Everyone,

The discussion board "crashed" last week due to a technicial problem. It took us awhile to get it back up and running, and we lost the old messages--so we will be starting over in that regard. But we are glad to be back.

Kathy

During my electrical shock experience I recall losing visual perception almost immediatly. Since that time my vision seems to have suffered a loss of resolution, and a loss of peripheral perception. From time to time I experience a reduction or loss of vision to the point that I can't read, or drive. This is often followed by head aches during and after these episodes. A visit to the eye Dr. produced a $160.00 exam bill, and the explanation was that this was normal for my age (46)and that I just needed glasses. I had beed in the same clinic about a month before the accedent to have a small partical of metal removed from one eye, and I was told my vision was 20/20. The symptoms started immediatly after I came to in the hospital, but rarely remain in full for over a day. Some times I go several days before I experience strong symptoms. They are often, but not always accompaned buy other problems I experience since my jolt.

Doug, what are some other experiences do you have from your shock? And when were shocked? My husband was shocked in Jan-01 Thanks

I was shocked about 11/2 years ago. I have had dizziness, mild to severe headaches, memory problems, problems coping with simple everyday things to name a few. If your husband is still having problems from his shock, he should get help right away. It is critical that he get help from someone experienced with electrical injurys. Some of the drug treatment some Drs will give you will make your problems worse, as well meaning as they might be. Is he having difficulty coping with stuff that never bothered him before? Bright flashing light, loud noises, etc give me a difficult time now.
Hope he gets help and hope he gets better. I will pray for him.

Hi Doug he does have all those problems and some.
He's so sick of all this stuff also. I feel for him and I can't help!! He has been seeing some Drs
but I really think they are not experienced at all with what is happening to Scott.We started a new Psychologist this week he acts really concerned so maybe he can get us the help we need!!He is on so much med. now I think it is making some things worse, but I'm not sure of anything no more. He's so drugged up after he takes all that med. that it scares him. I'm so worried. Thanks for writing me back. I'll pray for you also, I believe pray is our answer, Belinda

My first recollection was a feeling that I was floating around in a bad dream world that I knew was no dream. A well meaning neuologist put me on zoloft, and I have no recollection of the period of time I was on it. My Wife's eyes just get big when that time is mentioned. Everybody is different, but I am a firm believer now that anything a shock victim is given should be under strict and close supervision of someone familiar with shocks. I think your husband will need more than a Psychologist. I found I did better just getting off all of the stuff I was given, because I just couldn't take the way reality was so distorted. I am often in a lot of pain, and I have gotten used to a lot of pain. I know this is no solution, and I am trying to get the help I need. I was hoping it would just take care of itself over time, but it didn't. I feel like I've wasted a year and a half of my life, that I can't even account for. My advice is get the very best help you can, regardless of the cost and hardship, because soon enough you will wish you had. Your husband is lucky he has you to look out for him. I have a wonderful Wife who is totally supportive. There is no way I could have come this far without her. I would have checked myself out for sure. Sometimes when the pain hits really hard, I just have to remember who I will leave behind, and then I realise I just can't. I pray, and then sometime when I thought it would never go away, I realise the pain has eased. Little seemingly insignificant things can ruin my whole day, and it can be hard to shake the feelings. Sometimes I spend days feeling like some giant explosion is about to go off right next to my head. I know it is all nonsense, but it is a hard feeling to shake. I was a pretty normal person before all of this!

Hi Doug,

I am on Zoloft and I would never go a day without it. No matter how bad I feel and don't want to take my medicine, I will always take the Zoloft. My neurologist started me out at 25mg and over time, very slowly worked up to 200mg. That is the max they will give. Sometimes I wish I could take more. My post traumatic stress disorder gets so bad that I don't funtion at all. I think the only thing that saves me it the Zoloft. I can't imagaine what I would put my family through if I didn't take it.

Zoloft is not for anyone. Any time a person takes a medicine like that, it is important to start out at the lowest dose and work up to what workers. Sometimes doctors hand out drugs too easily and don't stop to think. I have gone through that with other drugs.

It is important to be apart of our treatment and decisions. Always ask to start out at the lowest dose.

Dear Anonymous,
we live in a remote area, and it is very difficult to get an appoitment with a neorlogist.
The sessions were rarely over 5 to 10 minutes, and I think only about once every two weeks or maybe once a month. My point I was trying to make, is that with everything so screwed up, It is important to undergo testing early on, and be closely monitored after this kind of trama, but so few Drs are aware of this. Some of my behaivor was down right alarming according to my Wife, and the Dr just said "take a larger dose", or "give it time to work". This Dr. was not a bad guy, he was just in too much demand, and didn't have the time. Someone else would have been left out. I know I might have to go back on something, but I am not going to do it without more supervision. I never have liked drugs, and I don't want to be doped up. I feel like I am doped up most of the time now. I just want to see the world clearly again. I'm getting a little fired up here, so I will try to end this with a positive note.
My little girl is running around making up songs. I would be busy working and would have missed her little voice.

i am post over 10 yrs an electrical injury and everything you talk about has happened to me and still exists.. but it is so important to have a dr who knows what in the hell they are doing and very knowledgeable about electircal injuries or else you are simply fighting for knowing! i have been on so many drugs/meds completely destroyed my stomach but we will try almost anything to try to get back what we called a life but we have to learn to live with what happened and the changes it is far from being easy to accept but with faith and God you can manage! i have the head shakes, arm shakes, headaches , ringing in the ears, loud noises sounds just sets off the headaches, light hurts the eyes, had cataracts and alot of other things but most important also talk with others who can help give you the strength for the injuried party and there families do not give up hope. i am still alive and very thankful i still have a life and love my family dearly there are still things that i am very proud of . like the days that i can get out of bed, walk and simply talk with others so do not give up on the faith, you still have life!

That is so true! I often feel that my accedent was a message from above to focus more on the spiritual aspects of life. I have found it very difficult to adjust to my life change, and even more difficult to accept it. I don't think I can ever accept it. It can sure eat me alive every time I look back. I have the most wonderful Wife and baby girl in the world, but I am often over welmed by a feeling that I no longer am worthy of them. I know I could not go forward without the support of my Wife. I have met a few peaple who seemed to be worse off than me, who moved forward, and that is a real inspiration to me.
Iv'e got to run now, and try to put a smile on my girls faces.
Doug

What is a Friend?

A friend is someone who believes in you even when you
don't believe in yourself...

A friend is someone who has a smile and a kind thought
for you when you need one...


A friend is someone who helps you with the little things
in life...

A friend is someone who likes to be with you even when
you are not doing anything special...

A friend is someone who always loves you even if they
don't say so...

A friend is someone who lets you know about your
mistakes and lets you know when you are doing great...

A friend is someone who picks you up when you are down,
and shares your happiness when things are fine...

A friend is someone who keeps you in their heart...

A friend is someone who sends you a thought just to
say...

"HI!"

Belinda,, the so called medical profession gave me all those drugs too.
After a while I told them to piss off with their medicine,, they made me heaps worse,,,

My accident was in 1986 (I think)

I've found acupuncture has helped me lots.

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