I have a great chiropractor too. I was just there today. I think he's got me about as pain free as he can. I'm still having a sore throat and earache, though only in the morning and evening. What's up with that? But at least he got rid of the muscle spasms.

Caroline, I'm sorry you are in pain too. It sucks, doesn't it?

I have been wondering where Debbie is also. I hope everything is ok with her.

You are a trouper!

The Rack! Sounds painful, but then anything that involves me laying flat on my back sounds painful. I too have arthritis. I thought you were going to describe some kind of inversion table.

Oh the rack is heaven!! I got to have several sessions on the rack last year and I loved it. It is motorized and it does a very gentle pulling motion. Felt great!

MurraysMom - I found the first treatment relaxing. The first "stretch" caused a mild, warm feeling in the lower back. It did not hurt, but I could feel the warmth for a couple of hours afterward. I asked him to set the dials to 5"7" and to stretch me until I was that tall!

I'm having a second physical therapy appointment today.

He says part of the problem is foraminal stenosis which is rubbing on one of the nerves trying to exit the vertebra.

There will be six treatments, then, if the symptoms persist they'll do a CT scan and decide from there. They have to start with therapy before anything else.

I can listen to an audiobook in my iPod during the treatments! I tuck it into the top of my bra strap, set the volume to very low, and still hear the bookjust fine without using the earbuds. I'm listening to Slow Burn by G.M. Ford right now. This is how I listen to books during the day, too, except I have the volumn louder.

The anti-inflammatory med, Celecoxib 100mg, has eased some of the pain but I still can't lay down for more than 20-30 minutes without screeching. For day-to-day life I am not suffering like so many others do. While it is very uncomfortable, as long as I don't try to lie down, I get through most days okay. I sleep in the recliner.

Here's some info...

Spinal Stenosis: Background, Anatomy, Pathophysiology

Oh Caroline, that sounds so very painful! I can understand sleeping in a recliner. That is my go-to when I have a cold and can't breath laying down. My sister, who is 81, was a very unhappy camper when she got a diagnosis of spinal stenosis. She has a lot of pain and is trying different therapies to ease the pain. She and I share our beloved chiropractor and she was distressed to find out that he probably will not be able to give her the relief she is looking for. It does sound like you are in the same boat, more or less. That stinks! I will check out your link and see what's what.

Did Debbie ever turn up?

No she has not and I am so worried. I have been calling her and emailed her. I have heard nothing. I will try again right now. Darn still no answer. I also wrote her a panicked email. Will let you know when I hear from her. :'(

I sent her an email through the forum by clicking on her name, but no response here, either.

bump,

any news on Debbie ?

I just messaged her, as well. Maybe she's on vacation? It's that time of year...hopefully, we'll hear from her soon!

Bump.

Hoping all is well with Debbie.

Yes, this is getting worrisome.

Still no word? It seems like it has been quite awhile since she has been here.

Her last post at houzz/gw was sometime during the last week in August, murraysmom.

ETA Just checked and it was Aug 22.

I keep calling her and there is no answer. I wrote her two or three emails too. Very worried.

I went through most of Debbie's posts, looking for mention of where she would be working. Seems like maybe in one of her earlier posts, sort of biographical..... Just a thought to contact if we could find it.

I thought she was doing freelance editing?

how about calling the park where her trailer is?

I found the post! This is on the Manufactured Homes forum.

THANK YOU forum regulars!

Debbie B.October 29, 2015

I want to thank the people who regularly take time out of their busy days to answer questions and give advice to newbies like me!

Here's my story in brief: I'm a 55 year old single gal, living in eastern Washington state. When I was 47, I took a huge plunge and went back to college, with two years under my belt from the late 70's. Since that time, I've earned an AA, BA, and MA. I'm now in my 5th year as a doctoral candidate at Gonzaga University. I will graduate in 2017 or 18, depending upon how long it takes to write my dissertation. I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and I use a walker. I have other health challenges as well. I work as an independent editor, so I work from home. I spent last school year in Zambia, doing my dissertation research. My 30 year old daughter lives close by, and we are very close. My 32 year old son is a student at MIT, and we are also close.

I googled Gonzaga University - it is in Spokane, Washington.

Maybe someone can track her down, tho the Univ. probably won't be of much help - privacy and all that - but maybe they could get a message to her. HTH.

I am not sure this is a good idea. Sometimes people's lives get busy and they don't have time to post on the GW.

Unless you have become personal friends (outside of GW community) I don't think it is our place to track people down. I know it comes from a caring place, but unless we know for sure that someone is entirely alone, no friends or relatives in their life, I think we should assume that the family or friends will intervene if there is a problem.

^What eld6161 said. Sometimes people just don't get on the computer much, or they decide they don't want to post on a site anymore, for various reasons. People can get plain bored with the internet, or have nothing to say! So absence doesn't necessarily mean anything in particular.

I agree, as much as her MIA is concerning.

Like I said, just a thought.

and appreciated. but, I think that'd be contacting her employer and I think that'd be a no-no to connect that Debbie, to our Debbie.

I think it would sound like stalking to an employer, even though I know you have the best intentions. People get busy and don't have time for the internet. After I've been off-line awhile, the habit of checking into my favorite sites has gone way down.

After I've been off-line awhile, the habit of checking into my favorite sites has gone way down.

I agree. sometimes I'm just tired, my fingers hurt etc. and sometimes I read but don't post because of those things. She has a much more active life than I do... hopefully, she's just been busy redoing joy's room for her. She had that planned...

While I don't think it would be a good idea to try to track her down via clues from earlier postings, I also don't think this "break in service" seems like Debbie. No matter what was going on with her, she posted very regularly. If she was planning to be away, I think she would have said something. So I will just hope things are ok with her and that she will check in here soon.

I checked with the school and they are going to let her advisor know that she has online friends just checking in. I didn't ask for any personal information, just that they pass on the message that she was missed. Gonzaga is a great school and they were very kind. Hope this helps : )

When I was at school (also by Spokane) it was not unusual to get messages to students in graduate and doctoral degrees. They are always so busy doing research, it's difficult to track them down.

Thank you lavender_lass. I hope all is well and she is just busy doing research.

Still "looking" for Debbie