Re: Digest Number 1008

[Guest guest]

'oxyplus ' wrote:

====

-

- OxyPLUS is an unmoderated e-ring dealing with oxidative therapies, and other

....'

> Take a look to the attachment.

[Guest guest]

Joan, thanks for all the info about the conference. Sounds like a draining

time, with some " highs " thrown in! I am glad that the vis. strategies went

so well! (I am not surprised, because I think that people read about this

stuff or have a general idea but don't see " real life " use.) I was

touched to hear about the mom(s- were there two different ones?) who

finally felt that someone understood. That must be an awesome feeling.

Donna, my bet is that Miss Maddie is off her schedule and therefore turning

into Miss Grump. It will be interesting to hear how she is as school gets

back in session. Also, didn't one of your older children leave for

college? Or did they leave and now they're back home for the summer? I

think all of the comings and goings take their own kind of toll because

it's just a change in the routine.

Deb, how frustrating for your son to have to endure all that change for

summer school. I read your story with amazement - also, that he could

*tell* you how he felt! Still doesn't make it any easier to endure the

heartache of his taking things out on you.

I have been enjoying or empathizing with so many posts but haven't had an

chance to write much. I feel like I am on a race against time before

Ben is done this Friday with day camp. He has had a good time this summer,

and I think four weeks of camp is long enough, but now I have to be super

organized until school starts. I am also still trying to get things

re-arranged since my M-I-L moved to the nursing home (she's doing very

well, actually). Ben has been helping himself to stuff in the attic

space and when he can, he raids any closet he can get into. Looking for

small electric appliances, toys he's outgrown, clothing he wants to try on.

Then we had three different plumbing emergencies three different days in a

row. The plumber came out right away and fixed things, but now I have even

more messes. Yuck.

PB is actually having one of the best summers ever. However, (there is

always a glitch) we have been playing around with meds again. He is not

nearly as loud as he had been on the Celexa, but now that he is off of

that, he is exhibiting more obsessive compulsive behaviors. Aaugh. Most

of the time they aren't too bad, but his messing with anything with off and

on buttons is wearing me again.

Anyway, love and hugs to everyone, especially you, CJ. You're in my

thoughts and prayers during this agonizing time.

I always wish I could answer everyone, but it is getting so hard to

remember kids and parents and towns and ages. I still read every post, so

know that I think about you all every day.

Love,

Beth Mum to Ben (still 10)

[Guest guest]

' ' wrote:

====

- --------------------------------------------------

- Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos of

our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by including

them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the archives for our

list.

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- There are ...'

> Take a look to the attachment.

[Guest guest]

,

I am in too. Would love to have a support team to do only HB'S.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/9/03 3:56:10 AM Pacific Daylight Time, writes:

I do believe, when we get to a certain point of spiritual growth, emotions have a lot less hold on us and we don't have to succumb to them. I am not there yet. If I try to ignore my emotions...I find I just get more bottled up. When I learn to express them, the best way I can, I find I am happiest. Meanwhile, I can work at being a little more detached.

One year when I was doing a lot of yoga, I did experience that detachment and things truly didn't bother me. IT was nice.

Interesting conversation!

a

>I disagree with your dichotomy. You don't need to suffer in order to

>feel happiness. I wouldn't consider depression of any kind at all

>necessary or positive unless it allows for positive introspection.

*****We live in a dualistic universe, . There are no single-

ended sticks, no one-sided coins.

You are correct, , you don't need to suffer (or feel blue) in

order to feel happiness. But, in order to KNOW that what you are

feeling is, in fact, "happiness"...*that* knowledge requires having

something to contrast with it (another emotional state,

perhaps "blue," or "sad," but basically "not happy"). Otherwise, you

don't "know" that what you're feeling is "happy." You're just

feeling some emotion and will probably not appreciate it for what it

is. (E.g., a state of calmness is never so appreciated as when it

follows its polor opposite: anger or upset.)

~ andy

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 10/9/03 3:56:10 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

> writes:

>

> I do believe, when we get to a certain point of spiritual growth,

> emotions have a lot less hold on us and we don't have to succumb to

> them. I am not there yet. If I try to ignore my emotions...I find

> I just get more bottled up. When I learn to express them, the best

> way I can, I find I am happiest. Meanwhile, I can work at being a

> little more detached.

>

> One year when I was doing a lot of yoga, I did experience that

> detachment and things truly didn't bother me. IT was nice.

*****I was not suggesting that one should ignore emotions that appear

in our " mental viewscreen. " At that same time, expressing them may

not be necessary nor wise (if I feel my boss is a jerk, it probably

is not best to express that feeling! Hahaha!!!).

Just *witnessing* the emotion-thought as it appears is the trick.

Step back, watch the mental " machinery, " don't fight the feelings

that are present (trying to make them go away because they

feel " bad " ),

simply...watch...watch...somewhat like one would watch an interesting

experiment. No vested interest in the emotions leaving or staying.

This is not always possible. Sometimes the force of the emotion-

thought is so powerful it is overwhelming.

But when you are able to step back, disassociate yourself from the

emotion-thought, you'd be surprised at how often the entire emotional

state disperses! In doing so, you may see the Story behind the

emotion for exactly what it is: a story. ;-)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/2/2003 3:58:52 AM Pacific Standard Time, 100-plus writes:

My goal for dec is simple. Less Stress. To weigh less dec 31 than I do today

Excellent post . Sure hit home with me. I'm sure I weigh less than I did 1/2003 but have been floudering as well and quite sick of it. I wanna weigh less by dec 31 as well. So, I'm going to up the fruits and veggies and exercise too! No more excuses for me! That's one of the reasons I'm coming out of lurking. I have gotten so much encouragement and positive ideas from the ladies on this list, it is time to start contributing myself.

Betty

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/2/2003 3:58:52 AM Pacific Standard Time, 100-plus writes:

Umm, let me check . . . Today I'm 2 pounds heavier than then, but that's theweight I was at before Thanksgiving. I keep fluctuating those same 5 poundsback and forth for the past year and a half.

Yep! Me too Sue. I am happy that I have maintained a 50 pound loss but have at least 80 more pounds to go and at this rate I'll never make it. I keep making excuses like...how great it will be not to gain during the holidays etc. What I really want to do is make the scale go in the downward direction. I'm trying to capture the motivation to continue...where did it go? LOL

Betty

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/2/2003 3:58:52 AM Pacific Standard Time, 100-plus writes:

Well the dreaded Dec. 1 weigh in right after Thanksgiving was better than I had hoped. A new low for me 244. I have now been working at losing weight for 6 months and have made some good habits/choices I think. Weight loss is 52 pounds

Wow Shiela! You're doing fantastic! Congrats on your weightloss and all the positive habits/choices you have been making. You are an inspiration.

Betty

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/2/2003 3:58:52 AM Pacific Standard Time, 100-plus writes:

I guess it was a so/so day and I'm pretty sure even with the chocolate I was in my calorie range so I won't sweat it too much. I hope everyone else had a better day then I did!

I have to tell you a that I admire you so much! You just keep on going! I'm so glad you're feeling better. Keep up the good work!

Betty (a former Michigan girl!)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/2/04 4:24:50 AM Mountain Standard Time,

SSRI medications writes:

>

> > *** " .. she (Venn)said she did not want to see the drug banned. "

> **

> >

> > " It does help a lot of people,................. " ************

> >

> > SHE SOUNDS LIKE DR BENBOW HERE

> >

>

But itsn't she still on the drug because she CAN'T GET OFF OF IT??? Isn't

that the reality? so if the drug was banned, she couldn't get her fix.

Blind Reason

a novel of espionage and pharmaceutical intrigue

Think your antidepressant is safe? Think again.

An army of sheep led by a lion would

defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

- Oriental proverb

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/2/04 4:24:50 AM Mountain Standard Time,

SSRI medications writes:

>

> > *** " .. she (Venn)said she did not want to see the drug banned. "

> **

> >

> > " It does help a lot of people,................. " ************

> >

> > SHE SOUNDS LIKE DR BENBOW HERE

> >

>

But itsn't she still on the drug because she CAN'T GET OFF OF IT??? Isn't

that the reality? so if the drug was banned, she couldn't get her fix.

Blind Reason

a novel of espionage and pharmaceutical intrigue

Think your antidepressant is safe? Think again.

An army of sheep led by a lion would

defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

- Oriental proverb

[Guest guest]

Hi, Jerome,

The audiologist is as important to mapping the CI as he/she is to

working with programmable hearing aids. Each is a different " animal " and

hopefully

they are expert in their respective fields. How do you pick the most skilled

audiologist? I guess by reputation. We tend to throw around the names of

people we've been happy with, and who we have not been impressed with as well.

There is no question that the audiologist may play the biggest part in getting

us implantees " up and running " as well as updating as we need to always be

improving how much we hear. But even with the best audiologist, things vary in

individuals. It is hard for you to understand how post lingual deaf don't get

voice discrimination with the CI. My audiologists figured out why I didn't

seem to have as much success with hearing aids as my audiogram seemed to

indicate I should. I've been tested extensively, using the usual beeps and

word

lists, in the soundproof booth and out on the street. Eventually the problem

was

pinpointed. It was discovered that I seemed to be hearing, in real life,

exactly opposite of what my audiogram said I was hearing! I've been tested

again

and again, over the years, at 4-5 different hearing centers across 3 states.

This remained the case each time. Because of this, hearing aid fittings for

me were always difficult. Even with programmables, we worked " outside " the

box to get the best we could for me. That was never ideal, but better than

nothing. When I was implanted I asked about this phenomena carrying over to CI

mapping and was told, no,no - it is MUCH different. Well, guess what? I've

been working with two excellent audiologists, who have " bent over backwards " to

give me good maps. They have tried everything I've asked and everything they

know. My audiologist continues to work with me to give me the best he can.

This improves a little each time. However, I STILL am not getting the

discrimination I'd hoped for. There is no answer as to why. The experts don't

know.

All we can do is continue to try new things and look ahead. I know this

doesn't help settle things in your mind, but it is how things happen for many of

us in real life. I made the decision to go ahead with the implant knowing,

instinctively, despite the experts saying no , that this would be a problem for

me. As I've said before, I am STILL happy that I have the implant and

appreciate all the people who support me, commisserate with me, and cheer my

small

gains. It's been worth it, and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

Jackie (Flash)

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

When you say that your audiogram results were opposite of what you actually

heard in real life, what do you mean? Did your audiogram show a

severe/profound or profound loss while in real life, you were able to use

your hearing more than the audiogram would indicate?

[Guest guest]

Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 11:00:36 -0700 (PDT)

> From: Barb <barb1283@...>

>Subject: Re: HIV doctors - S

>

>Hi S,

>I live in SW Ohio.

>That's amazine that they don't think it exists.

>Every doctor I tell I think I have systemic

>Candida says only cancer patients and AIDS

>patients get that which is a ridiculous

>statement. That is like saying the Candida yeast

>germ knows AIDS and Cancer and only bothers them.

> It bothers people with weakened immune system

>from whatever. I guess if I told those doctors I

>had AIDS, they would go into the 'there is no

>such thing mode'.

>It's amazing the medical field gets away with

>it's 'quackery', which is rampant.

>Thanks,

>Barb

>

They're close to telling you that you have AIDS because you

have what they call a symptom of HIV infection. In Africa

they could get away with it, here in the US they have to

use the HIV+ test result on you.

I have a friend who tested HIV+ for ten years, too the drugs

and got sick from them, had the less than 100 t-cell count for

three years, still has symptoms of candida and leaky gut but

no longer tests HIV+. That disproves the test and the HIV

theory of AIDS. It's just fragments from leaky gut and from

a variety of pathogens and conditions that fool the test.

-Bob

[Guest guest]

I had an evaluation by Dr. Sachs about 12 years ago when he was still in

Boston. He was held in tremendously high regard in the area at the time, and I

could see why. He was thorough, knowledgeable and caring. I honestly cannot

speak to his flatback technical capabilities, as I do not have the Harrington

rods (I have a large heavy bone-only fusion), but if I needed spinal surgery,

based on my experience, I would put him right up at the top of the list of

surgeons. I would check out the technical aspect thoroughly, of course, but I

thought he was a great doc.

Sherry from NH

In a message dated 2/26/2005 5:46:49 AM Eastern Standard Time,

writes:

> Txbluebelle...

>

> I sat next to Dr. Sachs at a dinner a few years ago. He seems like a

> very nice man who is concerned about his patients. He was a Moe

> fellow, which is the same pedigree as Bradford, Oheneba Boachie,

> and many other great scoliosis specialists.

>

> Shelokov may be a great surgeon, but the fact that he's such a " PR

> slut " would have me a little concerned. I believe he trained at Texas

> ish Rite, which I believe is mostly (if not totally) for children.

>

> Regards,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Some of you may remember me, I haven't posted in a while. I noticed the

query on Sachs and Shelokov.

I have had two surgeries with Dr. Sachs in Plano (Texas Back Institute) in

2003. One harrington rod hardware removal and one cervical fusion for a

herniated c6/c7 disk. I like him very much and think he is very

knowledgeable. My husband and I felt very comfortable with him. If I am in

need of full revision in the future I would consider him, but still go to

several others who you guys have talked about.

I also saw Dr. LaGrone who I liked, but chose Dr. Sachs since he was closer

to my home and I did not need full blown revision at this point. I also saw

Dr. Shelokov twice and I'll leave it at that.

Hardware removal was very helpful in reducing my pain level at the scapular

level, although now the disk degeneration above and below my T4 - L2 fusion

are becoming very unbearable. Sitting is the WORST! I do physical therapy

with a personal trainer twice a week and I am functional, just in severe

pain that worsens as the day wears on.

I really need to find a skilled pain management doc, know of any good ones

in Texas anyone??? Bahadream can you tell me who you saw? Sorry if I have

missed it, it is hard for me to sit at the computer and read all the posts!

I take Ambien at night which has been truly wonderful to get a few hours of

sleep. I've had over 10 ESI and facet injections with only a couple of them

giving me relief. I'm curious about the Cymbalta, anyone been on it and it

worked? My family doc has suggested I might try it. I have a full

prescription of Neurotin, but have been too chicken to take it because of

side effects and I have very busy 8 & 12 year old kids.

M.

Waco, Texas

Fused 1985 T4-L2 Dr. Dickson, Houston Tx

Hardware removal (harrington and compression rods) 2003

Cervical fusion c6/c7 2003

Message: 9

Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 19:00:06 -0000

From: " Racine " <linda@...>

Subject: Re: Dr. Shelekov in Plano, TX

Ccc...

I don't have any knowledge of Dr. Skelekov's talent (or lack thereof),

but he's a real PR machine, which scares me just a bit. The names

that I repeatedly hear about in your area are Mike LaGrone in Amarillo

and Barton Sachs in Plano.

Regards,

>

> Ccc...

>

> I don't have any knowledge of Dr. Skelekov's talent (or lack

thereof),

> but he's a real PR machine, which scares me just a bit. The names

> that I repeatedly hear about in your area are Mike LaGrone in

Amarillo

> and Barton Sachs in Plano.

>

> Regards,

>

>

>________________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, can you tell me a little about your cervical fusion--what they

did, how it limits you, how are your discs above the fusion doing??

Thanks. (sorry, I´m not in Texas so I can´t answer your questions,

although we both had our surgeries at the same clinic, but I was

fused by Dr. Francis who worked with Dickson.

> >

> > Ccc...

> >

> > I don't have any knowledge of Dr. Skelekov's talent (or lack

> thereof),

> > but he's a real PR machine, which scares me just a bit. The names

> > that I repeatedly hear about in your area are Mike LaGrone in

> Amarillo

> > and Barton Sachs in Plano.

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> >

>

>_____________________________________________________________________

___

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I'm in Houston. I went to a web site for Texas Back Institute I think

that is where Sachs is? up in Plano and I thought they had a section

on their web site about pain management. You might want to check that

out. I'm not sure I'm ready for a full blown redo either, but if I

had insurance I sure would consider at least partial rod removal

since mine is broke and hurting between my shoulder blades.

Ambien really helps me, too but I am trying to make a 90 day

prescription last at least a year so I only take it once a week.

Without it I'm usually up three times in the middle of the night.

I've read something negative about Cymbalta, but can't remember what.

I think some girl committed suicide while taking it during clinical

trials and that slowed its approval. That doesn't necessarily mean it

is a bad drug.

Have you found that your cervical fusion drastically limits your neck

movement? My neck is not in great shape and I really fear having to

fuse anything else. Harrington did my surgery in 1967 I see we are

fused about the same levels.

Txbluebelle

> >

> > Ccc...

> >

> > I don't have any knowledge of Dr. Skelekov's talent (or lack

> thereof),

> > but he's a real PR machine, which scares me just a bit. The names

> > that I repeatedly hear about in your area are Mike LaGrone in

> Amarillo

> > and Barton Sachs in Plano.

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> >

>

>_____________________________________________________________________

___

[Guest guest]

Hi Joann (is that right?),

My cervical fusion is at c6/c7. They did the surgery from the front

and removed the disk material and placed a titanium plate to secure

the fusion (I used cadaver bone). My neck motion is not noticably

changed because it is the lowest cervical disk. I get very sore

easily though and surgery did not " fix " the pain, but I'm glad (at

this point ) I did it. The intense stabbling pain is better and

the surgery was not anything like scoliosis surgery or even rod

removal. I was only in the hospital one night and the neck brace

caused me the most grief. I have two bulging disks at c3/4 and c5/6

and can only hope they don't give way anytime soon! My surgeon did

not recommend that I wait for the artificial disk because I was

dealing with a severe herniation, but that was a year and a half

ago, so I don't know what advancements have been made in that school

of thought.

Sorry I can't elaborate more right now, I'm really having an episode

the last two weeks of right arm and leg numbness, but feel free to

ask me anymore questions. I might just not be able to answer right

away!

Take care,

> > >

> > > Ccc...

> > >

> > > I don't have any knowledge of Dr. Skelekov's talent (or lack

> > thereof),

> > > but he's a real PR machine, which scares me just a bit. The

names

> > > that I repeatedly hear about in your area are Mike LaGrone in

> > Amarillo

> > > and Barton Sachs in Plano.

> > >

> > > Regards,

> > >

> > >

> >

>

>____________________________________________________________________

_

> ___

[Guest guest]

---Hi Greta

I am in the same boat as you and Kim. I have had bone

on bone(level 4) for years and now it is very bad.

Ever since my last surgery to clean the joint 4 years

ago I have had a constant pain not letting up at all

in my right knee, my left knee is level 4 too.

I had an mri recently and there is a lot of metal

fragments that were left in at surgery I think that is

making it even worse.

I too take vicodin, all day, just to get through the

day and I am at home unable to even drive much. It is

such a bummer because I use to be a pro musician and

now just to tap my toes puts me in more pain than I

care to deal with. This knee thing is a bummer and

for me it just keeps getting worse and I have had no

real help with anything.

Emotionally pain is so sucky you end up isolated

because no one wants to be around someone who is in

pain. It seems the surgery doesn't really help, it is

a false hope. I have had over 10 surgery's. The

synvisc did not help, I have had the series of

injections 4 times and will not do it again. I am

pretty sure it just irritated the joint in fact this

winter I didn't havr the injections and I felt less

pain.

MY WORRY IS

MY KNEE CAP ON THE BACK IS BAD IT LOOKS WORSE ON THE

MRI THAN THE SURFACE OF THE MOON. Bumps, lumps and

lots of craters.I HAVE WANTED A KNEE REPLACEMENT

DESPERATELY AND I LOOK AT THE MRI AND WHAT I AM

THINKING IS, IF I HAVE A NEW KNEE JOINT I WILL STILL

HAVE THAT AWFUL BONE RIDDEN KNEE CAP. I THINK I WILL

STILL HAVE PAIN IF I WERE TO GET THE KNEE REPLACEMENT.

MY LIFE SEEMS SO BLEAK...... EVEN IF I USE A WHEEL

CHAIR I STILL HAVE PAIN WITH ANY LITTLE MOVEMENT AND

BENDING IS NOT GOOD I HAVE TO KEEP THE KNEE STRAIHGT

ALL THE TIME.

Thanks for listening.

--Pat the cat.......

[Guest guest]

Can you guys tell me about how your injury started. I have had CP

for about a year now and am looking into the future. How long have

you had CP for?

> ---Hi Greta

> I am in the same boat as you and Kim. I have had bone

> on bone(level 4) for years and now it is very bad.

> Ever since my last surgery to clean the joint 4 years

> ago I have had a constant pain not letting up at all

> in my right knee, my left knee is level 4 too.

> I had an mri recently and there is a lot of metal

> fragments that were left in at surgery I think that is

> making it even worse.

> I too take vicodin, all day, just to get through the

> day and I am at home unable to even drive much. It is

> such a bummer because I use to be a pro musician and

> now just to tap my toes puts me in more pain than I

> care to deal with. This knee thing is a bummer and

> for me it just keeps getting worse and I have had no

> real help with anything.

> Emotionally pain is so sucky you end up isolated

> because no one wants to be around someone who is in

> pain. It seems the surgery doesn't really help, it is

> a false hope. I have had over 10 surgery's. The

> synvisc did not help, I have had the series of

> injections 4 times and will not do it again. I am

> pretty sure it just irritated the joint in fact this

> winter I didn't havr the injections and I felt less

> pain.

> MY WORRY IS

> MY KNEE CAP ON THE BACK IS BAD IT LOOKS WORSE ON THE

> MRI THAN THE SURFACE OF THE MOON. Bumps, lumps and

> lots of craters.I HAVE WANTED A KNEE REPLACEMENT

> DESPERATELY AND I LOOK AT THE MRI AND WHAT I AM

> THINKING IS, IF I HAVE A NEW KNEE JOINT I WILL STILL

> HAVE THAT AWFUL BONE RIDDEN KNEE CAP. I THINK I WILL

> STILL HAVE PAIN IF I WERE TO GET THE KNEE REPLACEMENT.

> MY LIFE SEEMS SO BLEAK...... EVEN IF I USE A WHEEL

> CHAIR I STILL HAVE PAIN WITH ANY LITTLE MOVEMENT AND

> BENDING IS NOT GOOD I HAVE TO KEEP THE KNEE STRAIHGT

> ALL THE TIME.

> Thanks for listening.

> --Pat the cat.......

[Guest guest]

victosean <bass5up@...> wrote:

Can you guys tell me about how your injury started. I have had CP

for about a year now and am looking into the future. How long have

you had CP for?

I have had mine in my left knee only for 3.5 yrs. Have had PT, wearing a brace

long term, synvisc injections, steroid injections, surgery, more PT, etc etc and

still no end in sight. Mine started with a fall.

nancy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

That sounds a lot like mine, only in my right knee. I have had all the same

as listed, but I have had 5 surgeries since 2001.

Krisstina King

[Guest guest]

as listed, but I have had 5 surgeries since 2001.

Well, it's been about 1.5 yr since my surgery and I think it's about time to go

get the cartilage shaved down again because the swelling has increased

dramatically since the accident and it has progressively worse since then.

nancy

---------------------------------

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