Re: [CRPS]rsd Re:hot tubs and sensitivity

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/00 8:34:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jamcatz@...

writes:

<< What is it about the Epsom's Salts that helps, do

you think? >>

Hi Judy,

Well, scientifically I have no clue, but for me Epsom salts feels like it

pulls all the bad out. It is an old remedy for constipation I think also.

I believe the only think that I can add to my bath remedies is a soft, silky

face cloth.

I remember reading somewhere that rubbing a piece of velvet over the

sensitive areas helps, and when I am able to I rub a soft sponge over my legs

to exfoliate them. That is far and few between though.

Last night I wished I had velvet sheets!

Hugs,

Deb

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

Onelist.com

[Guest guest]

Good Morning Deb,

I find most hot tubs too hot also, so I think DJ

was on to something there about having one

provided by whatever insurance for therapy if

the doc orders it!

I'm doing a `survey'. What is it about the Epsoms Salts that helps, do

you think?

Besides pain meds, warm water is the only thing that helps with the

pain.

I also swim & take H2O Aerobics. I didn't during the winter because of

my cold insensitivity. I try to bike ride also, but it's

hard on my ankle - it doesn't like to bend.

So let me know about the Epsoms Salts.

Have a great day! Supposed to be sunny &

warm here. Maybe some gardening later.

Take care,

Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi it's me again!

I really should read all of my email and respond! Just doesn't work that way

though. I'm finding if I don't say what I want right away, I forget what

I've been thinking! LOL. Just another sign of age and medications. Me, who

used to pride myself on my photographic memory! Oh well, this does give me

the opportunity to play dumb occasionally.

In answer to the questions I've read:

Thank god, I'm not as bad as the photos, although my daughter Krisi said

earlier that my legs were getting pretty ugly looking but she always was

brutally honest! They're mottled and shiny, etc. Maybe with some

sun..........

Also, my sensitivity is always heightened after hot tubs and hot baths. I

used to love to grab a book and get in the tub with lots of bubbles and

steam, but that is too uncomfortable to do often. I tried the hot tub at the

gym earlier and found it was way too hot for my legs. I'm one who stands it

for as long as they can though, refusing it to stop me from doing things I

want to. In fact, I just signed up for the AIDS Walk in NYC - 10k in May.

It will hurt, but I hurt even if I don't walk. I'm planning on getting lots

of sponsors, and then being the last to finish, the poor handicapped woman,

and hobnobbing with all the celebrities who feel sorry for me! So, I try and

stand things, pain, sensitivity, whatever for as long as I can.

I was just laughing with Doug yesterday, and I'm sure some of you can relate,

that's he is one of the few men who actually dreads hearing the words " I

can't wait to get home and rip off all of my clothes! " . Most men would love

to hear that. As always, Thank God that Doug is who he is, he's my rock and

will laugh at that. He is very affectionate and I REFUSE to give into the

pain when he lays his head or hand on my bad leg. As long as I know it's

coming, I can stand it, and I do not want him to worry about touching me.

Sounds silly, but.................

We may never be the way we used to, and need to find a way to live in the

here and now of this. If any one of you have any hints, I'd love to hear

them!

Hugs to you!

Jo

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

Onelist.com

[Guest guest]

Hi DJ/Debbie!

Yup, that's how I feel. Gotta keep going! It's vital to my survival! I

will never give in to this monster, it's going to have to take me screaming

and kicking!

Hugs to you!

Jo

List Owner

CRPS/RSD

Onelist.com

[Guest guest]

Judy,

How are you? Hope you are out in your garden as so much of the country

had rain yesterday. I have a " black " thumb, can't grow a thing, not even

a cactus! I got one thinking I could at least keep that alive and

within 3 months it was all brown and falling over. Guess I watered it

too much instead of too little! I do better with inanimate objects than

with living things.

When you go for a bike ride do you wear an ankle brace? I know it hurts

to bend the old joints but you have to keep them moving or they will get

worse. My joy for riding outweighs the pain I experience and I keep

going. I can ride for about 1 hour, if I keep it to a steady pace, no

racing or going up and down hills. This way I also get a good aerobics

workout for the heart. Walking is very painful and after about 20 - 30

minutes I have to stop. If you wrap your ankle with an ace wrap or a

rocket sock (which is painful for me to strap on) and get used to it you

may be able to enjoy your ride with less pain.

Have fun out there with all those worms! LOL Take care,

DJ/Debbie

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[Guest guest]

Jo,

Don't feel bad! I think we all have memory problems now! I used to be

able to get A's and B's in school without even trying but now I can't

even get C's without a great deal of effort. I read something twice and

still can't remember what I just read. Gotta be the meds. Can't be old

age as I am only 40! LOL Well, maybe......

As far as walking, I couldn't even think of walking that far in a month!

Saturday I trimmed some bushes for Mom, took about an hour with several

breaks in between and Mom said I looked like I could barely walk. I

still had to go to the grocery store and pick up my son so I popped more

pills, sat down and elevated the old leg for about 20 minutes and off I

went. Gotta keep going, can't let the RSD run my life. That is my

attitude and it gets me into trouble all the time because I don't know

when to quit. Pacing is truly an art I haven't learned yet! LOL Well,

gotta get going, much to do today. Take care,

DJ/Debbie

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[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie/DJ,

I didn't get out in the yard today, but did yester-

day. The weather here in western WA has been beautiful. Hopefully it

will hit 70 tomorrow.

My hubby actually was out there helping me.

I like just lying out in the sun, too. As about any

warmth, the sun feels good on the leg. I find that most hot tubs are

too hot for me. I've become rather temperature sensitive either way.

The cold really got to me this winter though it's nowhere near as cold

here as it is

where most people on the list live. It snowed once or twice but didn't

stick. It's so wet here it

it makes it feel like that wet cold goes right through you. And I like

it that it doesn't get real

hot here. It's nice being close to beach & mountains and now seeing them

still with snow

when it's getting warm.

When I bike ride I wear my hi-tops. They seem

to provide support and were already so broken in, they're not too bad to

wear for a little bit. I also get a sense of protection wearing them.

Otherwise, I normally can't/don't wear shoes with backs.

My water aerobics instructor had mentioned a

type of brace I could get and put in the sauna

or hot tub to warm it up before I put it on. I haven't been able to

find any like that yet. I think she meant a rubber-type stretch kind.

I'm

not in the class right now so I can't ask her, but

would you know where to get braces at?

Long walks are painful for me, too, as is stand-

ing in one place.

Hope this finds you doing well, and that goes for all! Good luck with

the unemployment. Are

you sure you'd be up to working? I don't want

to be out of line here, but would you maybe

qualify for SSD? That's what I'm on.

I've rambled on too much! I guess I take advantage of it when I'm

feeling ok. Tomorrow

may be a different story.

Take good care all,

Judy