[dahlek]

"managed care" plan can be super hassle...

I found this site map for Kaiser SoCal at http://members.kaiserpermanente.org/...p/entrypage.do
If you're NoCal click the teeny box top left- You should be able to use this to get a handle on prolicies and procedures to expedite the testing you may need. Most plan offices have 'patient services' people who can help [or not] you navigate it all. Talk to such a person ONLY AFTER you get copies of tests, records, films etc...and ask them about seeking a more specialized second opinion at some area teaching hospital participating in the plan... That way, you've got your 'records' in hand, and may have someone to help you get some plan coverage for such an exam. At least, you will find out more than you ever wanted to know about 'in-network' and 'out-of-network' processes.

If you can spare the time do so ASAP. Or make the time ASAP. Get your records first tho... I urge you to do it soon, as actually getting any neuro appts usually requires anywhere from a one week to 4 month wait for the real Initial Visit. The sooner you do all this, the sooner you can get back on track with fewer surprises or set backs.

Let us all know how you are doing! - j

[stagger]

Hi Roper,
I am coming out of left field here, but do you handle a lot of western cedar at the lumber yard. A couple of years ago I was making music boxes from cedar and came across a warning put out by the state of California concerning cedar. I no longer have the article, but am doing searches for cedar poisoning, came across a pay to read article concerning cedar illnesses in Canada. Do you have any problems pertaining to your skin?

[MelodyL]

This is a question that was posted on the Bob Villa website:


I have just finished cedar lining a large closet where I did a lot of sanding and sawing. Now a friend of mine tells me cedar dust is very harmful to the human body--"just a couple of levels below hemlock", to use his words. Does anyone know the facts about this. Thanks

Now here are the replies:

Reply No. 1
It depends what kind of cedar you used. Red cedar causes sensitivity in more people than white cedar.
Cedar grows in wet ground well. One thing that it has to adapt to this environment and fight the bacteria that would rot it out while still young is that it has it's own aromatic oils and some toxic compounds. cedars that grow in jungle areas of the world have more of these than those that grow in colder, drier places. These are the toxins that keep cedar fence posts from rotting and that make a closet smell nice while repelling moths.
If you didn't have a reaction to the dust while actually doing the sanding, you have little to worry about. Most woodworkers who create cedar dust learn eventually that it is good to wear a dust mask.
I have quit using Port Orford cedaar very much because it has irritated the sinuses of my crew members and it landed me in the hospital with a lung irritation that gave me symptoms like a heart attack, great pain with every attempt to breathe in.

Reply No. 2
Ouch! I know that feeling, had it with drywall dust, gave me flu like symptoms and made me sick for weeks. Another wood to watch out for that is extremly hazardous is ebony, its dust has the same properties as asbestos, and proper precautions must be made when working with it.

Reply No. 3
It's interesting. In some tabloid type magazine, I came across an artile saying that twenty substances were just added to the official list of things that are know to be able to cause cancer. it said, "some kinds of wood dust like cabinet makers use" but failed to let us in on the big secret.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is about the best info I could find on the internet relating to Cedar Poisoning.

Take care
Melody

[rose]

Mostly I want to second the strong suggestion that you get your records. Not only do you need to have them, what they contain or don't contain may surprise you.

Regarding B12, please see my website (link below). The B12 test result may be normal (and in rare cases even quite strong) in spite of actual deficiency in the tissues where it must be do to any good. It would be unusual for symptoms to come on new and fast, but it does happen.

MS is not ruled out quickly, and one of the differentials is B12 deficiency, although you wouldn't know it by the way most doctors practice.

Both B12 deficiency and MS can cause serious problems before lesions will show on an MRI.

rose