Question

October 20, 2009

Connections as in large financial donation and commitment to ongoing fund

raising is the rumor I just heard from the Rett Syndrome family; a person with

Rett Syndrome miraculously was placed at Marklund just after the family

checkbook as well as agreemnt to host future fund raising event.

No surprise...waiting lists abound for the better facilities

Look at Misercordia as an option

Humbly grateful to be your companion

on the journey...

Gordon P. Stiefel

Phone: 708 246 5151

Fax: 708 246 9144

" All great change in America

begins at the dinner table " , Reagan.

" Now more than ever, in a world all too often deprived of light and

the courage of noble ideals, it is not the time to be ashamed of the Gospel (cf.

Rom 1: 16).

Rather, it is time to preach it from the rooftops (cf. Mt 10: 27)! "

National Meeting of Young Catholics of Switzerland (2004), Address of

II

..

From: Christiansen <celebratedifferences@...>

Subject: question

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 7:18 AM

I have a question. I had a friend contact me looking for advise for an elderly

couple.(see below) Any suggestions?

" trying to find a residental care facility for their 31 year old adult

parapalegic son. They are an older couple who has cared for him their whole life

and they want to make sure that he is taken care of in the event that something

should happen to them. Where should I start? Someone suggested Marklund but my

friend said that you need " connections " to get in there. Any other resources

that you could point me to? "

Thanks.

Christiansen

Founder/President of Celebrate Differences

www.celebratediffer ences.org

" Celebrating the Abilities of those with Disabilities "

630-885-3006

October 20, 2009

Connections as in large financial donation and commitment to ongoing fund

raising is the rumor I just heard from the Rett Syndrome family; a person with

Rett Syndrome miraculously was placed at Marklund just after the family

checkbook as well as agreemnt to host future fund raising event.

No surprise...waiting lists abound for the better facilities

Look at Misercordia as an option

Humbly grateful to be your companion

on the journey...

Gordon P. Stiefel

Phone: 708 246 5151

Fax: 708 246 9144

" All great change in America

begins at the dinner table " , Reagan.

" Now more than ever, in a world all too often deprived of light and

the courage of noble ideals, it is not the time to be ashamed of the Gospel (cf.

Rom 1: 16).

Rather, it is time to preach it from the rooftops (cf. Mt 10: 27)! "

National Meeting of Young Catholics of Switzerland (2004), Address of

II

..

From: Christiansen <celebratedifferences@...>

Subject: question

IPADDUnite

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 7:18 AM

I have a question. I had a friend contact me looking for advise for an elderly

couple.(see below) Any suggestions?

" trying to find a residental care facility for their 31 year old adult

parapalegic son. They are an older couple who has cared for him their whole life

and they want to make sure that he is taken care of in the event that something

should happen to them. Where should I start? Someone suggested Marklund but my

friend said that you need " connections " to get in there. Any other resources

that you could point me to? "

Thanks.

Christiansen

Founder/President of Celebrate Differences

www.celebratediffer ences.org

" Celebrating the Abilities of those with Disabilities "

630-885-3006

October 20, 2009

Have they talked to their PASS agent? They should be assisting with this.

Ann

________________________________

From: Christiansen <celebratedifferences@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 7:18:09 AM

Subject: question

I have a question. I had a friend contact me looking for advise for an elderly

couple.(see below) Any suggestions?

" trying to find a residental care facility for their 31 year old adult

parapalegic son. They are an older couple who has cared for him their whole life

and they want to make sure that he is taken care of in the event that something

should happen to them. Where should I start? Someone suggested Marklund but my

friend said that you need " connections " to get in there. Any other resources

that you could point me to? "

Thanks.

Christiansen

Founder/President of Celebrate Differences

www.celebratediffer ences.org

" Celebrating the Abilities of those with Disabilities "

630-885-3006

October 20, 2009

Have they talked to their PASS agent? They should be assisting with this.

Ann

________________________________

From: Christiansen <celebratedifferences@...>

IPADDUnite

Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 7:18:09 AM

Subject: question

I have a question. I had a friend contact me looking for advise for an elderly

couple.(see below) Any suggestions?

" trying to find a residental care facility for their 31 year old adult

parapalegic son. They are an older couple who has cared for him their whole life

and they want to make sure that he is taken care of in the event that something

should happen to them. Where should I start? Someone suggested Marklund but my

friend said that you need " connections " to get in there. Any other resources

that you could point me to? "

Thanks.

Christiansen

Founder/President of Celebrate Differences

www.celebratediffer ences.org

" Celebrating the Abilities of those with Disabilities "

630-885-3006

November 14, 2009

I think it's more ignorant than offensive.

Alyce

On Thu, Nov 12, 2009 at 2:34 PM, mwudan <mwudan@...> wrote:

>

> is it offensive that ppl commonly refer to dwarfism as a disease that ppl

> SUFFER?

>

> e.g. recent nytimes article on 'octomom':

>

> " . . . the family of six from " Little People, Big World, " in which the

> parents and one child suffer from dwarfism . . . "

>

> http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/magazine/15octomom-t.html?pagewanted=2 & hp

>

November 14, 2009

I'm not an LP, but a Mum to , who is....

I don't know that " offensive " is the right word.. I was thinking more

" ignorant " . From a Mum's point of view, certainly doesn't seem to be

suffering from anything more than laziness!!! Certainly he's not suffering any

more than his siblings, that's for sure.

Caela

Mum to , 11, achon, NZ

Editor/ Liaison Officer for LPNZ

>

> is it offensive that ppl commonly refer to dwarfism as a disease that ppl

SUFFER?

>

> e.g. recent nytimes article on 'octomom':

>

> " . . . the family of six from " Little People, Big World, " in which the parents

and one child suffer from dwarfism . . . "

>

> http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/magazine/15octomom-t.html?pagewanted=2 & hp

>

November 15, 2009

Medically speaking, dwarfism is a considered a disease. According to the

NIH:

1. A pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism

resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or

environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or

symptoms.

2. A condition or tendency, as of society, regarded as abnormal and

harmful.

3. *Obsolete*. Lack of ease; trouble.

And the word " suffer " means " to exhibit symptoms " and not necessarily to

have a psychological stress associated with the condition.

However, even the NIH recognizes that genetic " diseases " should be more

humanely called " disorders " or " syndromes " since " disease " carries

connotations of infection.

Personally, I'm not one for letting doctors label me based on a medical

diagnosis, but, technically speaking, the terminology is not incorrect

within the medical community. I think the LPA Medical Advisory Board knows

better, though. Because I've never heard them use the word.

Bill

On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 2:44 PM, jamescaela <caela@...> wrote:

>

> I'm not an LP, but a Mum to , who is....

> I don't know that " offensive " is the right word.. I was thinking more

> " ignorant " . From a Mum's point of view, certainly doesn't seem to be

> suffering from anything more than laziness!!! Certainly he's not suffering

> any more than his siblings, that's for sure.

>

> Caela

> Mum to , 11, achon, NZ

> Editor/ Liaison Officer for LPNZ

>

November 15, 2009

While Bill is referring back to the medical end of things, in the context of the

NY Times article in the original post I would say that it is considered

inappropriate. It goes against most manuals of styles/ style guides deference to

person first language. Maybe this is still acceptable by the NY Times since

there was a previous discussion regarding the word midget by the NY Times

mentioned here last March.

Over the past 10-20 years there has been a move to use what is known as " person

first language " within the general community that has been promoted by the

larger disability community where " has dwarfism " would be more appropriate than

" suffers from. " Just as people use wheelchairs as opposed to " confined to a

wheelchair. "

Lourash

>

> >

> > I'm not an LP, but a Mum to , who is....

> > I don't know that " offensive " is the right word.. I was thinking more

> > " ignorant " . From a Mum's point of view, certainly doesn't seem to be

> > suffering from anything more than laziness!!! Certainly he's not suffering

> > any more than his siblings, that's for sure.

> >

> > Caela

> > Mum to , 11, achon, NZ

> > Editor/ Liaison Officer for LPNZ

> >

>

November 18, 2009

Sounds like your daughter needs to take calcium Magnesium citrate. The parathyroid is responsible to monitoring calcium levels in the body and nothing more. I am not sure about the numbers that you mentiond. So I am not sure if the parathyroid reacts to very low levels of calcium by hproducing high numbers. This may require and all that, but we all need calcium no matter what. It is an essential mineral. I wounder how she will test after taking 3 grams or so. I take Cal-Mag Citrate by Solaray. I wonder if she has malabsorption problems and may not be absorbing the calcium well?

Keep us posted!

Jag

From: bfsmo <bfsmo@...>Subject: Questioniodine Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 12:30 PM

Just got this from a friend about her Daughter in lawâ€¦..

.. So, they did some more blood work. It came back that her para-thyroid hormone is way too high. They said normal is 7 to 8 and hers was 140!.

Anyway, the doctor is sending her to an endocrinologist in Little Rock. The doctor here said that usually if that gland goes bad, they do surgery and remove it.

Just curious as to the thoughts of those of you who know so much about this stuff.

Thanks

Beebe.

November 20, 2009

Of these two you mentioned I would only invest in the second edtion. There is

also another book by the same author but considering it is an introduction with

less pages I would also skip this one and opt for the 2007 edition of The

complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician.

Second edition 2007 The Complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician 300 pages

http://www.chipsbooks.com/aphatech.htm

First book - 2002 APhA's Complete Review for the Pharmacy Technician 195 pages

http://jpp.sagepub.com/cgi/pdf_extract/15/3/297

APhA The Pharmacy Technician's Introduction to Pharmacy published July 2008 201

pages

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Pharmacy-Technicians-Introduction-to-Pharma\

cy/L--Posey/e/9781582120935

PLEASE vist the site http://www.chipsbooks.com/aphatech.htm

which lists the contents of the book that is the SAME as what you should be

studying.

I doubt that there is much about history per se on the exam.

How to remembe what you study?

1. Give yourself at least 6-9 months if you have no science or pyharmacy back

ground.

2. Study to implement what you have learned, not to regurgitate from memory just

to pass the exam. Study to save one's life.

3. Google: study techniques , read what is available free on line ans use what

you learn.

4. type or write one page summaries of what you have learned. Do more internet

searches on what you have read.

5. TEST yourself. Make up tests of multiple choice, true/false, short answer

fill in.

6. Have a friend open the chapter and read it then ask you questions.

Above all plan how to study when to study and give yourself enough time to

study.

Hope this helps,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

>

> helo, i just bought the complete pharmacy technician review by micheal posey.

but then , there was a person lent me the pharmacy technician book of posey.

what book should i study for ptcb test? and , do i need to study the whole book

? is the history part important in the test? how do you study to remember all

things in the book? thank you.

>

November 29, 2009

I was diagnosed with CLL a little over 2 years ago and I'm on watch & wait. Recently I cotracted a cold and its been almost 2 weeks and I just can't shake it. I've never had such a hard time getting well before. Do you think this is because of my CLL? Pearl

From: R. Furman <rrfurman@...> Sent: Sun, November 29, 2009 7:42:25 PMSubject: question

I believe everyone has to approach all of this with a sense of what is realistic. It is impossible to isolate oneself and the likelihood of getting sick from traveling is quite low. H1N1 infection is actually less of an issue given the ability to use Tamiflu to treat it if need be. The other cold viruses are more difficult to treat.

Rick Furman, MD

November 29, 2009

I was also diagnosed a little over 2 years ago and I also seem to take a long time to recover from colds or any sickness that I get.

I am sure it is because our immune systems are compromised.

question

I believe everyone has to approach all of this with a sense of what is realistic. It is impossible to isolate oneself and the likelihood of getting sick from traveling is quite low. H1N1 infection is actually less of an issue given the ability to use Tamiflu to treat it if need be. The other cold viruses are more difficult to treat.

Rick Furman, MD

November 30, 2009

Certainly a CLL patient's immune system is less functional than normal. I do

not want to minimize that. That does translate into more infections that might

take longer to resolve. The greatest issue is that most of these manuvers are

going to have little impact upon becoming infected as we are constantly exposed

to bacteria and viruses from the outside and from the inside.

Rick Furman

>

> I was also diagnosed a little over 2 years ago and I also seem to take a long

time to recover from colds or any sickness that I get.

> I am sure it is because our immune systems are compromised.

>

> question

>

> I believe everyone has to approach all of this with a sense of what is

realistic. It is impossible to isolate oneself and the likelihood of getting

sick from traveling is quite low. H1N1 infection is actually less of an issue

given the ability to use Tamiflu to treat it if need be. The other cold viruses

are more difficult to treat.

>

> Rick Furman, MD

>

November 30, 2009

Thanks once again to Dr. Furman for putting things into sensible

perspective for all of us. Come to think of it, colds this season are

looking pretty mean!

On Sunday, November 29, 2009, at 05:42 PM, R. Furman wrote:

>

> I believe everyone has to approach all of this with a sense of what is

> realistic. It is impossible to isolate oneself and the likelihood of

> getting sick from traveling is quite low. H1N1 infection is actually

> less of an issue given the ability to use Tamiflu to treat it if need

> be. The other cold viruses are more difficult to treat.

>

> Rick Furman, MD

>

December 12, 2009

Hi, Sandy --I have two responses to your very interesting and supportive message:(1) You can't assume that you won't make it to 92, or maybe 102! I don't think medical science has a complete understanding of longevity. Look at your mother, still smoking ... I had an uncle like that, except he not only smoked multiple packs of unfiltered Camels every day (having started smoking at age 9), but he also enjoyed drinking (alcohol) and eating (delicious fattening foods -- at one point he weighed 300 pounds). He happily outlived most of his straitlaced younger siblings, most of whom followed the healthiest practices but could not seem to fight off fatal coronary heart disease.(2) We all "still want it now" -- and I'm 60. I think we are going to find a way to live without feeling we are compromising our health with this limited endurance for exercise. No one ultimately knows how to advise us on any of this; we have been guinea pigs since our first scoliosis fusions as kids, and the MDs continue to learn from us and from the mistakes they continue to make with us and on us. Maybe it's time for us to decide what's healthy for us -- what we can live with, what we can do (and can't do), what motivates us to get up every day, what gives us "quality of life." Personally I have just decided to spend a couple days mainly lolling about in bed, watching BBC mysteries on my computer and planning my next art project. I think I want to live with an attitude. I want to be a feisty, spunky, outspoken older woman with a wide range of interests and strong opinions about everything. I want to be creative and visionary and involved with the world and its affairs (at least mentally, until I can travel again). I mean, this is basically my perception of what I am like already; what I want to do more and more, however, is to be all right with this -- all right with me, no matter what someone's personal trainer or nutrition guru is prattling about on the tube or preaching in the popular press. No one out there is saying much of any worth or usefulness to me anyway, because most of the experts have no clue what we are about, what we have been through, what adjustments and compromises we need to make. We do not have a very well-known condition, or even one that most health professionals have heard of before.. Judging from some of the stories people have shared in this group, it is even rare to find a physical therapist who knows beans about our situation and who is less likely to harm us than to do us some actual good. So let the doctors repair us surgically, provided they're qualified; beyond deferring to professionals when surgery becomes absolutely necessary, though, I think we need to defer to us. We need to shut out all the clamoring internalized voices of all te so-called experts and find our own way through this uncharted wilderness.If I can get to the pool 2-3x a week and do old people's arthritis exercises and continue to make stimulating friendships there, well, that's going to be good enough. Maybe I can work into something a little more demanding later on; maybe not. But I am not going to let an army of "health experts" worry and guilt-trip me anymore.Besides, there is more than one way to measure "fitness." In my book, anyone who has surmounted the kind of surgery that you and I have had to undergo has phenomenal strength and endurance. Not to mention robust lungs for untold hours of inhalation anesthesia. Not to mention downright extraordinary mental health! Best,>> Wow, you hit it right on the nail for me. I'm 56 & feel so much older. I'm also the type that would have stayed young & active & bending & exercising to stay young. So I still try hard every day to do my little bit of exercising knowing it's still helping me but knowing how little it is. I'm mad, I'm sad & I figure I will die younger than my 92 year old mother who just slowed down herself a year ago after a stroke & still smokes cigarettes & no operations in her life. I went out to see the parade of homes, 4 of them & I looked at all the older ladys thinking how much better they look & feel & I'm jealous, so jealous that I had to end up with this terrible disease. But I also look at others who have it worse. At least I had it pretty good until age 39, but I still want it now! Merry Christmas every one & Happy New Year too! Sandy>

December 13, 2009

,

You’re my hero. Thanks for this

declaration (below).

Andy

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Personally I have just decided to spend a couple days mainly lolling about in

bed, watching BBC mysteries on my computer and planning my next art project. I

think I want to live with an attitude. I want to be a feisty, spunky, outspoken

older woman with a wide range of interests and strong opinions about

everything. I want to be creative and visionary and involved with the world and

its affairs (at least mentally, until I can travel again). I mean, this

is basically my perception of what I am like already; what I want to do more

and more, however, is to be all right with this -- all right with me, no matter

what someone's personal trainer or nutrition guru is prattling about on the

tube or preaching in the popular press. No one out there is saying much

of any worth or usefulness to me anyway, because most of the experts have no

clue what we are about, what we have been through, what adjustments and

compromises we need to make. We do not have a very well-known condition, or

even one that most health professionals have heard of before.. Judging from

some of the stories people have shared in this group, it is even rare to find a

physical therapist who knows beans about our situation and who is less likely

to harm us than to do us some actual good. So let the doctors repair us

surgically, provided they're qualified; beyond deferring to professionals when

surgery becomes absolutely necessary, though, I think we need to defer to us.

We need to shut out all the clamoring internalized voices of all te so-called

experts and find our own way through this uncharted wilderness.

If I can get to the pool 2-3x a week and do old people's arthritis exercises

and continue to make stimulating friendships there, well, that's going to be

good enough. Maybe I can work into something a little more demanding later on;

maybe not. But I am not going to let an army of " health experts "

worry and guilt-trip me anymore.

Besides, there is more than one way to measure " fitness. " In my book,

anyone who has surmounted the kind of surgery that you and I have had to

undergo has phenomenal strength and endurance. Not to mention robust

lungs for untold hours of inhalation anesthesia. Not to mention downright

extraordinary mental health!

Best,

>

> Wow,

you hit it right on the nail for me. I'm 56 & feel so much older. I'm also

the type that would have stayed young & active & bending &

exercising to stay young. So I still try hard every day to do my little bit of

exercising knowing it's still helping me but knowing how little it is. I'm mad,

I'm sad & I figure I will die younger than my 92 year old mother who just

slowed down herself a year ago after a stroke & still smokes cigarettes

& no operations in her life. I went out to see the parade of homes, 4 of

them & I looked at all the older ladys thinking how much better they look

& feel & I'm jealous, so jealous that I had to end up with this

terrible disease. But I also look at others who have it worse. At least I had

it pretty good until age 39, but I still want it now! Merry Christmas every one

& Happy New Year too! Sandy

>

December 31, 2009

Hi Lynn, I don't have a clue as to what is wrong with your body, but I wanted to

just say Happy New Year too.......and maybe someone else here can answer your

question.........hugs...dash

Question

I need to ask a question to see if anyone has an idea or has had this happen. I

had THR on 26 Oct (I'm 60, waited a few years before having the surgery so the

joint was in pretty bad shape according to the OS when he got in there). About 3

weeks after surgery, I sat in a normal chair at the cafe in Borders. When I got

up (and according to PT instructions) something in my surgery leg...mid thigh,

outside area, pulled and I ended up sitting down really fast. Much to my

frustration, my son had to help haul me up.

Called the OS right away, he said stop therapy for a few days and rest. Ok, did

that...resumed PT. I showed the OS and PT where the area was that got hurt.

(It's about 6 inches below the incision scar). Their thinking was a muscle got

pulled. I kept up PT, but strength has always been an issue as I also have a

muscle disease that's damaged my proximal muscles. So, I'm working hard at my

exercises. In home PT stopped, I changed insurance, so have to wait to begin

again at the rehab center.

Long winded I am...my question...the area on my thigh still hurts. Any thinking

or suggestions as to what I might do to remedy this pain?

Thanks to whomever recommend " Heal Your Hips " . I live near a pool and will see

when I might be able to get in to do some of the exercises. I want to keep my

right hip healthy, too...I don't think I want to do this again!

And Happy New Year to all here...may you have a healthy, happy 2010!

Lynn

December 31, 2009

Hi Lynn,

I had THR 6 days before you. I am 41 but had dysplasia and like you I waited

many years before I had the replacement. During that time my muscles had

atrophied and I did a lot of damage to my back from the way I was walking and

moving.

The hip got replaced and is nice and stable but because of that atrophy my

muscles are not as stable and are not at all happy about going back to work. I

have had a lot of muscular pain and sciatic trouble which will probably need

surgery.

My muscles are having a hard time relaxing as well as they were needing to be

tensed up for many years to guard my bad hip from movement and pain.

The IT BAND is a muscle that runs down the side of your thigh and I have heard

that it is common to have some trouble with it after THR because of the trauma

that the leg goes through.

If you are not faint of heart you can view the surgery at ORLIVE.COM

I found this very helpful in understanding what was done to my leg and why

certain parts hurt.

For you the situation is even more challenging because of your muscle disease.

My PT did advise me when doing pool exercises to make them small and few at the

beginning because the resistance is greater in the water. She said take it easy

until I know what I can handle without hurting myself.

I have found massage therapy (deep tissue kind of stuff) helpful in dealing with

some of the muscular issues.

Some other things you could look into are Active Release Technique and

Accupuncture to help release those muscles.

It may be more than strength you are in need of but stretching and releasing as

has been the case for me.

I hope you can get some relief.

Bless you,

Sheri

>

> I need to ask a question to see if anyone has an idea or has had this happen.

I had THR on 26 Oct (I'm 60, waited a few years before having the surgery so

the joint was in pretty bad shape according to the OS when he got in there).

About 3 weeks after surgery, I sat in a normal chair at the cafe in Borders.

When I got up (and according to PT instructions) something in my surgery

leg...mid thigh, outside area, pulled and I ended up sitting down really fast.

Much to my frustration, my son had to help haul me up.

>

> Called the OS right away, he said stop therapy for a few days and rest. Ok,

did that...resumed PT. I showed the OS and PT where the area was that got

hurt. (It's about 6 inches below the incision scar). Their thinking was a

muscle got pulled. I kept up PT, but strength has always been an issue as I

also have a muscle disease that's damaged my proximal muscles. So, I'm working

hard at my exercises. In home PT stopped, I changed insurance, so have to wait

to begin again at the rehab center.

>

> Long winded I am...my question...the area on my thigh still hurts. Any

thinking or suggestions as to what I might do to remedy this pain?

>

> Thanks to whomever recommend " Heal Your Hips " . I live near a pool and will

see when I might be able to get in to do some of the exercises. I want to keep

my right hip healthy, too...I don't think I want to do this again!

>

> And Happy New Year to all here...may you have a healthy, happy 2010!

>

> Lynn

>

> There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

> Leonard Cohen

>

> Here's my art blog: http://www.adreamseyeview.blogspot.com/

>

December 31, 2009

Hi Sheri!

Thank you so very much for your response!

I tried acupuncture before surgery and was so full of pain, I couldn't stand

it. I also have fibromyalgia and deep tissue massage is very hard for me to

recover from. But, the acupuncturist had other massage techniques she tried,

but for me, it was surgery or else.

But nothing should stop me now, right? I think I'll make my appointment on

Monday!

I sincerely hope you can avoid back surgery. I spent a year consulting three

different neurosurgeons (and got three different opinions) before my OS said it

had to be the hip...

Stretching and releasing could be the key, too. Luckily, my rehab center has a

contract with the local pool, and the director said one lesson is all I'd

probably need, then I could do the exercises myself. You are right...start

small and easy...I learned that the hard way!

Has anyone heard of Ann ? She's a former ballerina/dance instructor, and

at 80, leads seniors in stretching exercises...she has a few DVDs available:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Ddvd & field-keywords=ann+smit\

h+dvd & x=10 & y=23

and while they're for seniors, they're probably beneficial for anyone who needs

to start slow and easy.

I want to thank you again, Sheri!

Bless you!

Lynn

There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen

Here's my art blog: http://www.adreamseyeview.blogspot.com/

From: sspencersoap <soaperMOM5@...>

Subject: Re: Question

Joint Replacement

Date: Friday, January 1, 2010, 12:09 AM

Hi Lynn,

I had THR 6 days before you. I am 41 but had dysplasia and like you I waited

many years before I had the replacement. During that time my muscles had

atrophied and I did a lot of damage to my back from the way I was walking and

moving.

The hip got replaced and is nice and stable but because of that atrophy my

muscles are not as stable and are not at all happy about going back to work. I

have had a lot of muscular pain and sciatic trouble which will probably need

surgery.

My muscles are having a hard time relaxing as well as they were needing to be

tensed up for many years to guard my bad hip from movement and pain.

The IT BAND is a muscle that runs down the side of your thigh and I have heard

that it is common to have some trouble with it after THR because of the trauma

that the leg goes through.

If you are not faint of heart you can view the surgery at ORLIVE.COM

I found this very helpful in understanding what was done to my leg and why

certain parts hurt.

For you the situation is even more challenging because of your muscle disease.

My PT did advise me when doing pool exercises to make them small and few at the

beginning because the resistance is greater in the water. She said take it easy

until I know what I can handle without hurting myself.

I have found massage therapy (deep tissue kind of stuff) helpful in dealing with

some of the muscular issues.

Some other things you could look into are Active Release Technique and

Accupuncture to help release those muscles.

It may be more than strength you are in need of but stretching and releasing as

has been the case for me.

I hope you can get some relief.

Bless you,

Sheri

>

> I need to ask a question to see if anyone has an idea or has had this happen.

I had THR on 26 Oct (I'm 60, waited a few years before having the surgery so

the joint was in pretty bad shape according to the OS when he got in there).

About 3 weeks after surgery, I sat in a normal chair at the cafe in Borders.

When I got up (and according to PT instructions) something in my surgery

leg...mid thigh, outside area, pulled and I ended up sitting down really fast.

Much to my frustration, my son had to help haul me up.

>

> Called the OS right away, he said stop therapy for a few days and rest. Ok,

did that...resumed PT. I showed the OS and PT where the area was that got

hurt. (It's about 6 inches below the incision scar). Their thinking was a

muscle got pulled. I kept up PT, but strength has always been an issue as I

also have a muscle disease that's damaged my proximal muscles. So, I'm working

hard at my exercises. In home PT stopped, I changed insurance, so have to wait

to begin again at the rehab center.

>

> Long winded I am...my question...the area on my thigh still hurts. Any

thinking or suggestions as to what I might do to remedy this pain?

>

> Thanks to whomever recommend " Heal Your Hips " . I live near a pool and will

see when I might be able to get in to do some of the exercises. I want to keep

my right hip healthy, too...I don't think I want to do this again!

>

> And Happy New Year to all here...may you have a healthy, happy 2010!

>

> Lynn

>

> There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

> Leonard Cohen

>

> Here's my art blog: http://www.adreamseyeview.blogspot.com/

>

January 2, 2010

Adding to what Sheri said, my surgeon said that the stem that he put into the

femur is quite long, and the bone flexes around it differently from what it used

to do before it had metal in it. I had a similar situation with my left hip,

and it started about a month after the surgery as I started to get more active.

Also, the bone is trying to grow onto the implants, so there can be some

discomfort in that process. My understanding is the the entire healing process

takes about 2 years, and we notice less as time passes and healing occurs.

Hope all goes well for you! The pool is fantastic for fibromyalgia, as well as

healing from joint replacement.

Alice in Boulder

January 2, 2010

Thanks, Alice! Odd that my OS wouldn't explain that? Well, I'll talk to him

again on Monday when I see him.

2 years, eh? I guess that seems reasonable, all things considered!

Lynn

There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen

Here's my art blog: http://www.adreamseyeview.blogspot.com/

From: aliceinboulder <aliceinboulder@...>

Subject: Re: Question

Joint Replacement

Date: Saturday, January 2, 2010, 10:15 PM