Guest guest Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 > I am fairly new to the list so please forgive the ignorance of my > question. Here it is: I am aware of two HBOT associations, the IHMA and > the IHA, are they working in the same direction, rivals, both worthy of > our support ?? > > Thanks, Lucinda Greetings! The International Hyperbaric Association was started by those who wanted an all inclusive approach to HBOT. I am a member of 3 separate trade groups that are dedicated to furthering HBOT. However not all trade associations that exist are in favor of HBOT for Brain Injury. The UHMS (Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine Society)has been notoriously and actively against our movement. You can only be a member of that Trade Association if you have some sort of Medical Degree. Since I do not have a MD, nursing, or EMT I cannot be a member of this trade association unless a member should bring me in. This group is predominently military and former military. Many of the free standing clinic operators that are MD's are members. I will say that evidence seems to support that the general membership of the UHMS is in favor of treating children w/brain injury. The hold out seems to be those who work for hospitals and those who are more concerned about filling their own pockets than to advance Hyperbaric medicine under any indication. For instance, where was the UHMS after 9/11 with all the burn victims? A perfect opportunity for publicity and promotion of the therapy. However, many members break ranks with their status quo everyday. I will say though that even though these choose to treat off-label indications, they seem to be retisent to advocate by their membership vote. Another is the International Congress on Hyperbaric Medicine (ICHM). The difference between them and the UHMS as far as I can tell is that they are officially more open to making HBOT for Brain Injury an indication. Many members openly treat the Brain Injured as well. Many of these are MD's from other countries who already accept HBOT for Brain Injury. These are the countries that are doing the animal and human studies. The IHMA was the new kid on the block for about a year. It was formed to allow parent membership with equal partnership in the promotion of HBOT for Brain Injury. However, there was, for a while, a concept that excluded the Mild Hyperbaric Chambers as a valid alternative to the hard sided higher priced mono and multi-placed chambers. The IHA (International Hyperbaric Assoc.) was started to be all inclusive. Did you know that there are individual MD's, Naturopaths, DO's, Accupuncturists, who are not affiliated with any clinic or hospital that are practicing HBOT for Brain Injury very successfully in a Mild Hyperbaric chamber contained in their small offices or homes? You can make your own judgements as to why there are at least 4 trade associations. To me it's obvious. My suggestion is that you try to be a member of all that you can find. Of course that might be cost prohibitive for some, but it seems that the common course is that " if you can't beat 'em join 'em " I have a tendency to look at the real change that these associations are making and why? Motive is a big thing. What about Hyperbarics are they promoting? I also look at who's invited to be members and are these members allowed to make policy? And are the associations going off on their own to influence policy without sharing their actions with the membership until they are already decided? Look at the individual trade associations web sites. Some are more established than others. Some never got off the ground. Some are only accessible by the membership and perusers are not encouraged. Trade associations are simply organized groups of similarily interested businesses that are trying to promote said business. Some are philanthropic others are snobbish and will only affect what they will to affect. We also already have quite a few .orgs that are established websites to raise funds for an individual child. Most of these are parent driven mostly out of desperation, although some are cathartic in nature. Many of these have accepted links to other addresses that they support or know something about. You can take your pick. The reality is that everyone seems to have their own agenda. As a parent of a brain injured 13 y/o daughter I am finding that the fight takes me away from my family. There has to be balance in my life and my family can't be a casualty of the fight. I fight everyday just to give my daughter a treatment. I used to fight to get her into the underused 18 place chamber here at the AF Base on which we live. I no longer have to do that. God has been good to us. The reality is that the cause has to be one that will effect the most change for the most people. If we who know the differnce HBOT can make, all (free-standing clinic operators, mild chamber users, hospital chambers, and mobile alike, chamber sellers, safety monitors, scientists, studiers) could come together to support and press for the existing laws to be enforced. If the clinics and hospitals would notify the HMO's that they will accept ins. and 3rd party payment for treatments. These are big Ifs. I think the most committed to this industry are the consumers. Without us they would have no reason for existing. It's got to be parent driven, but we need to share our talents and resources-legal and otherwise. I've said this before and have seen people come and go. Did you know there is already an active petition on line for our cause? You can access it from www.StanfordHyperbarics.com. I know this is disjointed, but please forgive it. I continue to be Just a Mom. With Much Respect, Marlena Orndorff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 Sandy,I'd suggest taking the med your doctor recommends, then follow up with the others later.Hugs,Rogene QUESTION ? My doctor said I did not have to go to the hospital she is ordering me something. but I am not going to take it I told her I was doing a colonix and she said what is that ??? Oh Boy Lord Please Hear My Prayers Please Heal All These Ladies Who Are Sick Amen Should I continue to take these products while on the colonix program ??? MagnesiumCalcium Plus Olive Leaf Extract Primal Defense Oil of Oregano Caprlic Acid Thank you, Sandy~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2008 Report Share Posted February 26, 2008 Sandy,I'd suggest taking the med your doctor recommends, then follow up with the others later.Hugs,Rogene QUESTION ? My doctor said I did not have to go to the hospital she is ordering me something. but I am not going to take it I told her I was doing a colonix and she said what is that ??? Oh Boy Lord Please Hear My Prayers Please Heal All These Ladies Who Are Sick Amen Should I continue to take these products while on the colonix program ??? MagnesiumCalcium Plus Olive Leaf Extract Primal Defense Oil of Oregano Caprlic Acid Thank you, Sandy~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Sandy and Ladies, If you go to the files section of our website and look in the folder called EXPLANT INFO, you will see two files that give information called Explant Preparation and Explant Preparation 2. These files contain the questions to ask and suggestions for preparations for explant. Patty > > What other questions should we ask ???? > > 1. About how long does the surgery take? > 2. Do you use en bloc with drains > > > Much Appreciation, > Sandy~ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 My Dr. Office just called and said Rhumy was concerned with labs and I needed to increase my Folic Acid and come back for labs in 2 weeks. Does anybody know what might mean? I am obviously on MTX...10mg 1x week. Methylprednisolone 12mg daily Arthrotec 500mg daily and I was on 1mg of Folic Acid daily but she is increasing it to 2mg daily. Any info would really be appreciated. The girl who called me wasn't real helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.