Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Voicelessness and Emotional Survival => Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board => Topic started by: Izzy_*now* on March 09, 2011, 08:47:14 PM
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I have dental problems from the tremors and gnashing of teeth, involuntary of course (although there are times I would GNASH them now at the dentists I am dealing with.)
The neurological injury to my upper back has not been addressed properly, yet………..the one when the Dr. sent me to the Neurologist and the Neurologist wrote back that it appeared to him that I was “making it up”.
Time goes by in getting referrals to specialists…4 months between those two….then I asked my doctor to refer me to a physiatrist and he said I was over-doctoring……so my lawyer stepped in to get my an appointment.
Meanwhile time is passing and now my jaw and teeth are out of alignment, by small amounts but enough that *I* know it and my tongue senses it and since last June it has “worried” at small glitches of crowding teeth, and wider gaps elsewhere, to death and developed 2 calluses (on my tongue) plus have but one place to chew, comfortably, and often bite my tongue, while sometimes my upper fronts land BEHIND my lower teeth. Is anybody listening to me?
I have stuffed and smoothed things with dental wax while getting appointments, and with my own dentist….he did the cleaning,, the x-rays etc all first and then could not seem to understand what my problem was, as he had no impressions of my teeth. 4 visits $417.60
Nevertheless, I went to a Cosmetic dentist with this problem, hoping he could make teeth guards, or something, (while I was awaiting the physiatrist appointment, finally have one now for NOVEMER 23--if I said it was Urgent, it would cost $8.000.00...wait my turn and it’s just $325.00.) and after telling my whole history, I ended up with x-rays and a cleaning, 1 visit $319.80
I have written to my own dentist as he is not one to phone--- from experience right after the accident--requires a letter--so it is written just now.
I did call the cosmetic dentist, as he and his harem (seemed like a cult to me) went about doing his or her own thing without addressing the “problem”, just discussing whatever lingo over my head to each other, as though I had never been to a dentist in my life. Did x-rays, did cleaning, and made 2 more appointments for ”junk” not related to what is bothering me. I finally called today and the 1st girl said the 2nd girl would call back-- just have their own little niche. (Still awaiting the call and she is one that saw me in a state of the shakes with my teeth clashing..)
I was out of orthodontic wax, as was the drug store and the only way to get to sleep was to stuff dental floss in the gaps and crowded areas….so that when my tongue hit string, it moved on and finally gave up. ---string wound in and out and between and all across the bottom to let my tongue rest, with the ends hasnging out so I didn't swallow them-- then pasted in gum since. ..have used 6 containers of wax…so comfortable I forget it is there and end up eating a meal and my wax as well OMG!
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If I don’t have something done, my teeth and tongue will drive me crazy. I’d have something done, as they would do, as final, but I am still gnashing and could ruin new work. What I want is a guard for the backs of my teeth, upper and lower, to get me through until I see the Physiatrist and either he settles the nerve problem, or all this will be gone…9 more months. Gnashing is slowing down to a clattering but there are still misalignments in my teeth and jaw.
Do I make sense? Why can none of them step ‘outside his/her personal box/job” and understand me? Am I talking Swahili or Piglatin?
I asked the cosmetic place…if I came in with a tooth just hanging from being slugged would I still have to go through the x-rays and a cleaning before the “injury” was addressed , and she said “Yes!”
I weep for these poor souls who have no brains!
I hope that group doesn't include me!
Love
Izzy
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Dearest Iz,
I read your post and I listened! We say it so often to one another here - but I AM so sorry for the multitude of problems your teeth are causing. You're amazing!
I can't do much more than say that and make a suggestion or two. I'd lose the phone number of that cosmetic crowd. I think if there is such a thing, you should see a medical doctor who is also a dentist or vice versa. Your symptoms sound extraordinarily complex. The last thing you need is a dentist untrained in what you're experiencing and one who might create more problems.
In the meantime, I hope things lighten up for you and that you get that mouth guard. They aren't like ones made specifically for your mouth, but the pharmacy has a couple of versions of mouth guards that might get you through until you get through to the dentist/doctor.
Love you,
tt
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I hope you will cut and paste from this exact post, Izz...
...just in case the straightforward way you describe it here is different from the way you try to write a letter to a doctor/dentist.
Because it's CLEAR.
You got brains.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
just
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I hate what you are going through.
Hops
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Poor Iz...
why is it the medical folk aren't trained to THINK for themselves? to hear what it is you're saying and put 2 & 2 together and keep LOOKING? They learn one set of diagnosis parameters... and well, that's all it could be.
Unrelieved anxiety can cause that tooth grinding you're talking about. I suffered through this for years; one of my Ds also. They know this, too - and I'll bet that's exactly what they're thinking in your case. Un-PC speak: they think it's all in your head... RIGHT... dorks.
Look, I know you've got some time to research. See what you can find online about chi gong, and different exercises. You'll want to find exercises that get chi flowing from your toes to the top of your head. You may/may not be able to find ways to do the simple (and maybe easier than physical therapy) exercises on the lower half of your body... I'm thinking you and your dedicated therapist will figure out a way.
I mention this because it works on calming and balancing the nervous system - which you have said is really the root of all the other problems, and which I tend to think you're right about. Chi gong and tai chi are often part of chronic pain relief and management, too. The most powerful "exercises" are the various forms of "standing meditation", which maybe you can do with help. All you do is place your feet shoulder width apart and stand - sometimes there are added in positions for the arms but you can simply let your arms relax and just stand. Start with really short time frames - 1 minute, then 2... if you can get to 5 minutes, you're really good at this! (Better than a lot of people). There are lots of exercises you can do sitting, too that will loosen up your shoulders and back - and also "connect" those nerves again to muscles and bones via the brain in normal, natural ways. Even with that missing hip joint, I'll bet!
I think that for nerve issues - especially ones that seem to be multiplying like yours are - doing some (any kind and amount) of these kind of "internal energy massage" exercises that are designed to massage nerve endings... might be just the ticket for you. It should feel good - not strenuous at all - no weird positions like yoga... just simple little movements.
my teacher worked with lots of folks who had "extra challenges" physically... and they were very enthusiastic about the benefits. I remember watching a blind man doing chi gong... and then going on to work through the solo tai chi form. One has to wonder how different it was for him, without the visual cues and references - new students invariably watch more advanced students to know where they are in the 103 position sequence! That's one way they learn; I guess he had to feel everything from within himself. His balance was way better than mine!
Anyway - this might give you something that will WORK at least a little bit (I hope so anyway) until you finally get to November. Hang in there!
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YA! 3:00 in the AM
thanks tt. I will check out the pharmacy.
So a chat with another one of the girls from the cosmetic dentist's led me nowhere. She admitted she understood what I was saying, and needing, but mouthguards are all one piece and are for nighttime. Gimmee a break! I could scream. There is more than one way to skin a cat. I told her that back in the '50s when I was having orthodontic work, I had a band run behind my lower teeth, anchored at both ends. Now that would do nicely, but she didn't agree, likely based on the fact that she doesn't know.
Zosia is her name and she is going to speak to the dentist about it, then call me. I am going to print my letter to the other Dentist and see what happens....a combination of the above and another I had written first. A copy of same will go to my lawyer.
Meanwhile I woke up to go to the bathroom, back to bed and the wheels were turning. I was just lying there with my hands loosely on my chest and my nose began to jump up and down, and my teeth clattered. What brought that on???? I knew I had just done something, but what? Then I remembered. My first two fingers on each hand were loosely linked and I had pressed, not heavily, on right "tommy tall" finger with a left finger. Things "took off". Then I pressed on my right index finger with a left finger and everything stopped. I tried again and it works every time, as long as the right fingers are loosely bent. (I played for a bit then got up!)
Weird!! Just weird enough that people might not believe it. Especially doctors who have never heard of/saw this before, eh?
Then I switched and lightly pressed my left fingers and it works and stops the very same way.
Well PR, there you are, swingin on a star, swiggin' from a jar....
Now that sounds VERY interesting and my therapist is good. I will check this out, mark some spots, arrive at a conclusion, clue her in and we will work together. She teaches yoga now. My paying her for these last 8 months gave her the fee to join, learn the spiel and she is really good at that too.
I know what you mean about the medical profession, or many other areas. Just because one is on an assembly line and installs the ashtray into a car, doesn't mean he can build a whole car.
thanks gals
Love
Izzy
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I do not think I can put enough emphasis on the fact that your doctors have chosen to deny and minimize your symptoms problems bc they don't know how to fix you.
They pretty much suck, and you have to be a liar in order for them to feel good about dismissing you, empty handed.
What lovely, overwhelmed men they must be in their personal lives.
I don't know how you've remained so calm throughout this ordeal, Izzy. I would have been crawling up on desks, asking for supervisors, probably being escorted out by incompetent security gaurds.
This debacle.....
This travesty, as you know the guy who hit you has insurance and insurance companies have deep pockets and those pockets are meant to pay claims for people
just
like
you.
It's wrong, and once again I find myself fearing for everyone who works in insurance.....
even the people who clean the offices.
Izzy, excuse the rant please, I know it doesn't help. I know there are channels you must travel, years that must pass, and little you can do to get the help you need, but jeez... it's just so unfair.
Lighter
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The fact that you can start/stop some of the strange tremors with your fingers... is a HUGE clue, Izzy. Does it still work when you're sitting up?
What happens, if you put your hands on your knees and lightly rub them in circles - go outside first, then inside? Does it just feel good and little warmer? Or does something else start to twitch? What twitches?
What happens if you massage with some pressure (firm, but not hard) with your thumb on the opposite arm, just below the elbow (just a little toward the inside)? This is an acupressure point. There's another one in the web of skin/muscle between your thumb and index finger.
More research topics - sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system... and mind-body connection. I don't know if you caught my "momentary immersion into neuroscience" phase... but because of MIL's strokes and my own brain issues and how I was affected by trauma and the FOO... I dove into trying to learn more about how our brains really process physical and emotional sensations... trying to see if I could see and feel, how it's all connected. Well - it's really hard to look at those basic functions of ourselves. I mean I can imagine blood flowing through my veins... but really be aware of it? I'd be kidding myself. But maybe there is actually some benefit to that, too.
So where I'm going with this... the two nervous systems are part of that basic physical management that the brain does like making arteries contract to push blood around the body. I'm not sure now which is which... but I think the sympathetic nervous system sends "active" messages to the brain and the para-sympathetic sends "relax - calm" messages to the brain... and the brain can also reverse this communication, say in a meditation state... or in chi gong/tai chi movements.
Something else - another clue - I remember they gave you some strong drugs after the accident; morphine maybe? And I'm sure with the multiple surgeries they also knocked you out with anasthesia, right? MIL absolutely flatly refused to ever be "knocked out" again, after having an injection in her vocal cords, to enable her voice to work right. She said it "messed up her brain"... how it worked... in ways that she couldn't put right just by waking up. Little by litte, I managed to figure out she meant it messed up how her brain integrated with her body and managed some physical movement. I wonder... and realize I'm just completely speculating here... I wonder if while waking up from the surgery they also gave you really strong pain meds, sort of overlapping... I wonder if that didn't just "scramble" some of your neuro-wiring - the connections from the nervous systems... you were (maybe still are?) on pretty strong pain meds? This kind of scramble can be put right again... and what you & Karla have done lately - the amount of progress and relief you've gotten leads me to believe you two might be able to figure out the twitching, too.
You know how they've "discovered" that each person is so genetically unique that they've begun working on customizing drugs specifically for one's DNA? That's a good thing, in the long run, I think. But when it comes to the brain - and any drug that affects the brain - including pain meds... I don't think there's enough collaborative research going on between the neuro guys... and the other docs... for these experts and geniuses to understand that it's a 100% guarantee that each person's brain is going to react differently and that drugs, dosages, etc simply can't be "one size fits all". Not without severe consequences (of the unintended and unknown type) for some individuals. And then there are weirdos like me - who can react the complete opposite from the effect a drug has on "most" people - sometimes; not all the time... and even with the same drug.
Anyway - I'm back to working on these mind-body connections again. For a completely different reason... but I'm sure to run across some info that might help in your situation, so I'll send you links or whatever. If you do get around to looking up some of this stuff, please share back with me! There's just way too much info for one person to find, collect, collate and make sense of these days.
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thanks lighter,
I need your rant so I can keep sounding sane. I believe you, as I said in my post. not only is the school system at an early age not as good as before (dumbing down the young kids) the professionals are missing something as well.
I try to stay calm so that I am not yelling and can therefore just be dismissed on that basis. Being alone also helps me stay calmer, as there is no one round to b*itch to! Karla hears the details in a calm voice, to see if she has another option for me.
and PR
Yes also when i am sitting up. This new stuff with my arms is not so new, i am thinking. I know I said these things before, but as reminders, I went into the tremors right on the roadside, after being knocked over. (I thought it was the 'death dance'....one final display before passing on.)
I was on morphine and out for 2 days before surgery. That is what gave me the hallucinatory dreams, and with eyes open when sleeping I saw the personnel quietly walking around whispering, made up my own dialogue, and it was all about someone trying to kill me. I can still relate the content of those dreams 2 years later and by tomorrow will have forgotten last night's main attraction. I confused days and nights and escaped the hospital, in real life, believing that was the only way to save my life. I was on codeine by this time, as well.
When the Insurance Co. offered a trapeze for my bed at home, I said, "No"...thinking i didn't want my bedroom looking like a hospital room, but sitting up was difficult with trying to not move my leg, so I gave in when she said it would ease the pain. I've mentoined that using that trapeze one arm at a time, out of bed and back in, i was pullin on the upper back, tips of the Rods installed in 1969, then 'pop' pain. I stopped using the trapeze but the pain never stopped, pain and or just pressure lying on my back now set the tremors going agin and they have never stopped. ...mainly in my face, cheeks, nose, lips and teeth......late on came the shoulder shakes....but the also came when I attempted to move my injured leg...still do. Try to lift my left leg off the footrest and my my nose quivers and teeth clack. My incision is still itchy and tender.
So that was all taking place by June 2009.
With last night's discovery, there is more, as you suggested, I can touch any part of my clavicle to shoulder and down my arm to elbow (stopped there a few weeks back) and now on down to my fingertips, and yes, the web in between my thumb and forefinger. Any part above the Rod tips about mid shoulder blades and up is affected. Now just circling my thumb and forefinger sets up milder teeth jumping (up and down...no grinding) and makes me think of an electrical connection. (Nothing with my knees.) The only part 'not affected' is touching the right side of my head.
Since the drugs, I have had difficulty remembering certain words I want to use. I just draw a blank, and it bugs the hell out of me that someone will try to insert the word I want and are taking the wrong route. (Karla lets me explain in a paragraph and then tells me the word, or it might come to me 2 days later.) I expect also that the left side of my head hit the pavement, as the left arm of my glasses was bent. I 'blacked out' before I was toppled, i.e. the last I remember is trying to shove the car back up its driveway, then black, and came to in pain
I suppose we have to consider which details really matter for clues.
Oh boy, sleepy again
tt
I feel my brain "flowing back and forth", and my eyes become droopy and if I type much longer I wil be asleep sitting up-- so I head to bed for a nap.
thanks all
xx
izzy
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Izzy,
What innovative things you come up with to tell your brain what to do with your body. You would make a great 'out of the box' researcher.
I'm still trying to figure a way you can get a mouth guard to get some relief. Would it make sense to call a sporting goods store. They must stock a version or two, since some sports require them. Just a thought...
Love,
tt
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Hi, Izzy.
Here's a practical solution. I did this myself when my [expletive] doctors and [expletive] dentists did nothing for my TMJ. It should cost you less than 5 bucks.
At most sporting goods stores, you can pick up mouthgaurds that you can mold to your own teeth. They're for athletes. You just dip the mouthgaurd in hot water, wait a few seconds, put it in your mouth and bite down for a few seconds to mold it. Then you put the guard in cold water to set it. Viola! A custom-made mouthguard.
It may not be a solution to what's causing the real problem, but it might give you some relief. And if it doesn't, you're only out a few dollars.
Wishing you well,
Lollie
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Hi Izzy,
I've been reading your posts here and I can't believe the plethora of problems you are having and the frustration that encircles your quest to get relief. I hope you are able to find that mouth guard thingy and I hope you can catch a break with these medical "geniuses." I have always had faith in the medical community but oftentimes I hear about conditions that doctors can't figure out and they're like "hm, oh well....we don't know what it is" and then they move on. Frustrating to no end.
How are you today? Did you get any answers? I'll be interested in what that specialist says about all this but in the meantime, I hope you can sleep. The finger thing is so amazing! I can't believe you can do that, that is huge like Phoenix said.
I also hate what you are dealing with.
hugs.
Bear
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Hi Lollie
Thank you.
You gals who think out of the box, while I was stranded in mire of only doctors and dentists. We'll beat them yet!!!
Hearing from all sides paints another picture and if I can heal my tongue even if the clattering is still present in some way then that's a battle won, then on to the next, etc until I've won the war.
As stated before the majority of the more violent gnashing came with the unbearable pain but over 2 years has lightened up now, but still is there leaving a trail of broken dreams gappy teeth behind to be fixed when I have the clattring stopped.
Such great input!
xx
Izzy
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hi bear
Did I get any sleep? hahaha-- been in and out of bed all day catching up and never got out to store or post box.. I have spells of that. Will do better tomorrow unless I am up all night now!
Yes! Who could believe a broken leg would lead to all this. but it was negligence on the part of the driver's Insurance Co. from the get-go---just a broken leg.... so was minimized and all has been minimized since.
Yes! The finger thingy....it is like opening and closing an electrical circuit., flipping a switch-- just circling thumb and forefinger on either/both hand and the clatter starts....open the circle and the clattering stops. This was just a new discovery simplifying what happened last night. (Maybe I should see an electrician as opposed to a doctor/dentist.)
Btw, I meant to mention about my chat with Zosia at cosmetic dentist. She thought a physiatrist was psychatrist until I explained and so Ï suppose some people are saying "Oh well others think she is nuts, too!". Doctors of Physical Medicine, (physiatrists), are usually involved after a spinal cord injury, a stroke, etc, and I had one in rehab 42 years ago, but so far I have not had an okay from anyone, that a nerve in my spine was damaged in/after this accident....from landing/from the trapeze pulling. THAT is the crux of all this.
Onward and upward.
xx
Izzy
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Izzy!!
"ELECTRICIAN" LOL!
I love it!!!!!
Bear.
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Iz, I think your physiatrist (hope I spelled that right) is the key for you. You'd think that if the other docs couldn't definitively answer the question of what's going on... they'd have recommended an expedited appointment for you. And yes - nerve things ARE kinda electrical. I have some minor things like this related to a spinal disk issue.
Thanks for adding in some of the other details about the drugs, and how you're able to generate and stop the twitching, gnashing effects and especially that you remember blacking out just before you were hit by the car....
... I'm gonna let this germinate a bit before I suggest any other ideas. But one easy thing to try - I'm not going to say harmless, because I'm not sure about that - might be accupuncture treatment. Maybe Karla knows more about this than I do. But at this point, I think you've described enough for me to suspect - only suspect - that perhaps you experienced a form of fear-generated dissociation (you've mentioned other things like this prior to the accident), a possible concussion or other brain-injury, and I know from my own experience that drugs only complicate recovery from those things... but you CAN recover. Have you seen a neuro doc, at any point in the process? (or has my silly brain forgotten that you already told me you had?)
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hi PR
I appreciate yout interest in this tricky situation.
I had physiatrists before for my spinal injury in 1969, so knew that is what I wanted. I asked my GP for a referral. He sent me to a Neurologist, who just took notes as I explained what had happened and was happening. He never touched me except to test my arm strength. I received a requested copy of his report 2 weeks later, and knew my GP had one, only to learn he (neurologist) thought I was lying.
I went back to my GP, asked for a referral to a Physiatrist and he said I was over-doctoring: that no one would ever be able to diagnose what was happening to me. I asked for that in writing, and we had words when I used the word 'incompentency' when mentioning my adventures (all of them) to date.
I then notified my lawyer, with a scan of the Drs note and he, my lawyer, arranged for an appointment, which is not a referral, so cost$. That is the one for Nov 23/11. Previous was just time wasted, as I waited 4 months between GP and Neurologist.
I have though of alternative sources, but want to go all the medical routes first, AND I always ask my lawyer what is permissible.
I realized when I 'teased' about electrical that there was that in our bodies, so checked it out but it's over my head, but is about the nerves.
I have no doubt something weird happened when i blacked out before i hit the ground-- Like "Oh no not me and a car again help!" (FEAR sets in and I block this out--almost a lifelong thing with some details "out of reach" )
You must realize how good it is to hear your thoughts after what I have encountered, knowing I am not lying, and your offer to think on this.
Last night i awakened with my nose jumping up and down but left it alone in case i never got back to sleep....it's like sniffing with both nostrils rising and lowering but it keeps going--up and down and up and down--"Bewitched".... or a bunny rabbit? Imagine doing that at the check-out counter!
xx
Izzy
EDIT--it is the slight pain in my thigh that sets off my nose---yes, true--so there was no need to invesigate, but this can happen sitting up when i might want to shift that leg.
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Ah Iz... I wish....
that I hadn't been told to stop playing with my chemisty set... that I ust made a mess... (Liked making solids from liquids - magic!)
that I hadn't been told I was bad at math, but that's OK since I was "just a girl"... (it's not true anyway)
or that I hadn't been told it was too tough for girls to get jobs in science or medicine, unless I wanted to be a nurse. (Funny how I've worked in traditionally male job fields a lot of my life...)
I absolutely adore challenges and was one of those kids who'd knock herself out and SUCCEED if someone told me I couldn't do something. It woulda been nice, if anyone noticed other than me... but HEY, none of that BS is in my way now.
And hey - you're welcome too! :lol:
I just had the weirdest, most wacky-mous idea that doesn't seem to have any rational reason behind it ... so if you don't wanna try this, you won't hurt my feelings! But I wonder if you found a way to "swaddle" yourself, if that kind of light compression or overall, consistent "touch"... if that wouldn't calm down some of the nerve issues and over time, "reset" the nerve programming? I'm thinking of maybe cotton knit leggings and a tight fitting long sleeve cotton t-shirt? It wouldn't restrict your necessary moving... but would provide that constant touch on the skin... which has the most nerves of any other place on your body.
Back in my "black hole" days, recovering from all that trauma, I used to wrap myself in a cocoon with a very, very heavy old quilt because the weight of it seemed to provide some elemental "comfort"...
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hi PR
Thanks for that idea, as it does make sense, in its own way and, in a bit, reminds me how pleasurabe it is to be tired go to bed, curl up in the fetal position, warmly covered and drift off to sleep, peacefully, with no rude awakenings. The fetal position came to me with my first accident 42 years ago, and I am not the only one. I have talked to others. (I've also read that adults doing that signifies a 'death wish'.)
But both are connectd to babyhood!
I have been testing many things in 2 years, food/liquid intake/output, when, how much. My journal is filled with all these details of pain, twitching, gnashing, (k)gnocking, outrageous dreams, medications/take/failure to take, incompetent treatment, therapy progression, re-learning the car, the tub, shopping, laundry, cleaning, cooking, dressing ...differences 'before' and 'after'. How I thought, for days and days, about a new way to make my bed from scratch.
Since I have been inventing things, why not try someone else's idea?
(switch "cotton knit leggings and a tight fitting long sleeve cotton t-shirt" for soft, close-fitting long-johns with a trap-door <tee-hee>)
thanks
xx
Izzy
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LOL! Yeah, long johns were there in the original inspiration! But you don't see them much these days - maybe you do in Canada. We get a couple of catalogs (my hubs is a great "purchasing agent" and total shopaholic) - and the ones for lumberjacks, or hunting in the north woods still have them.
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Morning, Miz ((((((((((Izz))))))))))),
Thinking of you this morning and hoping you have a peaceful, non-clattery day...and that if early spring is showing up where you are, it will hurry up for you.
I was just thinking about nerve issues, and wonder if you've thought about visiting the best-reputed acupuncturist in your area? There's something amazing about that science. Do you remember it began in this country because a doctor sent to China by the Nixon administration had an emergency appendectomy there, with no anesthesia other than the acupuncture? And felt no pain.
I think it should actually be called acu-poreture. Because "puncture" is far too intense a word for it. The needles are more like cilia...so very thin they kind of slip inside the pores. Anyway, I did it some years back and found it not painful, just a weird sensation. A little brisk at moments.
I was just thinking how much they know about the nervous system and pathways of pain. Perhaps a good acupuncturist would be able to calm this connection.
When/if you're ready to explore that.
love,
Hops
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Hops, the acupuncture idea is good.... also a competent neuromuscular T might help.
lighter
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And western medicine now officially recognizes (and therefore some insurance companies too) acupuncture as an effective "complimentary" treatment for some things - so there's a good chance it might for you, Iz.
You might even find your new doc will refer you for this kind of treatment.
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(from my Reply 15) I have though(t) of alternative sources, but want to go all the medical routes first, AND I always ask my lawyer what is permissible. (I just emailed him last night.)
So what I did in the meantime, ladies, is that I have been taking 1 more neurological pain pill at evening time =100mg morning noon night all along =300 mg and now 400 mg. The 'cap' is 1800 mg, and all I can say if I have that much to play around with I would be in a coma. I awakened yesterday at 4:16 PM with Karla due at 4:30 for therapy. I ran to the bathroom, came back for underwear and shorts, brushed my hair and clipped it back, made the bed for my level surface and she buzzed up!
We discussed this for ½ hr. while I woke up with a coffee, then did the therapy. All the tremors and tics had been gone since I started this, this past Saturday. Now I expect my lawyer to reply as to whether or not we still need an actual diagnosis, from a physiatrist, or what, because officially, as much as that has bothered me, loosened my teeth etc., it is still on the records as something I 'made up'.
I can now roll over on my tummy without a stabbing pain between my shoulder blades, but if it means 12 hrs/24 sleeping, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm !!
More adjustments to make!
Our health care covers the first 10 visits for a small fee and then full charge for the rest of the calendar year, then repeat the next year, etc.
Still hanging in and appreciating all ideas.
xx
izzy
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The tremors and gnashing still gone, but pain is there between shoulder blades (with the wrong moves just one 'stab',) and in my leg but only sharper at....ahem...times of pressure on the groin from a full bowel passing through. Those are the pains that would gnash my teeth, bunny my nose and make me sneer like Dick Cheney, at first, then worsened to daily everything flying around, and although they lessened, i still wanted an answer. Now they are gone and I still do.
I asked my lawyer, noting that my doctor had said I was "over-doctoring" and he said to go ahead anyway without the Dr.'s endorsement and that it wouldn't hurt my claim.
I am thinking that the more I do help myself the better it is for my claim.
I read of one guy who hurt his claim by just sitting around gaining weight and in not looking after himself and trying to do the best he could, he neglected himself, and his claim was less than expected under the other circumstances.
I can be cantankerous when tired, and I haven't slept since 12 noon yesterday. It is 1:45 pm now so that seems to be the 12 hour schedule for now, as I am going in to lie down. Karla was here for therapy at 9:00 then I went to the Library, wine store, mailed letters, to the bank, the drug store then $91.00 of groceries and back by 12:30. All is put away and expenses sorted etc, but I just know that I will fall asleep and there goes the rest of the day, but at least I accomplished a lot in a couple of hours, although ready to cry but couldn't--just soooooooo tired.
The acupuncturist I know is one for whom I built his website.....
Well it's 2:00 and just 10 hours until midnight.
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Hour and a half to go to midnight, Izz....hoping you have a peaceful night, deep sleep, no pain if that is possible.
I feel very hopeful, about you knowing an acupuncturist.
Very.
Hope is the thing with feathers...
love,
Hops
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Karla and I went out to celebrate my 4 months today, and went to my Grateful Fed restaurant. The owner has been away since the snow disappeared and when I came in the door he started to yell at me about "How many times are you going to keep coming back after I've had to throw you out twice?"...something about a wheelchair, so I knew it was me, but couldn't see who was yelling, just coming in out of the sunlight, but knew I was OK, as I hadn't been thrown out of anywhere. The other patrons were staring, not at me, but at HIM! and then he came to our table and we laughed about it.
Everybody went back to their own business and I realized I have learned something, ...to trust myself and what I know about me and not take anyody else's word (which I would do in spite of myself, before). This guy doesn't know me well but just well enough, I learned today, that I can take a joke.
Whew! The more I live the more I learn, and talking about learning....I can learn from Karla, being that she is a generation younger than I. That's that saying that we can always learn from others, and others can learn from us.
So this is one week now that all tremors and tics, shaking and clacking have stopped and now I have to rethink what is next.....while always being at the ready for other changes. My "pain journal" is close to 90 pages long!
Nap time
xx
Izzy
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Musta been some other real wild-hair-in-a-chair in there one night, huh, Izz.
That's funny! Neat that you were taken aback but not offended.
(I'm still not entirely clear whether he was being, the way some do -- sort of exaggeratedly fake-UNfriendly because he was really wanting to jokingly welcome you -- or whether you're saying he really DID have to bounce a misbehavin' chair-wearin' patron prior to you?) Not that it matters.
Such a happy thing to hear you enjoying an excursion to the Grateful Fed. (Great bar name, btw...)
And this is just extraordinary news:
week now that all tremors and tics, shaking and clacking have stopped
Made my day! :P
love,
Hops
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hi Hops,
Yes, I didn't make it clear. We 'know' each other, and he was teasing me; all the patrons just seem to turn out to be nice.
Yesterday I slightly bumped the chair behind me at that table, as I was slipping into my jacket. I said "I'm sorry. Please feel free to slap me if I ever do that again" and we both laughed. Total strangers.
Another guy who works there came to our table to welcome us---he and I have chatted-- plus they all might have recognized Karla too, as I told her about the place and that is where she took her sister when she came to town for the weekend. As happens, there is always a chair removed for me and sometimes, as happened yesterday, the gal was looking for a place to put it, all 3 got into it, and laughter ensued as it ended up being moved 3 times. Meanwhile I had easy access to our table. somtimes I drop in for a glass of wine--sometimes for take home food---sometimes eat there--- it has an outdoor patio and is where I've taken any friends who come to town and we meet for lunch.
"Don't speak too soon!" is an expression I often follow, because then the opposite happens. I mentioned all my tics, tremors etc. that I've had for almost 2 years, and how annoying and that I have to wait yet another 9 months for a Dr. and 'Hidy-Ho Bob's yer uncle' they all disappear before a week has gone by! Are they suddenly healed? or making a liar out of me-- Just monitoring now, but slee...No, Don't Say That, Iz, You Almost Fool!
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I think you're ornery, Iz, and the restaurant owner responded to it, with the "HOW many times I gotta throw you outa'here?"
But you already know that; )
I wish you didn't have to figure so much out on your own, with regard to your healing and symptoms, etc.
If I were speaking to those docs, and they said they didn't believe me, I'd remind them that they let me sit in agony, while my bone was grinding against steel and bone, and they did nothing for a very long time. It seems their failures are always in your head, until it's impossible for them to blame and dismiss you.
Glad to hear the tics are better.
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Hey lighter
You do know/understand that the restaurant owner and I were kidding, right?
Edit--Mar 22-- Whatever, what he said and I did was all in fun---- are you saying 'ornery' as a fact or just in fun
Please answer me, as I am not upset. Are you?
Love
izzy
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Izzy, I knew you two were kidding.
I think you kid a lot, and you bring that out in others; )
Light
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thanks lighter,
In a way you are right in calling me ornery because I just remembered a time that I was full out ornery when I was 14 years old. Long time ago. I also have some ornery thoughts but that is because someone else was ornery first, but I try to stay calm and act more mature.
example... My sister with the cancer had her 6th and final chemo on Mar 1 and for all her other treatments she emailed her 4 siblings the same thing, One down and 5 to go, all along to 6 down and 0 to go, on the same or following day, but this last was sent about 4 dates later and was "too gay", so I knew she wasn't well. I waited and waited--already had 2 emails out to her and wasn't going to bug her anymore, yet I knew she wasn't likely well, so finally yesterday another one liner that she hadn't been well but her hair was beginning to grow back.
Being "ornery" I said to myself--let HER wait almost a month to hear, when she is so concerned about me.... but I won't. Just childishness from the past. Oh how old habits pop up!
xx
Iz
===
to those who suggested the mouthguard....I had my battery boosted yesterday and went out to FOUR stores, two each at two different Malls, one being a sporting goods store for the mouthguard. I will do it today. I hope IT isn't ornery.
I left the car locked and running and it was 2 hours before I was home so it is well charged and I must take it out about twice a week now that the weather is better. The more the better and smoother and less painful in squishing my hip.
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Mouthguard is in and my tongue stays still. I can sensel it healing already.
I hope this will mean something to the dentist when I make another appointment.
Tics, tremors, shaking and gnashing still gone--- with only my teeth left as proof, since there is no doctor's report.
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Very glad to hear the tics and tremors and gnashing are still gone, dear Izz.
Now, to get the teeth repaired.
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Yeppers, lighter!
Slowly and Surely I feel that I am reaching some kind of an end to all this mess!
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Hi Iz,
So glad things are improving with your health.
Just wanted to put this in the mix in the way of treatments that might help with the dental thing if it continues to be troublesome. Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy. It is used to treat symptoms of a surprising number of health issues. There is lots of information about it online from a number of important treatment centers like Mayo Clinic.
tt
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hi tt,
It appears right now that what I needed all along was the mouthguard. It is stopping a lot of involuntary things from happening, and in the long run could mean a lower jaw misplacement. (TMJ) Since I have been using it, I have had only a couple of nighttime "nose flutters" and this morning a slight "chin flutter" when my thigh was paining from the overnight buildup of stiffness etc---then that disappears as I move it around and everything settles down.
My understanding is that if the injured party, (me) keeps going to doctors, or trying new things, i.e. looks after herself (and what woman would wear a black sports mouthguard all day and night? "just for the hell of it?") that she is trying to get better and is not sitting around vegging out!
This also means that I have had "up all day" and "sleep all night" for 5 nights in a row--- a first, at home, since 2 years ago--tomorrow. This puts me in a better position to be able to go do some volunteering during the day without needing a nap, from a restless night.
Thank you for thinking of me
xx
Izzy
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Who'd a thunk it, Izzy?
All these high-falutin' medical "experts"... and something as simple as the idea of a mouthgard from Mama Hops provides you with a new cascade of life and health improvements...
I'm so glad you're sleeping better! No more unexplained twitches & gnashing! Maybe this will now snowball and start a whole new trend of "lookin up" changes for you.
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So glad you're sleep patterns are getting back to normal, Izz.
Lighter
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Yes! How about them apples? :shock:
Now the question is--- what caused all those tic tremors, etc for close to TWO years. I know I felt my teeth and jaw go offline when the gnashing was more violent, but now it seem that the mouthguard stops them 99.9%.
I still have stiffness and /or aches and /or pain in my thigh nd /or knee, but i can maassage that out in the morning nand only bring on paiin when getting into the car or another unmentionable again thing. Those always caused the tics and tremors so I am confused about the connections. leg to nose, back to teeth, foot to bladder, and many more weird things.....yet a mouth guard (and don't forget I began taking 1 extra neurological pain pill as well, that helped wit the sleep--)
....still kind of messy questions, but glad to be settled down...
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No one may ever know, Iz... the real explanation for what caused all that. I've kinda resigned myself to just saying about those kinds of things: it is what it is (or was). Some possible explanations... could be that your physical therapy - gradually, over time, and unnoticeably - started to repair your nerve communications. Sort of "an apple a day" prevention kind of thing. It could be that the mouthgard immediately interrupted a process that provoked and intensified the tremors, etc. It could be that your long recovery time gave your brain enough time to self-heal... and find an equilibrium again. It could be even something seemingly as unrelated as the pleasure and attunement you've found with Karla... over time, impacting how your brain is working or not working to manage those nerves and muscles - and even though that sounds far-fetched, I am persuaded that this does have a very real impact in people's lives and their physical health. The family noticed this unanimously with MIL - more than she needed round the clock physical care or the availability of it - she needed human interaction and relationships to keep her physical state on an even keel.
But, since whatever is working now IS working... hey, that's a great thing! It's a blessing to be at the point where you ask yourself: OK... this is better - now, what's NEXT?
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Thanks PR
It is good to have an objective point of view on all this, as I no sooner thought I knew an answer and it was wrong, and the best blanket answer I could think of was, "Áfter all, it is 2 years now--something must have healed", and "Now how in hell can this clumsy mouthguard do that?"
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Oh, Izz.
I am SO happy to read about you experiencing some real relief.
That's...joy.
Any luck with the possibility of seeing that acupuncturist?
So much of what goes on with your body is nerve stuff and from what I've read, they know a whole 'nother layer of wisdom about that kind of process, I was just having hopeful thoughts that they really might have some additional healing for you that an allopathic modality might not be tuned into.
Just as a complement, if you are up for trying it.
xxoo
Hops
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Now the question is--- what caused all those tic tremors, etc for close to TWO years. I know I felt my teeth and jaw go offline when the gnashing was more violent, but now it seem that the mouthguard stops them 99.9%.
I still have stiffness and /or aches and /or pain in my thigh nd /or knee, but i can maassage that out in the morning and only bring on pain when getting into the car or another unmentionable again thing. Those always caused the tics and tremors so I am confused about the connections. leg to nose, back to teeth, foot to bladder, and many more weird things.....yet a mouth guard (and don't forget I began taking 1 extra neurological pain pill as well, that helped wit the sleep--)
....still kind of messy questions, but glad to be settled down...
So Hops,
What will I ask an acupuncturist to do? I have no place for him to start, since almost everything appears rectified.
I think a visit, with the story, to the physiatrist, is in order, although he won't see much 'action' he will hear everything and take it from there. He is the Dr. I ought to have seen, long ago. Above all, I will listen to him, but then I will weigh what he says. If he has 'no answer' for my back and thigh, then I will chose an acupuncturist. I really must follow the correct path of doctors, before taking the fork in the road.
The physiatrist is well aware about spinal cord injuries and the resulting possibilties.
At least, for now, I am comfortable with my black mouth guard and will NOT send a picture...........unless I have a bag over my head. ;0)
Love
Izzy
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Well that sounds sensible, Izz.
Hope the physiatrist is bop-diggity.
And remember acupuncture doesn't "replace" other medical treatment. So it doesn't have to be a linear progression, necessarily. Just some hope there it might make an unexpected difference. Might not, but since Western studies on it are not as vast, sometimes the only way to find out is to go experience it. It certainly wouldn't harm you, as I understand it.
I think your plan sounds really good, kiddo.
Hope you have a good day,
Hops
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What will I ask an acupuncturist to do? I have no place for him to start, since almost everything appears rectified.
~my personal experience with acupuncture is that it's not a verbal interaction with a doctor so much where you ask them to remedy one problem. Instead they check the pulses and approach a system circuit in the body. If you have financial coverage for it and the person is good then I would take advantage because it is a quality of health approach rather then just fixing a problem or symptom. Of course some people just don't want to be needled. I never found it relaxing because there was always a needle that twinges for me but some people fall asleep for some reason it relaxes them.
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Thanks Boat t. R.
I understand now and that takes the onus off me. I had been somewhat confused on the issue before.
again
Thanks
Izzy
and Thanks Hops
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine, they have a map of chi circulation systems that don't correspond to say the nerves or muscles, or circulatory system even though it's similar. There are several of these chi systems.... all interconnected of course. And the more commonly known acupressure points are accumulation and stimulus input centers into those chi circulations.... which then connect to specific organs, muscles or nerves or blood or...
it's all highly complicated!! and in acupuncture there are hundreds, maybe thousands of points that can be stimulated for different results (or reliefs). Now, TCM - chinese medicine - also has some odd-ball sounding ideas too. But, if you consider that it's been around a lot longer than our western medicine and they haven't scrapped it as ineffective superstition after all this time... well, it still requires setting aside our rationalistic skepticism about the odder ideas and just trying it to see if we can notice any improvement.
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hiya All,
So J. at my lawyer's office works late and last night sent me a notice, that my lawyer had submitted an amount-- I cannot know the amount, Joanne is not allowed to mention,...fair enough, but she can mention the Insurance Co's return offer. I was insulted. I was awake all last night thinking things over and over and said to myself--"OK it's TWO years so I will double their offer."....and that felt fair to me....but I don't know my lawyer's opinion, yet!
(doubled the offer) I did so sometime early in the AM and Joanne sent a smiley face...not being about to talk ...wonder why?... it's MY CASE... but on the phone I asked if the smiley face meant that I was on the right track and she said yes! I see now that lawyers know best.
That raises a question, outside of my case. How can we ever put a monetary value on anyone's life? Wow! I wouldn't want that responsibility, and yet I have to for myself, but I have my lawyer to guide me.
My return figure had to be in, in 7 days, but as I said in an email to Joanne, 2 of those F****ing days were the weekend. I mean... How fair can one not be?
As well, if we all don't agree in 30 days, they bring in a defence lawyer (the Insurance Co.). Well hell!!!!! What does a new lawyer know about all that has happened in 2 years? The whole thiing is nuts, but I am still keeping the faith in Joanne and my lawyer!
Maybe for our Birthday, Hops?
Izzy
EDIT: and about alternative medical help, if this is settled then I aM TOTALLY FREE TO PURSUE ANY ANVENUE I WISH, WITHOUT MESSNG UP My CASE!!!! (darned Caps, my reply window is jumping up and down again....anyone else's?
iz
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I approve of you getting one WHOPPING settlement for our birthday. I may have to break my one-wine rule in this event. Let me know how many glasses I'm gonna hoist in your honor.
Double! Bravo. Far as I know, triple's good too.
It is ridiculous to put a numeric value on pain and suffering, except that in a real sense, it might reduce your future pain and suffering. That's priceless and you deserve it. The literal purpose of insurance, and it's a shame it's been a long battle.
Izz, I've always meant to tell you -- one reason I let my hair grow out completely white is that your hair is SO elegant.
Thanks for the pic!
love,
Hops
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Thanks Hops,
My bangs are a little long, but I can tie my hair under my chin anyway. Can you?
Now I have two photos of me with a bag on my head. They come in handy.
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::Snicker::
yes, I actually could.
xo
Hops
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Ha! My hair was halfway down my back last year, when I cut it really short - it's mostly white; more "technicolor" with odd patches under the white hair not even turning yet... and while I liked the convenience of the short hair a lot, I'm experimenting with... looking for a style... that's halfway between the two lengths now. The guy that cuts my hair - his is white and in a ponytail!! :D
Hey - about the reply window - I've been having some issues online, too. I'm still running IE 7 and while I've added the usual security updates, I resisted upgrading to IE8 because I was in the middle of a move and absolutely depend on email for business communication. Now, a new Acrobat Reader is out... and more issues are cropping up... so I suspect it's my browser. I'm thinking I might give Firefox a shot first, though.
You have checked to see all your cables are securely plugged in, right? Could be something just didn't get "set" right after your redecoration and moving all the furniture.
OH... and it could be something really simple - are you using a mouse with a ball in it? It's amazing how much crap those pick up, and a dirty mouse ball will cause that jumpy window effect. Use a tissue and some rubbing alcohol on the ball... wipe the lint off & let it dry while you use a qtip dipped in a little "juice" to wipe off the rollers. I tried an optical wireless mouse, with a USB connection... and depending on the table surface - that was even worse for me. Worse case? Just buy a new mouse!
One other thing that drives me batty and I'm still getting used to - I have a little 10 in. netbook now and it has a trackpad. Along the right edge of the pad, there's a place that's designed to be used to scroll up & down - no matter where the cursor is on the screen. So a lot of times - whooooops! I find myself scrolling waaaaaaay up or down the page, when all I wanted was a small, arrow click amount of shift.
Can you say "eye-hand-brain coordination"???? ;)
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Hi PR,
I expect this will settle down in a while. I had it once before, although the mover in charge of computers did a good job....just tested me one thign on each. He plugged speakers of one not color-coordinated, which I fixed. The other, he turned the switch off for the speakers---something I never had done, but less room to work so Karla figured that one out for me.
Talk about coordination. I am learning better breathing, when to inhale when to exhale, and there is a right and wrong when using the abdominal muscles.
I can do better if I close my eyes and picture what is happening, so I think, move right leg to touch left leg. Breathe in, lift (bad) left leg straight up from bed, move, right leg and scoop under left ankle, use right leg to lift left leg, breathe, don't stop or I die, exhale as I lower the 2 legs. What a hoot. Karla can "see me thinking".