Question:

Just found that stretching helps my spastic colon constipation? Anyone else found the same?

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Comming to the conclusion that it might be a potassium defeciency! am trying Potassium and will let you know how I fare.

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Stretching is one of the best thing to do for health. I have studied a lot of Eastern exercise practices and they do a lot of strechgin. This includes Yoga, Tai Chi and Chi Gung. They all do a lot of strectching. Very very important. Jeff 2

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Just found that stretching helps my spastic colon constipation? > Anyone else found the same?

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Question:

" ROM does improve for a few hours after a very HOT shower  and stretching exercise." Have you tried the steroid called Salumedrol (not sure on the spelling)? It might give you that extra motion on a regular basis..

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> " ROM does improve for a few hours after a very HOT shower >  and stretching exercise." > Have you tried the steroid called Salumedrol (not sure on the spelling)? > It might give you that extra motion on a regular basis..

   It all depends on what the cause of problem with ROM.  At best steroid only helps with a problem for awhile. Harv

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and you beat me to it, janers<smile>  i was going to say the same thing about valium versus muscle relaxants.  both heat and icing have helped my ddd.  icing for the pain, heat for helping movement. kate

Well I see Gary beat me LOL. He is right about what he said.  I am one of those people that had to have the surgery. Your daughter needs to see a neurosurgeon and get more testing done. The neurosurgeon Needs to see the actual pictures himself. Now the use of motrin is good. I suppose that the valium is suppose to help relax her.  Well believe me it darn well will.  But using valium, IN my opinion, for a nerve impingement is not a good idea.  She maybe needs some type of physical therapy first to try and reduce that pressure in there.  Then use of muscle relaxants such as soma, flexeril or skelaxin. Physical therapy is the best place to start and the neuro surgeon will tell you that. Get her into one.  And you are right, it doesn’t sound right. I did the therapy and it did not work.  Made it worse actually and I could not even turn my head to the left sometimes with out having terrible pain.  try driving like that. This surgery I had was done by a very "good" neuro.  It was a microdiskectomy with fusion and plate.  Believe me I almost choked myself on that one. But they had to go in through the front of the neck and did it under microscope and tv and tiny instruments.  There are always side effects and if it ever gets to someone wanting to do surgery on her, let us know here or email me at home. Please just do her a HUGE favor, get a specialist to see her, and if this doc was, get a second opinion.   ASK about that valium stuff. Use of heat may also help her. l janers

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Ah Janers you old rascal, I see you pop in now and again. Hope things are ok for you. I bet my scars bigger than yours :-p GaryZ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well I see Gary beat me LOL. > He is right about what he said.  I am one of those people that had to > have the surgery. > Your daughter needs to see a neurosurgeon and get more testing done. > The neurosurgeon Needs to see the actual pictures himself. > Now the use of motrin is good. I suppose that the valium is suppose to > help relax her.  Well believe me it darn well will.  But using valium, > IN my opinion, for a nerve impingement is not a good idea.  She maybe > needs some type of physical therapy first to try and reduce that > pressure in there.  Then use of muscle relaxants such as soma, flexeril > or skelaxin. > Physical therapy is the best place to start and the neuro surgeon will > tell you that. > Get her into one.  And you are right, it doesn’t sound right. > I did the therapy and it did not work.  Made it worse actually and I > could not even turn my head to the left sometimes with out having > terrible pain.  try driving like that. > This surgery I had was done by a very "good" neuro.  It was a > microdiskectomy with fusion and plate.  Believe me I almost choked > myself on that one. > But they had to go in through the front of the neck and did it under > microscope and tv and tiny instruments.  There are always side effects > and if it ever gets to someone wanting to do surgery on her, let us know > here or email me at home. > Please just do her a HUGE favor, get a specialist to see her, and if > this doc was, get a second opinion.   ASK about that valium stuff. > Use of heat may also help her. > l > janers

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Thanks eveybody..I really appreciated your replies and will pass them along to Fran tonight so she will get an idea of what she is dealing with.  She has an appointment with the doctor next week so she will be prepared to ask the right questions.  She is such a good person and is always tending to strays (both animals and people) that I can’t stand seeing her in pain.  You guys are always here for me so again I thank you. Ann

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hmm, did you say scar???  Dang good thing I re read that post of yours LOL.   Cause the last time I looked I didn’t think I changed sex LOL. Awe come on now Gary, smile… I am doing same old thing.  Had more problems for which Cleveland checked out.  I am fine and just doing my thing..NOTHING. janers who hopes Gary and son are well.

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Janers, you always make me smile. My son and I are fine. We have our rough spots, but I think that’s perfectly normal. I love him dearly. He just turned 12 last week. It sure goes by fast. GaryZ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> hmm, did you say scar???  Dang good thing I re read that post of yours > LOL.   Cause the last time I looked I didn’t think I changed sex LOL. > Awe come on now Gary, smile… > I am doing same old thing.  Had more problems for which Cleveland > checked out.  I am fine and just doing my thing..NOTHING. > janers > who hopes Gary and son are well.

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"This surgery I had was done by a very "good" neuro.  It was a microdiskectomy with fusion and plate.  Believe me I almost choked myself on that one." What level on the neck did you have surgery on?  

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I had a similar surgery although not micro. Judging by the scar it is more like macro! Anyway, fusion and plate of c4,5,6. GaryZ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "This surgery I had was done by a very "good" neuro.  It was a > microdiskectomy with fusion and plate.  Believe me I almost choked > myself on that one." > What level on the neck did you have surgery on?

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"I had a similar surgery although not micro. Judging by the scar it is more like macro! Anyway, fusion and plate of c4,5,6. GaryZ" Wow, can you turn your head just like normal? Are you happy with the result? Has any body had the upper neck like c1,c2,c3,or c4 fused?

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> Wow, can you turn your head just like normal? Are you happy with the result? > Has any body had the upper neck like c1,c2,c3,or c4 fused?

I still have a pretty good range of motion, but there is considerably more stress placed on the joints above and below the fusion. That causes a degree of trouble for me periodically painwise if I turn my head too far in any direction. Am I happy with the result? I think I try to keep aware of the alternative to not having had it done. I still have a lot of pain in my arms and hands which I was hoping would be cured. It did go away for about 6 months and then returned. I am not paralyzed from the neck down which was a probable outcome of not having it done and a possible outcome of having it done. I can still play golf albeit with some residual pain for a day, something I’m willing to accept. I can’t lift alot of weight anymore and moderate weight will definately put me on the pain meds for a day. Yes, I’m happy I had it done and relieved things turned out as well as they did for me. GaryZ

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My goddaughter (a veterinary tech who lifts 100 lb dogs)  has results from an MRI showing DDD at C5 and C6 with nerve impingment.  She was having trouble with her neck and tingling/numbness in arms down to hands. The doctor’s office called with the results and mentioned it’s usually handled by Motrin and Valium.  I don’t know if this sound right so asking the experts here for advice.  What kind of doctor should she be seeing for this?  Any ideas would be very much appreciated. Ann

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Hi Ann, What kind of doctor did she see? C5+6 is a common area of trouble. No surgery will be done unless it is a last resort for resolving the problem. Nerve involvement should not be taken lightly as permanent damage can result. She should see if she can get a referral to a nuerosurgeon who can assess the extent of involvement (nerve) and recommend a course of action to resolve the impingement. If it is a bulging disc putting pressure on a nerve it could possibly resolve itself, then again maybe not. As the DDD progresses other problems can develope such as stenosis and spurs. Best to catch it early. Less invasive things can be done if caught early on. Much depends on the extent of the problem. GaryZ (been there done that)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My goddaughter (a veterinary tech who lifts 100 lb dogs)  has results > from an MRI showing DDD at C5 and C6 with nerve impingment.  She was > having trouble with her neck and tingling/numbness in arms down to > hands. The doctor’s office called with the results and mentioned it’s > usually handled by Motrin and Valium.  I don’t know if this sound right > so asking the experts here for advice.  What kind of doctor should she > be seeing for this?  Any ideas would be very much appreciated. > Ann

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Well I see Gary beat me LOL. He is right about what he said.  I am one of those people that had to have the surgery. Your daughter needs to see a neurosurgeon and get more testing done. The neurosurgeon Needs to see the actual pictures himself. Now the use of motrin is good. I suppose that the valium is suppose to help relax her.  Well believe me it darn well will.  But using valium, IN my opinion, for a nerve impingement is not a good idea.  She maybe needs some type of physical therapy first to try and reduce that pressure in there.  Then use of muscle relaxants such as soma, flexeril or skelaxin. Physical therapy is the best place to start and the neuro surgeon will tell you that. Get her into one.  And you are right, it doesn’t sound right. I did the therapy and it did not work.  Made it worse actually and I could not even turn my head to the left sometimes with out having terrible pain.  try driving like that. This surgery I had was done by a very "good" neuro.  It was a microdiskectomy with fusion and plate.  Believe me I almost choked myself on that one. But they had to go in through the front of the neck and did it under microscope and tv and tiny instruments.  There are always side effects and if it ever gets to someone wanting to do surgery on her, let us know here or email me at home. Please just do her a HUGE favor, get a specialist to see her, and if this doc was, get a second opinion.   ASK about that valium stuff. Use of heat may also help her. l janers

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LOL! All the above is good advice! I have C6/7 involvement and while I was able to avoid the surgery, I do have permanent nerve impingement and attendant muscle atrophy as a result of the damage done before things were brought under control. Do not pass go, do not wait – get referred to a specialist NOW. Be well Paul – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Well I see Gary beat me LOL. > He is right about what he said.  I am one of those people that had to > have the surgery. > Your daughter needs to see a neurosurgeon and get more testing done. > The neurosurgeon Needs to see the actual pictures himself. > Now the use of motrin is good. I suppose that the valium is suppose to > help relax her.  Well believe me it darn well will.  But using valium, > IN my opinion, for a nerve impingement is not a good idea.  She maybe > needs some type of physical therapy first to try and reduce that > pressure in there.  Then use of muscle relaxants such as soma, flexeril > or skelaxin. > Physical therapy is the best place to start and the neuro surgeon will > tell you that. > Get her into one.  And you are right, it doesn’t sound right. > I did the therapy and it did not work.  Made it worse actually and I > could not even turn my head to the left sometimes with out having > terrible pain.  try driving like that. > This surgery I had was done by a very "good" neuro.  It was a > microdiskectomy with fusion and plate.  Believe me I almost choked > myself on that one. > But they had to go in through the front of the neck and did it under > microscope and tv and tiny instruments.  There are always side effects > and if it ever gets to someone wanting to do surgery on her, let us know > here or email me at home. > Please just do her a HUGE favor, get a specialist to see her, and if > this doc was, get a second opinion.   ASK about that valium stuff. > Use of heat may also help her. > l > janers

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Question:

Swimming is the greatest……I can exercise so much longer swimming than doing any other type of exercise.  And, it puts no pressure on my joints.  And, I do not hurt the next day.  

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My doctor certainly advocates excercise, but it has to be appropriate.  He recommends swimming as it releives the joints of any weight and works almost every muscle in the body.  I never enjoyed swimming when I was younger and have tried to avoid it during my adult life, however this is pretty much the only excercise that is an option for me at the moment, although I also do callisthenic excercises when I’m feeling OK!  We take the dog out for walks on the beach as well.  My son and the dog race ahead and run themselves silly while I bring up the rear at a more sedate pace! Jacqui

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I take 100mg of Celebrex. It relieves my feet. I then go for a run. 3Km > and > wlak 6Km. It reminds me of the movie "Sleepers". > Does this worsen my joints. >  Running – impact – can worsen your joints.  You can pound those joints to > pieces. >  Stretching, walking and swimming – no impact – are good exercises. > I try to take Celebrex 2-3 times a week. > I hear so many horror stories about different drugs. I’m becoming > paranoid. >  Most medications, including Celebrex, are taken daily.  I suspect you are >  not taking the dosage your doctor prescribed because you are paranoid.

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> I take 100mg of Celebrex. It relieves my feet. I then go for a run. 3Km and > wlak 6Km. It reminds me of the movie "Sleepers". > Does this worsen my joints. > I try to take Celebrex 2-3 times a week. > I hear so many horror stories about different drugs. I’m becoming paranoid. > Anyway what do people think of this.

I think you take Celebrex so that you can continue to do the thing you love.  Pretty normal I would say.  Does your running cause your feet to get worse?  Celebrex or no celebrx…. No one here can really say but one thing for sure.  You are going to find out and please let us know. Harv

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says… > I take 100mg of Celebrex. It relieves my feet. I then go for a run. 3Km and > wlak 6Km. It reminds me of the movie "Sleepers". > Does this worsen my joints. > I try to take Celebrex 2-3 times a week. > I hear so many horror stories about different drugs. I’m becoming paranoid. > Anyway what do people think of this.

Anti-inflammatory medicines relieve the inflammation which can cause permanent damage to the body. Some will not even reduce pain unless the pain is caused by the inflammation. Once the pain AND inflammation are gone (or at least, lessened) you can, hopefully, get back to regular activity, which includes physical exercise and stretching for "range of motion" to keep the body pliant and in better overall health. I am worried about something you posted… Is "2-3 times a week" what your RD prescribed??? Most of these medicines have to be taken every day. Less than the prescribed dosage may keep the medicine from having a true beneficial effect while still exposing you to POSSIBLE side effects. If you have any fears about any medicine or procedure, talk to your doctor about your them. Each person responds differently, either positively or negatively, to the same medicine and a good doctor can help you understand what risks there are and what should be done about them. — "Television is called a ‘medium’ because it is neither rare nor well done." Ernie Kovacs —– mr(dot)bones(at)att(dot)net

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Question:

>Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA? >Exactly what does one do in the water?

I have been going to an Arthritis Foundation class in water exercises twice a week for 2 years.  I have OA but there are people in the class with RA.  I have been helped very much to regain muscle strength and range of motion after a THR.   We do an hour of bending and stretching exercises that are designed to benefit the entire body.  We exercise in a pool with a floor that can be raised and lowered, so it can accommodate people who arrive in wheelchairs but have some degree of mobility.  They roll the chairs onto the floor when it is in its raised position, get out of the chairs and hold onto the ladder rails while the floor is raised.  After that, the water helps them to move about. This pool is filled to four feet with warm water.  It’s deep enough for us to get the benefit of the water support for all the exercises. I believe the Arthritis Foundation sponsors these water exercises in many communities around the country. Joyce

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Ray – I found that I had to wear shoes in the water or my knees and ankles would kill me.  I used clean but old sneakers at first, but later invested in a good pair of water aroebic shoes.  I also was told that it was important to stand in water at least chest deep.  Give it another try!  And go slowly this time…with shoes. — Cyberhugs, DianeW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I went to an RA Assoc Aquatic exercise class.  Tried to keep up > with all those "old folks" and afterwards had swollen knees for 2 > months.  After discussing with my Doc we decided that there were > 2 problems. 1 – I overdid the first time, 2 – I was too tall and > the water was too shallow, so there was too much weight on my > knees. > I’ve been afraid to go back.  But don’t let my experience keep you > from going, just learn from it. > Ray > Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA? > Exactly what does one do in the water? > RA dummy 44 a/k/a > Ed

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I have OA, not RA, but I just started into a class last week.  I can tell that it is going to help me.  We only have 30 minutes, but we move every part of our body during that time.  Then some of us just walk in the water for 20 or 30 minutes.  I think it is really going to be good for my replaced hip and for my shoulder that had a rotator cuff repair, and the bicep tendon just disappeared after being ruptured. And it is so pleasant to be there. Gwen

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> Ray – I found that I had to wear shoes in the water or my knees and ankles > would kill me.  I used clean but old sneakers at first, but later invested > in a good pair of water aroebic shoes.  I also was told that it was > important to stand in water at least chest deep.  Give it another try!  And > go slowly this time…with shoes. > — > Cyberhugs, > DianeW

Hi Diane,   You made a good buy for several reasons.  Nearly everyone will shower before using a public pool.  Some of them do not wash all the soap off and there are slick spots sometimes that those shoes can handle or our buttt has to do the job. LOL Another good reason I am sorry to say is all kind of skin problems people bring with them even though the floor and area smells like this cleaner or that cleaner it is not clean.  The water in the different pools they do a good job on. The floors take work and most of the people working there are mainly interested in looking goooood not doing floors. LOL So it goes. Harv

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Ed: I swim in a WARM pool which is great.  I have RA and Fibromyalgia.  It is more therapeutic than any other exercise because you body is boyant and the joints are not taking a jolt.  Would highly recommend it to anybody. Nettie

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>Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA?

I’ve done aquatics 3 times a week (more if I can work it in) for 1.5 years now….it’s wonderful and has helped me so much I would never give it up. Most important is to be in a heated pool. It feels wonderful and gives me energy for the rest of the day. I have RA and Fibromyalgia. julie molli

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>>Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA? >I’ve done aquatics 3 times a week (more if I can work it in) for 1.5 years >now….it’s wonderful and has helped me so much I would never give it up. Most >important is to be in a heated pool. It feels wonderful and gives me energy for >the rest of the day. I have RA and Fibromyalgia. >julie molli

That was my main concern: the heated pool. I thought today might be a good day to start, but the water is outside and it isn’t the warmest of days. Thanks, Ed

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> Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA?

You bet!  I wouldn’t be without a swimming pool handy.  The ownership of 3 heated pools year round was one of the deciding factors on where Susan and I chose to live. > Exactly what does one do in the water?

Anthing you feel like that hurts to do out of the water but not in the water.  Even simple swimming and dog-paddling is great for your joints and keeping your range of motion in many of them.  I find that very true for my shoulders, hips, knees, elbows and the other major joints/muscle groups. Be well, Larry — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

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Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA? Exactly what does one do in the water? RA dummy 44 a/k/a Ed

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E, Yes, water aerobics have been good for me.  I have been in an arthritis class for three years and helps with my range of motion. debbie m. ttp://www.angelfire.com/ga2/angels1/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA? > Exactly what does one do in the water? > RA dummy 44 a/k/a > Ed

Response:

I went to an RA Assoc Aquatic exercise class.  Tried to keep up with all those "old folks" and afterwards had swollen knees for 2 months.  After discussing with my Doc we decided that there were 2 problems. 1 – I overdid the first time, 2 – I was too tall and the water was too shallow, so there was too much weight on my knees. I’ve been afraid to go back.  But don’t let my experience keep you from going, just learn from it. Ray – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Has anyone found aquatics helpful with RA? > Exactly what does one do in the water? > RA dummy 44 a/k/a > Ed

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Question:

I think it sometimes depends on where the test are done.I have found that most hospitals do fairly well,although I’v never been a part of a HMO.The private testing places are sometimes owned by a group of Drs. Of course ,I find these things out ,after the fact.My wife hurt her back in 91 and her neurosurgeon ordered a myleogram first thing.After about 6 water base myleograms,I found out her Dr. was part owner in the place he sent her for the myleogram.Each of the owners of the place had 1 day set aside for them to do myleograms. He Dr. was Tuesdays.   She had to be there at 6:30 am to get ready,so we talked to the other patients,and the nurse,and found out everyone there was his patient.He had it all worked out.he saw patients on Mondays,did myleograms on Tuesdays,Off on Wendesdays,surgery on Thursdays,and saw patients again on Fridays.The other owners had their own day for myleograms too.   I don’t know what it is now,but back then he charged between 5 and 6 hundred per myleogram,that was for the injection of the dye.There was a separate bill for the place where it was done. He got 5 or 6 hundred dollars for one shot,and the x-ray techs did the rest.That was the reason he wanted myleograms done first,He didn’t make anything on a CT or MRI scan.    It was a year later that I found out about Arachnoiditis,and by then she had 3 surgeries including a fusion,and we both have Arachnoiditis !!! Time to cool off Lem – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->That is so frustrating! I’ve had spots show up on every MRI, x-ray, or CT >I’ve had since my myeolgram 20 years ago, and only once did a doctor >actually say that it was residual oil based dye. Getting an MRI tech to even >set the machine up correctly is frustrating. I specifically said I needed a >T2 weighted gandolinium enhanced MRI.. After an argument with my primary >care physician, she changed the request based on my reseach into "A. Even >with that knowledge, and the corrected request, the MRI technician performed >a T2 weighted scan, THEN did a gandolinium enhanced T1 weighted scan. I >still can’t figure out if they are trying to avoid looking for it, don’t pay >attention, or don’t care. >Anyway, I feel for you and your current problems. I’ve been having an >increase in symptoms as well, and certainly can empathize with you. I >started physical therapy, just to try to give myself a sense of control, but >it isn’t doing much to alleviate pain symptoms, and sometimes exacerbates >things. >Best wishes, >Rob > You need to make sure the MRI tech know how to set the machine and > knows what to look for.I had a MRI of my head and was told it was > negative,except for some white spots on the surface of my brain.He > said they didn’t mean anything,he had seen them before,but they were > considered some kind of fluke by the machine.That was before I knew > about Arachnoiditis,and the oil based dye. I found out later from > another Dr. that the white spots were most likely some of the dye left > over after the myleogram,since the sub-arachnoid space cover almost > the entire brain too. >   Good Luck >    Lem > >So it seem that the best way to determine if I have this is by an MRI >exam? > >Odd, I have had 3 maybe 4 mileograms, 3 epidurals and 3 -5 pain >injections > >into my spine, all about the same area.  I would not be surprised giving >the > >amount of pain that I am in all the time that my back had developed this >on > >top of the disc and degenerative problems.  One more reason to go for the > >MRI I am long over due for! > >Thanks for the link! > >> This is one of the best sites on Arachnoiditis,Dr. Sarah Smith has "A" > >> also,so she can see it from both sides. > >> http://www.backtalk.nildram.co.uk/arach.htm > >> Good Luck > >> Lem > >> >What is a good Arachnoiditis site?  I want to go look at the symptoms >etc > >> >and see if this might be what my back has turned into?  You pain >sounds a > >> >lot like mine, instead of into the face I get the shooting pain up the > >back > >> >of my neck and head into my forehead and eyebrow causing my eye to go > >fuzzy > >> >and my eyebrow to twitch uncontrollably, My neck and head kind of feel > >like > >> >the stingers I used to get when I played football, when this happens. > >> >>    While taking a nap this afternoon I was awakened with a severe >pain > >> >> in the middle and 2 outside toes on my right foot.I have never had > >> >> that pain before,and may never have it again,but with this damm > >> >> Arachnoiditis when ever any of the scar tissue touches a nerve,then >I > >> >> get pain at the other end of it.Like this time,nothing is wrong with > >> >> my toes,but almost every nerve in the human body must go through the > >> >> spine to reach the brain.The sub-arachnoid space where the scar >tissue > >> >> is located runs the entire length of the spine(where the fluid is > >> >> ).also covers almost the entire brain. > >> >>   The pain can be anywhere and any kind,from shooting to aching to > >> >> burning,etc. and one time dropped me to my knees.Ashooting pain from > >> >> the top ,left back, of my head went down the left side of my face >and > >> >> neck.I thought I had been shot.It made the whole left side of my >face > >> >> went numb,including half my tongue.It took about 15 minutes for the > >> >> feeling to come back.I happened when I turned my head to fast,I > >> >> guess.I turn my head slowly ,ever since. > >> >>    I though I had hurt everywhere at one time or another,but it >seems > >> >> I was wrong !!!I wish I had never heard the word Arachnoiditis,come >to > >> >> think of it,I wish I had never heard the word"Doctor". > >> >> That pain gone now,so me to. > >> >> Lem

Response:

Lem I was dx’d w/ arachnoiditis in 1986.  Over time I have had varying results from different pain meds, and types of pain seem to change as well.  At its peak, I could not walk and any movement caused excruciating pain.  I was hospitalized a number of times for pain control. Over the last several years the pain has been less, due in part to stretching exercise, giving the damaged nerves and membranes that surround the spinal cord a little more elasticity. I still have periods when the pain is very high and with "very close to end stage" liver disease, I cannot tolerate the levels of opioid analgesics I had grown use to. During the past year I have lost all feeling in most of both feet, and reflexes are absent. It is almost as if this is slowly progressing from my toes to my  ankle. I do not want to rely on a wheel chair again for it took so long to work my way out of it.  But there is nothing that can be offered that may slow down or stop this progression. Its a part of the diagnosis, I guess. If you haven’t already, there is a support group for arachnoiditis; http://www.cofwa.org that may prove helpful. Good luck. Dave L D Lamborne Home: http://painlinks.org

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->    While taking a nap this afternoon I was awakened with a severe pain > in the middle and 2 outside toes on my right foot.I have never had > that pain before,and may never have it again,but with this damm > Arachnoiditis when ever any of the scar tissue touches a nerve,then I > get pain at the other end of it.Like this time,nothing is wrong with > my toes,but almost every nerve in the human body must go through the > spine to reach the brain.The sub-arachnoid space where the scar tissue > is located runs the entire length of the spine(where the fluid is > ).also covers almost the entire brain. >   The pain can be anywhere and any kind,from shooting to aching to > burning,etc. and one time dropped me to my knees.Ashooting pain from > the top ,left back, of my head went down the left side of my face and > neck.I thought I had been shot.It made the whole left side of my face > went numb,including half my tongue.It took about 15 minutes for the > feeling to come back.I happened when I turned my head to fast,I > guess.I turn my head slowly ,ever since. >    I though I had hurt everywhere at one time or another,but it seems > I was wrong !!!I wish I had never heard the word Arachnoiditis,come to > think of it,I wish I had never heard the word"Doctor". > That pain gone now,so me to. > Lem

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This is one of the best sites on Arachnoiditis,Dr. Sarah Smith has "A" also,so she can see it from both sides. http://www.backtalk.nildram.co.uk/arach.htm Good Luck Lem – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->What is a good Arachnoiditis site?  I want to go look at the symptoms etc >and see if this might be what my back has turned into?  You pain sounds a >lot like mine, instead of into the face I get the shooting pain up the back >of my neck and head into my forehead and eyebrow causing my eye to go fuzzy >and my eyebrow to twitch uncontrollably, My neck and head kind of feel like >the stingers I used to get when I played football, when this happens. >    While taking a nap this afternoon I was awakened with a severe pain > in the middle and 2 outside toes on my right foot.I have never had > that pain before,and may never have it again,but with this damm > Arachnoiditis when ever any of the scar tissue touches a nerve,then I > get pain at the other end of it.Like this time,nothing is wrong with > my toes,but almost every nerve in the human body must go through the > spine to reach the brain.The sub-arachnoid space where the scar tissue > is located runs the entire length of the spine(where the fluid is > ).also covers almost the entire brain. >   The pain can be anywhere and any kind,from shooting to aching to > burning,etc. and one time dropped me to my knees.Ashooting pain from > the top ,left back, of my head went down the left side of my face and > neck.I thought I had been shot.It made the whole left side of my face > went numb,including half my tongue.It took about 15 minutes for the > feeling to come back.I happened when I turned my head to fast,I > guess.I turn my head slowly ,ever since. >    I though I had hurt everywhere at one time or another,but it seems > I was wrong !!!I wish I had never heard the word Arachnoiditis,come to > think of it,I wish I had never heard the word"Doctor". > That pain gone now,so me to. > Lem

Response:

You need to make sure the MRI tech know how to set the machine and knows what to look for.I had a MRI of my head and was told it was negative,except for some white spots on the surface of my brain.He said they didn’t mean anything,he had seen them before,but they were considered some kind of fluke by the machine.That was before I knew about Arachnoiditis,and the oil based dye. I found out later from another Dr. that the white spots were most likely some of the dye left over after the myleogram,since the sub-arachnoid space cover almost the entire brain too.   Good Luck    Lem – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->So it seem that the best way to determine if I have this is by an MRI exam? >Odd, I have had 3 maybe 4 mileograms, 3 epidurals and 3 -5 pain injections >into my spine, all about the same area.  I would not be surprised giving the >amount of pain that I am in all the time that my back had developed this on >top of the disc and degenerative problems.  One more reason to go for the >MRI I am long over due for! >Thanks for the link! > This is one of the best sites on Arachnoiditis,Dr. Sarah Smith has "A" > also,so she can see it from both sides. > http://www.backtalk.nildram.co.uk/arach.htm > Good Luck > Lem > >What is a good Arachnoiditis site?  I want to go look at the symptoms etc > >and see if this might be what my back has turned into?  You pain sounds a > >lot like mine, instead of into the face I get the shooting pain up the >back > >of my neck and head into my forehead and eyebrow causing my eye to go >fuzzy > >and my eyebrow to twitch uncontrollably, My neck and head kind of feel >like > >the stingers I used to get when I played football, when this happens. > >>    While taking a nap this afternoon I was awakened with a severe pain > >> in the middle and 2 outside toes on my right foot.I have never had > >> that pain before,and may never have it again,but with this damm > >> Arachnoiditis when ever any of the scar tissue touches a nerve,then I > >> get pain at the other end of it.Like this time,nothing is wrong with > >> my toes,but almost every nerve in the human body must go through the > >> spine to reach the brain.The sub-arachnoid space where the scar tissue > >> is located runs the entire length of the spine(where the fluid is > >> ).also covers almost the entire brain. > >>   The pain can be anywhere and any kind,from shooting to aching to > >> burning,etc. and one time dropped me to my knees.Ashooting pain from > >> the top ,left back, of my head went down the left side of my face and > >> neck.I thought I had been shot.It made the whole left side of my face > >> went numb,including half my tongue.It took about 15 minutes for the > >> feeling to come back.I happened when I turned my head to fast,I > >> guess.I turn my head slowly ,ever since. > >>    I though I had hurt everywhere at one time or another,but it seems > >> I was wrong !!!I wish I had never heard the word Arachnoiditis,come to > >> think of it,I wish I had never heard the word"Doctor". > >> That pain gone now,so me to. > >> Lem

Response:

Hi Dave L.  I just got my electric wheel chair 2 weeks ago.I got a ramp last weekend,and was going to get a cargo carrier on the back of my car this weekend,but it’s been raining and cold,so I’ll let it wait a few days.It turns out the exhaustion and weakness that has put me in the chair.If I walk to the bathroom,I’ll have to rest before I can come back. Good Luck Lem – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Lem >I was dx’d w/ arachnoiditis in 1986.  Over time I have had varying results >from different pain meds, and types of pain seem to change as well.  At its >peak, I could not walk and any movement caused excruciating pain.  I was >hospitalized a number of times for pain control. Over the last several years >the pain has been less, due in part to stretching exercise, giving the >damaged nerves and membranes that surround the spinal cord a little more >elasticity. I still have periods when the pain is very high and with "very >close to end stage" liver disease, I cannot tolerate the levels of opioid >analgesics I had grown use to. During the past year I have lost all feeling >in most of both feet, and reflexes are absent. It is almost as if this is >slowly progressing from my toes to my  ankle. I do not want to rely on a >wheel chair again for it took so long to work my way out of it.  But there >is nothing that can be offered that may slow down or stop this progression. >Its a part of the diagnosis, I guess. >If you haven’t already, there is a support group for arachnoiditis; >http://www.cofwa.org that may prove helpful. >Good luck. >Dave L >D Lamborne >Home: http://painlinks.org >    While taking a nap this afternoon I was awakened with a severe pain > in the middle and 2 outside toes on my right foot.I have never had > that pain before,and may never have it again,but with this damm > Arachnoiditis when ever any of the scar tissue touches a nerve,then I > get pain at the other end of it.Like this time,nothing is wrong with > my toes,but almost every nerve in the human body must go through the > spine to reach the brain.The sub-arachnoid space where the scar tissue > is located runs the entire length of the spine(where the fluid is > ).also covers almost the entire brain. >   The pain can be anywhere and any kind,from shooting to aching to > burning,etc. and one time dropped me to my knees.Ashooting pain from > the top ,left back, of my head went down the left side of my face and > neck.I thought I had been shot.It made the whole left side of my face > went numb,including half my tongue.It took about 15 minutes for the > feeling to come back.I happened when I turned my head to fast,I > guess.I turn my head slowly ,ever since. >    I though I had hurt everywhere at one time or another,but it seems > I was wrong !!!I wish I had never heard the word Arachnoiditis,come to > think of it,I wish I had never heard the word"Doctor". > That pain gone now,so me to. > Lem

Response:

That is so frustrating! I’ve had spots show up on every MRI, x-ray, or CT I’ve had since my myeolgram 20 years ago, and only once did a doctor actually say that it was residual oil based dye. Getting an MRI tech to even set the machine up correctly is frustrating. I specifically said I needed a T2 weighted gandolinium enhanced MRI.. After an argument with my primary care physician, she changed the request based on my reseach into "A. Even with that knowledge, and the corrected request, the MRI technician performed a T2 weighted scan, THEN did a gandolinium enhanced T1 weighted scan. I still can’t figure out if they are trying to avoid looking for it, don’t pay attention, or don’t care. Anyway, I feel for you and your current problems. I’ve been having an increase in symptoms as well, and certainly can empathize with you. I started physical therapy, just to try to give myself a sense of control, but it isn’t doing much to alleviate pain symptoms, and sometimes exacerbates things. Best wishes, Rob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > You need to make sure the MRI tech know how to set the machine and > knows what to look for.I had a MRI of my head and was told it was > negative,except for some white spots on the surface of my brain.He > said they didn’t mean anything,he had seen them before,but they were > considered some kind of fluke by the machine.That was before I knew > about Arachnoiditis,and the oil based dye. I found out later from > another Dr. that the white spots were most likely some of the dye left > over after the myleogram,since the sub-arachnoid space cover almost > the entire brain too. >   Good Luck >    Lem >So it seem that the best way to determine if I have this is by an MRI exam? >Odd, I have had 3 maybe 4 mileograms, 3 epidurals and 3 -5 pain injections >into my spine, all about the same area.  I would not be surprised giving the >amount of pain that I am in all the time that my back had developed this on >top of the disc and degenerative problems.  One more reason to go for the >MRI I am long over due for! >Thanks for the link! >> This is one of the best sites on Arachnoiditis,Dr. Sarah Smith has "A" >> also,so she can see it from both sides. >> http://www.backtalk.nildram.co.uk/arach.htm >> Good Luck >> Lem >> >What is a good Arachnoiditis site?  I want to go look at the symptoms etc >> >and see if this might be what my back has turned into?  You pain sounds a >> >lot like mine, instead of into the face I get the shooting pain up the >back >> >of my neck and head into my forehead and eyebrow causing my eye to go >fuzzy >> >and my eyebrow to twitch uncontrollably, My neck and head kind of feel >like >> >the stingers I used to get when I played football, when this happens. >> >>    While taking a nap this afternoon I was awakened with a severe pain >> >> in the middle and 2 outside toes on my right foot.I have never had >> >> that pain before,and may never have it again,but with this damm >> >> Arachnoiditis when ever any of the scar tissue touches a nerve,then I >> >> get pain at the other end of it.Like this time,nothing is wrong with >> >> my toes,but almost every nerve in the human body must go through the >> >> spine to reach the brain.The sub-arachnoid space where the scar tissue >> >> is located runs the entire length of the spine(where the fluid is >> >> ).also covers almost the entire brain. >> >>   The pain can be anywhere and any kind,from shooting to aching to >> >> burning,etc. and one time dropped me to my knees.Ashooting pain from >> >> the top ,left back, of my head went down the left side of my face and >> >> neck.I thought I had been shot.It made the whole left side of my face >> >> went numb,including half my tongue.It took about 15 minutes for the >> >> feeling to come back.I happened when I turned my head to fast,I >> >> guess.I turn my head slowly ,ever since. >> >>    I though I had hurt everywhere at one time or another,but it seems >> >> I was wrong !!!I wish I had never heard the word Arachnoiditis,come to >> >> think of it,I wish I had never heard the word"Doctor". >> >> That pain gone now,so me to. >> >> Lem

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   While taking a nap this afternoon I was awakened with a severe pain in the middle and 2 outside toes on my right foot.I have never had that pain before,and may never have it again,but with this damm Arachnoiditis when ever any of the scar tissue touches a nerve,then I get pain at the other end of it.Like this time,nothing is wrong with my toes,but almost every nerve in the human body must go through the spine to reach the brain.The sub-arachnoid space where the scar tissue is located runs the entire length of the spine(where the fluid is ).also covers almost the entire brain.   The pain can be anywhere and any kind,from shooting to aching to burning,etc. and one time dropped me to my knees.Ashooting pain from the top ,left back, of my head went down the left side of my face and neck.I thought I had been shot.It made the whole left side of my face went numb,including half my tongue.It took about 15 minutes for the feeling to come back.I happened when I turned my head to fast,I guess.I turn my head slowly ,ever since.    I though I had hurt everywhere at one time or another,but it seems I was wrong !!!I wish I had never heard the word Arachnoiditis,come to think of it,I wish I had never heard the word"Doctor". That pain gone now,so me to. Lem

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Question:

What happened to our exercise thread?  Come on, ye sluggards … let’s get with it now Actually, today is a day of rest for me. It is two weeks since I joined a fitness club, and it occurred to me yesterday, as I was standing amongst all the exercise machines, that the room resembled nothing so much as a medieval torture chamber Today I am going to do nothing but stretch sore muscles and try to keep loose, and try to continue to develop more flexibility.  I have scanned a copy of a sheet which describes basic stretches to promote flexibility and mobility, and if anyone would like a copy of that sheet just email me and I will forward it to you.  I find that ten minutes of stretching in the morning *really helps* me to feel less creaky and less like the degenerate 50 year old that I am. R.

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arg.. you made me feel guilty I went out and cleaned the yard up .. had alot of winds past few days — RK [T1 that was smarter then her previous Doctors!][dx'd 5/00][Lantus Lover w/Novolog] http://www.zerolimit.net/files/zl-mirc.exe (#diabeticnet chatroom software)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> What happened to our exercise thread?  Come on, ye sluggards … let’s > get with it now > Actually, today is a day of rest for me. > It is two weeks since I joined a fitness club, and it occurred to me > yesterday, as I was standing amongst all the exercise machines, that the > room resembled nothing so much as a medieval torture chamber > Today I am going to do nothing but stretch sore muscles and try to keep > loose, and try to continue to develop more flexibility.  I have scanned > a copy of a sheet which describes basic stretches to promote flexibility > and mobility, and if anyone would like a copy of that sheet just email > me and I will forward it to you.  I find that ten minutes of stretching > in the morning *really helps* me to feel less creaky and less like the > degenerate 50 year old that I am. > R.

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Been eating beans again? Annette – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > arg.. you made me feel guilty > I went out and cleaned the yard up .. had alot of winds past few days > — > RK > [T1 that was smarter then her previous Doctors!][dx'd 5/00][Lantus Lover > w/Novolog] > http://www.zerolimit.net/files/zl-mirc.exe (#diabeticnet chatroom software)

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Question:

I got a prince albert back at the end of January.  After about 2 1/2 months, I stretched it up from 12ga to 10ga.  At the time, I had just moved from the US to Germany.  First of all, I didn’t know what diameter my current ring was and second I wasn’t familiar with the metric equivalents, so I ended up with too small a CBR (19mm).  About a month later, I went back to get a larger ring (21mm), but they were out of the 21mm in CBRs, so I ended up getting a circular BB.  Fast-forward to about a month ago…  the piercing hole now leaks (and has been for about 3 weeks or so) when I urinate.  It’s not just a dribble, but large enough to form its own stream (all be it extremely small).  Is this a sign of incorrect jewelry?  normal stretching of the hole?  or something more sinister?

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> I got a prince albert back at the end of January.  After about 2 1/2 > months, I stretched it up from 12ga to 10ga.  At the time, I had just > moved from the US to Germany.  First of all, I didn’t know what diameter > my current ring was and second I wasn’t familiar with the metric > equivalents, so I ended up with too small a CBR (19mm).  About a month > later, I went back to get a larger ring (21mm), but they were out of the > 21mm in CBRs, so I ended up getting a circular BB.  Fast-forward to > about a month ago…  the piercing hole now leaks (and has been for > about 3 weeks or so) when I urinate.  It’s not just a dribble, but large > enough to form its own stream (all be it extremely small).  Is this a > sign of incorrect jewelry?  normal stretching of the hole?  or something > more sinister?

to 10 immediatly. Every time the leaking got too much, I stretched one size. I currently am wearing a "Magic" Anatometal Titanium  0 ga curved BB. Not currently leaking, and I believe I’m done stretching. Robin

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> [snip] Fast-forward to >about a month ago…  the piercing hole now leaks (and has been for >about 3 weeks or so) when I urinate.  It’s not just a dribble, but large >enough to form its own stream (all be it extremely small).  Is this a >sign of incorrect jewelry?  normal stretching of the hole?  or something >more sinister?

It’s a sign of a PA. So you could put in larger gauge jewelry to plug the stretched hole. Which will probably cause it to stretch further. So you could put in larger gauge jewelry to plug the stretched hole. Which will probably cause it to stretch further. Repeat ad nauseum. And at some point you will probably just say "Fuckit" and henceforth always sit when you urinate. And in a non-sit situation exercise some lateral thinking …     If you master the second stream, you may be able to cope with a urinal*.     Press CBR ball against piercing to block the hole*.     Handbasin     Glazed paper can be folded/rolled into a temporary funnel/tube.     Be creative with a large leaf outdoors (not poison ivy)     Remove one corner of a small plastic bag     Etc. * At lease sometimes, but probably not when it matters — Clive Olivier    "*** A good piercer doesn’t give a fuck." – Keith Alexander

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> It’s not just a dribble, but large > enough to form its own stream (all be it extremely small).  Is this a > sign of incorrect jewelry?  normal stretching of the hole?  or something > more sinister?

PAs stretch easily. All that use, ya know. Try twisting your dick 180 degrees, to where the ring is on top. -Nightwyng

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s > > supposed > > to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in > your > This is sheer nonsense. Simple as that. > For some good sceptical information on alternative "therapies" (e.g. > magnets, homeopathy, etc, though I don’t think they have anything > specific > on the Q-Ray), I recommend www.quackwatch.com > Another essential site is www.skepdic.com > Also check out www.randi.org for very informative and entertaining > sceptical > commentary. > Siobh

You forgot one other site: www.closedminded.com — DO NOT EMAIL IF POSTING RESPONSE.  TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH 5.

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> Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s > supposed > to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in

your This is sheer nonsense. Simple as that. For some good sceptical information on alternative "therapies" (e.g. magnets, homeopathy, etc, though I don’t think they have anything specific on the Q-Ray), I recommend www.quackwatch.com Another essential site is www.skepdic.com Also check out www.randi.org for very informative and entertaining sceptical commentary. Siobh

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s supposed > >to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your > >body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use the > >Q-Ray. Is this thing for real?  For those who have tried using > >there any side effects? > >Thanks, > >Dave >  Be very cautious. Q-Rays can undergo a spontaneous phase-shift, > symmetry breaking that forms N-rays which can be very dangerous. > Thereby causing gonadal atrophy and hypercalcification.

Only partly true — these effects occur only during a temporal anomaly. During other instances, both eyes move to one side of your head and you are constrained to swimming on your belly like a flounder. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — >  Post-Purchase Purgatory: weeping, teeth-gnashing, 23.5% cc interest > Kristofer Hogg, ms rd,  Who can’t safely boil water, much less cook; >                 And who is atrophying from lack of exercise! >            HoloBarre Fitness/Stretching Systems, Yonkers, NY

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> Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s > supposed > to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your > body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use > the > Q-Ray. Is this thing for real?  For those who have tried using > there any side effects? > Thanks, > Dave

I purchased one for chronic bursitis.  It worked for the first couple of days, but for some reason, lost effectiveness.   For the record, I don’t believe the first two days were result of placebo effect for reasons that are too lengthy to go into.  I returned it. — DO NOT EMAIL IF POSTING RESPONSE.  TO EMAIL, REPLACE X WITH 5.

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>>  Be very cautious. Q-Rays can undergo a spontaneous phase-shift, > symmetry breaking that forms N-rays which can be very dangerous. >    Thereby causing gonadal atrophy and hypercalcification.

Yes, but then you can play marbles with them. Tsu Dho Nimh If we are what we eat, I’m fast, cheap and easy

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s supposed >to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your >body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use the >there any side effects? >Thanks, >Dave >  Be very cautious. Q-Rays can undergo a spontaneous phase-shift, > symmetry breaking that forms N-rays which can be very dangerous.

        Thereby causing gonadal atrophy and hypercalcification. —  Post-Purchase Purgatory: weeping, teeth-gnashing, 23.5% cc interest Kristofer Hogg, ms rd,  Who can’t safely boil water, much less cook;                 And who is atrophying from lack of exercise!            HoloBarre Fitness/Stretching Systems, Yonkers, NY

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>Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s supposed >to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your >body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use the >there any side effects? >Thanks, >Dave

 Be very cautious. Q-Rays can undergo a spontaneous phase-shift, symmetry breaking that forms N-rays which can be very dangerous.

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This is interesting, and i suppose even if it is "all in the mind", the fact is it still works for you. What i like is that all the debate that goes on around placebo`s (of which i am in favor) rests on the fact that the person needs to beleive that their placebo is *not* a placebo, which evidently is not nevessarily the case. Maybe some placebo`s work better than others  :o) Andrew "if placebo`s work 33% of the time then take three" Austin. — NLP, Neurology, Schizophrenia:  www.23NLPeople.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve worn one for about 2 yrs now.  I believe it is more psychological than > therapeutic for me.  If I wear it my back does not hurt.  My back will also > not hurt if I am not wearing it and have not noticed I’m not wearing it. As > soon as I notice I forgot to wear it, my back starts to hurt.  I do like how > it looks, that is why I keep wearing it.  I tell everyone who asks me about > them the same thing, "It’s all in your mind.  If you feel less pain when you > wear it, it is probably because you want to feel less pain, not because the > bracelet works medically." > Matt > Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s > supposed > to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your > body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use > the > Q-Ray. Is this thing for real?  For those who have tried using > there any side effects? > Thanks, > Dave

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I’ve worn one for about 2 yrs now.  I believe it is more psychological than therapeutic for me.  If I wear it my back does not hurt.  My back will also not hurt if I am not wearing it and have not noticed I’m not wearing it.  As soon as I notice I forgot to wear it, my back starts to hurt.  I do like how it looks, that is why I keep wearing it.  I tell everyone who asks me about them the same thing, "It’s all in your mind.  If you feel less pain when you wear it, it is probably because you want to feel less pain, not because the bracelet works medically." Matt

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s supposed > to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your > body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use the > Q-Ray. Is this thing for real?  For those who have tried using > there any side effects? > Thanks, > Dave

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Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s supposed to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use the there any side effects? Thanks, Dave

Response:

>Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s supposed >to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your >body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use the >there any side effects? >Thanks, >Dave

Buy one as a fashion accessory not for any therapeutic benefit. Athletes will endorse anything their agents tell them to- I place zilch credence in their endorsement(s). As an experiment, buy one and report back to this n.g. about any changes noted. The good news is that this "device" can’t hurt you. frank – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Err.."balancing positive and negative ions"….sounds like a bit of pseudo-science-speak to me. I`d suggest saving your money.  The testimonial thing is always a bit dubious – I`m a reliable kind of guy, but i`ll pretty much say *anything* on TV if i`m paid enough, i`m sure i’m not alone on this. Regards, Andrew "all i want is 15 minutes" Austin. — NLP, Neurology, Schizophrenia:  www.23NLPeople.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey there, has anyone tried using the Q-Ray bracelet?  I guess it’s supposed > to be able to reduce pain by balancing positive and negative ions in your > body.  The infomercials on TV say that several professional athletes use the > Q-Ray. Is this thing for real?  For those who have tried using > there any side effects? > Thanks, > Dave

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Question:

 Donna wrote to Diane:  > I already tried PT.  It didn’t help.  I actually hurt wrose after  > my appointments.  My former RD sent me to PT.  While the PT did teach how me how  to perform a few stretching exercises, she also had me on a  stationary bike and weight-lifting with my arms.  THAT HURT! <g>  I now attend Arthritis Foundation PACE classes and those are  mild exercises of the hand, fingers, arms, shoulders, legs  and feet.  If you can locate such a class in your area, it  may be well worth your effort to go to them.  At least get  a feel of them and see if you notice any improvement.  The  AF also sponsors water exercise in some locations.  These  are also great if you don’t have a pool at home. … The refrigerator light DOES go out.  Now let me out of here.       ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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Thanks for the suggestion of PACE classes Joe.  I will search for them in my area. Donna F.

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 Donna Freeman wrote to Fire Chief:  > Thanks for the suggestion of PACE classes Joe.  I will search for  > them in my area.  Good Luck.  I hope you’re able to find one — you’ll enjoy it. … Use Roman Numerals on your income tax return this year. ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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Question:

 Amy wrote to Fire Chief:  > That sounds great…..but I can’t bend my right elbow….<sigh>…  > but I will try it anyway!  Thanks!  You could probably use just your left arm to judge the distance  you want to be from the wall, and for balance or support when you  begin to bend that elbow and lean forward.  Or as an alternative, lower both hands and arms along the  wall as you lean forward. … Coming Soon!!  Mouse Support for Edlin!!   ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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>  > That sounds great…..but I can’t bend my right elbow….<sigh>… >  > but I will try it anyway!  Thanks!

I kind of do this and it helps with the calf muscle cramps.  Only I start out standing against the wall with my arms crossed.  Keep the upper body leaning against the wall and slowly walk just my feet back till I get a good calf stretch going.  And no pressure on arms or hands or wrists.  Would also work with arms just hanging at sides. — Jo Firey "Honesty is the best policy,  but he who acts on that principle is not an honest man."  - Richard Whately, British theologian (1787-1863).

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>  > That sounds great…..but I can’t bend my right elbow….<sigh>… >  > but I will try it anyway!  Thanks!

I kind of do this and it helps some with the calf muscle cramps.  Only I start out standing against the wall with my arms crossed.  Keep the upper body leaning against the wall and slowly walk just my feet back till I get a good calf stretch going.  And no pressure on arms or hands or wrists.  Would also work with arms just hanging at sides. Now if I could just figure out what to do for the cramps that run up the side or even the front on my legs. I get plenty of potassium and calcium and manganese.  I’ve even tried quinine without success. — Jo Firey "Honesty is the best policy,  but he who acts on that principle is not an honest man."  - Richard Whately, British theologian (1787-1863).

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>It’s absolutely awesome, Sarah. With me on disability, it’s hard to pay for >the boat moorage along with our house payment, but I don’t know what I’d do >without her (Camelot). So we need to keep her.

I just have a little jon boat, not something I’d spend 2 weeks in.  So, let me live vicariously, what have you got and where do you float it? Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

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>> It’s absolutely awesome, Sarah. With me on disability, it’s hard to pay for > the boat moorage along with our house payment, but I don’t know what I’d do > without her (Camelot). So we need to keep her. > I just have a little jon boat, not something I’d spend 2 weeks in.  So, let me > live vicariously, what have you got and where do you float it? > Sarah L > "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and > sing > them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

Hi Sarah, we’ve got an Ericson 39′ built in 71. She’s a real pretty boat, 11.5′ beam. Sleeps 7, but no way we could hold supplies and belongings for 7 people! It gets crowded w/4 for a week. We moor her at Shilshole Bay Marina, which is here in Seattle on Puget Sound (many people around here have there boats in the lakes, but then they have to go through the locks (time-consuming!) to get to the Sound. There are so many neat places to travel by boat around here, and we don’t even have to go into the ocean to get to most of them.  Juan de Fuca Strait, and further north the strait of Georgia can get pretty wild (I’ve been in something like 8 foot swells in Juan de Fuca) but not as wild as when I was in the ocean. And most of Puget Sound is pretty mellow most of the time. I have enough trouble moving around without slamming all over the boat! -kk >><><><><><><><><><<<<<<<<>>>>>>>><><><><><><><><><<<

http://members.home.net/karensears

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Sounds wonderful.  I could get used to living like that. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi Sarah, we’ve got an Ericson 39′ built in 71. She’s a real pretty boat, >11.5′ beam. Sleeps 7, but no way we could hold supplies and belongings for 7 >people! It gets crowded w/4 for a week. We moor her at Shilshole Bay Marina, >which is here in Seattle on Puget Sound (many people around here have there >boats in the lakes, but then they have to go through the locks >(time-consuming!) to get to the Sound. >There are so many neat places to travel by boat around here, and we don’t >even have to go into the ocean to get to most of them.  Juan de Fuca Strait, >and further north the strait of Georgia can get pretty wild (I’ve been in >something like 8 foot swells in Juan de Fuca) but not as wild as when I was >in the ocean. And most of Puget Sound is pretty mellow most of the time. >I have enough trouble moving around without slamming all over the boat! >-kk

Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

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>Did you know that when I’ve been out on the boat for a couple of weeks I >come home and get "earthsick?"

What I wouldn’t give to experience that.  I’d love to spend that kind of time out in a boat. Sarah L "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and sing them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

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>> Did you know that when I’ve been out on the boat for a couple of weeks I > come home and get "earthsick?" > What I wouldn’t give to experience that.  I’d love to spend that kind of time > out in a boat. > Sarah L > "Friends are those people who know the words to the song in your heart and > sing > them back to you when you have forgotten the words."  (unattributed)

It’s absolutely awesome, Sarah. With me on disability, it’s hard to pay for the boat moorage along with our house payment, but I don’t know what I’d do without her (Camelot). So we need to keep her. Do you have a boat? I can see from your name (Ifish2b) that you like to fish! -kk >><><><><><><><><><<<<<<<<>>>>>>>><><><><><><><><><<<

http://members.home.net/karensears

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 Jo Firey wrote to Fire Chief:  > I try to stretch in the AM so I won’t get reactive cramping.  Almost  > all the muscle cramps are at night (though my hands will cramp just  > about anytime.)  I don’t have cramps in my hands, but if I don’t exercise and don’t  take potasseum (bananas and suppliments), my legs do cramp.  The one  exercise which works best and was shown by a a PT involves stretching  the legs at a wall just before retiring so I don’t go to bed with  the muscles in a knot.  This week the PT at my PACE class showed a variation of the original  exerice.  Stand about 12 inches from a wall with the head against the  wall.  Next, bring the stomach into the wall as far as possible,  stretching the leg muscles, and hold for 30 seconds.  Now push the  stomach away from the wall, and repeat.  This is good for those folks  who can’t bend the elbows (I believe someone here just mentioned that  problem). … Earth:  (n) A solid substance, much desired by the seasick. ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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> … Earth:  (n) A solid substance, much desired by the seasick. > ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

Did you know that when I’ve been out on the boat for a couple of weeks I come home and get "earthsick?" Particularly when I close my eyes (like in the shower) it feels like that floor is swaying back and forth and I start to get nauseated… And I need to get back on the water to feel better. Pretty weird, eh? >><><><><><><><><><<<<<<<<>>>>>>>><><><><><><><><><<<

http://members.home.net/karensears

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Won’t the "stand on the bottom step and lower your heel" produce the same result without having to rely on an arm or hand that is likely not to hold your body weight. We don’t want our Amy to break her nose. Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >  Amy wrote to Fire Chief: >  > That sounds great…..but I can’t bend my right elbow….<sigh>… >  > but I will try it anyway!  Thanks! >  You could probably use just your left arm to judge the distance >  you want to be from the wall, and for balance or support when you >  begin to bend that elbow and lean forward. >  Or as an alternative, lower both hands and arms along the >  wall as you lean forward. > … Coming Soon!!  Mouse Support for Edlin!! > ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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Duckie said, " We don’t want our Amy to break her nose." ROFLMAO!!  Yep, if anyone could do it..it would be me!  <giggle> Picture trying to explain that the the DR…."Well, I was having leg cramps and then I tried this exercise…but my elbow dosn’t bend so hot and then the wall moved and WHAM! and OUCH!" <sigh> Amy I live in a world of mystery and intrigue. I teach kindergarten. Come see the "Princess of the Puddle" at http://hometown.aol.com/lkgoddess/index.html

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>  > I kind of do this and it helps some with the calf muscle cramps. >  > Now if I could just figure out what to do for the cramps that run up >  > the side or even the front on my legs. >  Jo, when do you perform the exerice, and when (time of day) >  do you experience the cramps up the side of your legs? > ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

I try to stretch in the AM so I won’t get reactive cramping.  Almost all the muscle cramps are at night (though my hands will cramp just about anytime.) — Jo Firey

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 > I kind of do this and it helps some with the calf muscle cramps.  > Now if I could just figure out what to do for the cramps that run up  > the side or even the front on my legs.  Jo, when do you perform the exerice, and when (time of day)  do you experience the cramps up the side of your legs? ___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12

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