Information and opinions on health from hamstergirl at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/13192/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/13192/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/13192/index http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/13192/146069/triggering Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:16:31 -0400 hamstergirl I'm currently working with a new computer program called Dragon NaturallySpeaking. It basically allows me to type hands-free by speaking into a headset. I've learned you basically have to train the program first, because it's customized to each user's voice. And right now it's like breaking in a stubborn donkey, and I want to roast that donkey over an open flame.   I am persisting with this program, because it is my only chance of filling... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/13192/146069/triggering http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/13192/142222/debt-crisis Sat, 30 Jul 2011 13:00:31 -0400 hamstergirl I am praying for your country and any one of you who are on Social Security.   I may be a big-time hermit, but you guys hold a special place in my heart. I recently had a depression crisis and one of you intervened when no one else would, not the psychiatrists, not even close friends. I was suicidal and no one in my immediate circle called the police. The Mental Health Crisis Team has closed its file on me for no reason AT ALL. They have... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/13192/142222/debt-crisis http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/13192/141131/triggering Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:56:41 -0400 hamstergirl I've had chronic pain for seven years. I also have cerebral palsy, osteoporosis, a spinal curvature (30% lung capacity), a dislocated hip and a surgically removed hip...this surgically removed hip is behind much of my chronic pain. I take morphine and a few natural remedies and they help, but I have never been the same since this ugliness came into my life, not physically and emotionally...the "emotional component concerns me deeply. I have been... http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/13192/141131/triggering http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/83994/end-triggering Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:10:18 -0400 hamstergirl I can't take things anymore. People are going to interpret the why's of it however they want. My mind is demanding death and I don't have the stomach for suicide. But I can't take the pain any more.   Please pray for a friend of seven years who is going to be devastated should something happen. I've hung on for as long as I could. Because I am on morphine for chronic pain, no psychiatrist will give me proper therapy.   I just spent... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/83994/end-triggering http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/83223/triggering Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:54:28 -0400 hamstergirl My sponsor in the Catholic Church has been in town the past couple of days. He's my spiritual advisor and more. He has been my main hold on sanity since chronic pain entered my life four years ago. He often talks with staff at my Church in an attempt to break my isolation, boost my morale and improve my situation.   I would happily do almost anything for this man. He has often told the story of how we met and how I came to be a Catholic.... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/83223/triggering http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/79957/lunch-straw Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:20:11 -0400 hamstergirl I nearly choked several times on my breakfast this morning. I'd go to the ER, but they can't fix my spine at the moment, or at all, which is causing the problem. So I am going to go out and buy a case of Ensure.   I don't really have anyone to talk to about this. I have been a recluse for much of my life. I do have a few friends, but they would be worried if they knew what was happening up here.   And quite frankly, I am not... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/79957/lunch-straw http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/79915/home Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:33:40 -0400 hamstergirl The doctors are afraid my spinal curvature is worsening and/or I am getting spinal fractures that are causing me to slump over. It's more than a case of posture and looking good. My spine is crushing my lungs to begin with, but it can get worse. My swallowing is now affected. I am getting things stuck in my windpipe. I am also getting winded when I go from wheelchair to bed.   There is surgery for it, but here's the thing. I also have... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/79915/home http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/75484/nuts-triggering Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:18:07 -0400 hamstergirl I have officially been living with depression for 17 years. I have had emotional problems and was isolating from others since age 5, when my parents sent me to a psych research facility for the intellectually challenged. (I am not and have never been retarded! I got sent there anyway. It has scarred me ever since, especially since my parents were regularly screaming emotional abuse at me over this and other things.)   There is a... http://www.healthcentral.com/depression/c/13192/75484/nuts-triggering