This is topic My stint in the hospital in forum Officers' Lounge at Flare Sci-Fi Forums.


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Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :
 
Apparently it's what all the "cool" Flarites do now....

I was just discharged from the hospital last night. Thanksfully, 3 days sooner than they were planning on discharging me, but still, any amount of time in the hospital is too long, I've now learned.

It's these migraines. I have them daily, and I usually manage them and even function with them, but sometimes I get one that peaks out and just wont go away, and I crack. That happened last Friday. After a few trips to the doctor and the ER, it was time to admit me for some IV therapy. I'm just happy to be out, though I'm still not at 100%. I'll never be at 100% again, honestly. But anything is better than where I was at. For the first time in my life, I was contemplating suicide, though we found out that was a direct result of a certain medication I was on that was screwing with the seratonin levels in my brain.

Either way, it was a dark place in my life, and the scariest time of my life. I'm glad it's over. Or seems to be.

For now, I'm under orders to take it easy, for fears that the migraine gods will curse me with a repeat visit if I do not. And if the headache shows signs of worsening again, I'm to head straight back to the hospital, where they will be waiting for me.

Joy of joys.

~LOA
 

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Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
 
Ouch dude. I feel for ya. I used to get such killer headaches in school because of the flourescent lighting. It's wisdom teeth time for me. they got me on Uber-strength Motrin and Amoxycillin for the infection. I've hardly eaten anything this past week because I can't even chew without bleeding. I have to wait 2 or 3 weeks before I can get in to have them removed because the Dentist said they're growing in sideways and that apparently makes them very difficult to remove. That, and they're too close to nerve/blood vessels. I have to go to a specialist. But thankfully the pills are working and the pain and swelling is diminishing
 

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Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :
 
Have you tried floatation tanks, LOA? Works wonders for me and my taxed neck and shoulders, also gives a mental blanket.

Doctors are soon going to be able to give referrals to it here in Sweden, lifting it and acupuncture out of the alt-med swamp.
 

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Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
 
Jesus H. Christ, Liz! I think that's enough near-death stuff for Flare for the next few years. What made my six weeks in hospital suck so mightily was the fact that I was so weak I could barely shift my legs -- and forget about standing up! -- and my protein levels were so low my vision was going. My new epitome of mind-breaking boredom is having to lie flat on your back and be unable to read or watch TV. Thank the Force you got out early.

I didn't want to intrude when I recently saw you reappear online, but would it be cool to IM and say hi?

--Jonah

P.S. Da_bang, about wisdom teeth... I had mine out a year ago and I have one word for you -- Percocet.
 

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Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :
 
Yeah, it's okay to say hi to me when I'm seen online. If I don't respond, it simply means that my boyfriend is checking my email for me 'cause my head hurts, so don't be offended, and don't worry, he won't ind that some strange dude is saying hi to me

As far as percocet is concerned, I miss the days when that drug was a savior. Now I can pop it with the same frequency as Skittles candy, with no results. Pretty impressive from a little girl like me. My body just metabolizes drugs exceptionally well.

I'm thinking about trying accupunture next. It's been a long time since I've been "well" and maybe it's time to try something new, with fewer side effects than what I get from some of my weird daily maintenance drugs.

So we'll see.

And Peregrinus, I really am so glad you're doing better now. A short stay was too much for me. 6 weeks would have done me in.
 

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Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
 
I feel ya on the Percocet doing squat: even the 10/650mg bullets do very little anymore.
I'm running on Oxycontin, Percocets and pure hate.

Hey: we should all start going to the same hospital! Last week I was "In" four days and was bored outta my mind.

Have you guys tried sending copies of your medical records to specialists around the country? I'm doing that now and hope someone will have a novel therapy in mind (and not just want to write another paper on my problem.

quote:

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Originally posted by Nim:
Have you tried floatation tanks, LOA? Works wonders for me and my taxed neck and shoulders, also gives a mental blanket.
Doctors are soon going to be able to give referrals to it here in Sweden, lifting it and acupuncture out of the alt-med swamp.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nim:
Have you tried floatation tanks, LOA? Works wonders for me and my taxed neck and shoulders, also gives a mental blanket.

Doctors are soon going to be able to give referrals to it here in Sweden, lifting it and acupuncture out of the alt-med swamp.

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Originally posted by LOA:
Yeah, it's okay to say hi to me when I'm seen online. If I don't respond, it simply means that my boyfriend is checking my email for me 'cause my head hurts, so don't be offended, and don't worry, he won't ind that some strange dude is saying hi to me

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*chuckle* Hey, if worse comes to worst, I'd just show him a pic of me and my sweetie of seven years.

It's mainly... I wasn't planning on moving back up to Washington, but circumstances dictated it. Now I'm here, my mobility is somewhat restricted until after the surgery, and even if it weren't most of my friends from high school and after have blatantly moved elsewhere (bastards!). So my current goal is to find as many friends online as possible, with an emphasis on trying to find people near me. Charles lives fairly close to Seattle, and Balaam visits from time to time, and if I remember right, you're a Washingtonian, as well. But are you a Seattleite? *heh*

As far as "alternative" therapies go (a bogus term, if ever there was one), I've had the best results from Strain-Counterstrain, energy work of various disciplines, Hellerwork/Rolfing, Bodytalk, and psychotherapy. It's amazing to me how much of what goes on physically is a result of what's going on mentally... Acupuncture has never worked for me because I just can't relax when I have a whole bunch of needles in me. *sigh*

I've had a long time to study and experiment with integrated medicine, and if you'd like I can see what I can dig up about migraines. I've been thinking of doing so anyway, because my girlfriend gets them occasionally, too.

--Jonah
 

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Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
 
For headaches I found that using a heating pad on my forehead and lying down in a dark room for about an hour completely gets rid of it. Something to do with dialating the blood vessels. I dunno if it works on migranes. But the heat helps lessen the pain anyways.

For chronic pain I recommend Marijuana. It really does work better than the man made pills and other chemical garbage on the shelves these days. I'm being 100% serious here. Just don't use it for headaches. Seems to make them worse for me. If you can get a prescription all the better.
 

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Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
 
Not to deride you or anything, but there's a guy I work with that has serious, noticible diminished mental capacity from smoking marijuana.
He does not really drink, or use other drugs, but smokes every night- and I've watched him get progressivly dumber over the past five years.

I'm certain it has differing effects from person to person though- everything does- but why risk that?
 

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Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :
 
Furthermore, my chronic pain would be the never stopping headaches. I have Chronic Daily Migraine Syndrome. Translated, I have a migraine of some degree every single day of my life.

So your statement that I shouldn't use the whacky tabacky for the headaches, but I should use it for the pain wouldn't work for me ;-)

Plus, ultimately, I would like to get well enough to be a musician again. So no smoke in my lungs if I can avoid it. Not of ANY sort.

And i don't like the smell of weed anyway. P-U!

But that's just my opinion... thank you for sharing yours though...
 

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Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :
 
And no, Jason... I'm a Spokanite... and until I can get the headaches under control, there will be no roadtrips to Seattle for me
 

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Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
 
Check this sight out. Maybe your friend just got dumber on his own.

http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/

MYTH: MARIJUANA IMPAIRS MEMORY AND COGNITION. Under the influence of marijuana, people are unable to think rationally and intelligently. Chronic marijuana use causes permanent mental impairment.

FACT: Marijuana produces immediate, temporary changes in thoughts, perceptions, and information processing. The cognitive process most clearly affected by marijuana is short-term memory. In laboratory studies, subjects under the influence of marijuana have no trouble remembering things they learned previously. However, they display diminished capacity to learn and recall new information. This diminishment only lasts for the duration of the intoxication. There is no convincing evidence that heavy long-term marijuana use permanently impairs memory or other cognitive functions.

MYTH: MARIJUANA CAN CAUSE PERMANENT MENTAL ILLNESS. Among adolescents, even occasional marijuana use may cause psychological damage. During intoxication, marijuana users become irrational and often behave erratically.

FACT: There is no convincing scientific evidence that marijuana causes psychological damage or mental illness in either teenagers or adults. Some marijuana users experience psychological distress following marijuana ingestion, which may include feelings of panic, anxiety, and paranoia. Such experiences can be frightening, but the effects are temporary. With very large doses, marijuana can cause temporary toxic psychosis. This occurs rarely, and almost always when marijuana is eaten rather than smoked. Marijuana does not cause profound changes in people's behavior.

While he's on the whacky tobacky, yes, he probably would be dumber. I've tried a little experiment of my own with a couple different I.Q. tests. Surprisingly I found my I.Q. to be higher after smoking a small amount of the happy herb. And lower if I'm full blown ripped out of my mind. It all depends on how much is smoked I guess. As for the headaches, that's just me. It's probably different for everyone depending on how much they take in. It's just a plant after all and not everybodies into that sort of thing. I accept that, I wasn't trying to be a pusher or anything.
 

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Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
 
I know you're not selling anything- I'm just really scared of anything that (even temporarily) reduces my brain's aility to function.

I needs all I's gots!
 

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Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
 

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Originally posted by LOA:
I've never even heard of one of those tanks.... but I have to tell you, when I get a bad migraine, my neck starts to kill me soon after because I get so tense from the pain... chronic pain takes a lot out of a person... a lot....

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How it works:

Basically, being in a floatation tank affects four of the five bodily senses. It's lightproof so the eyes are the first things to relax. Hearing gets affected by your ears being underwater, usually you get issued earplugs as well, against the underwater sounds.
Your smell gets kind of defaulted due to breathing the fumes of the epsom salt in the water (german "health" salt, not sea salt, good for the skin's healing abilities).
The greatest effect, of course, is the lifting force of the salt water and the neutral temperature, blurring the line for where the surface ends and the body begins.
Pressure and tightness in the spine, neck and all joints disappears. Arms, hands and head float on the surface and as long as you don't move, the muscles and tendons don't give off any notice either, making it possible to have a slight out-of-body experience or being in space. It's good to read up on this before the first times and talk to the people running the place to get a feel for it.

A normal session lasts an hour and if you are sufficiently relaxed (usually during the second session) your brain activity relaxes too;
the brain works with different brainwaves in different modes.
You work in beta waves when you're awake, alpha-waves when you're shutting your eyes and relaxing, theta waves in the short time just before you fall asleep (kind of a bridge) and then delta waves for deep sleep or unconsciousness.
During the last twenty minutes of the floating session, it is possible to get down to theta (yes yes ha ha lron) or delta levels, allowing for a period of sleeping awake, which kicks the immune system into high gear, improves marrow production, stimulates serotonin leves and is optimal for mediation and prayer. During this time the contact between the brain halves improve also.

Indeed, for mental discipline it's best not to get carried away by trains of thought and instead stand back in your mind and just accept and wonder at the things flying past, non-judgementally.
One hour of floating is regarded as 4-6 hours of sleep, depending on your level of relaxation and how used you are you are to the procedure.

Target groups:

Primarily, floating is used for stress control but it has proven effective on people with chronic pains, tense headaches, migraine, psoriasis (stress related), rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
It's doubly effective on psoriasis patients, due to both taking away stress and having a therapeutic effect on the skin, due to the 36% epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) water, making skin soft and hair lithe.
I like that word, lithe. I so rarely get to use it in a sentence. ... Hm.

Reactions:

There are no side effects whatsoever, since essentially it's just returning to the womb for a while.
It usually takes two or three sessions to get accustomed to it, you don't even let your head rest freely on the surface of the water until after about 15 minutes, it's an inherited instinct. Like with Neo and the building jumping test.
There are very many variations of tanks but usually it's a very large, slightly rectangular box. It's always large enough so that a normal person cannot reach the walls or roof while lying on the surface, for obvious psychological "immersion" reasons. The water's about a foot deep, 600 liters or so. Again, as for claustrophobia, it won't affect a normal person, you forget all that when you start experiencing the weightlessness. But if you're a person who can't go into a public restroom stall, then you need to see a shrink. Regardless.
For some people, the silence and tranquility can seem irritating, if your usual day is spent in a clamor of phone calls, music and noisy work places and if you notice you dislike quiet rooms. Ironically these people are the ones most in need of doing floating or just basic anti-stress activity.
An important effect of floating that was the chief interest of its creator, Dr John Lilly, was the altered state of consciousness achievable through the practice. Emotions and thoughts from long-term memory and the subconscious can be allowed to resurface. Some people can react to it but it's very rare.
The altered state and general softness after a floating session can be likened to a mild drug buzz, similar to taking LSD; you get very creative and attentive for several hours after, but the capacity for logic thinking and hard mind-work is slightly diminished, scientists believe this is because the left (logic) side of the brain slows down during floating or sleep, while the activity in the right (creative) side increases.
You shouldn't do floating before a school test or a boardroom/office meeting, it's also important to let yourself "land" to get as much out of the experience as possible. Take out some "me"-time, go home and listen to music, write a sonnet or masturbate (oh yes, that's right, I went there). Perhaps a combination of the three.

The water is 36% salt, a third more than the Dead Sea, so, you know, don't rub your eyes. It also tastes bitter (if you're like me, the curiosity gets you in the end).
Have fun, and if anyone tries out floating, please give me feedback, I have only talked to a few who have tried it. It's interesting to compare experiences.


$$$$$$$$$$$$
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It can be highly tempting to...touch yourself in such an optimal environment, just to see what happens. Well what happens is floating clinics commonly have wires installed to administer a strong electric current if they have reason to think you are approaching your unmentionables. For legal reasons, IIRC. Standard boilerplate. Then they take your clothes and you have to run home in your birthday suit. Traditionally it ends up on page 5 or 6 in the local paper.
That's were acupuncture is a much better therapy. No risks of getting fresh there.

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Originally posted by Peregrinus:
Oh, and incidentally, it's "Jonah", not "Jason" -- although it is nice being called after a Greek Hero instead of a rebellious prophet... --Jonah

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Nothing says you cant be both.
 

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Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
 
Sorry Nim, I meant Swedish - just a lapse in my memory of who is from where for a moment!

Your small article makes me DEFINATELY want to try it out. I have a very... busy mind, It'd be nice to quieten it down for a bit.
 

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Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :
 
I don't know if I could handle the floating tank right now.... it sounds wonderful, but one of the things that is the most disturbing to me with my migraines is the constant ringing in my ears.... if I was in an environment where there was no other sound, and that's all I could hear, I might go mad. Literally.

I keep telling my Neuro we need to get the rining under control, he keeps telling me Tinnitus can strike at any time, and there's nothing we can do.

I swear, my body is going on strike. S-T-R-I-K-E.

And Jonah, I apologize, I knew your name, I just thought I was talking to Jason Abbadon for a second in that last post. Blame it on the drugs.

And if you want to visit Spokane at some point, OK, but it's REALLY not all that exciting.... about the best thing we've got going for ourselves is a goat shaped garbage can that sucks up garbage in the park down town. Whoo, hoo.
 

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Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :
 
Most modern floating tanks have underwater loudspeakers for playing relaxation music (they had a choice of 6 tracks where I went) or whatever you want to bring.
I've found that silence works best for me but for my first two sessions I chose a sea track and a forest track, that was nice too.

I wish I could go to the States. Won't be possible for a long time, now that I'm knee-deep in university studies.
 

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Posted by Jay the Obscure (Member # 19) on :
 
I have little advice to offer on the migraine front...other than seek out migraine specialist. And you think about a floatation tank, just be sure you see Altered States first.

I can and do offer my sympathies on you stay in the hospital because I know that being in the hospital is no fun at all. All that laying about with nothing to do other than think and watch CNN can really drive one over the edge.

Do know that I am on the list of those who are hoping that everything goes as well as it possibly can for you as you go forward.

And for the rest of you Flareites...do try and stay out of the hospital.
 

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Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
 
Funny, I was going to post that same link. Holy crap, was that an awful movie.
 

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Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
 

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Originally posted by Nim:
Most modern floating tanks have underwater loudspeakers for playing relaxation music (they had a choice of 6 tracks where I went) or whatever you want to bring.

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It would be a great gag to play the theme from "Jaws" while someone's in there!

...hmmm....maybe some recordings of dirt being shoveled over the top of the tank...

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Originally posted by LOA:
I was talking to Jason Abbadon for a second in that last post. Blame it on the drugs.

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Originally posted by LOA:
A lot of people in my support group swear by Tiger Balm for temporary relief. I've yet to find it in a local drug store, so I haven't tried it yet...

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Originally posted by TSN:
Plus, if you ever come across a tiger in pain, you can soothe him, and he will become your companion and bodyguard on your many harrowing adventures.

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Originally posted by Da_bang80:
Update on the Wisdom Teeth...I'm booked to go in to see a specialist for an operation since my dentist doesn't think he can yank em out since they're growing in sideways, and are too close to nerve and blood vessels. The shitty part: My appointment is on March 22, 2007!!!! A whole year!!

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Wow. Remind me not to bitch about Blue Cross.
 

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Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
 
Well, I got put on a cancellation list so if anything opens up before then I can get them out. The meds I'm on are really helping though so it won't be comepletely hell. And if they start giving me some real trouble the dentist in town can take them out if he has to, but he doesn't think he's up to the challenge. Or he can put me on stronger meds. I wouldn't mind spending the next year all doped up on morphine

As for headaches and migranes, I saw a commercial on CNN today about this topical headache medicine called HeadOn I think it was called. Supposedly you put it directly on your forehead. Even comes in Migrane strength. If you try some of that let me know and I might look into it.

We also get Tiger Balm in Canada. There's a tin of it in my medicine cabinet. Never tried it for headaches though, the heating pad always works, but I might check it out next time.
 

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Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
 

"The fact that you NEED to see a specialist would mean that it's kinda important."

Well, no, it just means that it's complicated. Complicated does not necessarily equal an immediately pressing need.
 

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Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
 
Ever see the Simpsons episode where the orthodontist projects what Lisa will look like without braces?

That's what they mean by "complicated".
 

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Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
 

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Originally posted by Da_bang80:

We also get Tiger Balm in Canada. There's a tin of it in my medicine cabinet. Never tried it for headaches though, the heating pad always works, but I might check it out next time.

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I think you put some on the temples. There's a white and a red - I think the red is hotter.

And Tim, if I hear, "sideways teeth", "blood vessels", "nerves" - yeah it's gonna be complicated but it's gonna ALSO be a pressing matter (scuse the pun). I wouldn't like the things being all screwed up for 13 months. Pain and infection aren't a nice thing and yes, I'm now too picturing the Simpsons episode!

"Dental Plan! Lisa needs braces!"
 

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Posted by Peregrinus (Member # 504) on :
 
Red is indeed stronger. I use it on my chapped lips and it works beautifully. *lol* Mainly by dissolving the outer layer of skin. Just be careful to not rub your eyes for a LONG time afterward. Oy! Active ingredients are camphor, menthol, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, and I think one other kind of oil I can never remember...

--Jonah
 

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Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
 
Dont spank it for a looong time after either.
just guessing here- I've never heard of the stuff before- honest!
 

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Posted by The Ginger Beacon (Member # 1585) on :
 

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Originally posted by Jason Abbadon:
Dont spank it for a looong time after either.
just guessing here- I've never heard of the stuff before- honest!

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Originally posted by Nim:
Camphor, menthol, clove oil, eucalyptus oil, and I think one other kind of oil I can never remember...

Mmm, camphor. That's me, camphorlover. My grandma had a camphor-wood chest where she stored bedware, I used to always run into her bedroom and smell the chest innards when coming to visit.

AndrewR: It depends on where it hurts. My pain is usually situated behind one of my eyes, or in the back of the head, making me tug my hair around there to massage the scalp.
Usually, though, the headaches come from having a tense neck and shoulders so I rub the balm there, or else I get the hose again.

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We have a camphor-wood box - and no you can't come and smell it!

Have you ever tried shampoo that has mint in it... it's a strong mint and it is VERY refreshing on the scalp - it leaves you all tingly and on a bit of a high - seriously!
 

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Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :
 
I love shampoo with tea tree oil in it... it smell minty and it makes your scalp feel tingly and it's SOOOO good for your hair. Just wonderful!
 

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Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Jason Abbadon:
horseraddsh?

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Sounds like a Lucas Star Wars name.
 

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Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
 
I think I have that action figure. . . *checks* No, I've got a jar of peppery sauce that goes nicely with roast beef.
 

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Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
 
I think he was a bounty hunter
 

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Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
 
On this week's episode of House, House drops acid to get rid of a migraine. Something to consider....
 

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