I asked because I thought that is the only real way to see if you have torn a ligament is by using contrast. I definitely could be wrong!
bizi

Interesting.

I've had 2 knee MRI's both of which clearly showed ACL rupture... the first partial, the second total... both were requested without contrast.

That's not to say that some ruptures might not be easier to detect with contrast... dunno.

They probably don't do contrast unless it is strictly necessary since people can have bad reactions to it, as apparently Mari did.

wonder what the point of using contrast is then?
bizi

My understanding was similar to yours, but less specific... that it is necessary to detect certain types of tissue damage - dunno which kinds, not necessarily ligament damage.

Bizi and Waves,

~~Here is an MRI of an Achilles Tendon:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...-85-1157-g002/


~~Using contrast in an MRI of the head
http://www.webmd.com/brain/magnetic-...ri-of-the-head
M

did you find your ipod?
bizi

No. And I am disappointed. Cleaning lady might have moved it somewhere.
But I cannot call her because she will not know what I am talking about or where it is.

iCloud usually sends a signal and the device makes a sound when I request it. But iCloud does not recolonize the iPod at all -- as if was completely powered off.

M

worried about ortho appt. need to be on time. not sure on location.
 

Ortho's appt is a 11:00 and I have set two alarm clocks.

What happens at these things when I am sleep deprived is

~ he says something that I will not remember by the time I get to the car
~I nod and get out of there as best as I can.


I have some kind of digestion issue going on and I do not feel well.:frown:

That iPod needs to show up. Replacing it is 200 dollars but I am bugged so much that I want to figure out how to buy one.


I have no idea (ABSOLUTELY NO EARTHLY IDEA) how to get myself and my stuff up to see my brother.

I forget what the instructions were over the phone with the airline representative.
:(:(:(
. .. .. something like go to the web site to print out your boarding pass 24 hours a head of time and if you do not do that the airline will take care of that at the gate.
'Not logical. I am pretty sure I need to show something to get bag dropped off at luggage and to get through security. :confused::confused::confused:

Wouldn't I need something? Anything to log in for the boarding pass (PW ? ? ? something ? ? ? )
There is close to zero chance that I can find the notebook with the scribbled notes from the call.
= = = =
Hubby woke up just now he says because the sage I am burning disrupted his sleep.:cool:

Mari

Mari

You will find the iPod. It will turn up. It almost has to. Anyway, I am going to instruct the Universe today to pop out your iPod for you. :cool:;)

===========

Good luck getting to the doctor, and getting through the appointment. Can you bring a little notepad, and take notes?

:hug::hug::hug:

waves

I think the lady was telling you that you can do "advance check-in" online, which is generally available as of 24 hours before flight time. This process creates a boarding pass which you can print, and take to the gate.

This is an option, not a requirement.

Advance online check-in saves airport time if you have carry-on bags only, because in that case you can go directly to the gate with your boarding pass. If you have checked bags however, you still have to stop at the ticket counter (or possibly a bag drop if the airline has one), so there isn't much time savings in that case.

-----------------
Alternatively....

You can just go to the airport, line up at the ticket counter, and do the check-in there. They will take any checked bags, and issue your boarding pass. Then you proceed through security and to the gate.

===========

I hope that helps take some pressure off you.

Waves,

Thanks for the airport stuff.
I am still confused so I will get back to this later.


M

Absolutely focus on the doctor, today, Mari.

There is plenty of time to sort out the airport stuff.

Report from orthop visit
 

I slept a very rough 4 hours.

I got lost again on the way to the ortho.
He is three miles from me.
This time I had the phone number to call the office for help and the office woman and the doctor gave me instructions.
========
He has his office/work situation such that he talks to me and to his typist at the same time.
First he asked me how I felt and I said fine.
Then he said, "We treat the patient not the MRI."

Then he read aloud the report from the diagnostic center.
He told me to look at a certain item, saying "This is the money shot."

He said I have arthritis.
I asked him about Physical Therapy.
He asked if I want to go. He is not a fan and prefers that I do not have PT.
Apparently sometimes Physical Therapists are too aggressive --- "try to get
patients to be like Arnold Schwarzenegger" and hurt people.

(I can believe that happens. I had to tell my Physical Therapists "NO" when I felt it was necessary. )

He said to come back in six weeks.
He said biking is good.
I asked about swimming -- he said yes.
Do those things "to tolerance."
He said for me to continue the isometrics that last year's physical therapists gave me.


M

That sounds like a good visit, Mari. :)

It sounds like there isn't any immediate remedy to your discomfort, but at least you know that you can safely continue your activities... "to tolerance".

How do you feel about things, though? Do you feel satisfied with the doctor's assessment and recommendations?

swimming is good! yes!
bizi

Bizi,

Swimming is tricky for a person with a messed up knee.

I sort of re-injured the knee/ hurt it in the pool two weeks ago and that is what triggered the appt with this ortho.

Maybe I will look for some techniques on YouTube.
I am wary about doing anything other than floating unless I can pull together a plan.

M

Bizi and Waves,

Because I was horribly depressed, sick, and "un-slept," I was relieved that he had nothing new to say.
. . . No new appts to arrange and no new people to deal with as would happen with PT.
. . . And no new dx/terminology to think through.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I can be more consistent with the isometrics.

Yoga seems not to be working for me any more perhaps because I have been using the same one DVD for the past year.

I have become aware that I need a DVD with more focus on the breathing.
We prolly have something like that in our DVD collection.

I want to do these as my old yoga teachers taught.
Shining Skull Breath 1 Kapalabhati ~ Breathing Exercise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2oZX1s6nuM

Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Sodhana)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCK1jBfRVsE


M

Hoping that you get some sleep today.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Mari

I think looking for some new techniques for the swimming sounds good.

But also just floating till its better, will help too.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Depressed
 

Hi,

I have been depressed the past few days.
I had two or three good days last week or so when I was sleeping 7 hours at night.
Now I am sleeping enough but crazy hours.

My back hurts.
I have been racking my brain. I thought is was the weights/yoga/ isometrics (Form in all three of those is very important).
I even had hubby go to the gym with me one day to help with my form for the upper body weight machines.
He gave me some pointers.
But I was concerned when I saw him do some stupid things with his neck!!
======
So I went to the pool Wed thinking that the water was a safe place for my back and after the first twenty minutes I choked up crying.
I took a break. Then I decided I would do one lap at a time and see how I felt.
I do not know what the crying was about except that I am tired and depressed and worn out and worried (mostly worried probably).
=======
I swam for a total of 40 mins.
My knee hurt during and a lot more afterwards.

======
I am certain I did not stress my back while swimming yet it hurts today.

So I realized today that maybe it is my computer chair causing the back issue and that my exercise regime is o.k.
----------------------------------------------
I told the Cleaning Lady to come over here today to help me with my stuff -- put away stuff, pack for travel, find the iPod.

M

I have chronic back pain here and there (more than one specific spot 'acts up' from time to time. I am fairly sure the cause with me is posture... I do nothing to improve that, so my back does not improve. It sounds stupid, I know.

Just saying... it could be posture... i.e. the computer chair, but if you haven't had any problems till now, look to things you've done different... spent more/less time at one workstation rather than another. Spent more/less time sitting/standing/lying/walking. Introduced a new activity ... just about everything we that isn't horizontal relaxation uses the back in some way.

Is it a sharp pain in one specific area, or is it more like a dull achey sensation?

You know that things like worry-anxiety-tension can change our posture and cause general strain. Tension-type headaches, backaches.

I'm sorry you are feeling rotten. :(

waves

I hope you find some relief soon, glad that you have a cleaning lady that you like to help you do stuff.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi
*sorry you were crying....

Cleaning lady showed me how one goes online to print out a boarding pass. :)

Still no iPod. :(

M

worreid about Dad
 

My father had surgery a little over a week ago and went to rehab.
I called the rehab place today.

The desk said he went to the hospital and is expected to be back tonight :eek:

----
The siblings did not know this news because Mom and Dad are not checking in with us.
I hate my parents for being so weird about communicating.

Mostly I just hate them.

M

I sure hope your dad is ok, Mari. :heartthrob:

I'm sorry they put you all through this grief of never knowing things. So disorienting and anxiety-provoking. :(

i am so sorry-it isn't fair
bobby

I am sorry too.
bizi

He's o.k. and back at the rehab place.

Mom and Dad could be normal and do any one of the following:
1. answer their cell phones
2 use their cell phones/ any phone to call one of us
3 notify the rehab place that one or more of their children is allowed access to information


I am going to disengage from both of them.


M

Yes, Mari, do try to stay in an emotionally safe place. I'm sorry they put you through this sort of thing. Glad your dad is ok, though, and that you were able to ascertain that, finally.

:hug::hug::hug:

I already bought and wrote a father's day card that I will have hubby mail next week.
Other than that I am so done because ANY dealing with them is hurtful.



I am going to channel my friend who used to say idgas.
. . . Also probably up my breathing practice and learn some mudras.

M

Sounds like a plan. :hug::hug::hug:

Glad you mentioned Father's Day... I would have... cough cough... been remiss in my daugherly duties.

sister's sleep protocol: melatonin
 

My sis told me what she is taking for sleep:


Lunesta: to fall asleep and because it is supposed to help people get back to sleep if they wake up, she said.
(She wakes up because the dogs and cat and the husband wake her up frequently. Her husband has different sleep/work hours.)

Melatonin 9 mgs: !!!!!:eek:
I told her that, according to the National Sleep Foundation and my sleep doc,
1. It does not work.
2. If it is going to work. you have to take a very low dose -- 0.5
3. If it is going to work, you have to take it one to two hours before going to bed.
4. Nine (9) mgs can damage the circadian system.
Melatonin is a hormone and should not be taken at those doses.

===
I told her that and then I changed the subject.
She thinks her plan is working.
Also her stupid P.A. said it was o.k. to take that much melatonin.


http://www.doctoroz.com/article/fact...latonin?page=1

M

That is too much, you are right!
Have you been able to sleep during the day?
bizi

How to pack for a two night trip ?????????????????
 

I do not know how much stuff to take with me for an upcoming two-night trip.

Normally, I throw everything into a big suitcase with no thought.
Because of my mobility issues, I want to travel light (no dragging around a big bag or two)
This is the plan so far.


Wear from home to destination:
a) Medium-sized ugly purse for meds /travel documents / phone /wallet / keys / book/ make up
b) sneakers, jeans, shirt
c) sweater
d) ear plugs for leg of the trip that will be in a propeller plane
e) comfortable jewelry


Carry on the plane:
a) cpap and cpap bag.
(possibly iPAD can fit in the cpap bag -- will practice putting both in the same bag)



Small bag to check: 12 by 15 inches:
~two books for niece
~two paper back books for me
~one pair of small sandals in case something happens to the sneakers
~socks and other under undergarments
~sweat pants for sleeping that can double as day wear
~a Ralph Laren T-shirt for sleeping that can double as day wear
~small purse that I really like
~one or two shirts
~toiletries in tiny containers / toothbrush /comb / . .
~ear buds and chargers for phone and iPAD
~tiny stuffed animal for sleep
~a second pair of earrings perhaps

=========
=========
Questions:
Do I need another pair of jeans or can I manage with the same pair of jeans for three days?
Should I buy a bigger / standard-sized overnight bag?


M

Bizi,

On the one hand, I do not sleep during the day.

On the other hand, in the evening I sometimes fall asleep (accidentally nap) in a chair or on the sofa before I go to bed.
When I wake up, I stay up sometimes until 6 or 7 a.m.
I get back to bed a few hours later and sleep until noon or later.

I am getting enough sleep because I do not have to be at work
'Getting some work done at home.

M

Packing plan sounds good!
 

Your packing plan sounds good. :)

Here are my observations:

-- Earrings: yes bring extras.

-- Toiletries: FWIW, the rigorous security stuff does not apply to checked toiletries, but I still suggest you ziploc any liquids, and don't bring pressurized cans (spray).

-- Computer Equipment: "(possibly iPAD can fit in the cpap bag -- will practice putting both in the same bag)" -- Remember all computer equipment will have to be removed from its bag, scanned uncovered, then repacked. So whatever you do with your iPad, you need to be able to unpack/repack it easily, quickly. I don't think this applies to the CPAP but that I'm not sure. I have a friend I can ask if you wish, who travels all the time.

QUESTIONS:

Yes, bring a complete change of clothes, to cover eventualities like getting caught in a bad storm and being drenched. Someone dumping coffee on you. Yuckier versions of the coffee thing involving random babies during travel. Now your sweats might mostly cover these emergency scenarios, only you can decide, but remember jeans do not dry fast...

The only way I ever figure this out, is by doing a pre-pack: pack the bag roughly as you would to travel. Order of things is less important... just to measure volume, closure, and take note of any access issues you might have if you expect to be able to use stuff from it without unpacking it completely.

Text messages
 

I asked brother if he has a washing machine and dryer because one should never assume anything about him as he lives an unconventional life style.
________________

Me:
Do you have a washing machine and dryer? Are both working? I am packing light -- for one change of clothes.


Brother:
Our house has a fully modern laundry room with fully functioning washer and dryer.
We also run the air conditioner when it is hot. The basement room is cool and well ventilated and in better shape than most economy motels. You will enjoy yourself.


Me:
I do expect to have a great time with you and your family. "Just a little anxious about the preparations on my end.


Brother:
Anxiety can be so anxious. Teehee hee. If you forget something I'll just go to the fking store and buy it for you.
That's how I roll.

________________

That is his way of being nice.


M

I was 80% pre-packed last night.
This morning when I woke up, I saw that hubby had "finished packing" for me by putting everything I had out into the two bags and neatly moving the bags onto a shelf so it makes the living room look nicer to the guy coming to our place. :eek:

He has a Dell technician here trying to fix his computer.:confused:

--
Thanks Waves, I will be back.

M

Haaaaa... that was so funny. He gave you a hard time about your suspicions but also tried hard to reassure you that he will take good care of you. It was nice... :) :hug::hug::hug:

crikey
 

OMG!!!! :Noooo:
aahh-HAA!

And... OMG!!! :Noooo: all over again.

:Sigh: Good luck avoiding the Dell dude, and getting your things sorted out again.