I'm hoping to reconstruct the great list of suggestions, tips and helps we had before.
All the old basic stuff and any new things you can add.
If you found a good product or tool tell about it & maybe add a link that shows it.
************************************************

For self triggerpoint work -
there are many tools out there, I used the pressure pointer and tennis balls. They have a nice chart for upperbody sx & TrPs.
link- http://www.pressurepointer.com/

Acupressure for RSI - http://altmedicine.about.com/library...ressure+points

Get rid of the heavy shoulder bag or purse - use lots of pockets, fanny pack or a backsaver type of small backpack/purse.

from - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_r...topcategory=Ar
[Ulnar nerve pain-
* Avoid frequent use of the arm with the elbow bent. If you use a computer frequently, make sure that your chair is not too low. Do not rest the elbow on the armrest.

* Avoid leaning on the elbow or putting pressure on the inside of the arm. For example, do not drive with the arm resting on the open window.

* Keep the elbow straight at night when you are sleeping. This can be done by wrapping a towel around the straight elbow, wearing an elbow pad backwards, or using a special brace.]

To see what kind of products & tools are out there- some have info and articles too.
main home page links

http://optp.com/
http://www.promedproducts.com/
http://www.therapyzone.com/
http://www.ptproductsonline.com/

I should add that we need pre and post op surgery tips here too.

I think this will be great to have it all in one place- we can add to it as we think of things.
We can link it into our useful sticky too.

Dimarie's post = supportive "sling"
http://forums.braintalk2.org/showthread.php?t=3252

I would like to add a link to as the basic funamentals of TOS and some of the areas involved as well as some pictures of muscles and involved areas

http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/thoracic_outlet/

Hope this may be of help to some... Mark-n-Goober

Hello! For me, a few things that have helped:

-An adjustable bed...I am getting to the point of being unable to sleep on either side, and having my head raised and putting pillows behind my arms helps so much.

-A strap sewn into my clothing to use for arm support, although I think I'm going to look into the "ergo shoulder support" that Di posted about. It doesn't put any pressure on the neck or shoulder at all.

-I started using a home shop program that my local grocery store offers. For $9.95 I can shop online and they will deliver my groceries right to my very own kitchen! Grocery shopping has been a nightmare for me for years...this has been such a blessing. We also have a Sam's Club that you can shop online with; they will compile all the groceries in carts, and all you have to do is pick them up. I think they have a mail service, also, but you have to pay shipping and that obviously wouldn't work too well for perishables. This is a really nice option for a place like Sam's, since almost everything comes in large, heavy packages.

-I received a lot of good advice last year on the old board for remodeling...the things I have found the most helpful have been slide out drawers in my kitchen cupboards, single handle faucets, lever door handles, and crank-style windows in place of sliders or double-hung. We still ended up with a sliding door (my husband likes them!) that I wish we had traded out for swinging doors...it can be pretty hard to slide sometimes. We may replace it one of these days. Still trying to figure out where to put the hot tub

I'm sure I'll think of more, but can't type anymore. I have several pages of self-care tips that were archived on the old board...I can copy them here somewhere, but would someone please tell me where you want them?

Thanks!

Donna

* another tip about sam's *

they will help you load your car too. i do my weekly ordering online for all the clubs supplies, plus stuff for home. they are always very helpful. now if i could just get them to follow me home...

these tips are great. i hope others will come and see this. ( spinal injurry....)

Curious I have a few places that I go,and they carry items out to my van for me, though being a guy, I feel quite embarrased to have it done. Also having my wife carrying stuff for me, I feel very ashamed. With the last job I had, I pulled hoses around that weighed in excess of 200lbs with no problem and now....... I also hate driving at one time I drove Tractor Trailer over the road and to do 700 miles in a day was no problem, now I do about 15 and feel like I did 700! I think most places will give you a hand if you ask them!!

I used my stroller for trips, outings, and shopping.

It gave me something to lean on and transport load. But with my youngest now 11 yrs old, I decided for my trip to find some other means.
I bought this devise.....
I did not want too much look of geratric, sorry but I still feel vain, and did not want to have a true walker, I just wanted something I could load, lean on, and even sit on. Lots of people use the pull behind on wheels for their load, I wanted something to push and that I caould sit on too. Especially getting to flea markets again.

With the trip to Disney this is ideal as my daughter will be using the scooter.
I removed the hand brakes as they are to stop with.

I am also attaching a stroller type handle bar and raising the height to a push stroller height not to have to lean....
This model is about 20 lbs I think..there are lighter ones.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...3-20/ref=nosim


Duro-Med Traditional Steel Rollator, Blue
Other products by Duro-Med

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
List Price: $169.99
Price: $130.26 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $39.73 (23%)

Availability: In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.

Only 1 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Instant Savings: Save $25 instantly when you spend $199 or more on select Medical Supplies and Equipment products offered by Amazon.com in Health & Personal Care. Enter code MEDSUP25 at checkout. Here's how. Offer expires October 31, 2006.

I also bought this item to attch,
I can take it as a hand carry too. for the plane this will get my daughter to the planes, and be the carry on. The rolator will be checked at plan side.


On ebay I bought it for $14.00 with shipping.

I found this one but it was more money..$199.

Active Walker

Gale Product Group SKU: Active Walker

Price Inlcudes:
Free Shipping, Basket, Seat with cup holder


Our Price: $199.00

Retail Price: $279.00
Shipping Cost:
Availability: Ships 1-2 days



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This item includes:
Free Shipping
Basket
Seat with cup holder




The Active Walker is both a rollator and walker! The Active Walker Rollator combines all of the best user-friendly features in a modern and sleek form. Design has been THE key element in the development of the Active from the start. This rollator is the perfect companion for taking strolls outdoors, shopping trips to the local supermarket, or enhancing your safety in and around the house. You can’t find a more user friendly or versatile walker anywhere in the world. The Active Rollator features an easy height and seat adjustment. A single easy lever folds and locks the Active into its convenient parking position. The Active sports built-in red reflectors in the handles, and reflective tape on the frame to give all round visibility when you need it most.
All Active rollators are manufactured to the highest quality standards and are CE marked as Medical Devices. Rigorous testing and quality control ensure that you get the best possible rollator that money can buy. This is the best of Scandinavian design at an affordable price.

Advanced Braking System
The Active walker has a patented braking system that puts safety first. The brake cables are protected and hidden safely away inside the walker frame. The brakes stay in perfect adjustment no matter which position the handles in, and there is no need for re-adjusting. When it is time for adjustment, there is a convenient allen screw located in the rear leg profil, and with a quick turn of the included wrench the brakes can easily be adjusted to accommodate for wear.

Large front wheels
Why stop walking when the terrrain gets rough? Large 25cm (10 inch) diameter front wheels let the Active roll over uneven terrain, sidewalk cracks, and door threshholds that make other rollators stop in their tracks. The Active travels just as well over gravel paths as it does smooth tile floors. But maneuverability was always a key issue for the designers of the Active. By using smaller 8 inch (20 cm) diameter back wheels, the Active retains its incredible maneuverability and tight turning radius that make it a great walking aid in the home, where space is limited.

Removable Handy-basket
Unlike other walkers that place a metal basket in front of the seat, the Active utilizes the space under the seat with a handy removable basket. With a capacity of 14 liters, there is enough room for a handbag, newspaper, food items and more. The seat protects the contents of the basket both from the weather and opportunistic theft. Flip the seat up to access the contents of the basket, or take the basket out with the convenient carry handles.

Curb climber
Even with the large front wheels, there are always obstacles that are too big to just roll over. But you don’t have to pick up the walker to get up that curb. Just step down on the curb climber and with a gentle pull back on the handles, the Active walker will raise its front wheels to easily maneuver over larger obstacles.


Features
T-6061 aluminium frame
Height adjustable handles
Stands while folded
Hidden braking system with lockable parking brake
Extra large front wheels and stepper pad
Height adjustable seat with cup holders
Under-seat removable shopping bag
User Manual




Weight 20 lbs
Weight Capacity 275 lbs
Handle Height Adjustment 6 increments between 2’8”- 3’3”
Seat Height Positions 4
Front Wheel size 10"
Rear Wheel Size 8"
Size 23.6" x 33" x 32.2"
Folded Size 23.6" x 19.6" x 35"
Configure Options:

Color
Platinum gray

Midnight black

Blue
http://www.1800wheelchair.com/asp/vi...roduct_id=1775

Beth reminded me to mention that a sonic tooh brush is ideal for Tos'rs. In my former life (before TOS) I was a dental assistant, and I know from experience that even able handed people can't do as thorough a job as a sonic brush. Now with TOS I find that brushing by hand is an easy way to flare myself and such a needless waste of my energy.

Beth is also right about your hygiene being important as the med,'s that cause our mouths to be dry also make us more susceptible to decay, so seeing the dentist regularly is very important. There are also Rx toothpastes, rinses and gum, some also over the counter, that help you to produce more saliva and help prevent decay.

Also for those with TMJ flare ups, use warm, moist heat when one comes for 20 minutes then remove.Try to do this while laying on a rooedl up towel if you don't have a tempurpedic or orthopedic type pillow so the neck and jaw muscles are at rest. Go to soft foods, no chewing gum, or crunching ice. Gentle massaging of cheek area where the jaw hurts can help, gentle massaging at the base of the neck can help also. Also anti-inflamatories or muscle relaxers (if you have them) especially at the onset.

G~

1/as beth said: pillows
I have a collection of small pillows that I can arrange however I want

2/a self-adhesiv table set for eating with one hand
actually, I don`t use it so much but when I cannot move my right arm I am happy having it

3/I rarely wear pullovers, only t-shirts and jackets

4/hair washing: I lean over the edge of the bath - it`s easier then under the shower

5/a lot of motivation!!!

I am not sure if their mother company CVS will carry them but right next to the Thermacare heat patches are called CURA-HEAT for regualre price $2.99 for three, they are on sale for $1. for the three right now.

Are I think not as thick as thermacare, but they last just along. 36 hours later I still had warm heat in mine. They say for shoulder, neck and back pain.

Ice Bags I make 1 part alcohol, and 2 parts water, in a good double sip baggie, double bag it, freeeze. This make a slushie bag of really cold ice.

Di