Posts by Jamie Clark74

12/30/04

I saw my son today. A home health nurse is coming by the house to check on his surgical wound and manage his pump implant.

The hardest part was definitely him getting off the narcotics. Now the pump is working, delivering tiny doses of intrathecal morphine directly into the spinal canal at regular intervals.

He told me, "Dad, I can't even describe the difference. My head feels clear, like I'm not even on anything... and the pain is gone."
It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that you worked for 34 years dealing with constant chronic pain, and there was nothing I could do to help.

I'm just so relieved to see him finally free from those heavy doses of drugs... he's like a completely different person now.

But, of course, he's looking at neck surgery in about five years... and then another pump replacement in 5 to 7 years once the battery runs out.

Even though he can't do much physical labor, he works in IT, so he'll have a much better quality of life than I ever did.

Thank God things ended on such a positive note, even if it's a lifelong commitment. We'll be refilling the pump every 4 to 6 weeks and just hoping we don't run into any complications
with the pump or the catheter.

🙂 😉 😎

12/26/04

ExxonMobil needs to set aside $240 million for payouts
to mesothelioma victims.Check out Jamie Clark74's article on page 4, dated 2/1/04.
.

To put things in perspective, about 20,000 people have passed through the shipyard over the last 37 years.
As far as we know, 200 people have died from mesothelioma so far, but how many others left Whyalle and went unnoticed?

Doctors expect another 800 people to die from mesothelioma over the next 20 to 30 years... and every single victim deserves a payout—or their family does—of roughly $250,000 to $300,000.
That adds up to $240 million for those who pass away.

But what about those currently sick? There should be lifelong coverage for medical needs, treatment, and damages... these illnesses aren't always immediately fatal, but they require intense medical care for many years.
There isn't a separate fund for that... proving the need will just lead to endless legal battles. It's expected that victims could end up losing $500,000 per person in costs.

The US Union stated that at least one victim comes forward every single day.
The union is also demanding the establishment of a commission for dust and particle-related diseases
caused by asbestosis. This commission needs to resolve asbestos issues quickly, rather than waiting for a patient to die and then taking a deathbed statement because they know time is running out... and in those cases, families need a solid lawyer to fight against the high-priced attorneys hired by wealthy corporations.

ExxonMobil claims they have a fund ready for payouts, but they say it’s specifically for cases originating from the shipyard... which leaves us in the lurch since we were exposed at the steel mill.

I’ve mentioned James Hardie before—the company that shut down operations in Australia and moved all production to the USA and the Netherlands... essentially shifting the compensation money elsewhere. After the court case in Australia, they have to be prepared to pay victims... and there will likely be many more in the next 40 years because asbestos plaque was used so extensively in construction here.
They really need to set aside $4.5 billion for total payouts.

Both James Hardie and ExxonMobil Co. claim they weren't aware of the dangers of asbestos... even though medical experts warned them as far back as 1920.

Just a reminder: "Hitler in 1939 was 'paying pensions to asbestos victims'"... because the damage was already known.

Like I've said many times, the truth is coming out more and more because you just can't lie forever.
But think about what happened in Canada, where the government changed the law so that compensation couldn't be paid if the illness started before 1993... tell me, where is the justice in that? One of the wealthiest nations can't pay its victims? READ page 1, post dated 8/3/03.

Until next time.

Let's stay united in the fight for victims of asbestos-related diseases and for the rights of those dying from mesothelioma.

12/22/04

It’s been quite a while... they’re still switching out antibiotics on the IV drip. His abdominal wound still needs daily dressing changes; it's still inflamed and isn't healing the best way. This is week five post-op.

Weaning off narcotics is a long process. They increase the dosage on the pump... then very slowly taper down the injections, moving from 4 hours to 6 hours, and so on. He’s still taking medication orally, too. Everything is being managed by a pain management specialist.

There’s nothing happening at home right now... the ambulance will bring him back for the Yule log and then return him to the hospital the next day just so he can be home for Christmas.
Psychologically, he's lost... just like anyone else struggling with a prescription or street drugs. He’s in a state where he doesn't even want to see us... and he won't even be able to see his kids, which is the hardest part of all.

I’m grateful that I managed 34 years of chronic pain without becoming addicted to narcotics, but that’s incredibly difficult... everyone knows their own limits. I had to work for 24 years through it,
but that's just my situation.

It is heartbreaking to see my son (41 years old) suffering this much,
and even more tragic seeing how much it affects us as a family... especially his children, who can't quite wrap their heads around it, even at 16, 17, 12, and 11 years old.

My heart aches when I think about it... I just hope things improve. This is the lowest point I've ever seen him. Sometimes I think he was better off just on morphine, but the pump had to be used for the rest of his life.

I worked through chronic pain following a lumbar laminectomy. I couldn't even bend over without struggle, and I was popping painkillers every single day just to make it through my shifts... because in my line of work, you only get about 10 days of sick leave a year.
I kept that up for 24 years. I was working at a steel mill while juggling three different jobs, pulling 12 to 14-hour days constantly.

So why am I surprised that I hate the idea of anyone gaming the system? It feels like a slap in the face.

It’s shameful.👎 👎

Ethan Patel6 said:I'm no doctor, but... did you get an MRI or a CT scan? Or maybe a color Doppler? That's where they check blood flow through the back of the neck... maybe things are a little restricted there. I used to deal with headaches and passing out, and that turned out to be the culprit.

==============
That's a solid suggestion. I've had an MRI, a CT scan, and a color Doppler done myself.
In this case, I'm leaning more toward a musculoskeletal issue. Check out the link I posted under the thread about pain under the shoulder blade.

Somatic issues

Sometimes, the root cause can be psychosomatic.

🙂 😉 😎

Simone said:Just "disappear" from work.
If nobody even notices you're gone... well... that's one less person on the federal payroll. 🙄

They probably don't even know what you actually do there.

**Personally, I'd lock you up and toss the keys into the Atlantic!

It wouldn't be the worst idea if someone actually tracked your footprint—who you are, what you do, where you work... honestly, it's embarrassing. 😠 🙂

P.S. Why didn't you ask in the Love & Intimacy section? That seems to be your only real habitat.

I'm an alcoholic....but the last time I really went overboard was... well, a very long time ago.

I started drinking back when I was about 14, helping out with construction work around the house... if I had just kept going
until I was 26... I was married then... and eventually moved to Denver to get away from certain crowds. I slowly scaled back from being drunk twice a day to just having a drink in the evening, then every other day, and finally just once a week.

In my case, it was mostly hanging out with a group of old tradesmen... once I walked away from that crowd, things got easier... I never drank at home.
I haven't touched it since we immigrated back in 1969... but thirty or thirty-five years ago, if I had even one drink, I wouldn't stop until I was dead drunk... that happened maybe four times during my 35th year.

For the last 30 years, I'll have one glass and that's usually enough.

Our nation, like so many others, doesn't realize how many alcoholics there actually are; everyone thinks they're just social drinkers.

Quitting alcohol is never easy... I was just incredibly grateful that I realized early on how much damage I was doing to my family. They gained nothing from me, regardless of how good of a craftsman I was or how driven I was to succeed.

The will to quit has to come from within, otherwise, you won't succeed... it's easy to quit for a little while when you know you're just going to crawl back to it.

It's the same story with smoking... but that's a different conversation entirely!

🙂 😉 😎

alex,
In case you forgot, I completed two years of medical school—my sons covered the tuition. The idea actually came from my psychiatrist, who has become a close friend.
She’s a GP, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, and a professor of psychiatry who teaches at the university. She's dedicated her entire life to medicine and doesn't have children.

I took specialized courses for subjects that
directly impacted me and my health. I have training in reading X-rays and possess knowledge roughly on par with a GP... maybe even a little more,
but specifically regarding the spine and lung issues related to asbestos exposure.

I decided not to finish the full degree because the workload required a level of focus I just don't have anymore. My pain management clinic was also kind enough to let me take several three-month lecture series, since they understood both my struggles and my background.

======
Getting back to the health issues: most of us start dealing with spinal problems quite early, depending on how severe things get.
Your mother doesn't have neurological issues; if she did, she would likely need surgery to fix it.
What she has is osteoarthritis, which I also deal with in my cervical spine.
Spurs are growing there. Like anyone else living with osteoarthritis, she needs to maintain the muscles and ligaments that hold the vertebrae in place. That means physical therapy and regular exercises.

My two surgeries were for neurological issues: Laminectomy 1972 L5/S1 due to a pinched nerve and disc.
Then in 2004, it was spinal stenosis and two pinched nerves and discs.

A chiropractor might claim they "aligned" or "reset" your spine, but unfortunately, within a day or two, everything usually returns to how it was.
There isn't much else that can be done.
First off, as long as possible, movement and exercise are recommended to strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Then there are anti-inflammatories; I've been taking them for 35 years. Just imagine what that does to my stomach, considering I take about 25 other pills a day. Some people prefer ice packs, while others prefer heat; I tend to alternate between the two.
When inflammation hits its peak, there's really nothing anyone can do to help. The body simply needs 4 to 6 weeks to recover from the inflammation. During that time, manual manipulation or any heavy physical exertion is definitely not recommended.

I wish your mother all the best.

🙂 😉 😎

Lada InRED gave some really solid advice regarding diet, which is a huge part of the puzzle.
That said, getting a specialist's opinion is absolutely vital.
My wife struggled with non-dietary issues for 25 years, even while staying consistent with fiber drinks... nothing worked until she found this one thing.

After going through every test imaginable, they found she had a compressed common bile duct. The only things that actually provided relief were a very mild antidepressant—not because she was depressed, just for the effect—Imiprem, and Colofac 135 mg (Mebeverine hydrochloride tablets). Just so you know, Pfizer carries a version of that under a different name here in the States; it's used for IBS.

Here is the link for the softener that’s safe for long-term use:
Senna with Coloxil
Best of luck,

Casey Palmer5 said:Better circulation and relaxation.
What more could you want? 🙂

Plus, it’s proven to help with stress... I wish I had some right now, but I'll get back to it later!
👋

Linda Peterson said:Got a counterargument? I highly doubt it.

It’s 2:40 AM on a Sunday here in Australia—way past my bedtime!
There’s certainly more that happened, or could have happened...
but I never charge blindly into things like a bull seeing red.😁

The color red doesn't exactly soothe me.😉

Ciao bella,

Back in the good old days, maybe 500 or 80 years ago... back when most things were just considered "alternative medicine" before we even had antibiotics...
and new drugs, the average life expectancy was generally around 50 years.

With "alternative medicine," they couldn't do much against things like smallpox or other viruses, and people died by the millions. They died in their beds. Today, you can have cancer and still walk around, fighting it. If "modern medicine" manages to cure it, but by chance, the person was also doing Reiki or drinking some herbal tonic, "alternative medicine" folks will claim they were the ones who healed them.

Both alternative medicine and big pharma take advantage of the moment, pulling in billions of dollars from poor, sick people who will give anything just to feel better, because they want to live and they want hope.

All "alternative medicine" should be labeled "UNPROVEN" on the packaging. It isn't like standard medicine, which is proven through pharmacies and rigorously tested in clinical trials with volunteers and placebos to ensure there are actual criteria for its effectiveness. It needs to be registered along with all its side effects and evidence.

That’s the short version, coming from someone who has spent a lot of money on various treatments and medications... at 34 years old... not over a month or a year.

🙂 😉 😎

Sam Gonzalez67 said:Just one more thing—it might seem like a trivial question, but how’s your sex life doing?
Is Josh always sexually active? [/B]

Senior Life:

Is there anything missing from your life?

Question for the editor:
My wife and I are both in our early 60s. We haven't had sex in five years, and honestly, I just assumed neither of us had any desire left in us.
Now my wife is telling me she feels more like my sister than my partner, and she wants us to bring some "romance" back into our lives. Any advice on what I can do?

Response:

This is a common issue, one that most people just don't talk about openly.
It’s just a fact of life—our sex drive tends to taper off as we get older.
For some partners, it’s really not an issue; they're perfectly content with little to no sexual contact.
At the end of the day, what we’re all really searching for is intimacy, tenderness, and a life shared together. That’s worth so much more than just sex.
Partners really need to be on the same page. They should talk things through to decide if they actually want to be intimate, making sure both people are genuinely happy with the decision.
Some people just lose their drive entirely. The real issue arises when you love someone and try to go along with their wishes just to keep things stable. You don't want to rock the boat, but doing that can leave your partner feeling neglected or disconnected. In those moments, we really have to sit down and actually talk to them.

In both cases, the "romance" has vanished. It really shouldn't be that way.
Just because we’ve spent so many years together doesn't mean we can't keep the romance alive.
Maybe it’s time you started flirting with your wife again?
Sometimes we just need to be a little more careful with one another—and that goes for both husbands and wives.
Take a moment to really think about this: try surprising your partner with a little romance to spice things up. It’s worth talking openly about your sexual needs, too.

Here's the response, Sam Gonzalez67!

Patients and older folks experience those same sensations... regardless of their actual medical conditions.
Libido varies quite a bit, whether you're talking about healthy young adults or older folks.
My wife has never really dealt with the kind of needs I’ve had to manage. For her, things like affection play a huge role, along with how much stress or tension we're both carrying at the moment. Everyone is different in that regard.

It seems to me that we’re seeing more young people struggling with sexual dysfunction these days than those actually entering their later years.
I’m 63, and my wife is 67... we've never really had any issues.
My health issues have definitely made things complicated when it comes to medication—especially since certain antidepressants are notorious for that. I’ve switched to a different one now that doesn't cause impotence, but a few years back, I really struggled with that issue. At the time, I was using injections to manage it. It wasn't actually an issue with my wife; it was more about dealing with the sexual pain I was experiencing in my testicles.

We had a conversation about some uncomfortable stuff regarding my psychiatrist. It made my wife feel pretty awkward, but we managed to work through it together.
She explained to my wife how men and women differ—though, once again, not all women are the same, just like men aren't. It’s a sensitive situation because my wife has been dealing with chronic dermatitis in a very awkward spot for years. Because of the constant inflammation, she hasn't been able to enjoy any sexual intimacy, even oral, without it flaring up every single time.

Our doctor handed us a little booklet that outlines how to navigate life and still find some sense of fulfillment while dealing with various health struggles and setbacks.
I sleep in the other room because of my CPAP machine, but there are nights when we spend a few hours in Jen's room just enjoying some intimacy, cuddling, and having fun together.

I think the previous posts provided quite a bit of useful info regarding elderly patients or those dealing with chronic illness.
I could write more, but there isn't much point. You can read between the lines. Besides, I don't want to come across as "aggressive," as some people like to say.

It’s not easy writing about yourself, especially once you’ve put a name to the profile. It feels like everyone already knows who I am.

Best regards,
Jamie Clark74

🙂 😉 😎

If I could see the X-ray, I might be able to tell you what's actually going on... but if someone is dealing with cervical vertebrae pressing on their nerves, they’re in serious shape. Their arms could be completely numb, leaving them incapacitated—and under NO circumstances should they go to a chiropractor.

In cases like that, seeking chiropractic care could lead to paralysis or even a stroke, which is something we've seen happen far too often.

🙂 😉 😎

dustycanyon6,
We touched on chiropractic care earlier... if I don't know a thing about it, how could I? I'm speaking from experience here. I had an excellent chiropractor back in the States.
Over twenty years, I went through hundreds of appointments—acupuncture, naturopaths, all sorts of natural remedies... I've spent a small fortune on "alternative medicine."

All those "specialists" are really meant for healthy people, not the sick.
Anyone can crack bones or perform manipulations; clicking a joint doesn't actually mean anything.

And messing with someone's neck is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS . In the end, my own chiropractor had to admit he couldn't help me.

When you're dealing with a patient who’s had surgery or serious injuries where physical therapy isn't cutting it, a massage is your best bet—if you can afford it.
It always gives me a little relief, though it's fleeting. If I could afford to go twice a week, I’d definitely feel better... but money is tight.

My chiropractor once fell off a horse and wouldn't let his colleague manipulate him. Why?

He went to a neurologist... I think that provides a lot of necessary clarity.

It's easy enough to manipulate a healthy person; they get a little pop and think, "Oh, it's back in place now." I've watched about six different practitioners work. Most were too nervous to even touch me because of my surgery, while others just used a little gadget to click my spinal sides... honestly, my wife could do that. They give you a three-minute massage and send you the bill.

This might be new to you all, but I went through this whole "alternative practitioner" cycle thirty years ago.

👋 👋

Sam Gonzalez67 said:I’ve been reading through everything you’ve written, and I’m a little confused... how can you even manage to sit at a computer?

And one more thing, just a trivial question—what's the deal with your sex life?
Are you still sexually active?

=========

Sam Gonzalez67, first, let me explain how I live with all these issues from the last 12 years.
I take my prescribed medications regularly, about 25 to 28 days a month depending on the day. That doesn't include any extra pain meds—I've tried every kind of Narcotic out there and nothing works; even the Pain Clinic can't help me.

To give you some context, I started doing heavy physical labor when I was only seven years old. I grew up learning to push through pain, but everyone has their limit.
After my first back surgery back in 1972, I went back to work far too early because the social safety net wasn't really an option for me.

Since that surgery, my ability to bend has been severely limited. I can only lean forward slightly below my knees with my hands. Every basic movement—like sweeping a floor, brushing my teeth, or leaning over a table—causes pain. I've been living with constant pain since the 70s, often working 12 to 14-hour shifts of manual labor while hurting. I stayed on Narcotics which just left me feeling a bit foggy, but they never actually stopped the pain.

I learned to adapt to my limitations. If I couldn't bend, I worked in attics by kneeling or lying on my stomach. My stubbornness was legendary; nothing could stop me. I’d lift 50 to 70 pounds just to end up in even worse pain later.

My second surgery nine months ago left me in the same state as before—actually, it's worse now because I have a pinched nerve.
It’s my wife who pushes me to walk as much as possible so my other organs don't fail from inactivity. She's the one who bears the brunt of this; even though I'm not addicted to drugs, I'm constantly crying or talking about the pain.
That's just how I cope.

Most patients are advised to constantly change positions—sitting, lying down, standing, walking. For me, sitting at the computer is actually my way of resting. I take breaks, and that’s really my only interest right now. Even my psychiatrist suggested that since I can't do much physically anymore (which is what I miss most), I should focus on writing and internet research to make life a bit easier to handle.

I spent two years at a University a while back, but I struggle to concentrate, so it felt like a waste of time. Still, I learned a lot about my medications and
the fundamentals of my conditions. I still attend lectures occasionally when I'm invited.

So, that's me: a very frustrated person who has dealt with 34 years of chronic pain coming from multiple sources, not just my spine.
But I am proud of what I achieved up until 12 years ago, and I'm proud of how I'm handling things today.

In the next post, I'll answer your second question.

👋

dustycanyon6 said:Is it just muscle tension, or is your spine involved? If it's the spine, you should probably see a chiropractor.
😉

There is a documented case where neck manipulation proved fatal: Kristi A. Bedenbaugh, a medical office administrator and former beauty queen from Little Mountain, South Carolina. Back in 1993, Kristi went to a chiropractor to help with sinus headache pain. During her second appointment, she suffered a stroke right after the chiropractor performed a neck manipulation.

She passed away three days later, just a day shy of her 25th birthday. The autopsy showed the manipulation had actually torn the inner walls of both vertebral arteries. This caused them to balloon out, cutting off blood flow to the bottom of her brain.

Later studies confirmed that blood clots had formed in the days following the procedure.

By 1997, the state board of Chiropractic Examiners of South Carolina issued a consent order. As part of the agreement, the chiropractor paid a $1,000 fine and committed to 12 hours of continuing education focused on emergency response and neurological disorders.

Roger Smith6 said:Hmm...

So, what’s my move here? I’ve saved up some cash, so maybe I can afford to get into "supplements" or something similar.

I want to drop a few pounds and look decent by summer.

What should I start taking?

Thanks,
Roger Smith6

You don't need any "supplements" to achieve that goal....
What is wrong with you young people?
If you eat more than you burn, just get on the scale!
Fix your diet and stay active—that's really all there is to it. There are no excuses about the weather or needing a fancy gym membership... that's nonsense. Just take the stairs in your apartment building five times a day. It burns energy, guarantees you'll be healthier and leaner, and it doesn't cost a single cent. Start slow until you get used to it.

👋 👋

Look, if you're young and healthy, you don't need any of those "fat burner" scams. Save your money.

When my son turned 13, I quit smoking just to set a good example for him. That was 17 years ago, and he’s never picked up a cigarette.

I’ve dealt with back surgery and constant sciatica flare-ups. After I quit smoking, I actually gained 20 pounds, even though I was pulling 12 to 14-hour shifts.

So, I started watching what I ate and began walking to work.3.1 miles I’d shower in the morning, get to work, and then after the shift, head 3.1 miles home for a beer. I started jogging slowly, just between telephone poles at first. Before long, I was jogging all the way to work. Soon, my son and I were hitting local track meets, and I was jogging with groups of 5 or 7 people.6.3 miles...I’ll be honest, I was usually bringing up the rear. My son was a state champion in the 1,500 meters.

Despite the sciatica attacks and the pain—which sometimes sidelined me from running for two or three weeks—I eventually finished a half marathon. It took me about two hours. Time didn't matter; I was just proud to be wearing that disability awareness shirt.

I dropped 20 pounds and kept it off until a major illness hit. Now, I'm mostly immobile. I can only walk about 200 yards before I have to stop and sit down.

That running is still my favorite memory.
My only regret is that I wanted to run a full marathon. I trained hard and made it to 23 miles; I truly believe I could have done it if it weren't for my health issues...
But I’ve definitely run more half marathons than my younger son.

Forget the burners and the liquid supplements. I'll probably start a thread soon about how bad those products actually are.

Nowadays, doctors recommend brisk walking for everyone, regardless of age. My 67-year-old wife used to walk every single day3.1 miles for 30 to 45 minutes.

👋 👋