New member

Posted March 7, 2002 · March 7, 2002

Welcome Jen!

We all have so much to share and care, here in our group. Ask and

share away! I have (but IT DOESN'T HAVE ME! LOL) FMS, RA, OA,

stenosis, and cervical disk disease. In fact one week past, I

underwent the last surgery I can have on my neck-a multi-level

diskectomy with anterior plating! Hate this neck brace--yucky!! Oh

well! This disease REALLY SUCKS (literally the life plum out of a

body!), so complain and share with us all!

LOVE & LIGHT,

Posted April 2, 2002 · April 2, 2002

Hi, I have been taking nortriptyline for about 10 years along with

paxil at night. It helps with the dreams and sleeping. It was

recommended by the pain clinic at UMass medical center. Was also

put on axid for gastric reflux, adalat for renauds syndrome, vioxx,

esgic for headaches (that I have 24 hours a day) just short of the

migraines I get. Also have tylenol #3 I take in the morning and

then again in the late afternoon. I have lorazapan that I use when

I have had a few nights that I haven't slept but that is about the

best I have taken for sleep. No fog in the morning. I saw a psych.

for depression and got no where. Actually he did confirm that I

have an eating disorder and was depressed. As if I didn't already

know that. I think being 93 pounds and 5'5 " could have been a

hint. Diane

> Hey everyone. I was just diagnosed with Fibro last week. I had

been

> diagnosed with CFS almost four years ago. The doctors I saw then

> were terrible. They purposly misdiagnosed me so they could use me

in

> a study I never concented to be a part of. They ignored the fact

> that I have pain and never offered me any help. But I'm sure

you've

> all seen bad doctors.

> I'm taking nortriptyline for pain and help with sleep. So far

it's

> been pretty helpful. Has anyone else taken this?

> I'm only 19 years old, and I plan on attempting to return to

school

> (for what seems like the millionth time) this summer. I want to

get

> a few things done before then. I need to get a handicap permit

for

> my car. Has anyone had any luck getting one? I've heard that it

can

> be pretty tough. I also am considering getting help from the

> disabled students group. I forgot what it's called. I don't

really

> know that much about what they do on my campus. Aside from giving

> extended time on tests and help for learning disablities. I do

have

> some of the cognitive problems stemming from fibro, but I tend to

> avoid dealing with them.

> My doctor recommended that I see a pain psychologist. Has anyone

> here seen one? Was it helpful? I was also recommended to see a

> psychiatrist for depression. Which should I see first? I could

see

> both and see what they say, but I would rather see as few people

as

> possible.

> Well, I guess that's it for now. Talk to everyone soon.

>

Posted December 19, 2003 · December 19, 2003

Pamela,

Welcome! You've come to the right place for advice on resurfacing, which is

the most conservative way to replace a hip joint. You might spend some time

exploring the archives. I bet many of the issues you will be facing in the

coming months have been explored by others.

I notice that you are working in the pool. I found pool work to be very

beneficial bought before and after surgery. Before surgery I worked in the

pool to regain flexibility and strength lost due to inactivity in years

past. I also regained some cardiac conditioning with deep water aerobics and

that made the prospect of surgery less worrisome too.

After surgery, I was in the pool as soon as the staples were removed. The

buoyancy of the water allowed me to begin " practicing " walking normally

right away. The support of the water also helped me begin exercising and

stretching with more confidence and less worry than I ever could have out of

the water.

A book that I found very helpful is called, " Heal Your Hips " , by

Klapper and Lynda Huey. I only use a few of the basic exercises but the

concepts in the book have been very useful. I highly recommend the book.

You asked about insurance coverage. If you can wait until late in 2004,

there is a good chance that the Technologie's Conserve Plus device

will have FDA approval and insurance coverage will not be an issue. At the

present, the best tactic is to let your surgeon's office deal with the

insurance. There may be some in the group that can tell you specific

insurance companies that have covered resurfacing in the past and that may

help with your decision on seeking coverage.

All the best as you explore this form of treatment! For most of us, the

results have literally given us our lives back. I hope you have the same

great results!

Mike Trautman

C2K, Kennedy, Sep 03

Posted December 19, 2003 · December 19, 2003