JimK

Open GERD & Heartburn

I have had GERD since I was a child. Through a combination of Omeprazole plus the use of a hospital bed where the head can be raised to various degrees at night, my condition is pretty much stabilized.

Treatments

Prilosec Working / Worked

Open Cerebral Palsy

I have had spastic Cerebral Palsy all my life. I was fortunate not to be mentally retarded, and have gone to, and graduated from, college. At various stages in my life, I have been employed. I was also able to drive for about fifteen years. Two years ago, my doctor informed me that I had degenerative CP, and the ability to use my hands and arms would keep decreasing throughout the rest of my life. Physical therapy has helped in dealing with this.

Treatments

Physical Therapy Working / Worked

I usually try to get two months of this every 60 days. It really helps a lot.

Aqua Therapy Working / Worked

The warmth of the water has enabled the muscles in my body to become more flexible.

Open Cocaine Addiction & Recovery

I have been a crack addict for nearly ten years. It's easy to start, but seems almost impossible to stop. I started using it after someone in my family died and I was all alone. I thought (incorrectly) that the drug would fill the void in my life.

Treatments

Abstinence Working / Worked

Do not use any crack cocaine!

Group Therapy Somewhat Helpful

It helped being around others with a similar problems. I was in a total of four support groups.

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Not Working

The emphasis was on members talking about their experiences using crack cocaine. This experience increased my craving for the drug, so I stopped going to meetings.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I have seen therapists at a mental health clinic, in addition to taking part in four different groups.

Support Groups Working / Worked

Attended four support groups at a mental health clinic. It has helped to stay clean for six months, as of June 15, 2008.

Open Physical & Emotional Abuse

As a child, I received both physical and emotional abuse. I remember some of it just like it happened yesterday, and I am now afraid of being around people.

Treatments

Abuse Counseling Working / Worked

I am seeing a therapist once a week, and am beginning to see how some of what happened in the past is related to current problems.

Open Sexual Abuse

I was sexually abused both as a child and as an adult by several strangers and a family member. Because I was (and still am) disabled and unable to walk, there was no way that I knew of to escape. Although I try not to think about that part of my life, it is impossible to forget the sexual abuse that was inflicted upon me by the perverted lusts of men and women. I see a therapist regularly, but am still hurt by painful memories, flashbacks, and nightmares.

Treatments

Music Working / Worked

When I start thinking about what happened to me, I get upset to the point where I don't want to be alive. I can usually calm down by listening to jazz on CDs or on the radio.

Talking Working / Worked

I have begun seeing a psychologist to try and work my way through this. Keeping my mind focused on the sexual abuse is difficult as we discuss various aspects of it, but this is a necessary part of my healing process.

Open Shyness

I've been shy for a good part of my life. I think it started in my childhood as a result of various forms of abuse. I was never able to just run away since I am physically disabled. The only way I could work was by pretending I was an actor onstage. I know it sounds strange, but at least it worked. In recent years I've become accustomed to staying at home most of the time. I'm afraid to go anywhere for fear that people will make fun of me. I'm not even comfortable with my family.

Treatments

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I see a therapist for one hour each week. It's strange that some of the experiences I had as a child actually have a negative impact on my life as an adult.

Open Anxiety

Feelings of nervousness, all tensed up, shaky.

Treatments

Ativan Somewhat Helpful

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

Open Panic Attacks

I started having panic attacks in 1997. I felt dizzy, was afraid something bad was going to happen, and felt like I was going to pass out. after a few months the attacks stopped. They started again about six years ago, then stopped for no reason. In December of 2005, I began having more of them. I'm afraid of having them almost all the time, even though there's nothing I should be afraid of. This is driving me crazy!

Treatments

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I'm in psychotherapy once a week. I'm currently trying to cut back to cut back to once every two weeks because of lack of money.

Open Phobia
Type: Aviophobia (fear of flying)

I have flown ten times, but hated each flight. I can no longer fly at all.

Open Insomnia

I take medicine to get to sleep, but usually wake up and can't get to sleep again. I've been having scary nightmares lately. They sometimes cause me to wake up screaming.

Treatments

Ativan Working / Worked

2 mg at bedtime makes me drowsy within one or two hours, and sometimes causes me to fall asleep with the television still turned on.

Music Working / Worked

Listening to music an hour before bedtimes helps me relax in preparation for trying to sleep.

Reading Working / Worked

Reading an hour before bedtimes helps me relax in preparation for trying to sleep.

Open Scoliosis

I have had scoliosis for at least twenty years. I think it began as a result of my sitting in a wheelchair due to my disability. My doctor now says my scoliosis has become severe. I am in pain most of the time. I am very frightened about what the future may have in store for me.

Treatments

Physical Therapy Too Soon to Tell

On June 17, 2008 I will have a physical therapy evaluation and treatment. I will also be evaluated for traction.

Open Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Although I've had PTSD for several years, I was just diagnosed with it this year. I've been through a lot of things including physical, mental, verbal, emotional and sexual abuse. I also have gruesome nightmares as well as a physical disability.

Treatments

Ativan Working / Worked

Music Working / Worked

Listening to smooth jazz helps divert my attention from disturbing thoughts.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I am currently seeing a psychologist and a social worker.

Reading Working / Worked

I read a lot of books to help distract myself from painful memories.

Talking Working / Worked

I have some online friends who give me their help, support, and encouragement. I value their friendships very highly.

Writing Working / Worked

It helps me when I write about the sexual abuse I had. Once I get my thoughts printed a certain amount of fear and stress is released from within me.

Open Tinnitus

I've had this for most my life, but just thought of as normal until I had a hearing test. The ringing in my ears makes it difficult to hear other sounds.

Open Medicaid

I have a physical disability as well as some mental health problems. Medicaid has been a life saver.

Open Medicare

I am physically disabled and also have some mental health problems.

Open Back Pain

I have had back pain for several years. Last week I was diagnosed with having severe scoliosis.

Treatments

Ativan Working / Worked

It helps my muscles relax.

Bedrest Working / Worked

Sometime I feel better when I lay in bed. I use an air mattress, which gives me some relief from my pain.

Physical Therapy Working / Worked

Although it helps a lot, I cannot afford continuous treatments. On June 17, 2008 I will begin having more physical therapy.

Oxycodone Working / Worked

I usually have one or two tablets during the day. The pain is eliminated within one hour of taking the medication. I also take one tablet at bedtime which helps me sleep throughout the night.

Aqua Therapy Working / Worked

Although I have just started this I noticed a considerable decrease in the amount of pain I had.

Open Family Issues

I came from a very dysfunctional family, and have sustained physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse.

Treatments

Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful

Have had some one to one counseling as well as being in various support groups.

Open Anger Management

I have been getting very angry during the past year or two. Until now I have always tried to hide my anger, but I realize this just increases my anger and stress, rather than helping it. I would like to get help and support from this community.

Treatments

Music Working / Worked

I listen almost exclusively to smooth jazz. This helps me feel calmer, and less prone to become angry at something or someone.

Open War in Iraq

I am not a veteran, but want to offer my support to all the men and women serving in Iraq.

Open Loneliness

I feel that I am alone, primarily because I have a physical disability. People usually see my wheelchair before they see me. I am a good person, who has the same needs as anyone else. I am an intelligent man, and a college graduate, who is caring, kind, and considerate of others. Daily Strength is my only support group. My family is scattered throughout the area, but I rarely get to see them. In the past, I have been at that point where loneliness has almost caused me to end my own life.

Treatments

Keeping Busy Working / Worked

When I feel that loneliness is overcoming me I tried to distract myself through various techniques such as music reading mysteries watching videos or simply coming onto the Internet.While these things have helped me they are not a good replacement for having good friends to associate with. That is what I really need but at this time I do not know how to bring it about.

Open DailyStrength Members Community

I am just trying to figure out why a lot of strange things are happening here.