The Vent - Part Trois

[La Souris 19]

Dear La Souris....

I have blocked Montreal weather out of my mind.

I was there during the ice storm. Were you there for that? We had no power for like a week and I was off work for 2 weeks. IT was amazing/scary and everything all at the same time.

We had to use a cookstove to make me coffee or I would have lost my mind.

And yeah, Maryland summers are totally sultry and hot. Yay for AC.

Seriously.

My parents had a B&B during the ice storm and the electricity was gone for less than 24 hours at our place. Guess what? We had over 25 persons from my family staying over for over a week which was both nice and crazy

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

My MIL had the botox injection for pain in her back - she ended up having a heart attack from it.

The thing is, no one seems willing to work with me. The chiropractors I've spoken with get concerned when I mention it's an old injury and tell me I should be seeing my regular doctor. My regular doctor doesn't seem concerned that it's an old injury and keeps telling me it'll get better when I lose weight (I've already lost over 100lbs). So yeah....pain.

That's weird. Mine's a very old injury but I've never had anyone not want to look after it.

Congrats on losing the 100lbs! Wow. That is awesome.

It's obvious that different Dr's will have varying opinions...but i'm with Krikit...i've been one of the lucky one's that has found relief on a 10 year injury....

I'm lucky that my Chiropractor is my husband

I really dont' like chiropractors. I had a problem with my lower back and my doctor sent me to one. My back would feel better for about 12-18 hours then it would go right back to where it was before. I had to pay a $40 co-pay to feel better for 12 hours #######. On top of that, he was one of those chiropractors who thinks that they are able to cure everything.

You really have to have an understanding for how it works...Chiro is not meant to cure you, all the time... there are so many ailments relating to why you would see a Chiro....discs, joints, ligaments, etc... some can be treated, some cured, some managed.... you can't blame your type of ailment on the Chiro....many times people don't manage their care properly....because of just that....they don't get the miracle results they expect....then flake on their care, and blame the Dr or the approach....

People take Advil and Tylenol for 12 hours of relief, why not do Chiro for the same result? With less effect on your liver and kidneys?

Depending on what the injury is, there is a wide range of treatments available...it's not all just 'adjusting and cracking your back'.... I have had every type of therapy known to man, physio, Osteo, Chiro, Acupuncture, botox injection therapy (yes they use botox in the disc to reduce pain....surgery..micrdsctomy....you name it.... some things worked, some didn't....They really have to know what is wrong with you, beyond 'just back pain'....MRI's have been helpful for me....I now do regular sessions and do decompression....I actually have my back stretched to decompress the disc....this has worked for me...

Again...it's easy to either not have the proper care, or for you to not to commit to treatment and then comment on the fact that it is the method or the field that you oppose...

And even though I do regular therapy, I still have periods where I have a flare up and am immobile , but this does not mean that I abandon my maintaining ongoing therapy....you could find Chiro's for as little as $20-30 for a cash visit...

Seeing a chiropractor every day for 12 hours of ease of pain is ridiculous, not to mention exhorbitantly prohibitive. I went to a chiropractor for 8 months, 1-2 times per week in earnest. I did all the outpatient therapy as well as the in-office therapy. It would feel better for 12 hours maximum then back to where it was. After 8 months, I had the option to renew my claim with my health insurance provider, but declined. It wasn't working for me and what is worse, it was costing me more and more money, for little good. I have been to two other chiropractors since then for flare ups, but the same course plays out. What I found disturbing is that 2 of the 3 felt that chiropractics was able to help cure almost anything that ails you. I understand that the spine is more than just what holds you up, but come on, a chiropractor cannot positvely effect liver function.

What did work for me was getting back to swimming and eventually easing into water polo and yoga.

That's good that you have found what works for you....I truly believe that everyone is unique and responds differently.

FYI, not all Chiro's believe that they can improve or cure liver conditions or function...lol...If your exposure has been o a handful of Dr's your entire life, that's too small of a sample to generalize. Yes, many, many Chiro's link wellness to Natural and Holistic approaches...but not all...

Have you ever had diagnostic procedures done to determine what you actually suffer from? It's hard to treat something if you don't know what it is. It also has EVERYTHING to do with how you conduct your life while not in therapy....bending, lifting, sitting, lying down....driving...everything you do has a direct impact on your back....if you are not extremely diligent in treating a flare up or even down times...then you are not maximizing your treatment and recovery potential.

When I have a severe flare up, and we're talking unable to get up and walk to the bathroom...as I start to recover...I virtually do nothing...avoid bending...no lifting at all...etc...

Anyways...enough on that...this is just something that's near and dear to me cause it has had a huge impact on my life and i'm still recovering from my most recent surgery....don't think that just because I am married to Chiro i'm a 100% supporter...there are times I see some Chiro's and think 'hogwash!!!!' lol...

ok, seriously...tell me if i'm crazy.... there is a third party in our relationship...and some days it drives me bonkers! lol... it's my husbands cat!

Seriously, i'll start by saying that we think this cat is bipolar lol...my husband agrees...when I first met my husband...we started calling the cat his gay lover lol...and now I seriously feel as though I am in competition with this cat, over my husband lol. He is extremely needy and attention starved. The second my husband gets home...the cat is all over him. I understand he needs his time too, so I usually give him an hour or so to get his fill...but I swear this thing does not give us any time to ourselves!...as soon as my husband sits or lies on the couch, he gets up on him and all up on his face, almost trying to make out with him...ahaha...no really. My husband laughs and says, just move him....and my husband is really good about it...but some days i'm like 'enough already'. Am I crazy?

I'll be sitting on the couch with my husband, all cuddled up, and if we are affectionate...the cat tries to jump up in between us, and tries to squish himself in between us, pushes at me with his feet...tries to get in his face...nuzzles, and then looks back at me with his snobby face...we laugh cause it's hilarious....if my husband shoo's him away too many times...he looses it and starts acting out by furiously running around and getting into stuff to cause s***.

He follows my husband all over the house, and the second he sits down...if I get up for one second to use the bathroom, I come back and he is already nuzzled in my seat up against him... when we used to date, in his smaller condo, we used to have to lock him out of the room just to get privacy. He is so obsessed with him, at night, we have to put him in the in law suite and close the door, or else the entire night, we'd be dealing with him trying to jump up into the bed and get in between us...

There is a ton more, and my husband thinks it's funny...he obviously puts me first, but sometimes I feel like i'm competing with the cat! lol...

And I now come to learn, that cats are nothing like dogs...this thing never listens and is not trainable...my husband says to give up...I am an extremely neurotically clean person. And my rules are simple...I give him free roam of the house...but the rules are, no beds and no furniture (couches are ok) but not tables and the one I hate the most is the kitchen counter! I have caught him on the counter a couple of times and neurotically started disinfecting the whole kitchen. seriously feel at times he does it on purpose cause he knows it gets to me! lol...like when he gets caught, before I can even say or do a thing...he bows his head and bolts...so obviosuly he knows it's wrong...

Oh, another example...which my husband thinks is funny and I think is weird lol....when he follows my husband all over, he will follow him in the bathroom...as soon as my husband makes the motion to take off his shirt...the cat immediately jumps into the shower....hello?!

What ever happened to a normal cat...I hear of people saying that cats do their own thing etc... our cat is glued to my husband the second he gets home...we have to put him away if we want peace and quite...during dinner, we have to put him away, because the whole time he tries to get up on my husbands lap when we eat...and I hate having animals in the kitchen when we are eating...thats just me.

At his old place, when we used to lock the cat out of the bedroom, whether we were sleeping or trying to be intimate...this thing would claw at the door the whole time making these horendous crying sounds! He wouldn't let us sleep...he would run and bang at the door with his head...trying to get in and at my husband....haha...I know this sounds nuts...but he also gets into stuff that he shouldn't...he goes into all the bathrooms and claws and unravels all the toilet paper...if we lock him out or in the in law suite...give him an hour and the place looks like a bomb hit it! Plants turned over, paper all over, all the drawers opened etc....

I understand that it was just them two for 8 years...but I refuse to let a cat rule my house. I accepted him because my husband loves him, and I would never make him choose...so even though I was never a cat person, I really have tried to give it a fair try and do have love for him...but man is he making this hard or what?

Is he normal, cause he sounds a bit much to me? I literally can get no alone time with my husband...

ok, i'm done

I think it has bothered me more these past couple of days cause my husband has been sick and at home lying on the couch...I can't even sit with my husband on the couch to take care of him, cause this thing is attached to his armpit! My husband laughs and says 'just move him'... my husband has honoured all my requests...but I don't want him to think it's me...I mean, am I being unreasonable? I know there are cat lovers that have a different tolerance than I do...I just don't think this cat is normal. We call the cat my husbands gay lover lol

I'm late to this thread! LMAO @ your hubby's cat. He reminds me of Ashley (who have passed on), my hubby's cat! The dang cat adores him and treated me like an after-birth. She (the cat) hated the other two cats (mom cat & her kitten son) so we have to literally separate the two parties (e.g. lock the other two cats in a room so Ashley can roam for X hours, then lock Ashley up so the other two cats can get their time). It was crazy!

Anyhoo, since Ashley has passed due to old age sickness, there's now peace in our home and I grew to love the other two cats (I'm not a cat-person either) who after four years, grew to love me too. :-)

You're not kidding....you mean like last night when I was sitting on my husbands lap...playfully bugging him....as I was facing him....we started kissing...and his lover jumped up on the couch...squeezed in between us, as we faced each other...turn his back to me...and crawled up to my husbands face nose to nose...making out with him!!!! As my face sat inches behind the cat's head....THE NERVE??? Seriously??? We started laughing and I was like 'your cat has serious issues' he agrees!!! I didn't move him...I told my husband he needed some love too and went to put the dishes away....I figured, I win....I get to sleep with him lol....

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Yup. Once I'm, you know, actually DOWN there, I'll organize something in the D.C. area. I've always enjoyed organizing things...don't ask me why.

All VJers will be invited, of course...though I'd venture to guess that there are currently more Canucks in (or going to BE in) the D.C. / Baltimore area than any other metro area.

I'm thinking summertime. I'm pretty sure all of us will have cleared the embassy and POE stages by then. Well, mostly sure...

Edited December 3, 2009 by Wyatt's Torch

[Flames9_RN 358]

I think there have been a few DC cdn get tog ethers

[The_Dude 1,142]

My MIL had the botox injection for pain in her back - she ended up having a heart attack from it.

The thing is, no one seems willing to work with me. The chiropractors I've spoken with get concerned when I mention it's an old injury and tell me I should be seeing my regular doctor. My regular doctor doesn't seem concerned that it's an old injury and keeps telling me it'll get better when I lose weight (I've already lost over 100lbs). So yeah....pain.

That's weird. Mine's a very old injury but I've never had anyone not want to look after it.

Congrats on losing the 100lbs! Wow. That is awesome.

It's obvious that different Dr's will have varying opinions...but i'm with Krikit...i've been one of the lucky one's that has found relief on a 10 year injury....

I'm lucky that my Chiropractor is my husband

I really dont' like chiropractors. I had a problem with my lower back and my doctor sent me to one. My back would feel better for about 12-18 hours then it would go right back to where it was before. I had to pay a $40 co-pay to feel better for 12 hours #######. On top of that, he was one of those chiropractors who thinks that they are able to cure everything.

You really have to have an understanding for how it works...Chiro is not meant to cure you, all the time... there are so many ailments relating to why you would see a Chiro....discs, joints, ligaments, etc... some can be treated, some cured, some managed.... you can't blame your type of ailment on the Chiro....many times people don't manage their care properly....because of just that....they don't get the miracle results they expect....then flake on their care, and blame the Dr or the approach....

People take Advil and Tylenol for 12 hours of relief, why not do Chiro for the same result? With less effect on your liver and kidneys?

Depending on what the injury is, there is a wide range of treatments available...it's not all just 'adjusting and cracking your back'.... I have had every type of therapy known to man, physio, Osteo, Chiro, Acupuncture, botox injection therapy (yes they use botox in the disc to reduce pain....surgery..micrdsctomy....you name it.... some things worked, some didn't....They really have to know what is wrong with you, beyond 'just back pain'....MRI's have been helpful for me....I now do regular sessions and do decompression....I actually have my back stretched to decompress the disc....this has worked for me...

Again...it's easy to either not have the proper care, or for you to not to commit to treatment and then comment on the fact that it is the method or the field that you oppose...

And even though I do regular therapy, I still have periods where I have a flare up and am immobile , but this does not mean that I abandon my maintaining ongoing therapy....you could find Chiro's for as little as $20-30 for a cash visit...

Seeing a chiropractor every day for 12 hours of ease of pain is ridiculous, not to mention exhorbitantly prohibitive. I went to a chiropractor for 8 months, 1-2 times per week in earnest. I did all the outpatient therapy as well as the in-office therapy. It would feel better for 12 hours maximum then back to where it was. After 8 months, I had the option to renew my claim with my health insurance provider, but declined. It wasn't working for me and what is worse, it was costing me more and more money, for little good. I have been to two other chiropractors since then for flare ups, but the same course plays out. What I found disturbing is that 2 of the 3 felt that chiropractics was able to help cure almost anything that ails you. I understand that the spine is more than just what holds you up, but come on, a chiropractor cannot positvely effect liver function.

What did work for me was getting back to swimming and eventually easing into water polo and yoga.

That's good that you have found what works for you....I truly believe that everyone is unique and responds differently.

FYI, not all Chiro's believe that they can improve or cure liver conditions or function...lol...If your exposure has been o a handful of Dr's your entire life, that's too small of a sample to generalize. Yes, many, many Chiro's link wellness to Natural and Holistic approaches...but not all...

Have you ever had diagnostic procedures done to determine what you actually suffer from? It's hard to treat something if you don't know what it is. It also has EVERYTHING to do with how you conduct your life while not in therapy....bending, lifting, sitting, lying down....driving...everything you do has a direct impact on your back....if you are not extremely diligent in treating a flare up or even down times...then you are not maximizing your treatment and recovery potential.

When I have a severe flare up, and we're talking unable to get up and walk to the bathroom...as I start to recover...I virtually do nothing...avoid bending...no lifting at all...etc...

Anyways...enough on that...this is just something that's near and dear to me cause it has had a huge impact on my life and i'm still recovering from my most recent surgery....don't think that just because I am married to Chiro i'm a 100% supporter...there are times I see some Chiro's and think 'hogwash!!!!' lol...

I have known several chiropractors socially, probably 20 or so and have been to 3 on a professional basis. Not all of them believed in the whole wellness stuff, only roughly 2/3 of them did. I have had my back diagnosed. It was really wasn't anything complicated. I was on a snowboarding trip when I was 22 with 3 friends. We were driving up to the resort and noticed the huge snowbanks on either side of the 2 lane road and pulled over when we had a chance. Of course, we thought it was a good idea to try to jump the gap. I completely overshot the other side and broke my tailbone and strained the muscles in my lower back. Spent the entire trip in the condo. I went through the steps for recovery and about a year later, my back started stiffening up quite a bit. My "flare ups" recently are me going on snowboarding trips or thinking I can still surf like I was 22. I hate getting older

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I think there have been a few DC cdn get tog ethers

Then we'll need a few more.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I think there have been a few DC cdn get tog ethers

Then we'll need a few more.

I think Flames is scared of meeting people from the internets

If I recall correctly, I think there was another VJ member who lived on the same street or perhaps the same building as him and he avoided them

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I think there have been a few DC cdn get tog ethers

Then we'll need a few more.

I think Flames is scared of meeting people from the internets

If I recall correctly, I think there was another VJ member who lived on the same street or perhaps the same building as him and he avoided them

Hey, that's okay. It's a somewhat valid concern in this day and age.

I'm pretty much the poster boy for being comfortable with meeting people in person after meeting them online though. I attended a conference when I was seventeen that was comprised mainly of tech-minded folks I'd been on a mailing list with. And that was in 1997, which was relatively early in net history... And ever since then, it has been no big deal for me to meet people in person that I'd previously met online. I've been involved with various forums over the years, and most of them have included occasional get-togethers in a certain location. I've even organized a few. And hell...I met my wife on an internet forum, soooo...yeah.

But I can definitely empathize with those who DON'T want to or are fearful of it. Everyone has their reasons.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I just keep internet and reality separate,lol Yep same building, few floors beneath us, never met them. Nice poeple, but never met. And he was from Quebec, so not really Cdn,lol just kidding

Edited December 4, 2009 by Flames9_RN

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

My MIL had the botox injection for pain in her back - she ended up having a heart attack from it.

The thing is, no one seems willing to work with me. The chiropractors I've spoken with get concerned when I mention it's an old injury and tell me I should be seeing my regular doctor. My regular doctor doesn't seem concerned that it's an old injury and keeps telling me it'll get better when I lose weight (I've already lost over 100lbs). So yeah....pain.

That's weird. Mine's a very old injury but I've never had anyone not want to look after it.

Congrats on losing the 100lbs! Wow. That is awesome.

It's obvious that different Dr's will have varying opinions...but i'm with Krikit...i've been one of the lucky one's that has found relief on a 10 year injury....

I'm lucky that my Chiropractor is my husband

I really dont' like chiropractors. I had a problem with my lower back and my doctor sent me to one. My back would feel better for about 12-18 hours then it would go right back to where it was before. I had to pay a $40 co-pay to feel better for 12 hours #######. On top of that, he was one of those chiropractors who thinks that they are able to cure everything.

You really have to have an understanding for how it works...Chiro is not meant to cure you, all the time... there are so many ailments relating to why you would see a Chiro....discs, joints, ligaments, etc... some can be treated, some cured, some managed.... you can't blame your type of ailment on the Chiro....many times people don't manage their care properly....because of just that....they don't get the miracle results they expect....then flake on their care, and blame the Dr or the approach....

People take Advil and Tylenol for 12 hours of relief, why not do Chiro for the same result? With less effect on your liver and kidneys?

Depending on what the injury is, there is a wide range of treatments available...it's not all just 'adjusting and cracking your back'.... I have had every type of therapy known to man, physio, Osteo, Chiro, Acupuncture, botox injection therapy (yes they use botox in the disc to reduce pain....surgery..micrdsctomy....you name it.... some things worked, some didn't....They really have to know what is wrong with you, beyond 'just back pain'....MRI's have been helpful for me....I now do regular sessions and do decompression....I actually have my back stretched to decompress the disc....this has worked for me...

Again...it's easy to either not have the proper care, or for you to not to commit to treatment and then comment on the fact that it is the method or the field that you oppose...

And even though I do regular therapy, I still have periods where I have a flare up and am immobile , but this does not mean that I abandon my maintaining ongoing therapy....you could find Chiro's for as little as $20-30 for a cash visit...

Seeing a chiropractor every day for 12 hours of ease of pain is ridiculous, not to mention exhorbitantly prohibitive. I went to a chiropractor for 8 months, 1-2 times per week in earnest. I did all the outpatient therapy as well as the in-office therapy. It would feel better for 12 hours maximum then back to where it was. After 8 months, I had the option to renew my claim with my health insurance provider, but declined. It wasn't working for me and what is worse, it was costing me more and more money, for little good. I have been to two other chiropractors since then for flare ups, but the same course plays out. What I found disturbing is that 2 of the 3 felt that chiropractics was able to help cure almost anything that ails you. I understand that the spine is more than just what holds you up, but come on, a chiropractor cannot positvely effect liver function.

What did work for me was getting back to swimming and eventually easing into water polo and yoga.

That's good that you have found what works for you....I truly believe that everyone is unique and responds differently.

FYI, not all Chiro's believe that they can improve or cure liver conditions or function...lol...If your exposure has been o a handful of Dr's your entire life, that's too small of a sample to generalize. Yes, many, many Chiro's link wellness to Natural and Holistic approaches...but not all...

Have you ever had diagnostic procedures done to determine what you actually suffer from? It's hard to treat something if you don't know what it is. It also has EVERYTHING to do with how you conduct your life while not in therapy....bending, lifting, sitting, lying down....driving...everything you do has a direct impact on your back....if you are not extremely diligent in treating a flare up or even down times...then you are not maximizing your treatment and recovery potential.

When I have a severe flare up, and we're talking unable to get up and walk to the bathroom...as I start to recover...I virtually do nothing...avoid bending...no lifting at all...etc...

Anyways...enough on that...this is just something that's near and dear to me cause it has had a huge impact on my life and i'm still recovering from my most recent surgery....don't think that just because I am married to Chiro i'm a 100% supporter...there are times I see some Chiro's and think 'hogwash!!!!' lol...

I have known several chiropractors socially, probably 20 or so and have been to 3 on a professional basis. Not all of them believed in the whole wellness stuff, only roughly 2/3 of them did. I have had my back diagnosed. It was really wasn't anything complicated. I was on a snowboarding trip when I was 22 with 3 friends. We were driving up to the resort and noticed the huge snowbanks on either side of the 2 lane road and pulled over when we had a chance. Of course, we thought it was a good idea to try to jump the gap. I completely overshot the other side and broke my tailbone and strained the muscles in my lower back. Spent the entire trip in the condo. I went through the steps for recovery and about a year later, my back started stiffening up quite a bit. My "flare ups" recently are me going on snowboarding trips or thinking I can still surf like I was 22. I hate getting older

I can totally relate Whenever I have a flare up...I sigh and think how youthful I am living in a body with symptoms of 90 year old Your accident sounds like it hurt There is a new piece of equipment I started using recently...it's called the ATM II....I know weird name...lol...but I swear it has saved my life! that and decompression...if you can find an office close to you that has it...I swear by it....look it up on the internet...I think the company is called mybackproject.com?

I had a major car accident when I was 25...someone pulled out of a drive...tboned them...flew into on coming traffic and nailed another 5 cars head on I have a herniated disc, ligament tears...sacroiliac problems....fluid seeping out of my disc that simulates nerve impingement and complete numbness into my legs with the inability to walk during flare ups when i'm not flarred up...you would never know it...but when I am...it is horrible...this summer it lasted 4 months! And came back this past month...totally sucks there are days I wanna stab my eye out....long gone are the days of cycling....beach vollyball, running, fitness competing...I used to be so active it drives me nuts

Anyways...i've depressed myself enough lol.... I hope your feeling better

Wait...you guys are planning a get together on the vent thread? lol...

A few of us got together in Philly...it was fun

[derekkj 0]

I just keep internet and reality separate,lol Yep same building, few floors beneath us, never met them. Nice poeple, but never met. And he was from Quebec, so not really Cdn,lol just kidding

Lol, that would be us. And while he is from Montreal, if you call him French Canadian he gets pissed off.

We've met a few VJer's IRL and would certainly do another get together.

Edited December 4, 2009 by derekkj

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

I just keep internet and reality separate,lol Yep same building, few floors beneath us, never met them. Nice poeple, but never met. And he was from Quebec, so not really Cdn,lol just kidding

Lol, that would be us. And while he is from Montreal, if you call him French Canadian he gets pissed off.

We've met a few VJ's IRL and would certainly do another get together.

Just gotta say...I'm glad you guys have stuck around on this forum, given how long you've already been here.

[derekkj 0]

I just keep internet and reality separate,lol Yep same building, few floors beneath us, never met them. Nice poeple, but never met. And he was from Quebec, so not really Cdn,lol just kidding

Lol, that would be us. And while he is from Montreal, if you call him French Canadian he gets pissed off.

We've met a few VJ's IRL and would certainly do another get together.

Just gotta say...I'm glad you guys have stuck around on this forum, given how long you've already been here.

VJ is like a roach motel - you check in but never check out!

Mosty lurking since Derek got his gc but now that he is thinking of getting his citizenship, I am back to find out what the latest is.

[Peachey 10]

IT NEEDS TO STOP SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!! serious business

[Flames9_RN 358]

forecasting a bit of snow in the DC area on Saturday!!!!