Broken Fin Fishing Fools

[Guest avid]

I have received two communications from members who have issues that impede their ability to fish, or even enjoy life as they once did. It is their perogitive not to go "public" per se, but I want y'all to know, that The "broken fins" are alive and kicking.

This is an active thread so feel free to post.

We want to hear your story.

Really.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

My ECH (episodic cluster headache) may qualify me to be in the club when I'm in a cluster but right now, I'm good. (knock on wood)

With ECH, the next cluster is just a matter of when, so till then I'd like to be "honorary" and available for any support I could lend.

Also, with ECH, many things are specific to the person afflicted. It's not as black and white as many diseases that have set symptoms, causes, treatments.

With this in mind, I searched for fellow sufferers and found a web site that has saved my sanity. FINALLY, other people who know EXACTLY what I'm going through and have lots of suggestions and alternatives for me.

So I guess this is my question, Have any of you folks looked to "Ailment specific" forums?

Mine are the forums at clusterbusters and ouch *.

These folks have been Lifesavers and although I only show up once every year or so for a few months, they always welcome me back sadly but warmly and proceed to fill me in on the latest treatments and discoveries.

[Guest avid]

Migranes, are seriously debilitating.  I know a few people who get them and they are truly incapacitated during an episode.  Thanks for lending your "ear" to little club.

As far as forums.  I belong to what I call the "sinus underground"  It is not a forum so much as a link of sites and people who have chronic sinusitis.  I have had two surgeries and do not suffer the way I used too, but sinus infections, are extremely painful and can lead to severe depression (Every year there are a number of suicides directly related to chronic sinusitis)

Anyway.  There are all kinds of "voodoo" rememedies, homespun concoctions, incantations, and "swinging a dead cat by it's tail at midnight in a graveyard" (remember Tom and Huck?) sorts of superstitions around relieving the pain and pressure.

There have been excavations at ancient burial sites where holes have been drilled into the sinus' of primitive men.  Some speculate it was to release the evil sprit that was causing the pain of a sinus sufferer.  I can believe it.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Avid- An odd thing that you mention sinusitis. I was diagnosed with maxillary sinusitis probably 12-15 times when I was younger. The pain associated with the migraine involved with ECH is directly behind one eye which automaticaaly points to sinus.

As to the pain,...holy cow. One thing I also learned online was that of the different types of cluster migraine, I have it pretty good. I get hit with 1 cluster/year lasting on avg for 3-20 weeks. 1-3 hits a day lasting 45 minutes each on avg.

The people with CCH (chronic) have no escape. There are no chronic suffers who slive who have lasted more than 5 years. suicide always prevails. There is one story of a guy who attempted suicide after 2 yrs of chronic and he failed. He did this a few times till they just had him in full restraints,24/7. He ended up biting and choking on his tongue. I couldn't imagine having no effective meds and no relief,ever.

For me, the combination of oxygen(abortive) or Imitrex works. The only problem is I cant bring oxygen on my UPS truck. For some, none of the common drugs/treatments work.

ok, back to my point, I would be willing to bet that some of the people you know from your sinus club may benefit from seeing a neurologist.

Below is one of the many tools I found at the other forum. It is a form to bring to your employer which really gives a good description of ECH and touches on most aspects of it. Pass this along to your friends and see if it may apply to them. Can't hurt.

From "Dealing with employers" at OUCH.com

pdf document

word document

pay specific attention to the middle of the document where it gives a very physical description of an episode.  Very easy to see how this was confused for so many years with a sinus issue.

[K_Mac]

LBH

I've also found some comfort from learning more about my ailment on-line. Just knowing that other folks have the same symptoms and you're not in it alone makes it a little better. Thanks for sharing. Welcome to the club.

[Guest avid]

Thanks for the info Russ.

I will certainly pass it along.

Just as an FYI.  I continue to get PM's from members who do not wish to go public with a physical or emotional impairment.  I lend my ear, offer some words of encouragement and support,  and suggest a fellow broken finster, who HAS gone public for them to correspond with.

Again, this is a live thread so don't feel alone out there.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Now that we are in the dead of winter, I just thught I'd see how everyone is doing here?

I, fortunately, havn't seen a migraine for a long time and hope it stays that way.

Avid is healing up nicely and actually got out on his High performance canoe for a trial run of that shoulder/elbow combo.

How about Papa?  Anyone heard from Paprock lately?  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Man Orange County Choppers should get a look at that canoe

[Guest avid]

No word from Paparock recently, but there is new member who sent me a pm the other day.

This is pretty unique fishing site.  I don't think you can find a better group of guys.  Many of us have been through alot.  Major surgeries, PTSD from war or occupation, progressively debilitating diseases, and other serious maladies that affect our quality of life.

So again, your not alone out there.

Give us a holler.

[paparock]

I'm still alive and skim the site but have been so busy lately I have not been posting. Anyone need someone that has been there and done that be assured they are here and will support and pray for you!

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Yo Rocky: glad to hear from you  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Yo Rocky: glad to hear from you

[Guest avid]

Good to hear from you old friend.

I'm heading for another surgery.  It never ends.

God be with you.

avid

[paparock]

Let us all keep Avid in our thoughts and prayers for his surgery to go fantastic and a speedy recovery!

[RiskKid.]

Great thread Avid. I don't know why I am just now discovering it. I have crohns disease big time and have a long story of 6 or 7 surgeries over a two year span in 98 and 99. My normal weight is around 200 lbs but at the time the disease was at its worst I weighed 140 lbs. It's a cronic disease that I will always have but fortunately not life threatening. It's all under control now and I'm back to normal weight. The biggest change it has left me with is that I will have a colostomy the rest of my life. I will also have to go thru a few more surgeries to remove diseased intestine as the disease progresses. That has caused me to modify my lifestyle but I won't let it keep me from doing things I love to do. The biggest thing is learning not to be too embarresed about it. Actually I have some stories that are pretty funny now but weren't at the time they happened. A couple things I have learned is that surgery is less scarey each time and most people are very gracious and understanding of my problems.

I like to think of the positives of my colostomy as they are somewhat humorous...

1- I can poop standing up if I have to and don't have to pull my pants down very far (very handy outdoors and in dirty bathrooms)  2- When I fart it goes in the bag and I can decide where and when to release it  3- I can poop anywhere and whenever I want to and just empty the bag later when covenient  4- When I have to have a colonoscopy (which is often due to the disease) I don't have to drink as much of that stuff and the rush to the bathroom is at my convenience

Yes there are inconveniences and "equipment" failures but you learn to just get over them.......Guess you just have to say I got a broken tail fin  ;D

[paparock]

Welcome to the Broken Fin or Tail Club. Yes, we all have to learn to laugh at ourselves sometimes in order to get a better lease on life. You seem to have a really good handle on yours already. Hey, like Dirty Harry said "You have to know your limitaions!" I sure have them before and after all my disease problems. I'm part Irish and you know what they say about the Irish? God created wiskey so the Irish would not rule the world. ;D I don't drink so I guess he had to keep me humble thru other ways. : Thanks for sharing and best of luck.

[K_Mac]

Riskkid

I knew from reading your posts that you had some health issues, but had no idea of the extent of your condition. Your sense of humor and positive attitude always makes me enjoy reading what you have to say. I know from my own experience that keeping a good attitude can be challenging, and your ability to do so while encouraging others is a fine example to all of us. Welcome to the club.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Carl I just caught up with your posts if you ever need support you got it from the outer bouroughs my brother. What a positive and couageous attitude for you  GOOD INSPIRATION for us all

[RiskKid.]

Thanks fellas, as Tiny Tim said to Bob Cratchett "May God Bless Us One and ALL".

All we can do is keep our chins up most of the time. We gotta be thankful for those that support us when we get down and pray for better health or at least comfort when things rear their ugly heads (or tails, arms, hearts, nerves etc...).

My prayers and thoughts to all us Broken Fins and to keep the membership in this club as small as possible.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Absolutely, what an attitude.  Your perspective is uplifting and I've ALWAYS been a believer that smiles heal so keep the humor rolling!!!

Ever consider helping coucil some other folks who have the same or similar situations?  I can see how your view of your situaution could give a different perspective to some in need, especially younger people who may be more self-conscious.

Welcome to the club, if you ever fart in my ear, I'll slice your bag while you sleep.

[RiskKid.]

Ever consider helping coucil some other folks who have the same or similar situations? I can see how your view of your situaution could give a different perspective to some in need, especially younger people who may be more self-conscious.

I have from time to time but usually folks don't want to talk about it so I get refused (at least thats been my experience). I probably should make a stronger effort.

Welcome to the club, if you ever fart in my ear, I'll slice your bag while you sleep.

If you slice the bag I think you will be the one who is sorry....but I'm not to worried about it as I can't imagine farting in your ear  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Ya just never know with you Shimano types,lol

[Alpster]

Application to the Broken Fins

Well boys, I have lurked here several times and always bailed because it would take too long to tell my story. Well here's the Reader's Digest version. I was diagnosed with Rheumatiod Arthritis more than 20 years ago. I have always responded well to the treatments and drugs and for that I'm constantly thankfull to the Lord. My hands are all knarled up, but I can still wrap rods, tie flies, cast worms and aggravate my kids. LOL If you read the FDA warnings on the drugs I take (Humira injected and Methotrexate) they read like a recipe for death. LOL

Philippians 4:13 in the bible says: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength", well, that's the truth. I am working on getting an evaluation on getting both knees replaced in the next few months. If I am a canidate for partial knee resurfacing then I can have it done before the Fork trip and I can dance at the party. If I must have total replacements, then I will wait till after the trip to start the process as the rehab time is extensive. I will fish Fork with you guys, you will just have to put up with a little whinning.

If this sounds like I'm feeling sorry for myself, then you are hearing me wrong. Just like my buddy (whom I haven't met) riskkid, I celebrate every day I get to breath. It only hurts when I laugh and I laugh all the time. ;D ;D ;D

Ronnie

[paparock]

Ronnie, my wife had both her knees replaced and now I cannot keep up with her.  I have Arthritis in my right knee that I had a blown ACL repaired back years ago from playing basketball. They don't tell you when you are young and dumb how those sports injuries you seem to come back from so fast are going to revisit you later in life. She had both knees done at the same time because both were so bad the doctors did not understand how she was walking on them at all. The key for her was two fold. One was the machines they put her legs in immediately after surgery to keep the knees moving at least a little at first and then they increase the range of motion slowly. Second was when she healed enough to get into the heated pool so she could walk with the waters help. That really helped and made a huge leap in progress. I call her the bionic woman now. I'm sure they will make a huge improvement for you. Let us know when you are going in so we can hold you up in prayer my friend!

[RiskKid.]

Ronnie......I have found that many of the drugs they use for crohns disease are also used for rheumatoid arthritis. I beleive both diseases have something to do with the immune system. I believe Humira is similar to Remicade. They do the Remicade by infusion.  They tried Remicade on me on two different occasions. It didn't work for me but I know there are very positive results for both our diseases.