Hey all of you out there, I need some help.

I would really appreciate it if you all could take a few minutes and e-mail at my person address. I need a simple or not so simple letter that tells me about your electrical injury. How long you have been living with this injury and the symptoms you have because of it. I need to show my attorney that my symptoms are normal with this kind of injury. I need to help him so he can do a better job for me.

Thank you for all your help.

Kelly at krkkc5@juno.com

Kelly,

You might also want to try joining LSESSI (if you are not already a member). They have a lot of information about the symptoms of electrical injuries. I would be happy to send you an application packet. Just send me an email at info@mensanaclinic.com.

Thanks,
Kathy

if one goes on the net and puts in electrical shock injury, you would come up with lots of info, no one would help me when i needed info! or did not seem to know anything! i had to do my own research, which believe me there are lots of people , dr's who know what electricity does to the body but they do not want to get involved esp, when workman's comp or litagation!

Does anyone know if a person can get better after electrical shock? Does the neuro problems ever get better??? Thank you

my husband has been electrial shock and his symptons are headaches (bad ones), ringing in his ears, muscle spams, loss of memory ( short term mostly), mood swings, being loud, and hears sounds
a bad speech impairment, dizzy spells, arm numbness, can't sleep, shaking all over all day and night, wakes up and doesn't know were he's at for a few minutes until something reminds him he's home or hears our voices,very scared, can't drive, alot of problems? injury 1-16-01.

Hi,
So sorry to hear about electrical shock. I know exactly where your coming from with all this. Its very over whelming for certain.
My husband was shocked a few months ago also. Its very hard to get a good Dr. We went to the University of Chicago to the Electrical Trauma Research Program. He had many of the same symptoms yours is having.
It was so bad I had to feed him Ensure by the tablespoons. Sounds like he had a high voltage hit am I correct???
You can email me if you'd like. I can give you any info I have. This forum is wonderful.

Sorry my address is copycat@frontiernet.net

Anonymous,

Sounds like it would be important to get your husband to a doctor who understands electrical inujuries. His chances of improving are greater if he receives appropriate treatment soon after his injury.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Kathy

Responding back about my husbands treatment.
We have seen neurology consultants in our area
who have been unable to help us, so they are
referring us to Duke University in NC.
Which is later this month. Do you know anyone
who has been shocked? Do you know what help
help is available?

Responding to wife who's husband was also
electrical shocked. Thank you. I will
Email you soon. Here is my Email Address:
SDOBBINS2U@AOL.COM

dear anonymous: i got an electrical shock over 6 yrs ago and i wish i had this site and found these dr's yrs ago! i know what he is going thru with headaches, ringing in the ears,memory loss, muscle spasms,dizzy, unable to walk, well i walk into things, i can't walk a straight line,it is nothing for me to walk into a wall, if i ever got pulled over by cops and i had to walk a straight line, i could not, so they would arrest me for being drunk, which i would not be,i get the shakes, body jumps, legs jump, cataracts, alot of pain! i thought the university of chicago was to be good, with dr cooper and dr lee??? i cannot say how much voltage i got , i did not get burns, well alot of red spots on my ear and my back but alot of nerve and muscle damage, not to say what it did to me emotionally and my brain!! if it is still there!!!!!!!!! ha ha i cannot stress the importance of getting to a dr who is well familiar with electrical shock injuries and what it does to the body! get to that doctor!!!

you know the best way i know how to fight all the injustice is for us all to share the info we have gained and the sites with info about what shock does to the body and the injury it causes and to bombard them ( worman's comp, dr's, electric co, those who we are fighting) with all the info we can get are hands on, the more the better!! i am sure there are alot of sites and info , documents that some of us do not have and need, so please any that have that info, please pass it on to help all of us!!

Thank you, So it's been 6 years? Are you any better? We just wonder if this is permanent?
We have seen drs here but they are referring us to Duke march 21 My husband is scared. What treatment have you received? He is on 3 different medicine.And just in the last week his speech has changed a little, so we are hoping that he will continue to improve daily. I just pray Duke is
experienced in this field of electrical shock.
If not maybe they will know some of these drs. here online I've learned about in this last week.If not I will surely mention it all. I was impressed in your train of thought in your responds Have you learnit to deal with your injury
side effects over the years? Were you ever depressed? If so how do you work through all of it? Also do you work? I know I'm being noisey but I hope you can offer me help to help this man I love dearly!! He's young 31 and he's embrassed. He has even threatened to move in with his moma for awhile? Which really upset our children. I feel he said this out of anger, It's so hard the kids come in from school all wired up and excited about their day and both are taking and he can't take it, and the kids doesn't understand really.
Me and the kids have talked and I'm changing things as we learn this new man we are living with. Gosh I could go on on but I want. Any information please pass on thanks Belinda

dear belinda: i will try this again, i tried 2 times now to post this. i was 42 when my injury occured i am now 48, so much for a woman not telling her age, he he.....life is difficult, i do thru depression, really rough times , still do, one of the hardest things is to accept we have changed and it is like we have no control on that, i am not the same person, my personality, my mood swings, the noises, people, alot of changes that i cannot explain, i am so lucky to have a family that supports me and my sons, it has not been easy and it still is very difficult, the pain seems to overwhelm us, we can't explain the mood swings or why we have changed to our family, heck i am not sure we know, only that something happend to our body since the shock, not one that we like, but i choose or try not to let it ruin my life, which it did. but to try to continue, i love life via it has taken a big loop around something, wal-mart, kmart or target, he he
it is we can't help ourselves sometimes, depression can be so damaging to your health, i choose to keep laughter as a part of my life, i cry alot about things also, but there is alot of life left in me and i love to laugh it is good for the soul and peace of mind, now there are alot of times i do not want to laugh but i have to be strong not only for myself but for my sons, to show them one has to be strong and fight for your self, i have always had a good aspect on life, i do not blame others for what happend, well i do, the electric co, i guess i should state i do not look for excuses but to try to continue on and that is difficult when pain completely consumes your life and your family cannot understand how we changed, hell i do not know why but i have! shock does alot of damage to the body that is why is very vital to find a dr who is well familiar with what lightning and electrical shock does to the body and to get that treatment soon not later! it took me 3 yrs to find that dr, which is dr hendler, i have been to numerous drs but they did not know what it does to the body, simply because i do not have entrance and exit wounds or burnt to hell, i have the red spots, on my ear all over my back! i can only tell you to continue to be patient and show him that you love him, he can't explain what is going on, only trying to continue with things he use and can't, i have been totally disabled since 95, i have neck braces, back braces, cane , wheelchair but that is my injury, i am not saying your husband will be disabled, only to get to a dr who is well trained and know what the shock can do to the body and get that treatment, immediatley, do not delay!! someone stated before they have never heard of some of these dr's but i stated to you, did we need to know before? no, so gain all the knowledge you can and please share that info with others, we all can use that knowledge and info. it is a struggle everyday for me but hell i love life even though it is not how i would choose it but i will continue to go on and fight for my life and injustice by others who do not know and simply think that nothing wrong with us, it is all in our heads, hell alot of them telling i had nothing upstairs, glad to hear i have something,he he. i have numerous injuries from this shock and if i can give you any other info let me know and email me. i am not sure if this is helpful but trying to keep a positive attitude and laugh is helpful, very challenging to do that, keep the faith and keep smiling , i will keep you and your family in my prayers. keep in touch.......the best to you. i am not sure if this is helpful or not. just let me know! barb

Dear Anonymous,
I will check my resourses to see what I can come up with in your area. Do you live in North Carolina? What medications is he on? Is there an electrical entrance and exit site? How old are your kids? My Daughter is 13 and has been through hell with my electrical injury. I asked her what advise she could offer and sorry to say she didn't know. I think sharing everything you learn with your kids will help them understand what he is going through and with your research and our help you can predict some of the things he will go through. Passing these things on to your kids will reassure them that it is the injury and not anything personal. My kids took some things personal because they didn't understand. That is something I wish I would have done differently.

We are all here to help you and each other. This forum has been the best help I have found. Barb's sense of humor has helped me through some really tough times. Sometimes I feel like Kathy B. is right here beside me as we research things together.

I have found some helpful information. I will get it on here soon. I agree with pulling together and sharing the information that we have. We need to be heard in the medical field. There are so many of us that are going through this. We need to stick together.

You can e-mail me anytime.


Kelly

Dear Anonymous,

I'm not sure exactly where you are located but I have found something I hope will help.

University of Virginia School of Medicine
Jeff Barth
1-804-924-2718
e-mail- JTB4Y@DMT03.MCC.Virginia.EDU

Expertise and research interests are electrical injuries.

Web site is;
http://www.hsc.virginia.edu/CommonGround/barth_jeffrey.html


Kelly

here are a couple of sites i hope helpful
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/elecovrv.html
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic162.html
http://bsd.uchicago.edu/~btc/etrp/~btc/areas/physilogy
http://www.epri.com/EPRI_Journal/may_june96/discovery.html
i hope this help give you some more insight i will have to dig deeper to find the other very interesting pages of the path that electric takes in the body!

i am sorry if some of the sites given do not come up. maybe have to search a little more once you get in them

good morning everyone: hope things are looking brighter! i can't explain how much this site helps and the people that i have came in contact with via email. someday i hope we can put our faces together and give each other that hug that we need! but sometimes it is hard to take that first step, like talking, discussing things about our injury, what our love ones are going thru and how to try to adjust and help each other! i wish this site was around 6 yrs ago but it is here now and i want to thank kathy for getting it going and the people who check in and respond with info and notes, we do not know how much of an impact that a simple litter note or answer or just knowing we are not alone can help us! we each need that encouragement, to keep fighting, keep passing the info and helping each other, we all have so much to contribute weather we think we do or not, just write that little tid bit and we will respond, just look how much people have responded to things, something that we think is not important but puts that fuel in the fire and keeps are motor purring, well it we can find the damn motor, he he........i just want to say thanks for all those i have talked with it means alot to me.........thanks for the support and hope to hear from you all soon! remember keep the faith and keep smiling, keep them guessing! without laughter , without that smile life would be harder, take that smile and pass it around.
barb

just another tid bit probably not important to anyone else! you know we all came to this site by some unseen circumstance that has happened to our life or loved ones, not by our choice! nor is it the path we chose but one we have to deal with, it may take me longer now to get to the other side of that sidewalk or that walk down the tunnel but i can see the light , i can see the next step, it just takes me a few more steps and turns to get there but something i am willing to get to, to see that light to get to that next crossing and with everyone's help and support that we get thru this site and new friends we all will make it! bm

I am quite certain we can all pull our knowledge together to help each other immensely. This injury is definately a life shattering event. I search the net daily for any tidbit of info I can find to help my husband & myself. Kelly has been my right arm. She is a complete Angel to me! Without her help I'd be lost in the Twilight Zone.
I know Kelly is always as close as the computer. Thats very important / one of us is always digging looking something up.
Barb & I have also been writing she has been enlighening me also. So at anytime we're all ready to jump in to help.
Between us all maybe we can get some good info up for newcomers so they aren't left alone such as we all were.

hi belinda: how are things going with you and yours? hopefully a little better, i know it can be very trying not only for your husband but also the family. i hope you are finding enough info to get educated on electrical shock and to inform dr's if they do not, but most important for you husband to get help with someone who knows what the injury can do! i just wanted to check and make sure you and yours are ok?? i keep you all in my prayers, keep the faith, the spirit and keep smiling, i know how hard that can be. keep in touch.............thinking of you all.
barb

Hi Belinda,

I hope the information I gave you can help. It is so very important to find doctors that know this kind of injury. The sooner you find the right doctor the better for all of you. If you need any help don't hesitate to ask.

My injury was 17 months ago and I am just now starting to get the help I need. I still have a long ways to go though. My injury was hand to hand and everything in between has damage. Mine is a work comp case but they haven't paid hardly a thing. I will have to fight with them about it in court. Thats ok because it has given me the chance to find the right kind of doctors. They have sent me to "their" doctors twice in the last 8 months and it is such a waist of time and their money. It is so important to research the doctors that you go to.

Good Luck, Kelly

here is another site that can give you some info plus at the end with the credits you can click and get more info:
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic162.htm
hope this is helpful

I'm so sorry I haven't written you guys back, We've had a few bad days. And our son is sick with a fever and cold. Scott is taking a med. called clonazapan (? spelling)and it is really making him feel weird. He has been so different these last couple days. He feels so bad. I hurt for him! we have a 15 year old daughter and a 9 yr old son and they don't know how he will react from one minute to the other. I've tried to explain he doesn't mean to yell or be mean and that it's not their fought or his!! I need to go for now I'm working I hope you can read this and I'll write back soon Thanks for all your support!!
barb, kathy and kelly Thank you belinda

belinda: we are here for you and will help you with what we can but i cannot stress the importance of getting to a dr who is well familiar with what electric can do to the body! very very important to get him that help not only for him but also for you family so you all can have a better understanding of what happens. take care and lets us know what we can do........
barb

hey belinda: i have tried to email you 3 times, keeps getting returned to me, so i guess you can email me! barb

Belinda,
Electrical injuries are like no other. One day you can have symptoms the next day they can be totally different. You need to keep a log & close track of how things are going not only for yourselves but for the Drs to see what may or may not of changed since your last Dr visit.
Finding a Dr who understands electrical injury is not as easy as it sounds. You have the right to call the Drs to find out if they have ever treated others who have been shocked.
Kathy B.

hey mark: how are you and did you get to see dr hendler? i was wondering how you are doing, have not heard from you in this discussion board for a long time, this is not women only!! i was just wondering and hope things are going better.
barb

WE ARE GOING TO DUKE NEXT WEDNESDAY AND WE'RE NOT SURE EVEN WHAT THEY KNOW THERE, BUT THAT IS WHERE THE DRS HERE ARE SENDING US AND WE CAN'T REFUSE IT UNDER WORKERS COMP. AND I'M PRAYING THAT IF THEIR NOT EXPERIENCED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS DR AT THE MENSANA CLINIC? WE HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE CONFERENCE IN TN NEXT MONTH AND MY HUSBAND ACTS LIKE HE DOESN'T WANT TO COME BUT I FEEL IT WILL BE GOOD FOR BOTH OF US TO GET EDUCATED ON THIS INJURY. ARE YOU GUYS GOING? WHAT MED ARE YOU ON? I'M TRYING TO GET MY HUSBAND TO COME ONLINE AND CHECK THIS SITE OUT BUT HE CAN'T SIT STILL LONG ENOUGH, SINCE HE WAS SHOCKED HE DOESN'T GET ANY REST. I HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING GOOD TODAY, I THINK ABOUT ALL OF YOU EVERY DAY. BELINDA

glad to hear you are going to duke and hopefully they have knowledge of electrical shock injury. i have been trying for over 3 yrs to get to the conference but i cannot afford it or have the way from pa. i have talked with others stating how wonderful it is and very educational. which is what we all need! i wish you well on the trip to duke and hopefully find some answers. i know what it is like not to be able to get any rest, i am up days and nights at a time because of pain and unable to get comfortable. so take care.
barb

Barb, I was wondering what drs. are you going too?
Have you been to the mensana clinic ? And what
medicines do you take? Scott is worse today because he coming down off that med. And shakes so bad tonight. I understand not being able to afford the trip. So you live in P.A.? We live in NC. How is your weather there? Ours is chilly and rainy around 50 degress daytime and 30's at night.
My children and Scott let me read all your and other messages to them tonight,I hope it helps them to understand that we're not the only one's having these problems and we are blessed to have their dad with us. Thank you some much for sharing things that are so personal.This has helped me everyday to read these messages and I've asked scott to please try and go online and chat with you guys. Hopefully he will soon. hope you have a good night, Belinda and family P.S.Scott wanted me to ask you. Do you drive ? I believe you said something about it before? thanks

Belinda,
My husband don't get on line at all. Larry was injured 6 mo ago. He does still drive short distances.He also returned to work after the accident. Was to much on him. But he plans on going back again when spring breaks. But not in the capacity of heavy duty construction like he did before. WC will try to have them back working yesterday if they can.You have your rights too.Also don't let WC say who you can or can't see in the line of DRs you can see who "YOU'SE WANT". All you have to do is get a primary family dr & have him send a referral to whomever you choose & send WC the bill. Also start finding a GOOD lawyer / someone who has had a electrical injury before. Don't settle for less then the best!
These injuries can be totally devastating to a family. You have to take care of Scott & your family. For certain WC isn't going to do that. They'll tell you whatever they want you to hear but unless its in writing FORGET IT!
Am certain everyone here will agree with me on this.
Good luck at Duke! Tell Scott he's not alone/ should he want to know anything just ask.
I heard today that another guy got hurt in Ill. yesterday.
So none of us are alone in this battle......
Kathy B

Belinda,

1. Many parents feel guilty about how children are impacted by the parent's pain/injury/illness. But children are very resilient. Many turn out to be more responsible and compassionate than the average child.

2. I am really glad to hear that you will be going to the conference. Dr. Hendler will be speaking there--please introduce yourself to him--and I know you will enjoy getting to meet Steve Marshburn.

3. I hope that your trip to Duke is beneficial. I guess you are dealing with work comp law in the state of North Carolina?

hi belinda: i go to the clinic, in fact dr hendler is my treating dr, has been for over 3 yrs, i go there often, believe me kathy (from the clinic) knows who i am! i do not drive, i depend on my sons or my father.........i have not drove for yrs, i am on numerous meds but it is a matter of the dr finding meds that will work for the patient, so we all will not be on the same,this injury is very devastating to us and our family, that is why it is important to find a dr who knows and understands about the electrical shock, my am so thankful for my sons and family, we are so close and when i got injuried my sons had alot of growing up to do, they were 12 and 15, but they passed with flying colors, not only did i have to get educated about this injury but my family, which they did, both of my sons were great help but my oldest went into the marines and my youngest had to deal with me, believe me that was a big challeng, with mood swings and me getting worse, but he sure pulled thru for me and still does! i live in the southwestern part of pa, it is cool and damp here, which makes the pain worse, but this injury changes us and you will learn alot about this at the conference, you will meet so many nice and informative people, you will come out of that with much more understanding, you will really love steve & joyce marshman, they have helped me out alot! i have talked to alot who have been at the conference i wish i could go but i can't,i could not possibly be able to handle that long of a drive in a car, so scott come on line and chat with us, it really helps to talk with others , you will find we are going thru alot of the same things. it is so important to have that dr who knows and to talk with others, such as group therapy, so hang in there and i wish you luck! this injury is not only hard on us but also on our family, we can't understand what is going on ourselves, only to know we have changed, even though we may not see that we have, why not see dr hendler? i can understand the wc and going to who they recommend, i did not have no dealings with wc, my not work related, so take care and keep the smile and keep the faith..........barb

Barb Thanks for responding to our questions? Your
very helpful and thoughtful. I do hope scott will get online but I'm not sure he will, He hates not being able to drive, and he wants to go to stores and just look around to get out of the house and he wants to drive, But with that ringing in his ears getting so loud I worry about him driving I don't feel safe with it at all.And I know it has to be hard on ya'll not driving because it's independence. Well I'm working and I hope to chat later today thank you so much Belinda

Kathy I emailed you today. Hope you get it.Let me know? thanks belinda

Belinda,

Which Kathy?

Hello this is Katie. My mom Kelly is going throuh a lot of stress trying to get all her facts and stories rapped up, and I was wondering if you have any advice on what she needs and what i can do to help her, I ask but sometimes she don't want it. I know that I need to give her her space but i wish there was something i could do.

hi katie: i know it is hard on you but also your mom, sometimes we just do not want to talk and that makes it hard on you also! we just cannot explain what is going on, we do not know ourselves, the only thing we know is something is wrong and changed us, mood swings, the pain, just plain old do not want to do a damn thing, these injuries change our whole lives, so just be patient she will talk, but most important remember to document things, even you keep a journal and wrtie down the changes you see and what is going on, how she has changed just with you. patience is a very big key, this is very hard on families plus ourselves, it has been very hard on my family, i have been going thru this yrs and i still have things or do things that i can't explain, sure my sons get upset with me but they have patience which i can drive them up a wall. do not ask me why cause i do not know either. i have changed so much, use to be sweet, he he, but i can be very cruel and mean, it is like the pain, the headaches, ringing in the eyes, dizzyness,it just takes over our body and we do not know what to do, sometimes talking helps other times no, sometimes we just want to be by ourselves and not bothered, sorry i am not sure if this helps or not, but your patience helps, i know you need to see that love you mom has for you but we just can't explain what is going on, that is why it is important to have that dr who is familiar with electrical shock injury and can help us, you know just knowing you are there for her helps, even though you may not think so, it does!! i can also state that the stres from this is devastating, we want to do things we use to but just can't it is very difficult! just letting her know you are there for her and love her the same makes a big difference and help! believe me i know. katie i know your mom loves you, she has told me so and she is thankful you are there with her and your family! you are a very smart young lady so hang in there and just keep your patience and your love for her flowing!! i have such a memory loss so i rely on my family to get thru things but i also know how it is when people or company's do not believe you, they do not know and do not want to know so i also know the importance of facts and documentation. so katie keep your love for her showing!!!!!!!!!! barb

katie: there are numerous others who have been going thru this alot longer than i have and i do not by all means to simply state that i know everything , i do not, i can only speak from what i have gone thru and what i have put my family thru! we will try to help you in anyway we or i can......barb

hey belinda: i cannot answer your email when they keep getting sent back, i have tried both emails! do you have a block on you emails? well good luck today at duke.........
barb

hey barb, I've never set up by emails to block anyone. But I'll check it. I hate you can't email me. I'm sorry! Well we went to Duke and There diagnosis is POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME? I'm not even sure how I feel about that, I was hoping for a miracle I guess, and I know only GOD can perform those!!!! My heart hurts for him today because he thinks they think he's crazy now!!
I'm going to research this PTSS some on line, What was your first diagnosis? How's Dr Hendler
clinic helping you? I'm so confused with all of this now! I hope you are feeling ok today? How's your family? Please write back belinda

Belinda,
I have post traumatic stress disorder too. It effects me almost everyday. I have several good sites on it that explains it. Mary Ann Cooper's is really good. The second research one, my neuropsych actually participated in. The 3rd is Nation Center for PTSD. My injury happened 17 months ago. It took me 8 months before I started getting the right help. Work Comp really slowed my progress down.


http://www.uic.edu/~macooper/psycho.html

http://www.medscape.com/lea/appliedneuropsych/1997/v04.n04/an0404.01.crew/an0404.01.crew-01.html,

http://www.ncptsd.org,http://www.ncptsd.org}

I hope these help give you a place to start.
Kelly

hi everyone,

i have been really sick again, i am not ignoring anyone. i'll catch up with everyone soon.

kelly

hi belinda: i did manage to get a private email to you, at least i hope i did, i do not mind discussing some things on this site but others, no, hope you got my email. i too have ptss, i have had it for 6 yrs, duh, no crap we have ptss, this is a traggic thing that has happend to us what do they think! the dr's around my neck of the woods have no concept of what electric shock does, only if they see entrance and exit wounds and you are burned to hell, then they simply send you to a burn unit, alot of my dr's stated, it is all in your head, get on with life, but we know that is not true, i hope you got my email! i have been researching things for the last 6 yrs and i never stop researching, i have been to most of the sites listed yrs ago but it is interesting to back and see if things have changed any! but the more knowledge you can get about this injury the better off you will be, the patient and the family and even trying to keep the quacks informed if they do not understand, thank God dr hendler does and as i have stated all along since this site started, go see him!
barb

here are some other good sites that you can go to and do alot of info search
http://www.themedengine.com
http://www.cdc.gov/noish

Hey everyone!!

I had a evaluation a few months ago set up by work comp. I spent less than 30 minutes with the neuro oncologist at the near by university. Everything in his report was wrong or backwards and it was just horrible.

I wrote him a letter asking him to correct the errors and he did just that. He wrote a follow up report and did a very nice job for me.

We have to be strong and stay focused. We go to these doctors for a reason. They except payment in return for a specific service and we have a right to demand that service be done right.

Kelly

there are only a very select few who will correct there incorrections in a report, yeah they want paid and get paid regardless if they are for us or against us, no matter how strong we stay there is always some donkey to screw things up , i have had alot of neuro tests and they did not listen, like i smoke and drink, never did , never wanted to , do you think they changed that no, there comment was, oh well it won't matter, b.s. it all matters. some dr's even though you may think are great , look up there info and see just how many dr's have done reports for the defendent and plaintiff and how many negative reports they have done, alot of dr's still fall into that category of all in our head! glad to hear he changed it, not everyone will no matter how much we complain to them, in fact if you do that to much they add that to there list of notes as negative person, hard to get along with!

I got an email with a message asking about Post Traumatic Stress. I sent an answer but it was returned to me--so in general here is my comment:

Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is a diagnosis that describes an individual's psychological and emotional response to a traumatic event outside the range of normal human experience. It is not, however, a diagnosis of the physical problems that have resulted from your injury. In other words, you can have real physical problems (such as nerve damage or entrapment) and post traumatic stress.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you want more information.

Thanks,
Kathy

I'm checking to see if anyone knows of someone who has a back stimultor in?

Hi, My name is Mike Lane. I suffered an electrical shock injury 4 years ago. By reading what everyone is goin thru I see I am no different. It took me over a year to find a Dr that knew anything about this type of injury and he was in Florida and I live in PA. so I flew back and forth every month for about a year but I must say He at least diagnosed me well enough that I didn't feel lost anymore. Without asking me any questions as to where the electricity entered or exited my body and what kind of problems I was having he ran several tests and then told me and hit the nail on the head. If anyone wants to know his name its Dr H. Hoosmand.
I still am suffering from many problems that include: seizures, light sensitivity, mood swings, numbnuss on my left side, shakes, loss of memory, thyroid failure (I have gained over 120 lbs) depression, etc ,etc, etc. The worst part was getting used to me "new" life. I couln't drive anymore. My marriage suffered. My time with my then 2 year old daughter was forever changed. again etc, etc, etc,. However things have picked up I have my good and bad days. But I allowed myself to hit rock bottom which left me nowhere to go but up. I made a pact with myself and i am determined to get most of my life back. I accept support from my family and friends when before I was to proud or as One person put it her husband was embarrassed. I accept the fact that I can't play sports anymore so i have to find another hobby. This hasn't happened yet but I keep Chuggin Ha Ha! I have also learned a very valuable lesson do not judge anyone until you fill their shoes. I have family and close friends that have come up to me and said man your fat or do you think your bad because I must wear sunglasses most of the time, or you don't look disabled. I'm sure this has happened to many of you also. WELL I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK OUT A LITTLE DIDN'T MEAN TO GO OVER BOARD . Please anyone thats wants to email me I am available 24hrs 7 days per week. LATER MIKE

Hello everyone,

I have a question for all. I have a real problem with regulating temperature. I can get really hot and drenched in sweat after a very short period of activity. I feel sick and my blood pressure goes crazy. I recently found out that my sodium and chloride levels are real low. Could this have anything to do with it?

Does this happen to anyone else or does anyone know of anything thing that would help????

Mike, you mentioned thyroid failure, what are the symptoms of that??

Kelly

where is everyone anymore? no one seems to visit the site anymore! gets lonely!

I'm still here. What do you think we can do to make the site more useful to people. I know it is frustrating to come to the site and find out that no one else is posting.

Kathy

i think sometimes we are afaid to ask questions for the answers one might get! you know there is alot of information that we can obtain and very important to share it! even if it does warm up outside and might takes us away from the computer, the pain and injury is still there. there are those who need the help but yet afraid to ask! i am not sure what would make it more useful for i believe it is a very useful site and helps us (survivors , family members) out with information! i for one never give up on searching for answers and information.

Hello mike my name is belinda and my husband was electrically shocked also which you've probably read about. And your and his symptons are the same, He has gained 60 lbs and is so embrassed also. I feel so bad for him. What treatments has your Drs giving you? Scott was shocked on Jan-16-01. And we are still new with all of this and have such bad days. He goes to the philologist 3 days a week now. Which I think is helping some.
We have two children which this has been really hard on (15 and 9 yrs old). But I'm keeping them as busy as possible.
We were going to the conference this weekend but the Dr didn't want us taking Scott out of town yet
so we missed it and I hated it because I was hoping to learn more about all that has happened.
I wanted to hear Dr. Hendler speak on this. But hopefully we will make it the next meeting. I hope you continue to do better. I'll keep you in my prayers. If you have any questions just ask I'll try my best to answer them, Oh yea about people's comments We have encountered a few our selves and Scott has been really embrassed and PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP COMMENTS TO THEIR SELVES!! MY HUSBAND DOESN'T EVEN LIKE GOING IN PUBLIC MUCH BECAUSE OF THIS. But what do you do?? Chat soon Belinda ( does your wife read this site?

Anybody have any good responses for these kinds of comments? I find that people feel better if they have a "stock answeer" then they feel like they aren't as likely to be caught off guard by an inappropriate question or comment.

If you have a response that has worked well for you, please post it for the rest of us.

Kathy

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know we've been having puter problems here. Trying to get it taken care of. grrrr
We're awaiting word from Drs for Larry to finally start getting some help.Why its taking so long is beyond me??
Neuro tests came back all severely to moderately to below average results. This was a major slap in the face. The BP is like a yoyo yet. We keep hoping something will start to go our way.
If anyone says anything much to us my favorite come back is,Well thats not very nice to say! If it hurts there feelings / OH WELL! They don't like it next time they'll watch there mouths! Best part is there mouths drop to the ground!!!

After a serious Electrical Acc.with multiple problems (heart-shakes-Brain Dsy.-kidneys-etc.)..
I had a M.R.I. of the Brain Showing "DEMYELINATION"???
I would appreciate any info. on Demyelination
and I would like to know if anybody else has
similar M.R.I.s!! Thank You!!

Hi Jody,

Sorry to hear your problems. My hubby had a MRI in Oct after a high voltage shock. Drs state he has many lesions on his brain.The Drs aren't knowing what to think of his MRI they state its like Cerebro Vascular disease.

Feel free to email me anytime.

Jodi I'm writing you to ask about your shakes from your shock, where do you shake.My husband was shocked in Jan -01 and also has shakes.He also has a back stimulator in so he can't have an MRI to see exactly what damage he does have But the DRS just have him on alot of med right now.
Let us know how your doing. Thanks Belinda

to judy: i hope you found the defintion about demyelination if not go to http://www.merck.com and then to the 17th edition and simply type in demyelination and then you can sort it all out. i too suffer from the shakes, my head, hands, heart skipping but after all these yrs one would think they get use to it but guess what i do not!

For Belinda or anyone who can get in touch with her:
We have been trying to e mail you but our e mails keep getting returned. It says that you are not accepting mail from this sender. Don't know what to do at this end. Think you have to change something on your settings. Let us know when you have received this message. We get your messages (e mails) just fine.
Brad & Linda
blcarj@juno.com

Hey I've fixed my email controls But If anyone wants to write please let me know your from the discussion board in your subject so I'll know to open it up. I'm sorry about that confusion, But I've fixed that before maybe it didn't take. Feel free to write thanks Belinda.

i was wanting to know if possible someone out there could give me some answers, after going to my family dr today and having so much trouble with my legs anyway but my better leg has a lump which is very very painful but he thinks it is a tumor....so here is what i want to know does electrical injuries cause tumors? i know at least i think i remember reading somewhere that it can cause cancer tumors. any help or info would be appreciated.. my family dr is not familar with what electrical injuries can do to the body..thanks

I have 3 cysts/tumors after electrical injury. I have searched for endless hours. I have only found that bone cysts can be caused by electrical injuries.

Can you tell us more about your injury? We are all here to listen and help.

Kelly
krkkc5@juno.com

you all know who i am, kelly i have wrote you several times but have not heard from you.. barb

where in the heck is everyone? on vacation or what, really it does not take that much to get on and check your email and simply write a short note back just to say "hi"

A couple of days ago I on the news was a worker that got struck by lighting. My heart went out to him, and I wonder, how could we get in contact with this person. He was listed by the media as being in critical condition. It was about six months before I learned that there is help out there. I was pretty out of it, and my family suffered immensely. Most Drs are not aware of what they are dealing with. So. Calif Drs would likely have about zero experience with this kind of injury, and are accustom to dealing with peaple who are enviornmentally neurotic. I would like to make this person aware of LSES, before he really does go nuts. Any suggestions, help?

you know a couple of wks ago at a boy scout camp in pa about 6 got struck with lightning and one of the leaders, whom i knew unfortunatley got killed 2 days later, the others out of hospital and stated they all are fine, i surely hope this holds up for we all know what really can happen to them, even the burn ctr in pittsburgh is familiar with what happens with burns from an electrical injury and lightning strike but that is where there expertise stops they are blind to all other aspects of what damage can be done. i sure wish them all well!

Barb,
Yes, I have been at the lake a lot lately. Someone has to do the fishing. Kelly

well the tumor i have on my left leg is going to be taken out or i guess i should say looked into and see what happens on the 23rd. one thing down and many to go...but it takes more than that to get an ol grouchy woman down!

Hi, folks, Iv'e been under the weather a lot lately. When it rains it poors, as they say. I started getting some real intense nightmares, some of them seeming to last all night. Iv'e laid there helpless,exausted, knowing it is just in my head, and then as I drift off to sleep, it starts all over again. I have been physically worn out, feeling at the end of my rope. It has eased up a bit,and I got some sleep, without all of the special effects. I remember praying for it all to stop,and it did. Thank God, I couldn't have taken much more. Well, I'm still here. I am looking forward to getting better.
Doug

Doug,
And I hope you don't have them to come back I know it has to be awful. My husband won't even tell us his dreams just that he's having them.
I worry when I go to sleep at night that If he'd need us what would he do. But so far that hasn't happened. And I also Pray that soon some DR will find a break through for us all.Hope your days get much better! Belinda

anyone out there have any bacteria infection problems or knowledge???

Need some direction on this one. Like life ain't bad enough. Got a new diagnosis today. Don't know much about it but it is called Dyspepsia. Something to do with bacteria in the stomach or something like that. I don't think it is good. The drugs they are treating it with are a meal in itself and $300 for the 14 day treatment. Simple blood test showed positive for this bacteria.

Symptoms are vomiting, nausea, stomach pain and feeling like you are full when you haven't eaten or after just a few bites. Sound fimilar?

Ok, I know it is a bacteria. For the past 3 weeks now, symptoms even longer, I have been treated for conjuctivitis. Bacteria infection in my eyes?

For a month now, I have had problems with small itchy hive like areas on my skin. Also bacteria infection.

What do you make of this? Any connection between the three?

i have had so much trouble with my stomach since the injury. still do, even had my gallbladder taken out, that did not help, still alot of pain after eating, nausea, wanting to vomit what you just eaten. i take alot of meds,including meds for my stomach , they just make it tolerable but still alot of pain and the same symptoms! as for the eyes, i have had trouble, itchy, redness and so forth ,only to find out that my eyes cannot make tears or water to keep them moist, i have to use eyes drops all the time and have cataracts, which the injury causes.

I really hadn't conected this to anything except my medication I was taken but about 1 1/2 years after my accident I lost almost 100 lbs. I couldn't eat, I felt hungary but than take two bites and I was full, thought if I ate any more I would get sick also felt like food was stuck in my thoat. The doctors finally said it was all my meds I was on but now I don't know after reading what you are saying.

It has been 7 years since my accident and I no longer take all the meds, they didn't help, and have gained all my wieght back plus more.
I still don't know what caused be "NOT TO EAT". Didn't think in my life that I wouldn't want to eat, but that's not the way to lose weight.

Hi Lee,

Helicobacter Pylori is the part of the dyspepsia that I have. I am still learning about it. My doctor isn't 100% sure on what all the harm it can do. He is going to research it. He said I am really sick and I am losing weight rather quick.

Kelly

yes, helicobacter pylori is part of the disease and it can be done by a simple breathe test and one can lose alot of weight from it. i lost 30 lbs with in a wk..it knocks you off your feet. take care

hi, yes h pylori can be very hectic, does it not also have to do with gastri, peptic uclers? i have this also... i have passed blood and so forth, i have meds i take now for it everyday the rest of my life, also can lead to GERD, IBS, but important to let the dr's do a diagnosis. alot of info can be obtained from the http://www.merck.com site. hope you are feeling better and hang in there, we are here for you, in fact we are here for all of you!

H. Pylori/chest pains,

H.Pylori still making me sick. I have been on medication for it now 10 days. Very little improvement. Doc said that new research is linking it with heart disease or can cause chest pain/problems or something like that. Just thought I'd pass that on because I know we have talked about both. I have noticed a little increase in chest pain in this past month.

I think, H pylori can lead to the peptic ulcers. I checked the merck manual on it. Sounds like they can become bleeding ulcers and the mortality rate is 60% if untreated/managed. ******How serious is this H pylori?****** My doctor acts like it is serious but I had an emergency room trip last week(?) and told the ER Doc and he just shrugged it off as an ulcer. I was really sick and lots of abdominal pain. I was concerned because I am hypoglycemic and hadn't been able to eat from the nausea/H.Pylori. I was really weak. I was like total dead weight. My Doc told me to go to the ER and he was a bit upset that they really didn't help me.

Kelly

i have had h pylori ,yes it does lead to peptic and gastri uclers , in fact that is how my stomach dr is treating it as...i take meds all the time for my stomach... i have had numerous endoscopy's done....which show uclers that also leads to what they call GERD disease...effects the esophagus....to the drs this seems like nothing serious but to us it is, something else we have to deal with. i have had it for months, still do something else to deal with everyday i guess for the rest of my life also.

Hi, my name is Noel.

I found this site by accicent. when I read the notes I cried. I'm crying as I write this.

I was electrocuted in the mid 80's I never got better ,,I thought I was alone in the world.

The pain, the noise, the headaches, the memory loss, the depression, the dizzyness, the disbelief..

If It wasn't for my wife, I surely would have suicided,, She doesn't understand but she supports me heaps.

Is there a chat room for people like us?

Thank God I've found someone else who knows...........

Please reply,,,

Noel

Guess what folks,, the bastards once again told me I have post traumatic stress syndrome

My accident was in 1986

Useless bastards

I might even hit the next one ,,, lol

hi noel: there is many of us out here, willing to listen and forward any info that we have in order to help! glad you found us..mighty glad to hear you are still hear, not only can you get info but share some laughter with us. come on aboard

Thanks ,, I will

I need desperataly to talk to some one .

Hi! Noel
I am an elecrical shock survivor myself, 7 years now. I am a member of Lightning Strike and Electrical Shock Survivors International, Inc. (LSESSI), don't know if you have our web site address so I will give it to you.
www.lightning-strike.org
I have been a member now for 2 years. The first time I talked to our President, 2 years after my accident, was the first time I had talked to any one who knew what I was going thru. All the doctors would say was "We don't know what electrcity does to a person". The doctors had me believing that I was crazy and that my pain was all in my head, that I really didn't have pain.
I attended my first conference and cried all the time, don't because I was sad but because I couldn't believe that other people had my symptoms and knew what I was going thru, both physically and mentally. They have become my new fammily. If any of us get down all we have to do is call or e-mail them and someone or all of them will call, write, e-mail, even send cards. We understand and will and can help each other.
I could write all day about LSESSI but maybe, hopefully, you have heard of us. If you would like more about this just ask, I will get you more information but our web site has a lot about us and how to join.

Noel,

If you would like a LSESSI information packet, just send your mailing address to me at info@mensanaclinic.com.

Glad you found our site.

Kathy

Lee I was wondering if you've been to the mensana clinic? The doctors are acting this same way by my husband they look at him like he's crazy and can't help him.It's been six months and we have seen 4 doctors and none of them has helped I just don't understand this! I don't know what to do next? Oh well I just wanted to know if you've been there? Thanks Belinda

Noel, my husband also has been diagonised with PTSD?? I believe this is an excuse for not know how to treat someone that has been shocked.He was shocked 6 months ago and has not gotten any better other than he is drugged up and he is sleeping a few more hours than before! He is still shaking all over, Do you shake? He has those headaches,all the same symptons! I'm glad you found this site it has helped me alot I've meet nice people on here! I wish you lots of luck Belinda

I have not been to the Clinic! After going to my first conference (LSESSI) I know that I have a lot fewer problems than others, I still have my problems. I have never talked to my husband about the clinic, don't know what he would say. Right now I have learned to live with all my problems and don't want to talk to any more dumb doctors. I no longer take strong pain pills. One of my doctors ask me to go off of them, he wanted to see what I was like if I didn't take them. Guess what? There wasn't that much change in my pain, just my stomach and brain. When I have bad days I take a lot of Tylenol Extral Strenght and lay around the house and sleep a little at a time. This usely helps me get back on my feet as much as anything. Back to the pain I have learned to live with.
I had a trail electrical stimulator (can't remember what it was called for sure) put in my back and all my brain was telling me was I was getting hurt again, it felt like the electricy was going thru me again, it didn't do anything for my pain. To get it to really work I had to have it up so high that my legs would junp all over the place. When I told the doctors how I felt he wasn't surprized it didn't work.
After seeing several doctors they said the last resort was to clip nevers in my back and that there was a 85% chance of me being paralized. Until I can't go any more I will NOT have it done.
Noel - Didn't I tell you people who know what we go thru are great. The doctors don't understand but we have to try and educate them. I'm trying with anyone who will listen to me about electricity and lightning. I tell them what can happen to a person at the time of their accident and the long term effects it has on us. Most people don't know these things, they think if it didn't kill you, your alright. WRONG!
Will go for now.

DON'T GIVE UP WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!!!!!

Belinda,, I had the shakes, but they only lasted about a week,,,,,
I still jerk violently in bed.. but not too often.. so I can cope ok with that.

I was on all the drugs, but they made me worse, do I told them to shove them (you can guess where). LOL ..I tend to call a kettle black..

I have been through all the rounds with a million Doctors,, I hate incomptence, and I tell em so..

I was really close to punching one out once, but common sense prevailed at the last moment.. I did however drag him across his desk.

It's funny how one problem can cure another,,,

After my accident, I couldn't sleep much (4 hours a night was the norm). About 10 years later, I got bitten by a mosquito, on the murray river, and caught Ross River Virus (a type of sleeping sickness) after the disease went away (about 5 years) I could sleep. now I get about 6 hours,, Plenty ,,,, LOL

Lee.. don't let them hack into you.. They won't fix anything,, I learned how to live with the pain, and now rarely take a pain killer,, tough at times I 'spose,, but it's heaps better than being drugged or paralysed.

I see a lot of people have trouble eating,, that happened to me as well ,, it was the bloody drugs.

Lee, I'll NEVER Give up.. The bastards will never beat me...

Kelly, I just read your note about
Sweating,,,, so do I.
If I run a short disatnce or it's a hot day
My clothes are as wet as if I'd jumped into
a puddle of water

hey noel, you are an early bird, difference in time zones....i bet we all could tell some good stories about our experiences which we are some good and some really bad but important to share them so we all can learn things...but a good site to have

I had a win,,,, for the first time in 4 months I stared the lawn mower,, The grass is cut ,,,...

Hey folks...... I had a win,I started my lawn mower.. first time in 4 months........

The grass is short now.. My wife cut it.

We found the back yard ,,,,,,, LOL..

You folks have given me the biggest lift in 10 years ,,,,,,, thank you all....

I dunno,, that memory of mine,, posted the same message twice ,,,, LOL

hey noel , glad that memory is working, lol
same as the rest of us huh? isn't it nice to share laughs?

Hi Noel I'm so glad you guys found your back yard, And I'm so happy that you have gained the strength to find it.I hope you continue to do things you love to do.Keep up the good work!!

Hi there, everyone.
I did not have an electric shock, nor was I struck by lightning. However,I have been to Mensana, and was amazed at how quickly an accurate diagnosis was given. The staff there is incredible. I also saw people return from surgeries - after not being able to raise a hand over their head for years, they returned waving their hand. :o) Wow, huh?

I have what is called CNS CMV - Cytomeglovirus (a virus that most people catch, but never know it - it then goes into "memory".) Mine must have liked me as I have had CMV for almost four years. It has attached itself to base of brain, and is now running rampant in my CNS. The effects of the disease are incredibly similar to those of an electrical shock or lighting strike - at least, that is what Dr. Hendler told me. Thus, if Dr. Hendler says it, I believe it. Kathy also said something similar, I think. ::scritchin' head:: - no memory.

I also used to get night sweats all of the time. Now it is just once in a while. I spent three weeks at Mensana this past June. I'm supposed to be going back in late August or early September.
These headaches are killin' me. I should say Skullaches as that is what hurts.

When I had the Occipital Nerve blocked - along with C1-C2, I was in heaven! Pure Bliss! I had the psychoneurological testing, and found that there is some neurological (is that a word?) damage.
I also had the chance to sit with, and talk at length with at least four people about their injuries from electrical shock and lightning.

I have TOS, too. I am not looking forward to that surgery, though. I thought women were allowed to keep the extra rib. Bummer. I don't know if any of this is of any use to you, but, since the effects are similar, I wanted to say "HI!" and to let you know that I'm "listening".

The doctors here in Sarasota, FL don't know a thing about CNS CMV. I have been told over and over that it's all in my head. Well, since the CMV is growing like a chia pet on my brain, I guess it sort of is. I've been told that it is M.S., PTSD, Fibromyalgia and Migraines. Ugh. I think we need to clone Dr. Hendler so that he can be everywhere. Oh - a grrrrrreaaaaaatttttt book for spouses of the chronically ill - or chronic pain folks is "Beyond Chaos" by Craig Piburn - Its full title is ~~> "Beyond Chaos -- One Man's Journey Beside His Chronically Ill Wife" <~~~~ it lets your significant other (and children) know what you are going through. "Who Moved My Cheese?" is also a good- really fast - read.

You also mentioned memory. I wish I could remember what that was. I sort of vaguely recall that term, but . . . nope - drawing a blank.

How many of you have exit wounds? Only one of the patients I met with an electrical injury or lightning strike injury had exit wounds. From what I understand (which is very little), an exit wound can make a difference in how the injury will affect a person. Kathy Fielding and/or Doctor Hendler are the ones to ask about this one.

To keep in good spirits, I just crank up the tunes (when head is not throbbing), and dance/bounce around the house. Or I go for a swim. Then I am exhausted. Sadly, since moving here a year ago, I have only driven three times. I am so afraid of getting lost, or of having a severe headache that basically blinds me. At least the car has low mileage. The last time I drove, I was looking for our exit-(I had never used the route I was using before)-when the car in front of me started veering off to the right. I thought he was getting into the exit lane so I followed him. Umm, I followed him for about a hundred yards. Then we were going under an overpass ~ the guy drives up the concrete embankment. "Huh?" I thought. Then I realized that we were still a mile from the exit. The guy had pulled over to talk on his cell phone. He probably thought I was stalking him, or had some sort of road rage. So, I ever-so-casually went back onto highway as if nothing had happened. You know, the way a cat wll just sit and lick a paw after falling off a table. "I meant to do that." My older son (9 1/2) couldn't stop laughing at me. I think he was amazed that we made it home. :sigh:

and that is just one story ~ I have hundreds.

If you want to know what the clinic is like, ask away. All I can say are good things. Positive vibes, and people who have gone through what you might be going through. Procedures I had done were: Nerve blocks; Facet blocks; PT Scan of brain; MRI; sleep study (that was a hoot- different story 4 different day); Vascular Flow study; EEG; and the psychoneurological testing. Maggie and Bob are excellent chefs! I gained about five pounds while I was there. That's a good thing - I don't have much of an appetite usually, so my weight keeps dropping.

I will close with asking you to imagine yourself as the person who had pulled over to chat on the phone when another car pulls over and follows you. oopsie daisy!

Susanna aka su

"Those who say it cannot be done
should not interrupt
the person doing it."

Susanna mentioned about following a bloke off the road in her car,,,

Here's a good one for a laugh,,,,,

I was going on a trip on my motorcycle.. I was out on the highway in the middle of nowhere going 140 KPH (about 70 mph). It was a sunny warm day, I had a tank full of petrol, the music was playing, and I was having a great time.

There was only one problem ,, I didn't have the faintest idea of where I was going...

I just kept going and an hour later a road sign jogged my memory.

The trip was a success.

Noel..

Noel,

As I wrote, that was just one of many stories.

I miss Australia! I wanna go back and count dead wombats in my deathmobile (i had a hyundai excel) - husband had a land rover. i think he took out a huge insurance policy on me.

I miss the "Bugger!" commercial.

nothing like a flying cow to make one's day.

you should hear about the blasted sleep study! that was interesti - they put monitors everywhere! this little flap was under my nostrils to check for breathing, a flap over lip to see if i were snoring, and electrodes everywhere -forget Pinhead - I was Wirechick (okay - wiresheila to you) - each time i had to use the 'loo, the tech had to come and unhook me from the wall. of course, the following day, i had four hours of the psychoneurological testing. I was not well-rested. it was bizarre~

as for your "ride" - heck, i thought most Aussies liked to go on walkabouts now and then - so you drove your motorcyle and made it a motorabout.

i bet it is freezing there - unless you are in Brisbane or Perth. :sigh:

byeeeeeeeeeeee

susanna

Hi,,, On a real high today ,,,,, Much better than the low of last week ,,,, lol

Yeah Suzanna,, It's cold ... lol

Hyundai Excel doesn't show a lot of class,,, lol

Had A real bad week last week ,,,, migrain for 3 days

Noel

Has any electrical survivor been diagnosed with auto immune disease or lupus?

Kelly

Hello everyone. This is my first time to write in this message panel, although I am not new to electrical injury. I was electrocuted in August of 1994. After reading through the posted messages, I see where I really don't need to add anything new except that we have a wonderful support group with LS&ESSI. It appears this board is a great source of help as well.

I have a question I am hoping to get some response to. I was working in my field when a single bolt of lightning hit a pole about a tenth of a mile from me. It really scared the hell out of me. After being electrocuted 7 years ago, I have a HEALTHY dose of respect for electricity and I hurried up and got into my truck and left. I noticed, along the way home, that my muscles were twitching and my hands were shaking. My whole body began to hurt- starting from my head to my tail bone, then on down to my feet! I was also greeted with an enormous headache. After I got home, I lied down to try and shake the headache.

Like I said earlier, I have been electrocuted and I am familiar with the pains that go along with it. My question is what is the likelihood I was indirectly struck by lightning ? And since I have existing problems will this just compound them for me?

I know there are great doctors out there somewhere, I just haven't found any that could help me, so I hope one sees this post and will contact me. I also know some people have been struck by lightning more than once-- what is the effect of a "second dose?"

I was hoping that I was just "freaked out" by the sound of the lightning being so close to me, but after all the feelings I had, and still am experiencing since this happened, I am just not so sure anymore.

I have most of the same symptoms everyone else has been talking about in these posts and have had to learn to deal with them as well. I just hope they do not get worse now. Its kinda difficult accepting the idea of being electrocuted AND struck by lightning... but nothing really surprises me now... lol I almost said nothing really "shocks" me now.... wow! haha

Take care everyone and if anyone out there cares to get in touch, my email is saintsman1@hotmail.com and my name is Tom.

Hi everyone! I've visited this page before, but haven't written 'til now.

I was elctrocuted almost 2 years ago while unplugging a surgical device at work. It blew the cover plate off the outlet, surged all the lights on the floor and shot me out of the room - backwards. It was awful to say the least.

It has been a frustrating and depressing road since then. None of the doctors I have seen (work comp) have ever dealt with this type of injury. I am seeing a specialist in Springfield, Il, who thinks that I have developed fibromielga from this injury, however, she has never delt with this type of an injury either.

If any one could please help me by sending me information about symptoms, etc. that the body has after an electrical shock, please, let me know. I am seeing her again in November. I try to explain the headaches that last three days and the stiffness, tingling and constant joint pain, sleepless nights, etc.,but all diagnostic tests done show nothing. I have never been so frustrated in my entire life and have been getting more and more depressed about it. I'm so young - only 30, and I can't do so many of the things I used to enjoy doing!

I would also like to inform some of you that my mother-in-law, a nurse, who works at a compounding drugstore has offered some help to my pain. They have compounded strong pain meds and anti-inflamatory agents into wonderful creams for me to rub into my neck, shoulder, arm, and wrist. I would recommend this to any of you who don't like the side-effects of medications!

If anyone has any info for me, please send it to:
vivaciousvirg@hotmail.com

Thanks, Virginia

vessel disease, does anyone know how they test for this and what are the symptoms ???????

Hi all,
My name is Gayle, and I live in Australia. Im writing this letter for a friend of mine, who found this site last year. He has written a few times to the site, and we were wondering if there is an Austrlain site the same as this one?
He gave me the link to this site, and when I came and read some of the letters, I sat here and cried. I want to help if i can, that is why I want to help him set up a site in Australia.
If anyone can help me, please email me.
gayle1234au@yahoo.com.au
Thank you all, and good luck to everyone
Gayle

Gayle,

Thanks for visiting our site. Of course we welcome anyone--no matter what part of the world you come from. Part of the beauty of the internet is that it allows to support and be supported by people from all over. So, please continue to drop by. In regards to your question, Lightning Strike and Electrical Shock Survivors International, would be the best source that I know to network with others from Australia. You can find their address on our links page.

hi gayle: nice to have you aboard friend...i chat with another friend from australia,who is an electrical shock victim.. some nice chats with him..alot of laughter...hope to chat with you some time.. rememeber to make smiling a part of your day....barb

I WAS ELECTRICUTED DEC. 1 2000,IM STILL MESSED UP AND IM JUST NOW GOING TO COUR.IVE BEEN GAVE THE RUN AROUND BY WORKERSCOMP AND NOW YHEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH ME!!SO IF NOTHING IS WRONG THEN WHY CANT I SLEEP,BEND OVER,PICK UP THINGS,WALK WITH OUT A LIMP, OR SIT SYILL FOR A SECOND.I HAVE AFTER SHOCKS WHILE IM TRYING TO SLEEP MY WIFE SITS UP AND WATCHES ME SHAKE ALL OVER EVERY NIGHT.I NEED HELP!!!MY LAWYER IS TRYING TO GET ME PERMENAT PARTIAL DISABILITY BUT IT DONT LOOK GOOD.MY BOSS FIRED ME AFTER I WENT BACK TO WORK BECASE I COULDNT DO MY JOB(I BUILD POWER LINE IN OKLAHOMA)AND TOLD ME TO DRAW UNEMPLOYMENT ,BUT HE DIDNT TELL ME THAT HE DIDNT PAY ANY IN ON ME SO WHEN I WENT TO SIGN UP THEY TOLD ME I WOULD DRAW 22.00 A WEEK FOR 5 MONTHS!NOW IM GETTING SCREWD BAD AND NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN MY E-MAIL IS SKINSMANS@HOTMAIL .COM

Hi,
This site is great. My husband Gary was electricuted in 1995 tearing down a barn. It was high voltage wires in the main, that zapped him.(The farmer told him there hadn't been any electricity for 30 years) he has the same symptoms.We are in a lawsuit right now but after a MRI, the radiologist, not knowing anything about electric shock suggested he has MS. That really puts the screws to the case. I have contacted Dr. Hendler for a second opinion. I will continue to read this site for more information. Thanks for the support. We also need it in our family.

Hello to all...

My name is Tim. I live in Michigan. I was electrocuted Nov 14, 1999 at my neighbors house.
2 power boxes on wall, measured across them, the main panel was ground, the 2nd box was jumped off the main panel at the Edison line lugs before the mains. I was knocked senseless.

I was out of it for 3 months, many differnet stages.

First few weeks, I sleep all the time, lost alot a weight, vibrate while sleeping, heard voices.

Then could not sleep at all, days on end awake. Many trips to neurogist. Depression was the best he could do but he did think I was electrocuted into it.

After 4 months I went back to work, many changes to my personality, thought process did not work the same anymore.

Nov 20, 2001 on a trip to see my parents in Alabama my feet and legs started going numb, by end of Dec I could not feel my feet or the petals when I drove.

Doctor put my off work, been tested for some many thinks I can't remember them all. Then memory is a problem...lol

Took I had:

herninated disks
compressed disks
bad hip
tested for bone cancer
osteopurouos
osteopenia

Heres what I feel:

back pain
walk with a limp
feet and legs numb
hands go numb if do anything for 5 minutes or more
long term memory
short term memory
loss of motor skills
thinking imparement
stiffness
personality changes
can't sleep


Had shots into my spine for the disk problems, did nothing, well it my have made me hurt more.

Currently in litigaton with the insurance company of the home owner, my wifes ex-best freind and neighbor. She moved to get away for it, things are starting to look better.

I found this site a few day ago with the help of Steve at LSESSI.

Thank God, I thought I was alone and crazy to beleive that my problems were from being electrocuted.

Write back on email if you would like too.


Tim Smith

Hi there, I just found this site and I too thought I was crazy all these years because I was soo sick, I was shocked in 97 and have pretty muchly lost my life but I struggle everyday to try to live, I don't drive much..can't see strait anymore, I was a photographer and I can't even work now, I have all the symptoms the rest of you have, the sleep problems, immense pain everywhere and feel like I have an extreme flu alot of the time, I have never been treated for any of this, the DR labeled me as having anxiety disorder and now no dr takes me to seriously, the only word I can find to describe what we are all going through is "inhumane"
I have a 2 year old and a 16 year old and can't do hardley anything with them, how do the rest of you cope, I have no help with the baby , I lost the friends I had cause I can't do much anymore, and no medical help, I was shocked in a hospital so I see why they don't help me, a DR can't admit they made a mistake, sorry for venting, I was 30 when this happened and would love to hear from you's who suffer the same that I do, feel free to email, I am always here :)
Teresa
trede@hfx.eastlink.ca

hi i am the father of a 16 year old that was electricuted by 15,000 volts on june 20 2002 while standing on wet ground.
we have been to approx. 4 different hospitals some 6 and 7 time. i lost count of how many doctors. he's had hot and cold flashes mostly hot. cant sleep, cant stand long period, limps half the time,has exptreme pain in lower back and legs,. feet go numb headaches. he doesn't hardly eat anything, is somewhat depressed sometimes he wishes he was dead, thats what he told us and his
nuropsychologist.he is on many different perscriptions 15-20 pills a day or more. his 2nd neuologist yesterday says its in his head he needs a psychiatrist. we live on the west coast and are not wealthy to be makeing many trips back east. is there any doctors or treatments avail on the west coast. i know hendler is the best but not sure what i can do financially. workers comp says your on your own. i do have medical insurance its pretty good if this helps. it breaks my heart we cry all the time i wish it was me!! i pray the lord will take it from him and put it on me. he's a young child that has his whole life to live i hope and pray. please plese help me in any way possible
totally discouraged and helpless.
thankyou richard

Hi Richard, Sorry to hear about your son. What your son is going through is not just in his head,it is in his whole body. Any doctor that tells you "it is all in his head" make it clear to him to go to hell. Your family does not need that. Work Comp basically told me the same thing 2.5 years ago. Since that time, I went to my own doctors through my own insurance company. Today, my attorney has a stack of consistant medical records probably 12 inches high along with research. Attorneys that go after work comp usually only get paid if you get paid. Make sure you have an attorney that specializes in work comp. Best thing you can do is keep records of everything. Every time he goes to a doctor make sure you get a copy of the report. You might end up going a week or two later but make sure you do get it. Read it and make sure it is all correct. You'd be amazed at how many mistakes they can make. If they do have mistakes, make them correct them. Make a file and keep all his records together and take your copies to all appointment. If you have to have referrals, they don't send all the records so the other docs rarely know the story or the medical history. Be patient and just keep doing what your are already doing. It is a long process.

Good luck

Richard, me again, just want to add that you are in control not them. Don't let them have any control. You and your son have rights. Learn them. Research your rights in your area. Different states might have different rules specially where work comp is involved. You have a right to all copies in his file. You and your son have the right to see the doctor alone, meaning without work comp case workers. They have the right to be there but they don't have the right to be in the room at the same time. He can file for disability. It may not be alot but it does help. I got it the first time. If you do file, research the ""right way"" to file. YOu will feel better once you gain that control back.

Hi!
My name is Donna . I have a friend who has a brother who received an eletrical shock from a live wire about two years ago. He has many of the health problems described here as well as many of the other difficulties that many of you suffer. He cannot find a doctor who will even try to help him. He is now on disability. He resides in Largo, Florida. Does anyone know of any doctors in Florida who may be of assistance? I would appreciate any help that you could give me. My friend, his sister, is at her wits end trying to find help for him. Thanks so much!!

I'm in Florida and had to go to Mensana to get any help and guidance with my electric shock injuries. I do have a neurologist at Shands in Gainesville that seems to have a little sense.....Dr. Valenstein. Good luck. Go to see Doc Hendler at Mensana, well worth the trip.

My husband is an electrical shock survivor of almost six years. He went to see several local neurologist, they misdiagnosed and disrespected him. Treating him as if he were crazy with the syptoms he described to them. I'm not sure if it was just because they don't want to get involved in litigation cases, just didn't know enough about electrical injuries and the severity, or just didn't care. For years, they told him to just deal with it. Last May, we found Dr. Hendler at Mensana Clinic. Thank God. However, we are still in litigation. The opposing attorney and insurance company feel Hendler is voodoo dr., we are so desperate for help. We don't even feel that our attorney understands the overwhelming devistation this accident has had not only on my husband's behalf, but on mine and our children's as well. It is so hard to find expert advise both medically and legally. How do you cope with this? My husband needs surgery, but insurance is fighting us. They think we are making all of his sympoms up. They are only focused on back surgery, how do we convince them of all of the problems he is going through? Opposing attorney wants us to see another doctor, this time orthopedic. I don't understand how orthopedic doctor can begin to repair all damage done both physically and MENTALLY! We need to find someone closer to Georgia area who specialize in this area both medically and legally. HELP US PLEASE!