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From: Keith.Jones@p0.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Jones)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: CERVICAL DISCOGENIC DISEASE
Message-ID: <18776@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 15 Apr 91 15:46:00 GMT
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Index Number: 14930

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

   Hi, it takes me a long time to get back to people because I just
got this computer and all this is new to me. I do not yet know howe
to upload or download messages so my time is limited here.

    Let me explain my situation first (hopefully without running out
of time). Maybe you can help.I am a T-1 para who had no serious problems
for the first 5 years after my injury. I got married (and divorced),
went back to school and graduated with a B.S. in soocial work, and
got very active in wheelchair racing,

     About a year and a half ago I developed lower back pain on the
right side. Several months later I developed apain that feels like
a nail in the ball of my foot.I also have a bad right hip now.

     I have had every test and procedure in the book to alleviate
this problem with no success. I have seen no less than 20 doctors
in both Cleveland and Phoenix where I now live. I have had 3 Mr
MRIs, 2 IVPs, an EMG (?),a bone scan, seen a chiropracter, seen a
kinisiologist, goner to pain mgmt., been on as much as 200 mg. baclofen
daily, taken pain pills, tegretol, had injections of facet joints
twice, foot twice, and hip once with cortisone, had cortisone nerve
blocks and a morphine block. I am currently having muscle stretching
done. Nothing has helped. I have been told to accept it by doctors
who do not live with the pain. It has affected every aspect of my
life. I can no longer even sit in my chair without terrible pain and
there is much pain even in bed. I cannot accept it. I do and always
did accept my injury, but not the pain. Any help appreciated.

   I had reservations about the morphine blocks before I had them
also as I have overcome problems with drugs and alcohol. I was assured
that the injection would in no way impair my thinking since the drug
is not injected muscularly but instead intrathecally (directly into
the fluid surrounding the spinal cord). Therefore it acts only on
the nerves coming out from the cord. I am currently investigating
a morphine or baclofen pump which works the same way. I do not know
much about this other than what the doctor told me. Any information
would be appreciated. I am desperate for relief from the pain and
I know that any relief offered now looks good.

     I really enjoy this communication with others in the same boat.
This computer may have been a lifesaver (literally) for me.

                                             Desperate but
                                             hangin in there,
                                                    Keith

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