Progress
5 %
LisaNeedsHelp 
2:50am, March 2, 2009
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About Me
LisaNeedsHelp
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About Me
I love to make people smile, even though I have a hard time smiling right now. I make it a point to do something nice for someone each day. This, in turn, helps me. I'm all about energy. I currently work part-time and attend college full-time. I previously aspired to be a dolphin-assisted therapist, which I still plan on accomplishing later in life, but I've recently decided to persue my ultimate calling, a PhD in Psychology, specializing in supporting Chronic Pain Patients and Sexual Abuse Survivors. These are two things one must experience to completely understand. I believe I've been gifted to help others overcome these issues through my own special way of thinking. I must first help myself through this back injury nightmare. My experiences have NOT broken me, they've only served to make me stronger, and I hope to assist others to become stronger through their adversities. I do the best I can each day. I try hard. I've learned I need to stop putting on the "strong face" and let people see what I'm experiencing. I'm grateful for the support of my friends and some of my family. Although we cannot control the obstacles life throws at us, we can control how we react. I'm a fighter and will be until the day I die. I'm proud of this and am learning to give myself due credit. And I must say, this feels quite nice =}
I love to make people smile, even though I have a hard time smiling right now. I make it a point to do something nice for someone each day. This, in turn, helps me. I'm all about energy. I currently work part-time and attend college full-time. I previously aspired to be a dolphin-assisted therapist, which I still plan on accomplishing later in life, but I've recently decided to persue my ultimate calling, a PhD in Psychology, specializing in supporting Chronic Pain Patients and Sexual Abuse Survivors.
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Interests
I make it a point to observe and learn every day. My main intersts are helping people, making people smile and laugh, and attaining the goals I've set for myself, regardless of how hard I have to work. I used to have a lot of other interests such as gymnastics, tae kwon do, and many other sports, dancing and playing pool. I had to stop everything because of my back. I don't know what to do with myself now when I'm not working or going to school. This isn't too much of a problem because I usually can't move by the end of my day! I'm not physically able currently, so I'm trying to replace my former activities with equally rewarding ventures. I'm open to suggestions :-D
I make it a point to observe and learn every day. My main intersts are helping people, making people
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Journal
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Hugbook
Hug
hiiii =)
how ru doin?xx
Funny Face
Taking it one day at a time. Been doing pool therapy and I'm loving it. I had to take a couple weeks off. I caught the flu and they didn't want me in the water so I wouldn't get any sicker. I'm anxious to get started again. Take care! xoxox
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Hug
Hi Lisa! Nice to see you again.. I missed ya..
Funny Face
before maintenance hug!
Hug
Big huge hug to you! I have been off for a while but am trying to get back into the swing of things. Lord I've really missed you too. Thank cute little monkey always makes me smile. I also always think that it's a damn shame that someone so young and vibrant as yourself has to even be in a chronic pain situation. You know I have always, ALWAYS, admired how kind, considerate, & lovingly gentle you are to people on here. It's folks like you who keep me coming back. Don't you ever change that about yourself. We'll have to try chatting later...my big sis is coming to visit from AZ and I must get some shuffling of boxes done in my 'bedroom' (actually I sleep on the couch), that's why the boxes are still in there!!! Love ya Hon, Konnie
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Photos
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Support Groups
Close Sexual Abuse
I was abused for 2 years by my ex-step-father. I despise and pity him. My mom pressed charges, but emotionally didn't handle her situation or mine well. I dealt with it all on my own and am much stronger and happier as a result. The brain is a powerful organ.
Treatments
- Group Therapy Working / Worked
- I made some life-long friends from my group but as far as helping to heal me from my abuse, not so much.
- Talking Working / Worked
- I talked myself through everything. I feel proud about how strong I am now after facing my experiences. I'm going to be a therapist for Chronic Pain Patients and Sexual Abuse Survivors. 6 more years of school and I'll be Doctor Lisa!!!
Close Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
I was diagnosed with PTSD at 12 years old. It was a direct result of sexual abuse. The brain is a powerful organ!!!
Open Back Pain
I have a herniated disc at L5-S1 and what has now become chronic radiculopathy. There is "mass impact" on my exiting L5 nerve root. I have a facet tropism from birth that caused the instibility, the domino effect. Too many years of gymnastics and tae kwon do and every sport under the sun (except soccer!) didn't help. This sucks. I need help.
Treatments
- Acupressure Somewhat Helpful
- Relieves some of the muscle spasms. The pain is worth the result.
- Acupuncture Somewhat Helpful
- Good distraction...
- Bedrest Working / Worked
- A day to rest is always nice yet much too far and few between. I find this works best in pajamas to obtain the full effect :-D
- Carisoprodol Not Working
- I despise this medicine.
- Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful
- I got temporary relief but now I can't be adjusted in my lower back because I aggravated my condition. I still get adjusted in my neck, upper back, and ankles as needed.
- Cortisone (Injection) Not Working
- Lame. Waste of time and sweat (from when I saw the needles).
- Darvon Not Working
- A little better than Tylenol.
- Epidural Injection Somewhat Helpful
- Same experience as cortisone. All sweat, no results. 2nd ESI, I had no tingling in my legs for 3 whole days!!! It's back now though.
- Flexeril Somewhat Helpful
- Didn't do much for me except make me sleeeepy.
- Heat Somewhat Helpful
- Comforting to achy muscles and my soul.
- Naproxen Not Working
- This is the only thing I took when I had knee surgery and I was fine, back to school after the weekend, 2 days after surgery. Now, this doesn't even take the edge off my back/leg pain.
- Physical Therapy Not Working
- Hurt more than it helped.
- Relaxation Working / Worked
- Good for the soul.
- Stretching Working / Worked
- A good stretch is always nice.
- TENS Somewhat Helpful
- It feels good...
Open Chronic Pain
I've had back pain for 7 years, past 3 being severe. I'm exhausted. I have a hard time getting treatment, although doctors believe me, because of my age even though I have a current MRI showing a herniated disc at L5-S1, "mass-impact" on the exiting L5 nerve root, a facet tropism, early arthritis, early DDD, and I'm sure I forgot a bit... So yeah, OOOWWWW!!!
Treatments
- Acupressure Somewhat Helpful
- Bedrest Working / Worked
- Relaxing in pajamas is soothing to the soul. It's particularly effective when you have someone to share the bed with :-D
- Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful
- Epidural Injection Not Working
- I hoped this would be my magic bullet but after two I realized that THERE ARE NO MAGIC BULLETS!!!
- Flexeril Somewhat Helpful
- Heat Somewhat Helpful
- Lidoderm Somewhat Helpful
- Lyrica Somewhat Helpful
- Meditation Working / Worked
- I'd do this even if I didn't have my pain...
- Naproxen Not Working
- Ha.
- Nerve Blocks Not Working
- Physical Therapy Not Working
- Hurt more than it helped.
- TENS Somewhat Helpful
- Feels good especially when used in combination with heat or ice. I have noticed no lasting benefit but it's nice for a bit.
Open Sciatica
My first experience with sciatica in my right leg was at 15. Then it was on and off for years until one day it didn't go away. It's in both legs now although my left is worse. I have a herniated disc at L5-S1. My sciatica is very limiting, frustrating, and exhausing. Ouch!!!
Treatments
- Epidural Injection Not Working
- The second one took the tingling in my legs away for 3 days. I was just about to have a No Tingling party but it came back like it was never gone.
- Ibuprofen Not Working
- Sugar pill anyone?
- Lyrica Somewhat Helpful
- This is the only thing that helps a bit. I think I need to increase my dose after 2 years but I'm hesitant.
- Stretching Working / Worked
- I always love a good stretch although sometimes I get shocks of all sorts.
Open Time Management
LisaNeedsHelp hasn’t entered any details for this support group.Open Healthy Sex
If it's not healthy sex, I don't want it.
Open Endometriosis
I had 2 ovarian cysts that started bleeding after 3 months of leaking fluid but not rupturing, so I had emergency surgery. At the same time, they found I had chronic appendicitis, endometriosis, and a fatty lesion. Gosh, no wonder I was having a bucket-load of symptoms!!!
Treatments
- Extended-Cycle Birth Control Working / Worked
- Surgery Working / Worked
- I'd say my surgery was a success!
Open Physical & Emotional Abuse
My mother is EXTREMELY emotionally unhealthy and I suffered for many years because of her. Her severe faults have enlightened me as far as healthy ways, I'm grateful for this. I am a healthy, resilient, conscientious, unique individual who is capable of conquering anything!!! I help people through my experiences so I wouldn't change them for anything! :-D
Treatments
- Leave Working / Worked
- I moved out of my house when I was 16. I had to move back nearly four years later due to my severe back condition. I'm moving across the country in June to be closer to my father, who is a great support! So yes, leaving works freaking fantastically!!!
- Talking Working / Worked
- Talking/reflecting is the most certain way of achieving mental clarity, health, and healing!!! I am eternally grateful for my special, unique brain!!!!!!!!! Side effects of this practice: Happiness, self-actualization, resilience, and lightheartedness!!! :-D
