New Polls Everyone Please Vote

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone I have created two new polls. Both of vital interest to

this group. I hope everyone will take the time to vote on them. One is

about opening the group up to anyone who wants to join, the other is

about talking about pain meds in the group openly. I'd like everyones

opinion on these two things. Not saying I will decide to do these

things but I'd like to know how everyone feels about them now. As its

been a long time since we had the group open. We closed it because of

spam and weird postings. But it did give more people the chance to

join. Still that means anything you post can be seen by who know and

it is not the safest way for a group. Also as for pain meds I still

think it safer to not post about them openly but I'd like to know what

everyone thinks about it. Thanks for your input. Sharon Group Owner

[Guest guest]

trying to get to the polls; i always lose my account info.

im kinda on the fence about both subjects. there is definately good and bad

in each.

No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or

understands.

>From: " darkstarzz1019 " <darkstarzz1019@...>

>Reply-neck pain

>neck pain

>Subject: New Polls Everyone Please Vote

>Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:17:14 -0000

>

>Hi everyone I have created two new polls. Both of vital interest to

>this group. I hope everyone will take the time to vote on them. One is

>about opening the group up to anyone who wants to join, the other is

>about talking about pain meds in the group openly. I'd like everyones

>opinion on these two things. Not saying I will decide to do these

>things but I'd like to know how everyone feels about them now. As its

>been a long time since we had the group open. We closed it because of

>spam and weird postings. But it did give more people the chance to

>join. Still that means anything you post can be seen by who know and

>it is not the safest way for a group. Also as for pain meds I still

>think it safer to not post about them openly but I'd like to know what

>everyone thinks about it. Thanks for your input. Sharon Group Owner

>

>

>

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

trying to get to the polls; i always lose my account info.

im kinda on the fence about both subjects. there is definately good and bad

in each.

No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or

understands.

>From: " darkstarzz1019 " <darkstarzz1019@...>

>Reply-neck pain

>neck pain

>Subject: New Polls Everyone Please Vote

>Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:17:14 -0000

>

>Hi everyone I have created two new polls. Both of vital interest to

>this group. I hope everyone will take the time to vote on them. One is

>about opening the group up to anyone who wants to join, the other is

>about talking about pain meds in the group openly. I'd like everyones

>opinion on these two things. Not saying I will decide to do these

>things but I'd like to know how everyone feels about them now. As its

>been a long time since we had the group open. We closed it because of

>spam and weird postings. But it did give more people the chance to

>join. Still that means anything you post can be seen by who know and

>it is not the safest way for a group. Also as for pain meds I still

>think it safer to not post about them openly but I'd like to know what

>everyone thinks about it. Thanks for your input. Sharon Group Owner

>

>

>

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE!

http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

[Guest guest]

The best way to get to the polls is go to the group homepage first

then click on the polls link at the left. Sharon Group Owner

>

> trying to get to the polls; i always lose my account info.

> im kinda on the fence about both subjects. there is definately

good and bad

> in each.

>

> No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no

one cares or

> understands.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The best way to get to the polls is go to the group homepage first

then click on the polls link at the left. Sharon Group Owner

>

> trying to get to the polls; i always lose my account info.

> im kinda on the fence about both subjects. there is definately

good and bad

> in each.

>

> No greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no

one cares or

> understands.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

I voted but would like to make a couple comments:

First, an open group will probably lead to vultures homing in on people in pain, trying to get us to buy their " cures " , have " special surgery " , etc. I can't recall if it happened here or at BackPain24-7, but I really think there are unscrupulous types who are looking to sell their services and that one visited one of the groups. I was contacted offline after I first posted almost 2 years ago, urged to look into their " groundbreaking " clinic in FL. Now if it was so groundbreaking, why doesn't everyone go there to get cured of their back problems? Why doesn't the world know that FL is the center of Spine Surgery? Obviously, it was a marketing ploy preying on my trouble and pain - not nice. I really think this is a big risk of letting anyone outside of approved members join or view our group messages.

Second, I am split on the pain meds discussion. Sometimes I think it would be overwhelming for those of us not on a lot of meds but still suffering pain. Other times I think it would be helpful for those needing those meds to discuss them. I don't know how you'd reach a happy medium. I can see the reasons for and against. As leader and owner, I'm sure you'll make the best choice.

Thank you for asking via the polls.

On 4/28/06, darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

One is about opening the group up to anyone who wants to join, the other is about talking about pain meds in the group openly. I'd like everyones opinion on these two things.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

I voted but would like to make a couple comments:

First, an open group will probably lead to vultures homing in on people in pain, trying to get us to buy their " cures " , have " special surgery " , etc. I can't recall if it happened here or at BackPain24-7, but I really think there are unscrupulous types who are looking to sell their services and that one visited one of the groups. I was contacted offline after I first posted almost 2 years ago, urged to look into their " groundbreaking " clinic in FL. Now if it was so groundbreaking, why doesn't everyone go there to get cured of their back problems? Why doesn't the world know that FL is the center of Spine Surgery? Obviously, it was a marketing ploy preying on my trouble and pain - not nice. I really think this is a big risk of letting anyone outside of approved members join or view our group messages.

Second, I am split on the pain meds discussion. Sometimes I think it would be overwhelming for those of us not on a lot of meds but still suffering pain. Other times I think it would be helpful for those needing those meds to discuss them. I don't know how you'd reach a happy medium. I can see the reasons for and against. As leader and owner, I'm sure you'll make the best choice.

Thank you for asking via the polls.

On 4/28/06, darkstarzz1019 <darkstarzz1019@...> wrote:

One is about opening the group up to anyone who wants to join, the other is about talking about pain meds in the group openly. I'd like everyones opinion on these two things.

[Guest guest]

Hi Leena thanks for your input. I don't remember anyone sneaking in

here trying to sell stuff like that BUT I could have missed it.

Doubtful though I am sure the other moderators would have caught it

right away. Whenever I wasn't around much someone was. But I know

what you mean I think its horrible for people to prey on us because

of our pain. I did check into a place in FLA that sounded good, only

one catch my insurance wouldn't cover it so I gave up on that idea.

Of course I've talked to so many drs in the last 6 yrs I and looked

into so many places for help I have forgotten some of them. We

actually have been pretty lucky as a group not to get alot of the

junk some of the others have gotten why I am not sure but I thank my

lucky stars for that. I want this to be a safe place for everyone to

talk and find help and support and even though there is no way to be

positive someone bad doesn't get in if they do they usually show

their face fairly soon and get the boot Its hard for me to

believe how fast and how big this group has grown. When I started it

I never expected to have this many people in it. It does sadden me

though to see that so many people are in so much pain. We are just

one little group in the group of pain and there are many

others that are way bigger than us. When you look at the whole

picture its scary to see how many people there are in pain. As for

the meds I still am very torn on that issue. Thanks for your input,

sorry for the long note. Sharon Group Owner

>

> Hi Sharon,

>

> I voted but would like to make a couple comments:

>

> First, an open group will probably lead to vultures homing in on

people in

> pain, trying to get us to buy their " cures " , have " special

surgery " , etc. I

> can't recall if it happened here or at BackPain24-7, but I really

think

> there are unscrupulous types who are looking to sell their

services and that

> one visited one of the groups. I was contacted offline after I

first posted

> almost 2 years ago, urged to look into their " groundbreaking "

clinic in FL.

> Now if it was so groundbreaking, why doesn't everyone go there to

get cured

> of their back problems? Why doesn't the world know that FL is the

center of

> Spine Surgery? Obviously, it was a marketing ploy preying on my

trouble

> and pain - not nice. I really think this is a big risk of letting

anyone

> outside of approved members join or view our group messages.

>

> Second, I am split on the pain meds discussion. Sometimes I think

it would

> be overwhelming for those of us not on a lot of meds but still

suffering

> pain. Other times I think it would be helpful for those needing

those meds

> to discuss them. I don't know how you'd reach a happy medium. I

can see the

> reasons for and against. As leader and owner, I'm sure you'll make

the best

> choice.

>

> Thank you for asking via the polls.

>

>

> O

[Guest guest]

Hi Leena thanks for your input. I don't remember anyone sneaking in

here trying to sell stuff like that BUT I could have missed it.

Doubtful though I am sure the other moderators would have caught it

right away. Whenever I wasn't around much someone was. But I know

what you mean I think its horrible for people to prey on us because

of our pain. I did check into a place in FLA that sounded good, only

one catch my insurance wouldn't cover it so I gave up on that idea.

Of course I've talked to so many drs in the last 6 yrs I and looked

into so many places for help I have forgotten some of them. We

actually have been pretty lucky as a group not to get alot of the

junk some of the others have gotten why I am not sure but I thank my

lucky stars for that. I want this to be a safe place for everyone to

talk and find help and support and even though there is no way to be

positive someone bad doesn't get in if they do they usually show

their face fairly soon and get the boot Its hard for me to

believe how fast and how big this group has grown. When I started it

I never expected to have this many people in it. It does sadden me

though to see that so many people are in so much pain. We are just

one little group in the group of pain and there are many

others that are way bigger than us. When you look at the whole

picture its scary to see how many people there are in pain. As for

the meds I still am very torn on that issue. Thanks for your input,

sorry for the long note. Sharon Group Owner

>

> Hi Sharon,

>

> I voted but would like to make a couple comments:

>

> First, an open group will probably lead to vultures homing in on

people in

> pain, trying to get us to buy their " cures " , have " special

surgery " , etc. I

> can't recall if it happened here or at BackPain24-7, but I really

think

> there are unscrupulous types who are looking to sell their

services and that

> one visited one of the groups. I was contacted offline after I

first posted

> almost 2 years ago, urged to look into their " groundbreaking "

clinic in FL.

> Now if it was so groundbreaking, why doesn't everyone go there to

get cured

> of their back problems? Why doesn't the world know that FL is the

center of

> Spine Surgery? Obviously, it was a marketing ploy preying on my

trouble

> and pain - not nice. I really think this is a big risk of letting

anyone

> outside of approved members join or view our group messages.

>

> Second, I am split on the pain meds discussion. Sometimes I think

it would

> be overwhelming for those of us not on a lot of meds but still

suffering

> pain. Other times I think it would be helpful for those needing

those meds

> to discuss them. I don't know how you'd reach a happy medium. I

can see the

> reasons for and against. As leader and owner, I'm sure you'll make

the best

> choice.

>

> Thank you for asking via the polls.

>

>

> O

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Glad to put in my 2 cents. Actually the incident that happened with me was this man emailed me offline to start a dialogue -- it wasn't a group message. I'm sure he sent an email by going to my ID and I think you email directly from there, bypassing the group. Later after one or two emails, he began pushing this miraculous surgery center in FL, to send my MRI and xrays to them for evaluation, etc.

This was right after I posted the first time in late 2004. And it could have been the BackPain24-7 group too, I just don't recall. The way I viewed it was he saw my post about my condition and my desperation about the pain and the future and jumped on it figuring to sell a surgery. I could be completely wrong about this but I usually have pretty good radar on these things. What really made me feel this was a hard sell tactic was that in my first post, I talked about my herniated disc and that I wanted to do anything possible to AVOID surgery for as long as possible. That was what I was asking for input on - - how to modify my life to safeguard and baby my neck as much as possible and not on how or where to get surgery, yet that is what he wanted to focus on, me having surgery. And he seemed to think that his clinic was superior to Mayo Clinic ( " we can help you " even though my Dr had not even mentioned surgery) which is where I treated for that first episode. Well, Mayo Clinic may not be mecca but it is one of the most respected teaching hospitals in the world, so that was another tip off.

I know what you mean about the thought of so many people in pain in this world. I cannot express how much it hurts my heart to know so many suffer daily. But until you have that kind of pain yourself, you just have no comprehension at all. My mother, my sister (who is old enough to be my 2nd mom) and my niece (who is 10 years younger than me at 40) all have major lumbar spine issues. You'd think I would " understand it " . Mom had 2 level fusion in the 70s; sister is stage 3 and inoperable with spondylosis, stenosis, osteoarthritis, malformed SI; niece had discectomy which failed within 6 weeks and then a fusion 6 months later. Still I could never have fathomed their pain and suffering without having known my own from my C6-7 herniation.

I am so grateful that my problems at this point are in " episodes " and I don't hurt daily. When the pain does come, I just remember how so many of you keep going day after day and it helps me to stay strong, knowing that someone else has walked this path, and that I can come here and be believed. Not to mention all the good advice from people who know all the right things to do to take care of themselves.

Thank you Sharon for making this available for everyone who needs it. Bless you!

PS I have horses too and we quit riding several years ago as they aged and we got busy with other stuff. But one of the things I miss most with this compromised neck disc is being able to shovel manure -- that might sound strange to non-horsey types, but I'm sure, Sharon, you'll know exactly what I mean. Still I can bury my face in mane and feel better even when things aren't so good....

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Glad to put in my 2 cents. Actually the incident that happened with me was this man emailed me offline to start a dialogue -- it wasn't a group message. I'm sure he sent an email by going to my ID and I think you email directly from there, bypassing the group. Later after one or two emails, he began pushing this miraculous surgery center in FL, to send my MRI and xrays to them for evaluation, etc.

This was right after I posted the first time in late 2004. And it could have been the BackPain24-7 group too, I just don't recall. The way I viewed it was he saw my post about my condition and my desperation about the pain and the future and jumped on it figuring to sell a surgery. I could be completely wrong about this but I usually have pretty good radar on these things. What really made me feel this was a hard sell tactic was that in my first post, I talked about my herniated disc and that I wanted to do anything possible to AVOID surgery for as long as possible. That was what I was asking for input on - - how to modify my life to safeguard and baby my neck as much as possible and not on how or where to get surgery, yet that is what he wanted to focus on, me having surgery. And he seemed to think that his clinic was superior to Mayo Clinic ( " we can help you " even though my Dr had not even mentioned surgery) which is where I treated for that first episode. Well, Mayo Clinic may not be mecca but it is one of the most respected teaching hospitals in the world, so that was another tip off.

I know what you mean about the thought of so many people in pain in this world. I cannot express how much it hurts my heart to know so many suffer daily. But until you have that kind of pain yourself, you just have no comprehension at all. My mother, my sister (who is old enough to be my 2nd mom) and my niece (who is 10 years younger than me at 40) all have major lumbar spine issues. You'd think I would " understand it " . Mom had 2 level fusion in the 70s; sister is stage 3 and inoperable with spondylosis, stenosis, osteoarthritis, malformed SI; niece had discectomy which failed within 6 weeks and then a fusion 6 months later. Still I could never have fathomed their pain and suffering without having known my own from my C6-7 herniation.

I am so grateful that my problems at this point are in " episodes " and I don't hurt daily. When the pain does come, I just remember how so many of you keep going day after day and it helps me to stay strong, knowing that someone else has walked this path, and that I can come here and be believed. Not to mention all the good advice from people who know all the right things to do to take care of themselves.

Thank you Sharon for making this available for everyone who needs it. Bless you!

PS I have horses too and we quit riding several years ago as they aged and we got busy with other stuff. But one of the things I miss most with this compromised neck disc is being able to shovel manure -- that might sound strange to non-horsey types, but I'm sure, Sharon, you'll know exactly what I mean. Still I can bury my face in mane and feel better even when things aren't so good....