I am 63 years old and have been troubled by incontinence for several years. I am very reluctant to the idea of any surgical operation. Therefore, I have not dared to tell my family doctor about it. Are there other options? My eldest daughter who works as an assistant in a nursing home says that surgery for incontinence often fails. I have never had
any operations, and I only take one Cardura doxazosin 4 because of my blood pressure. This bladder problem is getting worse and worse, and I am desperate. If I laugh, it happens, I can even clear my throat, and it happens. I am afraid that other people will notice the smell. Please,
can you advice me what to do? Is surgery the only cure for this problem?
Molly Jones
In Reply to: Cure for incontinence? posted by Molly Jones on March 19, 1998 at 14:34:47:
Dear Molly,
Have you read the package insert that was supposed to come with this drug for your BP? As I recall, incontinence (especially in women) is one of the side effects. Check it out.
OF COURSE, WHY you have the incontinence will dictate what options you have to deal with it.
Doc Dave, the Chiropractor on this BB may have some great suggestions----again depending on the cause. Anyone suggesting surgery must at least think s/he knows what is causing it since surgery only helps with cystocoel/rectocoel.
If you can get a copy of your records (something you should have in your home files anyhow), you could tell me what your diagnosis is & why.
Walt
My mother (aged 51) was knocked on the back of her head, and fell, hitting her forehead on the road. After that incident she has lost her sense of smell, unable to smell anything at all. Doctors say nothing can be done. Can reflexology help? Please help.
In Reply to: Loss of sense of smell posted by Karen Kimkana on March 28, 1998 at 23:45:36:
I'd say this is a slim shot but all options should be explored so I thought I would throw this case report that parallels your story. It's a bit long but I think you will find it interesting.
Visual Recovery Following Chiropractic Intervention
From the Journal of Behavioral Optometry Volume 1/1990/Number 3/ppg 73,74.
Greg Gilman, O.D.
John Bergstrand, D.C.
LH, a 75-year-old male presented with a self diagnosis of blindness on
4/4/88. He was interested in determining if anything could be done to help
his visual condition.
His opthamological record indicated that he had undergone cataract
removal and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for the left eye two years
previously and his postsurgical corrected acutities were OD 20/50, OS 20/50,
and OU 20/40. The record indicated that the surgery was without complication
and the results were satisfactory. Bilateral macular degeneration was also
reported. LH had a history of other medical problems and had take Tagamet
for many years. He had lung cancer and a longstanding coronary condition.
Other medications had been taken in the past, but there had been no change
in any medication for six months prior to the 4/4/88 vision examination.
His latest prescription was: OD +1.75 -4.75 x 96. OS +.025 -1.75 x 43
with a bilateral add of +3.00.
LH indicated that he had some soreness in his neck from an injury that
had happened the previous month. He had fallen between two logs and hit both
sides of his head. He immediately experienced head pain and dizziness. The
following day when he awoke he had lost all vision. A CAT Scan was
administered. The attending physician was attempting to rule out a cerebral
blood clot as the cause of the vision loss. The results of the CAT Scan were
negative.
OPTOMETRIC DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS:
It was not possible to measure visual acuities. LH was using a white
cane and gave some indication of light perception. The pupils were 1-2 mm
and did not react to light. The fundus evaluation showed bilateral slight
optic atrophy and mild macular degeneration. The IOL in the left eye was in
position and the eye was quite without signs of inflammation or other
problems. The intraocular pressure (IOP) were 15 OD and 15 OS mm Hg. LH was
not able to respond to any of the usual vision tests. The distance and
nearpoint retinoscopy showed a dull, distorted reflex in each eye. Attempts
to induce retinoscopic reflex changes with small and large amounts of
diotropic lens changes were unsuccessful. The retinoscopy reflexes were a
dull reddish-orange. The tentative diagnosis was blindness due to head trauma.
OPHTHALMOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS:
As a result of the optometric examination LH was referred to an
ophthamologist for a confirming diagnosis. The opthamological evaluation was
given on 7/13/88. The time interval(3 months) between the initial and the
confirming examination occurred because of the patient's transportation
limitations. At the confirming examination bilateral light perception was
the only visual response. The refractive evaluation did not show any
improvement. The clinical impression from the ophthalmologist was that no
treatment was indicated and the vision loss was permanent.
OPTOMETRIC PATIENT MANGEMENT:
At the time of the original examination (4/4/88) it did not appear that
the optometric treatment would benefit LH. When the ophthalmologist reported
that no medical treatment was indicated the patient was then referred for
chiropractic evaluation. Both authors of this case history have seen several
patients who had experienced vision changes after receiving chiropractic
adjustments. Further, vertical phorias and tropias with accompanying neck
pain had often seemed to be positively affected by chiropractic treatment.
Some of our patients had reported "seeing better" after chiropractic
adjustments bu
In Reply to: Loss of sense of smell posted by Karen Kimkana on March 28, 1998 at 23:45:36:
Dear Karen,
This MAY be permanent. However, I would NOT listen to intentionally ignorant physicians who flatly state that nothing can be done-----just because they do not know themselves. I would bet that, if THEY had the problem, they would put more work into learning about THEIR options.
Since this is almost certainly a problem with plagiocephaly (caused by exactly the right fall to cause this), her first thing to do is to see a good Cranial Osteopathy practitioner. Send a SASE along with 0.55 in postage to The Cranial Academy, 8606 Allisonville Road #130, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250. They will send you the names of certified people in your area who can do this.
As she gets her sense of smell back, please share her experiences with the rest of us here on the BB. Others need to stop taking the conventional medical monopoly's offerings as the gospel it is NOT.
Walt
In Reply to: Loss of sense of smell posted by Karen Kimkana on March 28, 1998 at 23:45:36:
By the way, Karen,
Listen to what Doc Dave says too. He admits that it may be a long shot. However, it is safe & won't take too long, so what does she have to lose? I am betting that it will take some cranial manipulation to resolve this but would not rule out that Chiropractic might just do the job.
Walt
There is a possiblity that the stricture is due to overstimulation of neuronal tissue as a result of spinal and soft tissue disfunction. I personally had a 15 year old with similar symptoms that responded immediately to C3 adjustments. The other indicator that leads me to believe that this is the problem is the vertigo. Chiropractic and vertigo have a very long history together. Two members of my immediate family have occasional bouts with this problem that are relieved through chiropractic care. I've included the following for some extra reading on the subject.
Much success and if I can be of any other help please let me know.
Therapy of functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints in vestibular diseases
Mahlstedt K, Westhofen J, Konig K
Laryongorhinootologie (Germany)
1992 May; 71(5): 246-50
Cervicogenic vertigo is caused by functional disorders of the
craniocervical joints. Improvement of vertigonous symptoms by chiropractic
treatment was often described. The therapeutic effect of chiropractic
treatment in 28 patients with vertigo and purely functional disorders of
the upper cervical spine and the labyrinth was evaluated. Improvement of
vertigonous symptoms on patients with purely functional disorders of the
craniovertebral joints as well as on patients with combined functional
disorders of the craniovertebral joints and labyrinth could be seen. Two
of the 28 patients showed persistent relief of symptoms and normalisation
of cervical motility whereas the vestibular deficit persisted. One patient
with persistent vestibular dysfunction showed recurrent malfunction of the
upper cervical spine and vertigo. In our opinion chiropractic treatment is
mandatory for the therapy of patients with vestibular affections and
functional disorders of the craniovertebral joints.
Dear Laura,
I agree with Doc Dave. I think it should be considered malpractice for someone to say to you what they have without first recommending a consultation with a Chiropractor. Of course, since it is the "standard of practice" to not do that, it is not legally considered malpractice at this time. Only an educated public will be able to protect themselves from this policy of protecting the conventional medicine monopoly from competition.
If manipulation does not resolve this, we may be able to give more information with a lot more clues from you. A good chiropractor would already have looked beyond the structural components of this total complex.
Congratulations on the efforts you have already put toward wellness. I would suggest you next look into checking out the effectiveness of your Yoga with biofeedback.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: MS or what? posted by Walt Stoll on March 02, 1998 at 10:29:21:
Thank you for your reply. I've been education myself greatly the past five days. The numbness and tingling could be so many many things (not just what the two doctors suggested). I am changing my physician. There is a DO about 15 miles from here and even though his office is quite out of the way (I'm 30 miles from "town", he is 45), I'm going to try him. He's also a board certified family physician.
In Reply to: Re: MS or what? posted by Laura McKenzie on March 03, 1998 at 10:54:04:
Dear Laura, Even if your new doc is the best one in the western hemisphere, STILL, the more knowledge you have the better you will be able to work with her/him. At best, physicians can be only consultants. The very BEST physicians know that. Walt
A month and a half ago I was involved in a car accident. I T-boned a vehicle after it ran a red light. I sustained an injury to my right hip. My knee had hit the bottom of the dash and forced my femur upward and backwards into the hip joint. There was no fracture indicated on the X-rays, cat scan or bone scan. I have been in physical therapy for three weeks. When I started I had approximately 20% range of motion in my right leg. I did improve for two weeks , I was able to walk alittle more normally. A week ago I went out for dinner and saw a movie. After the movie I could not get out of the seat or walk. I have been in a lot of pain, it radiates out from the hip pain. I expected to be better by now. I am 24 years old, but my body feel a lot older. I was a very active, healthy and energetic. I was wondering if you may have any ideas about what is wrong in my hip and could explain how long my injury should last. I did not get a clear diagnosis or explaination of my injury from my orthopedic surgeon. Thank you so much for your time.
In Reply to: injury sustained to the right hip posted by NICHOLE on March 22, 1998 at 10:44:57:
Dear Nichole, If you do not get a response to your note by Doc Dave in a few days, write your note again with his name in the title so his attention will be attracted. I am sure that he will have some advice for you that I could not give. Next, were I in your shoes, I would find the closest Certified Rolfer and begin the 10 session Rolfing procedure. I think that by combining Chiropractic & Rolfing, your situation will rapidly resolve. I would, however, go back to the original place where you were xrayed and get a followup xray. The comparison might be illuminating to everyone concerned. Call (800) 447-0150 for the closest Rolfer. THEN, as you get well, please share your experiences with us here on the BB. Walt
Can someone explain please ? Thanks
In Reply to: What is the difference between CT & MRI ? posted by ANAT SHEM-OR on March 26, 1998 at 04:20:55:
A CT scan uses a computer and x-rays to give a layered picture of whatever is being looked for. It is very sensitive to the different densities of materials and gives more detail than plain films. Cost of a series in the US is around $750. An MRI sends and impulse that takes the spin of 1 out of 1 million molecules(I think its the molecules) and "flattens" that spin out. As the spin returns to normal it gives of some type of frequency that the machine can measure. Different materials give off different frequencies as they return to "normal". The cost of a series in the US is around $1000-1500. MRI's give more detail and a better picture than a CT. If it wasn't for the fact that insurance companies would rather pay $750 than $1500 I'm not sure CT would be around much longer. There may be some advantages of using CT but I am not aware of any. Hope that is all of the info you are looking for.
In Reply to: What is the difference between CT & MRI ? posted by ANAT SHEM-OR on March 26, 1998 at 04:20:55:
Dear Anat, A CT scan stands for Computerized Tomography. It is done by using xrays and enhancing each focused slice of the exposure by computer. MRI stands for magnetic resonence imaging. It uses magnetic fields to alter the orientation of the spinning protons that make up every atom of our body. THEN, when the fields are turned off our protons regain their original orientation. Since any moving charge emits a magnetic field (a constant of physics), the protons emit a magnetic pulse (as they reestablish their original orientation) that then is measured by a collector outside the body. In effect it is measuring the "aura", that mystics have claimed to be able to see for thousands of years but western science denies exists. It is amusing to watch those denying the existance of the aura using it for our most sophisticated (to date) imaging techniques. By the way, this was originally known as NMR (nuclear magnetic resonence)--a much more descriptive term. However, since this is such a lucrative technique, the name was changed so people wouldn't be worried about the word "nuclear". Sure wouldn't want to scare off potential customers! I hope this answers your questions. Walt
I have to admit, I'm very scared at this point and I'm using every resource I have to stay calm. I immediately decided to start the reccommended diet for MS including dairy free, gluten free, and low saturated fats. I also cut out anything I might be allergic to until I can find out if I am (legumes, tomatoes and dairy and gluten). Some more syptoms I"m having are muscle pain in my shoulders, neck, and arms, severe headaches, arythmia and breast pain. The breast pain is similar to a two years ago when I had thrush (I still nurse my almost three year old). I'm also wondering if everything couldn't be related to yeast so I've cut down on fruits and stopped all sweets. Now I'm looking around for food I CAN eat!
Thank you again for your reply. I'll see what I can do.
Laura
Re: MS or what?
Posted by Walt Stoll on March 04, 1998 at 14:11:26:
injury sustained to the right hip
Posted by NICHOLE on March 22, 1998 at 10:44:57:
Re: injury sustained to the right hip
Posted by Walt Stoll on March 24, 1998 at 11:21:38:
What is the difference between CT & MRI ?
Posted by ANAT SHEM-OR on March 26, 1998 at 04:20:55:
Re: What is the difference between CT & MRI ?
Posted by David Ferguson, D.C. on March 26, 1998 at 08:22:23:
Re: What is the difference between CT & MRI ?
Posted by Walt Stoll on March 28, 1998 at 07:37:00: