tiredofdoctors

Okay, going to be in Vegas from the 24 - 27 (Broncobux, can't wait to meet you . . . Armetta says you're great!) Anyone else interested in meeting, just PM either me or Armetta!!!

I agree about having your shoulder over-worked. I worked at a place where they were so greedy, and so anxious to have people come in-an-out, that they really didn't allow for nor encourage manual therapy. It sounds as though you have a vertebral rotation . . . my guess would be at T4-5 T5-6 and T6-7. Those are the ones that usually cause that type of shoulder pain. I hope that the PT at LEAST ruled out impingement in the cervical spine, and did a full spine work-up to be sure.

If I couldn't get to a PT that specializes in manual therapy, I'd either go to an osteopath or a chiropractor to get your thoracic spine looked at and/or treated. In my experience, most shoulder pain isn't JUST a shoulder problem . . . and often has NOTHING to do with the shoulder.

With regard to the "frozen shoulder" aspect, there are three phases to it: 1) Freezing 2) Frozen and 3) Thawed. Seriously. If it is a true "frozen shoulder", they will thaw themselves. As PT's we try to catch them in the "Freezing" stage and maintain range of motion throughout the process. Once it starts, it usually doesn't stop until it "thaws" . . . I know that sounds crazy, and if I hadn't experienced it with my patients, I would think I'm a quack. You can maintain your range of motion by rigging up a pulley system (or you can buy them CHEAPLY at Smith-Nephew Rolyan -- even on-line) that allows you to do all of the different types of motion that the arm does -- forward and up, to the side and up, rotated outward (like you'd throw a ball), or rotated inward (like you'd hook your bra) . . . you have to do them gently, and you have to make sure that each time, you get a very gentle stretch to it. That will keep the muscles stretched out.

I wouldn't go back to that PT -- sounds like what we call a "shake and bake" -- get 'em in, get 'em out, charge a lot of money . . . There's a group here that's (only known in PT circles) "Meet 'em, greet 'em, treat 'em and street 'em". They hire a lot of 16 and 17 year old kids who know NOTHING about body mechanics, etc. and have them "oversee" the patients' exercises . . . tisk tisk.

I would DEFINITELY have your thoracic spine looked at . . . I really do think that is the "root" of your shoulder problem . . .

As for the Dentist . . . well, even though in Rachelville, I wanted to be Hermie the Dentist, I don't have any advice -- I've gotten crappy dentists throughout my life. I have such bad luck with them, that I wouldn't even BEGIN to tell you anything . . . . !!!

Good luck to you . . . . . Love, Lynne

Personally, I would do little mums, then buy silk flowers!! That's what I do for our flower box on the front porch. During Christmas, I cut branches from our trees (or magnolia branches from my MIL's!!) then put lights throughout . . . just a thought!!

He's a pretty good guy . . . he just took me to my physical therapy appointment -- took off work to do it. Then, took me to the bookstore . . . . He has a HUGE collection of vinyl records . . . LOVES the classics . . . big Sinatra fan, but because I endured YEARS of squeaky saxophone practice, everyone can now benefit from the EXCELLENT baritone sax that he plays (also plays alto & tenor -- has an alto and a bari) . . . He can also play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, banjo, clarinet, drums . . . can't think of what else, but I know that those are the instruments he has . . . (can you tell why I'm poor?????) Actually, I forgot -- the drums are Ashley's -- she plays drums, marimba, xylophone, piano . . . and I'm going to try to send via e-mail to you guys who want it the song that was played before their wedding . . . (she sings opera).

Okay, I've bragged enough . . . .

Nikki -- good googly moogly -- don't take that from your kids' pediatrician's office . . . call every day and ask if there have been any cancellations. In fact, if you call first thing in the morning, and then right before noon, after two days, you'll be in. They don't want you calling and asking all the time!! They have openings that they keep "free" so that the doctors can catch up, or if there is an emergency. They'll fill them, though, if someone bugs them enough . . . because they don't want you to call them again (my daughter worked as a clerk for a pediatrician's office) .. . . . be a thorn in their butt -- not their side -- and you will get in VERY soon!!!!!

My son and I were discussing Rachelville . . . we decided that I can't be a STAND UP comic, because, well, I'm in a wheelchair . . . so I'm a SIT DOWN comic!!!!! Also, when I told him that I was the town storyteller, he said, "oh you mean a Bard?" That is what they used to be called . . . people who would wander the town, as a minstrel and storyteller . . . so maybe that should be changed as well.

Also . . . my son is a hunky 23 year-old . . . and plays the BEST jazz saxophone I've heard . . . but it's the old stuff . . . Duke Ellington, Glen Miller, Coltrane, etc. . . . . . He could be an asset to Rachelville. He's also very capable, and bust-a-gut funny . . . .

Gonna have to check my calendar, but Karen, I think the straight jacket has to stay on a little while longer . . . have to protect the citizens of Rachelville . . . sorry about the "difficulty" with regard to the bathroom issues, but -- SBYL. Hugs to you, Darlink!!! Lynne

Residents of Rachelville -- Don't be afraid yet . . . it's another day or two until the full moon . . . you have plenty of time to build your fortresses and protect your loved ones . . . .

And Scott has enough time to buy another bottle . . . . !!!!!

  Canadian Karen said:

Hey, this is my "active" time, when I run every 5 minutes! I don't need anything "moving things along"!!!!

Hey Karen -- you could have a theme song -- "Movin' Right Along" . . . . from the Muppet Movie!!!!!

Karen -- DO WE have a reputation??? I can't imagine why . . . . and yet, I do consider us partners in crime!!!!!

Oh WRONG . . . . Lynne IS on here tonight . . . and the full moon is approaching . . . . . hmmmm.....what kind of mischief will we be getting into THIS month????? I am now a free woman . . . . my daughter, who acts up horribly during a full moon . . . . is now MRS. BENZ . . . . and HE CAN DEAL WITH IT!!!!!

I am going to how at the moon this month . . . . . aaaaaahhhhhhhhooooooooowwwwwww!!!!!!!

  DingoGirl said:

Anyway it just cracked me up because there's now a whole TOWN that I have to worry over....

Yeah, during a wedding reception try having your husband tell his relatives about all his wife's "friends" without calling it Rachelville . . . . and then . . . . his sister has a tin of Altoids on the console of her truck . . .

Christine - 10 Advils are WAY too much. The maximum you should take in at one time is 4 -- that is 800 mg, what the doctor's prescribe. You can only take that safely three times per day.

Do you have a bite guard? Have you seen a dentist who specializes in TMJ? That can prevent a lot of arthritic changes in itself. If you have rheumatoid, it's difficult, but it does help. If it is simply osteoarthritis, then it would DEFINITELY help. Both of my kids, after getting their braces taken off, suffered with TMJ dysfunction . . . they went to a dentist who made impressions of their teeth, put them on a special axis, then found the optimum bite for them . . . he gave them a bite guard which, at first, was just a HUGE chunk of plastic, it looked like! Then, they went in 1 time per week for 24 weeks, and he slowly ground down the bite guard until they were at their perfect bite. He then gave my son a night guard for teeth clenching and grinding.

Also, don't want to imply that anything is "in your head", because it IS NOT. However, have you thought about seeing a physician (even psychiatrist) about anxiety issues . . . most often, that's what grinders have. Clenchers tend to be worriers. It was funny --when I was practicing, I could tell by the jaw muscles which patients were clenchers vs. grinders.

Has anyone taught you self-release techniques for the muscles in your jaws? There are positional release techniques that are FANTASTIC for TMJ. In fact, when I first took the course, I was a student and thought it was "out there" . . . it was the stuff that I used the most. Even if you can't find someone to teach you, you can order books on positional release through amazon .com . . . some used ones pretty cheaply. It is difficult to do it yourself -- -I will tell you that. If you can go to a MANUAL physical therapist who works with TMJ, they will be able to teach it to you well.

Good luck to you . . . please take care of yourself. . . . Lynne

I know about your eyes swimming . . . I had such a tough time deciding what to post . . . there were SO many funny things that happened . . . It was truly a joyful time . . . I can't believe how relaxed I was!! I still have a bajillion things that happened, though . . . .

Good googly moogly, it was so difficult . . . . .

Holy crap -- I leave to talk to my aunt who was unable to come into town for the wedding, and there's 5 more pages, I think . . . . .

Just for clarification: F I N E . . . . the F doesn't stand for "Frustrated" . . . . . .

Susie -- you are making me laugh . . . . it's pretty funny, too -- now everybody is starting to call you Susie!! Cool, huh? I like that . . . .

I laugh the whole time I read this thread . . . thank you guys for a GREAT laugh each day . . . !!!

BTW: Given my life history, I feel that I could be the stand-up comic. I have enough garbage that has happened to me that I could keep an audience in stitches just telling the stuff that has happened to me!! So, Physical Therapist, Assistant Corn Shucker and Stand Up Comic, maybe??? Oh, and Florist . . . I did all the flowers for the wedding . . . . You guys pick my jobs, OK???

Beverly -- you seriously accepted a position as a prof -- with tenure? Are you kidding, have I missed a joke? If this is serious, I am so happy for you!!!! If it's part of Rachelville . . . well, oops, I did it again (Me and Brittany Spears . . . . eeeeeeeewwwwww) I hope you are feeling better soon . . . this has been a really long stretch for you . . . . Love, hugs, prayers, good wishes, and congrats (if they're in order!) . . . Love, Lynne

I think that, if each individual writes a concise, accurate letter to the editor that is void of any emotion, but letting him/her know that because of a stance they're taking that may adversely affect the health of celiacs you're cancelling your subscription and asking for a partial refund, it may get their attention. May.

I've been glutened by lipstick, by Cetaphil LOTION (the cleanser is gluten-free) simply because I've had them on my face. When you slather lotion on your face, there may be some that comes in contact with your lips. Obviously you get lipstick in your mouth . . . otherwise, we wouldn't have to keep re-applying! Soaps, shampoos . . . they may not get in through your SKIN, but what if you swallow them when you're in the shower, rinsing????

In my experience with regard to letter writing, or even with complaints on the phone, I have found that the less emotion you use, the better. It reminds me of dragnet . . . "just the facts, ma'am." When you present it in that way, typically you get better results. Have stories about that, but they're for another thread . . . .

That wedding post took FOREVER. I kept typing wrong -- the apraxia has kicked in big time -- and I was getting really frustrated at the end. You guys said DETAILS . . . so my answer is, CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!!!! Just kidding . . . it was great reliving the experiences. Didn't even care about what Ash was doing . . . except for the cake cutting, etc. and I would stop and ask her -- are you having fun -- remember, you're supposed to have fun here!!!, when she would start looking stressed. Otherwise, I was a wheelchair-dancin' fool!!!

As far as the day-planner . . . that was a life-altering experience. Seriously. I know that happened for a reason . . . nothing is random . . . and it was a truly beautiful experience. What more can I say???

Okay, haven't read all the posts (come on guys, I've been through a traumatic experience, here!), but I'm gathering that Mommagoose has a past love interest that wants to see her? Hmmm.... I have kept in touch with the first boy I ever kissed, my first boyfriend ever, and we still see each other once a year to have lunch. He has met my husband, I know his wife, and the reason we have lunch is to catch up on each other's lives. I dated him off and on until I married my first husband ( ) -- I always feel that when I say my first husband, it sounds as though I've been married 15 times -- only two. Anyway, we both do have a "love" that is there, but is so much different than when we were younger. We always laugh about the "what if", and say that we would have driven each other CRAZY!!

I still tell him that I think he's wonderful, and when we met for lunch after I got married, he said, "So tell me about the luckiest man on earth. Does he treat you well?" We will ALWAYS have that bond . . . we have too much history NOT to have it. But, we're adults, we know that we had NO BUSINESS spending our lives together, and we're really happy with our lives. It's just a nice addition to have him still there. We go to the Derby with him and his wife, my DH Dave thinks he's great --probably because he thinks Dave's wife is great, and thinks Dave treats her like a queen! (had to add the third person in there . . . made for a good finish!!)

I think sometimes you can separate that. If he's single and fishing, though . . . . I'd be careful . . . .

  Rachel--24 said:

Hi everyone!!!!!

I'm back in Rachelville!!! WOOHOO

My mom's computer had some technical difficulties the past couple days. I couldnt get online.

I had withdrawl and missed all my Rachelville buddies. I was coming home from work on my lunch break and it was soooo boring not being able to go to Rachelville. I actually took SHORT lunches for a change. The computer is still not fixed but at least I'm online.

Do you guys have ANY idea how hard it is to read 8 pages of posts when the only thing you can think about is "Please God, don't let anything have happened to Rachel"??????? I'm trying to read the posts, trying to be light-hearted, and at the same time, I can't breathe because my chest was so tight from worrying . . . I should have gone to the LAST posts first, so I could be relieved, then the earlier ones, and I could ENJOY them . . . now I have to read the entire 15 pages again. Sheesh.

Back to the "want to do something good . . . . " I am NOT turning this into a religious thread -- I know I would be pelted with goose poop from the geese in another town who actually poop. HOWEVER -- one day, when I was going to work (to the place that I HATED -- they were unethical, illegal, it was horrible), a man was in a purple mini-truck, and he pulled out onto a road in our neighborhood that is SO busy -- it's amazing that he could have gotten out on the road in rush-hour. I noticed something on top of his roof, and it slid off onto the road. I couldn't take it . . . it could have been something important, and it was going to get ruined. So I stop my car in the traffic, put on my flashers . . . everyone is honking, etc.!! I grab it -- it's his dayplanner. I drove a convertible, and I happened to have my top (of the car, people) down. I see him ahead of me, and I'm thinking, please God, make him have to stop at that stop light . . . and he did -- but it changed before I could get there . . . but then, he had to stop because the person in front of him was going to turn left -- and was having an AWFUL time with traffic!! I pull along side him, I'm honking my horn as much as I can, and I'm waving the dayplanner in the air. I point to him, wave it again, honk . . . he gets in front of me, points to this apartment complex to turn into the lot. I got out of the car with the planner and said, "this was on your roof and it fell off" -- without thinking, this man PICKS ME UP, SWINGS ME AROUND IN A CIRCLE, saying "God bless you. Oh, God bless you. This is my lifeline. I would have had to spend DAYS just to get this information back . . . if I could. Oh, may God bless you. You are an angel, I know. . ." I felt so GOOD that I could help him . . . I got back in my car and I said out loud, "Please God, give me something in my life that I can feel this GOOD every day . . . that I can help at least one person EVERY DAY that I could feel that I have done something good for someone . . . " It was not so long after that -that I got to open my clinic . . . and I can't tell you the number of people -- homeless people, abused kids, whatever, that I treated "pro-bono" because I knew that God let me have that clinic so that I could have that feeling . . . I'll find something else -- something will be given to me that I can have that feeling again. I know it will happen for those of you who want that, too. GOOOOOOD MORNING RACHELVILLE . . . . BOY HAVE I MISSED YOU GUYS!!!!!!! BRIDALVILLE IS OVER AND I'M BACK AND I'M STAYIN'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, guys, I think I have given y'all the wrong impression:

My goal was to walk down the aisle. NOT walk Ashley down the aisle. As you know, it has been quite the bone of contention between Ashley and me. She decided that her father ONLY is walking her down the aisle. She wasn't going to let me be at the alter to give her away, but decided last night that I could do that. She told me that I was going to light the Unity Candle and that was the most important part because it represented the family . . . . yeah, right. ALL mother's light the Unity Candle . . . I have yet to see a father escorted by a daughter walk up and light the Unity Candle.

I simply wanted to WALK down the aisle. My son was -- no IS -- going to escort me in. I even bought shoes (really pretty) with a heel -- not a tall, pointy heel, but a pretty heel -- to wear. If my son holds his arm out to help me stabilize, I can put both hands on his arm and walk pretty well. Okay, not pretty well, but I can walk without falling. AND, Dave is going to be behind us, so if I start to fall backward, he can just give me input on my back with his hand, which usually helps remind me to pull forward.

So -- yeah, I was going to BE there anyway -- I just wanted to WALK in. My family (I have a bajillion cousins and we're ALL pretty -- no very -- close) has been so sad and worried, and I wanted to show them that I am working so hard to beat this. It was a goal that I have worked toward for about four months or more . . . That's a LOT of practice! I practiced going up and down our hallway -- I used the walls for stability, or to catch myself if I thought I was going to fall. I was getting to where I didn't fall backwards NEAR as much as in the beginning . . . .

So, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear . . . I should have been a little more definitive in my explanation.

Thanks for all the help!!!

Love & Hugs,

Lynne

BTW: Thank you, Karen. Although you made me cry at the end. Wuv you, too, Lynne

Chelsea -- YAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you . . . follow your dreams, follow your heart!!!!!!! Love & Hugs, Lynne

Chelsea -- I HAVE a razor scooter!!!!! My nephews don't understand why I don't ride it with them anymore!! My nephew, Trey still laughs at me because I got "busted" at Toys R Us trying out the scooters with him!! Then, to show Dave how fun they are, I got "busted" again at Target . . . Now, if I tried one, the only thing that would get "busted" is my a**!!!!! Also, your wedding was like the annual convention of the orthopedically challenged!!!!!

Broncobux: I like the idea of that sippy-cup thing!!! That could work . . . you know, they have those things that hang onto the arm bar of your wheelchair that pivot so that your drink doesn't spill . . . may have to invest!!!!!

Susie -- Cleopatra-esque . . . Hmmmm . . . . Think I could pull something like that off? I'm pretty plain . . . Although a lot of hunky men carrying me in wouldn't be the worst thing that ever happened to me!!!

Carla -- Ash has already had the wedding dress thing happen . . . her future sister in law, who has the attitude of a cobra with PMS -- refused to try on her dress . . until two days ago -- and can't get it zipped past her mid-back, if that. Ashley was going to get her a wrap, so that she can just keep it covered all day, but then realized that it wouldn't work . . . so then, Ash had to go to Bridal shops and find her another one. . . and did, thank goodness.

Thanks for making me laugh guys . . . spent a portion of the day crying -- as you can imagine, and another portion just bellyaching!!!!!

If I have to "commando crawl" down that aisle, I'm goin down it -- if I have a long-leg cast, I'll just drag that leg behind me!!!!!

Oh, and here's the rub I didn't mention . . . the aisle at the church???? too narrow for my wheelchair . . . .

I am telling you what . . . sometimes I think I have a dark cloud over my Medical conditions!

I am so bummed . . . for those of you who don't know, I had another bad fall last week in my back yard. This one sent me to the ER. I knew something was wrong. I never cry when I fall, because I have this weird "don't feel pain the right way" thing. I INSTANTLY knew something was wrong, and it HURT. I was lying on the ground crying . . . my dad had brought me home from PT for my gargantuan ankles . . . luckily he was still here. He brought me into the house, and I convinced him that I was O.K. so he could go back to work. Then, called my mom, it was really bad, and started swelling before I could roll over in the grass.

The X-rays in the ER were negative, so they basically sent me home with pain pills and said, "good luck." Which was appropriate, under the circumstances. I have had a really tough time putting weight on my leg (for my friends who are going to lecture me . . . I know, I know . . . I'm not even supposed to walk -- whatever) Anyway, it has been kind of painful. Also, when my leg gets jostled . . . putting my foot on the floor in the morning off the bed, if we're in the car and hit a bump . . things like that. So, I call the ortho doctor because the ER doc said if it's not better in a week, call your doctor.

My doc is out of town, so they asked one of the others about when I should come in . . . this was yesterday afternoon, and he said 8:30 this morning. THAT should have sent red flags. I wake up this morning, and this LITTLE scratch that I've had for awhile, I think (don't THINK it was from the fall . . . ), because I remember telling the PT that it won't heal, has a silver-dollar sized raised red bump, is hot and is kind of hard . . . of course, I'm knowing in the back of my head what it is, but thinking it will go away before the doctor's visit!

So, the doctor wants to do a bone scan on me to see WHAT fractures in my body are still active . . . and tells me to be NON WEIGHT BEARING until he gets the results . . . he thinks I may have a stress fracture in my right shin. He tells me that I should do transfers from my wheelchair only and no walking at all. I grabbed his hands and said, "You don't understand. My daughter is getting married Saturday and I am walking down the aisle. I have practiced." I must have sounded like a little kid . . . talking to a doctor who looks to be my son's age!! He said, "Well, I guess we need to come up with plan B" . . . so I'm having an MRI tomorrow on my leg. Here's the rub . . . if it's just soft tissue injury -- no problem, go on with things as planned. If it's a stress fracture, depending upon the severity, I will have to have either a) a boot b- a short-leg cast or c) a long-leg cast. I told him I jinxed myself. I said in rachelville, "Keep your fingers crossed that I don't have to have a long-leg cast." Man . . .

Then I told him about the scratch, and that he may not even want to look at it, I may need to go to my primary care doctor, but he says, "No, let me take a look . . . " Well, I have cellulitis in my left ankle. He put me on Keflex and told me that if it isn't better in three days we will need to explore "other options" . . .

I go to my PT session -- had the wrong time, but she saw me anyway because she is the BEST, and lo and behold, which I knew, she can't remove all this humongous fluid from my legs because of the infection. If you do the technique to clear the fluid back into the lymph system, you risk sending the infection throughout your entire body. SOOOOOO . . . .. . my autonomic nervous system isn't working for the past two days . . . I haven't been sweating at all, my heart rate is low, my blood pressure is low . . . so I have all this fluid building up in my body that isn't getting out. My legs are huge, I may have a stress fracture, I have this growing in size red lump on my ankle and I can't weight bear on my right leg. Can't use crutches, because I don't have the coordination to make them work!!! Have to walk on the leg to at least go to the bathroom. Got really ugly old lady support (actually medical compression pre-fab hose) to wear to TRY not to have cankles at the wedding, but may not be able to wear even those if I have a compression fracture. Oh, I forgot to tell him, too . . . I have phlebitis in the leg that may have the fracture . . . oops.

I would really like for this continuum of medical disasters to end . . . I am getting very grouchy!!!