Re: [CRPS]rsd

[Guest guest]

Felice,

I have unfortunately been in a car accident before. I was with my whole

family last time. We were sitting at a red light when a drunk driver rear

ended us.

I was treated terribly by my insurance co. lawyer. He made us feel like we

did something wrong. This is why I am so nervous about this one. I felt as

though the other one was cut and dry, but it wasn't.

This time a man in a truck blew a stop sign and left me disabled. Will I be

treated fairly? No. They are so bad. I hope you have a good lawyer.

Hugs,

Deb

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/21/00 10:04:23 AM Eastern Standard Time,

tnhkrieg@... writes:

<< Could have all my plants and enjoy the sun's warmth all year round.

Hugs, Tracey >>

Hi Tracey,

I am not yet a great gardener, but I am looking forward to having a

greenhouse, even f it is just for warmth. Lol

As far as the weight thing goes, I did not try it just happened. It was a

steady drop of ten lb. at the beginning of the accident. I was in bed unable

to do too much for myself for a month. I just never gained it bak, and I do

not have a big appetite anymore. I think anyone who wants to loose weight is

saying look at these to c'mon!!

But, I do think being thin is worse than being fat, I would never go up to a

heavy person and say wow you are fat! I can't go anywhere without someone

saying, how do you stay so thin. I guess the grass is always greener. No pun

intended, considering I started talking about gardening. lol

Hugs,

Deb

[Guest guest]

Felice,

You got a good deal as far as attorney's fees go. Mine, for the personal

injury case, is getting 35% unless we go to trial. Then he gets 40%! I

think there should be a cap on the amount he can collect as I am going

for the highest I can get, which I think is $1,000,000 in Virginia.

After meds and doctor bills for life, it does not leave me much extra.

My Comp attorney is getting $1500 for the first hearing and I don't know

how much for the appeal. I think employers should have to pay my

attorney's fees as I wouldn't have them if they did what they were

supposed to. He will probably get another $2000 or so for the appeal.

That is 6 whole weeks of comp! I really don't feel that is fair to me or

anyone else in this situation. When you give your deposition just tell

it like it is and don't worry about what everyone thinks. Take a

notebook with your doctor's appointments and use it to refer to

surgeries, treatments etc. Take any pictures you might have to help too.

Please be aware that attorneys are only as good as their clients.

Meaning you have to do the bulk of the work. He can translate everything

into legalese but you have to make sure he doesn't miss anything. I hope

you win your case, take care,

DJ

From:

felicet867@...

Deb,

I don't have a comp case but a lawsuit. The deposition isn't

until May so I am trying not to worry about it yet. But, I had to sign 48

medical releases for the opposition and they are going back in my medical

history to when I was 9 years old. What they are trying to prove from when I

was 9 is beyond me but that seems to me that they are going to really fight

dirty and hard.

My accident was only a minor fender bender so they say I couldn't have been

hurt that bad. But I already had arthritis in my back and when you slam on

the brakes with enough force that the seatbelt cracked my rib what do you

expect? It has been downhill since then.

Oh well, I guess I leave that to my lawyer to worry about. After all that's

why he gets 25%

Felice

[Guest guest]

Hi All!

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. My personal injury case is over, it was

settled in less than 2 years, which my attorneys said would never happen. I

thought my case was clear cut too. The only good thing on my side is that I

had never seen a Dr. before for any injury to my right leg, so they couldn't

pin it on anything else. I used to scream and cry at my attorneys because

they were more interested in my Drs. as witnesses, not health care providers.

I did what I wanted to anyway, and saw the Drs. I wanted to. So, if you

have insurance that will pay for a Dr. that you want to see, do it! Your

attorneys are looking for a quick settlement, and your health is secondary.

Keep good notes, you will need them. Don't be afraid to use them either, at

the DRs. office or during depositions.

I spent so much time on my case that I think I only need the " q " for Esq. and

I'll be set!

Hugs!

Jo

[Guest guest]

Tracey, here again i have to agree with you in regards to what we have lost

.... as i see it we have lost a very valuable commodity ..... " Freedom " ...

The freedon to choose when we can go where we can go how we do things

amongst a slew of other things as well

Ralph

[Guest guest]

Deb,

I think one of the hardest thing about living with RSD is the accepting

of our limitations. We wake up and know the pain will be there. But

accepting the fact that we cannot do all we used to do is sometimes too darn

hard. I am one who truly misses my clothes....my tight fitting jeans, short

skirts, pantyhose, high heels, etc.. Herb took me shopping and has bought

me some nice long dresses and skirts which are lovely but not me but have to

be me now. I have to have a new look and need to try and work with it.

Herb is great and always tells me I'm beautiful. That helps me so much. I

did find something that helps me feel a little better, I started wearing all

those silk undergarments I used to wear.

My concern now is summer. I always wore jean cut offs but seriously

doubt I can this year. New challenge for me....

I guess we each need to do what we can to make ourselves feel better...

Hugs, Tracey

[Guest guest]

Deb,

Forgot one thing....how have you managed to get down to a size 1. I'm

in a size 5 to 6 but would love to get into a smaller size....

I like your garden idea. I want to do the same. I have plenty of

plants here in the house whichi I love. Just got a gardenia but it's not

doing well at all...any suggestions! Herb is talking about building a

sunroom on the backside of the house. That would be wonderful. Just think

I could have all my plants and enjoy the sun's warmth all year round.

Hugs, Tracey

[Guest guest]

Deb,

The problem with lawyers is that you usually don't know if you have a good

one until it is to late.

I picked mine because a friend was using him for a saw suit.

But he dropped the suit so I will not know how good this guy is until things

get down and dirty.

Felice

[Guest guest]

Ralph,

I guess in a way " Freedom " has become a foreign word to us hasn't it??

To look back now and realize how many times I took so many things for

granted but then again alot of them were just natural things such as

walking....too bad we couldn't just say " Beam me up, y " !

Hugs, Tracey

[Guest guest]

Yes Deb, I have found it most amazing also to

see how the group is there for each & everyone

individually and equally. Very amazing. Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

So, you got wet today?! LOL Hope it was warm! Temp here today was up to

80 degrees but now it has dropped to 60 and is still falling. It also

started pouring all of a sudden.

I am glad I am not the only one who looks " normal " . I had a dream last

night that my doctors were mistaken and I really did not have RSD (it was

a big question for 4 years) and I had suffered all this time needlessly.

What a nightmare but then again if it meant there is a cure, would be a

blessing in disguise. I do feel sorry for those who do have a full blown

case and wish the researchers could find a way to make them better.

With all the research being done in gene therapy it might not be too long

before they find a new treatment that really works. Wouldn't that be

great?

Do you like to bike ride? That is the best exercise for me and it is

something I did BRSD (before RSD). Part of my old self still exists when

I ride. Swimming is another exercise that really helps. I am grateful I

can still ride a bike and walk. I am grateful for the warm weather and

sunshine. I am grateful I have a good attorney who is going to win these

lawsuits and make me rich some day so I can support myself again! I am

grateful I have a mild case of RSD and that I have a good medical support

system in place for keeping it that way. I am grateful for my friends

here online who help me through the darkest times. There is a lot to be

grateful for, we just have to try really hard to find reasons sometimes.

The pain can be so overbearing it is hard to think of anything else.

Warmer days are on the horizon and memories are waiting to be created.

Take care,

DJ/Debbie

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/00 12:36:27 AM Eastern Daylight Time, djhslim@...

writes:

<< Swimming is another exercise that really helps. I am grateful I

can still ride a bike and walk. I am grateful for the warm weather and

sunshine. >>

Hi DJ,

I am hoping that this spring and summer bring with it the same pain relief I

had last year.

I was able to swim in my pool, but not always (the sensitivity).

I was able to ride my bike, but only for less than 1/2 mile (my foot and back

hurt and hand with the breaks)

I am considering getting a special bike for myself, maybe with three wheels!

I saw a work bike? at Walmart it was great, but the breaks were hand breaks.

My right arm and hand are getting worse.

Last summer I would jog around the pool singing, and I was caught by some gas

workers on the other side of the fence (when I sing it sounds like a dog

howling) That was embarrassing!

I use to enjoy being able to mow the lawn for . We have an acre of

grass to mow. I can't ride the mower anymore, the vibrations hurt too much.

I do hope I feel half as good as last summer, and it wasn't even that good!

Compared to the way I feel now though, I was in remission.

I guess this is a perfect example of how we all, even healthy people, take

the good for granted huh?

I am curious, is anyone on the list as bad as the photos?

Hugs,

Deb

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

Onelist.com

[Guest guest]

Hi DJ,

I have not started a data base yet, but it has occurred to me.

I noticed right away, before I did any research that most of us were woman,

35-50 years of age.

I have a new theory now. I am wondering if it is an estrogen/hormone issue

that makes us susceptible or maybe would help us get better?

Anyway, I am hoping your leg gets better soon. Infections are a bonus to all

of this for you. I feel so bad.

Hang in there.

Hugs,

Deb

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

Onelist.com

[Guest guest]

Deb,

Not sure if you mean me or someone else but my leg is now infected,

nothing major, I think. I will know by tomorrow if I need more medical

attention than just taking Keflex. I was taking flagyl but it was the

wrong kind of antibiotic for this infection. It is still hurting pretty

badly but I am hoping the Keflex will take care of it. I go back to the

vascular surgeon Monday for another ultrasound, this time of my abdominal

aorta, to measure the size, and post surgical checkup.

Have you heard any more about Sandy?

Jo and Doug,

I hope you had a great anniversary!

Barb,

How are you? Hope all is well. I am recouping and need to get off this

leg so I am writing to all here. I am reading e-mail just not responding

due to severe pain when sitting. The lymph nodes in the top of my right

leg (where I had veins stripped) are swollen and very painful making it

difficult to bend my leg.

Judy,

Glad you didn't have to water the garden! LOL Every little bit of help

makes things easier!

Marilee,

I have chatted with and talked to her on the phone but not met yet.

Maybe we could all get together while you are here. My son will be back

in school and I will have a lot of free time then unless I am back in

surgery but I think that is going to wait awhile. Hang in there!

To all the new members, welcome to the group!

I will write more beginning of next week when the swelling has hopefully

subsided. Take care,

DJ/Debbie

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[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

Well, I got basically good news today from the vascular surgeon. He said

I do not have an aneurysm (abdominal aorta) like I was told 8 years ago.

He also said that my leg is healing nicely, all things considered. The

lymph nodes are part of what he calls the natural process of healing

tissue which have built up under the largest incision and directly above

it. He does not think it is anything to worry about. I have to go back

in 2 weeks unless I start running a fever or have some other

complication. I finish the Keflex tomorrow and I will just have to wait

and see. I am not taking any narcotics now so I can see how I really

feel as these nodes are painful. I hope he is right about this. Did you

get a chance to look at ICQ yet? It is pretty neat. Also offers more

information on RSD and other related issues. Well, tomorrow is the only

day I do not have a doctor's appt. and I want to spend the day with my

son at the mall and, weather permitting, at the beach riding on the

boardwalk. Let me know how you are and take care,

DJ/Debbie

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[Guest guest]

Hi DJ,

Well, that is a relief! I am so happy for you (I think) time will tell, like

the doctor said.

As far as not taking any narcotics that is a brave thing to do, especially

after you ride the boardwalk. I hope you can do it. I know I get up and say I

am not going to take any morning pills, but my body will not work without

them.

I go to the pain clinic myself tomorrow for another lidocaine IV. I think I

mentioned that I feel like every three weeks would be better for me. I needed

my " booster " last week, and I can't wait for some relief.

Nights are becoming a big problem for me. I never really had a problem as far

as getting to sleep. I suppose if I went to bed at 9p.m. I would go to sleep,

but I will wake up too early, from pain. If I stay up, I at least get up with

the rest of the world at a reasonable 6am. I always got up at 6a.m. because

of my jogging anyway. I miss that so much it hurts. There is nothing I can do

about it, and complaining doesn't change anything, does it?

I will mention the sleeping to the doctor tomorrow, and also the

antidepressants.

Which antidepressant to most of you take?

I guess the big one for rsd is elavil?

Hugs,

Deb

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

ONElist. Com

We are a group of caring people with a private chat every evening, along with

great links for RSD,CRPS,ABC,.Whatever they label it, It is a monster.

We also encourage caregivers. We do have a few people in the medical field on

our list, but would always welcome more!

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb!

I just read your post about your trouble sleeping, and have found that I am

as well. At first I thought it was just because I was having such trouble

with the burning and sensitivity. I keep reading the warnings on the med

bottles and they all say " may cause drowsiness " and I keep waiting! I

stopped drinking regular coffee in the evenings (which usually means no

coffee, because decaf is not coffee), that didn't help either. I've started

swimming and using the elliptical machines at the gym, hoping that exercise

would tire me, but nothing. I read, and eventually nod off at 2-3 am. It's

getting bad, though, because I know I'm going to fall of my chair at work

someday soon. I keep nodding off I'm so tired. My assistant (Georgia) is

here 3 days a week, and she's hoping it will happen when she's here, she

loves to laugh!

Luckily, you're going for your IV tomorrow, so you can ask about it. If you

get any good info, please share!

Hugs to you!

Jo

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

Onelist.com

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I also have trouble sleeping, at leat at night when most people do

I am currently taking 25 mg. elavil. It worked at first, but now it

seems I only get about 2 hrs., then awake for hours until I nod off.

I am very interested in the meds. everyone is on and if they are

working.

Tracey, thanks for the welcome. It's nice to know someone is out

there who understands completely.

[Guest guest]

Dear Tracey,

Consider yourself lucky you didn't build up a tolerence to the ambien

yet. I take 20 mg. at bedtime, plus 2 mg. of clorazapam, remeron, and

bacoflen, before i can even get in a few short hours.

If you take a tranq. before the ambien, it will work much better.

Anything to relax your body will let the meds work better. Even pain meds.

If i take the clorz. about 15 min. before my pain meds, the meds work so much

better.

I think all of us have the same sleep problems. Love to everyone,

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

Well I did make it through the day yesterday with no narcotics or

antiinflammatories. I only took amitriptyline (for the sleep aid and

pain) which is a tricyclic antidepressant that works well for me. Same

family as elavil, nortriptyline, etc.

It is very cloudy so I don't know if we will make it to the Boardwalk

today. If we do go though I will have to take some oxycontin to

accomplish my goal of riding the Strip. These nodes really do hurt! I

hope the vascular surgeon was right about them.

When you wake up at 6 am have you ever tried riding a stationary bike?

It is not the same as jogging but it is non-impact exercise. I have one

but seldom use it as I prefer to do the real thing. I went out riding

yesterday and didn't think I would make it back home but I did. I rode

for 20 minutes nonstop which is really good for me.

I might get to chat tonight on my brother's computer as he has flown back

to New York again. If I do my screen name will be sycobikr4life@....

This is my son's screen name so if you see it be sure to ask if it is

him or me, okay? Let me know what the pain clinic says about meds and

how the IV works. Take care,

DJ/Debbie

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[Guest guest]

Hi Jo and Deb,

I, too, have trouble with sleeping. I have to take 2 Ambien pills

(sleeping pills) in order to fall asleep. I may only get 3 to 4 hours

straight sleep but it's better than nothing. I had tried the Elavil before

but that didn't help. With the Ambien I drop right off after 10 to 15

minutes.

Hugs, Tracey

> [Original Message]

>

> To: <CRPSegroups>

> Date: 04/18/2000 6:21:58 AM

> Subject: Re: rsd

>

> Hi Deb!

> I just read your post about your trouble sleeping, and have found that I

am

> as well. At first I thought it was just because I was having such

trouble

> with the burning and sensitivity. I keep reading the warnings on the med

> bottles and they all say " may cause drowsiness " and I keep waiting! I

> stopped drinking regular coffee in the evenings (which usually means no

> coffee, because decaf is not coffee), that didn't help either. I've

started

> swimming and using the elliptical machines at the gym, hoping that

exercise

> would tire me, but nothing. I read, and eventually nod off at 2-3 am.

It's

> getting bad, though, because I know I'm going to fall of my chair at work

> someday soon. I keep nodding off I'm so tired. My assistant (Georgia)

is

> here 3 days a week, and she's hoping it will happen when she's here, she

> loves to laugh!

> Luckily, you're going for your IV tomorrow, so you can ask about it. If

you

> get any good info, please share!

>

>

>

> Hugs to you!

> Jo

> List Owner

> CRPS/RSD

> Onelist.com

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Your high school sweetheart-where is he now? With 4.4 million alumni

> already registered at Classmates.com, there's a good chance you'll

> find her here. Visit your online high school class reunion at:

> http://click./1/3139/0/_/706883/_/956064104/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

If we all have o much trouble sleeping why don't we schedule a chat for 2 am?

Maybe more people will show up at that time.

Felice

[Guest guest]

Hi Felice!

Sounds like an idea, but I don't do 2 am well. I'm such a cranky " B " that

you'd be better not to have me at that hour!

It does sound like there are a lot of people on then, so maybe you can have a

chat then, just don't forget the 8:30 pm one! I hate to talk to myself!

Hugs to you!

Jo

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

Onelist.com

[Guest guest]

I was wondering this last evening myself. I wondered if anyone was online

and how we could hook up.

-mom to Hailey 4

dx-IDDM-3/87

dx-RSD-4/00

North East of Cleveland, OH

www.diabeticfun.com

Re: rsd

> If we all have o much trouble sleeping why don't we schedule a chat for 2

am?

> Maybe more people will show up at that time.

> Felice

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Avoid the lines and visit avis.com for quick and easy online

> reservations. Enjoy a compact car nationwide for only $29 a day!

> Click here for more details.

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>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I am often on after 12 am at night and my screen name for AOL Instant

Messenger is djhslim040. I also have ICQ and my address for that is

71167286. RSD can go into remission or you can contain it by taking

meds, using biofeedback and relaxation, trigger point injections and

Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks. These methods have helped me for 10 years

until I reinjured the same ankle. I feel I need reconstructive surgery

again but talking a doctor into working on the same ankle seems to be a

challenge. I am still working on that one. Maybe I will catch you at

the chat. Take care,

DJ/Debbie

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