. and has to life children and get on the floor with them....She had a bilateral TKR done in April....returned to work full-time in July and is able to do so much more than she has for years She is pain-free and SO happy with the results The surgeon wanted to do the knees one at a time, 10 wks apart, but, she decided one surgery, one rehab made more sense, esp, since she had to go back to work....and it while the first weeks were tough, she feels it was well worth it good luck nancy At 06:58 PM 11/29/2007, you wrote: >I am radiographically ready for bilat. TKR, but not there mentally. >At the ortho today I was evaluated for my tight knee ligs. and >tendons that are making me look like I am squatting all the time >when I stand. He ordered me to visit the PT to learn some exercises >and a knee dynamic splint to stretch things out. Trying to avoid TKR >for 3 more years until I can finish school! > >The odd thing was to help with some of the pain that we might try an >experiment with Supartz injections. It isn't indicated for RA, but >since I have no or next to no joint spacing, and have some >radiographically defined osteoarthritis changes, that we might give >it a shot. Has anyone had success with these types of injections with their RA? > >Shandi > >--------------------------------- >Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make your homepage. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 21, 2008 Report Share Posted October 21, 2008 Orthopedic Institude of Pennsylvania ( OIP ) of Camp Hill PA. has great doctors. I had My hips done last FEB and OCT and I'm doing great.. I will be getting both knees done next year.. DR.Dahl did a fantastic job and has great bedside manners..    Carl in PA. RE: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] TKR Note: Original message sent as attachment ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Photography School Learn digital and video photography techniques, lighting and printing. Click now. http://tagline. excite.com/ fc/JkJQPTgMWwss9 8wYWahrJGlXA8CDE SGvTrr6RQ0uYfS1s R8 <http://tagline. excite.com/ fc/JkJQPTgMWwss9 8wYWahrJGlXA8CDE SGvTrr6RQ0uYfS1s R8> RrkFxNu/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 28, 2008 Report Share Posted October 28, 2008 > > Judy, > I probably missed it. Who is your surgeon? > > > > Re: TKR > > Judy, > > I think a lot has to do with your confidence of your surgeon. After being > told by my primary physician, pulmonary physician, and my original sports > medicine ortho physician that I have the best in the area and one of the > best on the east coast and after seeing he has taught at the Mayo clinic I > am " currently "  not concerned with my scheduled surgery. Or maybe I've been > in pain so long that doing something has to beat doing nothing. Good luck >  > > > > TKR > > > HI everyone, > > I've been reading but don't post very often. I'm just now planning a > bilateral knee replacement. My consult is Nov and I'm terrified. Does anyone > know if doctors and give you something to keep you calm before the surgery? > I'm afraid I won't make it in the front door of the hospital! LOL > > Judy > Hi Judy, I had my knees replaced three weeks ago. 4 days in the hospital (days 2,3 & 4 were the worst) By day 5 I was transferred to a rehab hospital for 7 days. At day 5 I would " See the light " and improved by leaps and bounds every day thereafter. By the time I left the rehab hospital, I was depending on the walker for longer trips only. I would manage in the kitchen and bathroom without it. I did need to get a seat for the shower and a hand held shower head that I used for the first week home. I also had a handicapped toilet seat which I am still using. I was in very good physical condition (workout and pilates) before the surgery and was self-sufficient in about 7 days. I am still on 5 days a week out-patient physical therapy. Next week I go to 3 days a week. I can only bend to about 90% (which is a little behind the progress I expected). I am still very stiff and in some pain. I was in a LOT of pain on days 2, 3 & 4 after surgery mainly because of doing both knees at the same time. It was extremely painful to stand up. Now I am glad that I had both done at the same time. Does anyone out there know how long it takes for that extremely tight feeling to go away? I would recommend bilateral knee replacement only for those who are in excellent physical condition. You have to be able to pull yourself around with your arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Dot, different stores have different kinds.you can go to Home Depot, Lowes, CVS, Wal-Mart, or a health equipment store and see the different kinds. Here's 1 link to the web that shows several different kinds but it is far from all there are: http://www.become.com/portable-shower-seats? <http://www.become.com/portable-shower-seats? & utm_medium=ssp & utm_source=yaho o & tc=12 & qet= & utm_term=portable%20shower%20seats & utm_campaign=become & kd=13218 786 & refdisa=ytf> & utm_medium=ssp & utm_source= & tc=12 & qet= & utm_term=portable%20shower%20sea ts & utm_campaign=become & kd=13218786 & refdisa=ytf Just go to the internet and type in shower seats or shower chairs and find the many links that come up. Harold _____ From: Joint Replacement [mailto:Joint Replacement ] On Behalf Of Dot Sheltie Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2009 8:09 PM Joint Replacement Subject: RE: TKR Chrisse, Is there any place on the net were I can get a look at this shower chair? I so happy for this list is helping like you are.Thank you all. DOT in Florida. 'Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Hi so nice to meet you.Stay in touch. Dot 'Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened' From: karen773208 <karen773208@...> Subject: Re: TKR Joint Replacement Date: Saturday, April 11, 2009, 9:45 AM First of all, I apologize if I'm repeating myself...I hit the wrong button and lost what I had written! Hi Dot! Congrats on setting up your TKR! I had my left TKR in Sept 08 and my right TKR last month. I am so thrilled with the absence of pain in my left knee and ready to have the same with my right! A couple of things you asked about... The shower bench that has been suggested is probably the best bet for taking showers. You can hang your TKR leg out the side of the tub and wash the rest of yourself without getting your incision wet. I wasn't able to get the incision wet till 2 weeks after. (once the staples are removed). Here in Indy we have a store that has all these products for handicapped persons. If the transfer shower bench won't work in your bathroom, you might check with one of these kinds of suppliers for something that will. My bathroom is teeny tiny, but the bench worked well enough. I was able to go out about a week after leaving the hospital. I went to walmart and rode around in one of those little cart things. It wore me out, but it was nice to get out of the house. You just have to listen to your body and if you're tired, rest! As far as doing things around the house...well, my house is a mess right now. (I live alone) but I'm starting to be able to sit on a stool and do dishes as long as I don't force anything. I'm using a cane more now, but when I was on the walker all the time, I attached a little basket to it with yarn. It looked silly but it helped me be able to carry things like my cell phone, a sandwich, a bottle of water, etc. Plus I have a tray that I would put my food on, slide it, take a step, slide the tray, repeat..lol. you just do what you gotta do. If you want to email me personally, please do. I am a satisfied TKR recipient! karen773208 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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