I'm sure you have already tried this but I would definitely monitor your blood pressure, hopefully you know what your normal is. 195 and over for the top number you should really call 911 above 200 could cause a possible stroke and on the bottom number anything over 100 is something to worry about. Typically when the top number is high for me I can feel it in my throat and pounding in my head, and when the bottom number is high you just get a bad headache. If you don't know your normal blood pressure I would recommend buying a blood pressure machine, it doesn't have to be a great one just one that gives you a semi-accurate reading. I take bladder pain medications when it is hurting, typically I believe they are used for women, but it does take the edge off. Also one thing you really need to watch is your urine output, ask your caregivers to watch for if it looks like it has floating things in the urine. When that happens it's usually almost always an infection for me. The other thing they should look out for is the color, it's light or dark or if there is blood in it, dark typically means just that you need to drink more. However if there is blood it's definitely something to watch and called the doctor about, unless you had just gotten your catheter changed because that is somewhat normal.
Danny Espinoza 26/m/California Occupation before accident: Network engineer / SR. Network security engineer What happened: I broke my c2,c6,c7 in a horrible car accident Traumatic brain injury from blood going to central cortex from spinal cord not vent dependendent anymore. :] My website: <http://www.thespinalcordinjured.net/> http://www.thespinalcordinjured.net My social networking sites: <http://www.myspace.com/DannyLNX> http://www.myspace.com/DannyLNX <http://www.facebook.com/DannyLNX> http://www.facebook.com/DannyLNX From: John S. [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2010 1:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Self Medicate Whatever you take, even if the doctor prescribes it, read up on it. Look for the side effects as some are actually a signal that you're dying. Ask your doctor how long you should repeat Keflex or take it profilactically. Same with Cipro. These are real drugs and can build up to toxic levels. Macrodantin works great now and then, but it can cause organ failure when taken for extended time. Since we are quads there won't be any questions if we die from a heart attack. Nobody will wonder if it was caused by anti-biotics. All the Best, john _____ From: greg <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Mon, May 31, 2010 2:44:22 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Self Medicate I take a daily half dose of antibiotics. I was getting UTIs every other week for a long time. It's helped a lot, 2 or 3 UTIs in years now. If I feel one coming on, I start a full dose of another kind. My doc now gave me a 30 day script the full dose Keflex to have on hand. Plus my daily half dose of Bactrim. I get bad reactions to Leviquin and Ciupro. I use to take both of those, but they kill my stomach now. They give me cramps and gas so bad I get AD headaches and pain. Greg > How many of you guys self medicate for UTIs? Last week I had the > classic symptoms of a UTI - foul smelling cloudy urine and a fever > of 102.1. I had some Keflex on hand (one of only two antibiotics > I'm not allergic to, the other being Biaxin) so I started taking a > one week dose - 500mg 4Xday. Well, when I talked to my PP - though > his nurse - I was told he was not pleased. I'm thinking I had no > choice. So, what do you guys think? > > Also, when I call my doctor I always have to talk to his nurse and > she decides if I should make an appointment to see the doctor or go > to the emergency room, those are my only options. Is this standard > procedure these days? > > Dan
