Posted by Jo Matthews (204.119.63.63) on June 18, 1999 at 18:31:27:
I have been away from my computer for a few days so have spent today trying to get caught up on the messages, etc. I just wanted to add a little information that I have picked up over the years but haven't seen posted yet.
First, all of you that connected water to leg cramps and similar problems: Usually leg cramps are a sure sign of depleted potassium in your system. It is much more common in women than men, but the doctors have said that it may be because men won't go to doctors as frequently as women.
The massive amount of water we drink can cause loss of various things, potassium being one of those. One of the ways to easily cure that is to always start your day with a banana. That may sound TOO simple, but if the cramps are caused by potassium loss, this will help in a matter of a
couple of days. There are very few people on this earth who cannot eat bananas, so it is a simple aid. If the bananas don't help, or you can't eat them, ask your doctor for some "Slo-K". I know that they will prescribe it for women, but I have heard that it is too strong for men's
systems. Can't hurt to ask, anyway.
Second, I see so many postings about volunteering to help with various parts of OUCH. I didn't know who to contact so thought I would just put my information here and maybe someone can use my skills. I have been a Paralegal for 22 years. Remember, everyone reading this, this does NOT
mean I'm a lawyer. I am a lawyer's assistant. Right now I am still trying to recover from an auto accident so am house-bound. Most of my work right now is as a Bankruptcy Petition Preparer. The Fed's, when working on changes to the bankruptcy laws back in 1994, came up with this title
so we could actually sign the bankruptcies and be up front and honest about the work we do (and also pay taxes for the income). Talk about people under stress and suffering from CH's at the same time. It's a nightmare. I'm available to my clients on the phone from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. so
when they're stressed out over this they can call to vent. Usually that's all they need. Anyway, I don't know if I have any skills that OUCH can use, but they're here for the taking.
Third, I came across so many mentions of suicide. I, too, know how close many of us come to suicide when a full-blown attack comes on. I'm coming at this from the other side. I have been through three (3) suicides in my family. My brother, mother and aunt all decided they couldn't
take it anymore and killed themselves. I know that two of them had headaches. The third I'm not sure about. The reason I'm bringing this up is to talk to those people who have considered suicide but have no experience from the other side. I don't have a name for myself - a survivor
of suicide? No, that really sounds more like someone who has attempted but not succeeded in taking their own lives. Anyway, if you have never seen what suicide does to the people around you, just ask me. Suicide may sound attractive because you wouldn't suffer anymore, but the suffer-
ing to those who love you is so much worse than any CH anyone has ever had!!! I'm not kidding! The physical pain is unbearable. It is something those who love you NEVER get over. The pain lessens but is there forever. At least our CH's go away sometimes. Do you want to do that to
your children, let alone your spouse or partner? The only people who can understand what I'm talking about are those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Trust me, suicide has entered my mind more than once, but each time it does I think of my three grown children. I KNOW how they'd
react and one of them might just follow my lead - he is so sensitive. I just take extra pain meds and go to bed. I love my kids too much to do that to them. If any of you out there want to talk about this, please feel free to respond or email me. I could go on forever about the subject
but would rather not subject everyone to my ramblings. I am here to help if there is anything I can do. I really think that I can consider myself an expert in this subject.
All I can do at this point is to tell you that I am one of you and to let you know that you are not alone. Look at how many postings there are in just the last month!
Zero's to everyone