Baclofen Pump

         

Written by Bret K.

          

            Baclofen pumps tend to help a lot with spasms.  Neurologists usually test it out first before they actually put one in you.  With me, I have a baclofen pump, they tested me first.  They tried to separate my legs with no baclofen and because of the amount of spasticity in my legs; it did not go so well. Then they shot baclofen directly into my spine with a needle, tried to separate my legs again, and it worked very well.

            A baclofen pump is a medical device used to deliver small quantities of medication directly into the spinal fluid. A baclofen pump is best described as an intrathecal pump. There is no age limit on these devices, but the youngest patient to effectively receive a pump was four years old.  The baclofen medication reportedly reduces the amount of spasticity throughout the body. It also tends to reduce the amount and severity of spasms.

            The baclofen pump is surgically placed within the abdominal area.  The patient is generally placed on bed rest for two to three days following the procedure.  While on bed rest, intravenous antibiotics are given for the first day after pump insertion.  The baclofen medication is increased at minimal rates over the next couple of weeks. It can be adjusted as needed throughout time. Spasticity is noticeably decreased within four to five days after the pump has been inserted.

            Following the initial procedure there is a few follow up procedures to take account of. Medication needs to be refilled into the pump every two to six months; this can be done by the physician or physician’s assistant. They may also need to adjust the amount of medication that is dispersed at that time. Generally medication is increased for the first year after insertion. The pump runs on a battery, and when the battery dies, the pump must be replaced. Depending on the exact pump and your dosage levels the pump should be replaced every five to eight years.  This device has been used for over 15 years with no long term complications. The amount of spasticity reduced depends greatly on the pump placement, as well as the amount of medication dispersed. The pump may need to be moved after initial insertion, varying by the individual.

            With every medication or treatment, there are both positive and negative side effects on the mind, body, and spirit. The most common complaints of baclofen users tend to be; difficulty voiding, constipation, headaches and dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Not all patients with the baclofen pump experience these symptoms, or do very rarely. 

            Some less common side effects of the baclofen medication can include seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, blurred or sometimes double vision,  and muscle weakness. Some patients have reported shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fainting, mental depression, ringing in the ears, and occasionally grand mal seizures. Again, these are less common side effects and not all pump recipients experienced all side effects listed.

            There is a chance, as with any medication, of a baclofen overdose.  If you experience any of the following please see your physician immediately. Symptoms of overdose can include mental confusion, increased watering of the mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, grand mal seizures, muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting. The patient may have one or more of the side effects occurring at the same time or consecutively.

            If you have been on this medication regimen, and it is not working out there are some notable side effects of abruptly stopping the baclofen medication.  These symptoms include decreased heartbeat, increased muscle spasms, facial flushing, headache, increased sweating, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, and even grand mal seizures. If you are considering stopping this medication, be sure to see your physician and discuss with him/her advantages and disadvantages.

            The body may go through some symptoms of withdrawal if a) you abruptly stop the baclofen medication, or b) the pump can run low or out of medication to disperse. If this occurs, be sure to see your physician as soon as possible. Withdrawal symptoms include; seizures, blurred vision, confusion, itching, burning sensation, feeling like pins and needles are poking you , unusually or easily becoming tired or weak, dizziness, faintness, and unusual sweating. These are just a few symptoms, but you know your body the best. If there is anything unusual occurring, you should make an appointment see your physician as soon as possible or head to the emergency room.  

            There are some rumors running the rumor mill pertaining to the baclofen pump.  One myth is that a test dose is given to see if the patient is a good pump candidate, in truth this test is performed to see if the baclofen medication reduces the amount of spasticity in the individual.  Another myth is that the pump only reduces spasticity in the legs. In truth, having a baclofen pump can reduce spasticity throughout the body, depending on the placement of the catheter delivering the medication to the spinal cord fluid.

            All in all, a baclofen pump is a good thing if you’re the right candidate for one.  The doctor or physician can tell you or your guardian if you are a good candidate for a baclofen pump. Good luck if you’re in this situation and need a baclofen pump.

             

GO TIGERS!!!

         

Detroit Tigers

Written by Bret K.

    The Detroit Tigers are currently in a battle for first place in their division. They are competing against the Chicago White Sox. At this point, they are one game behind to be tied.

    There are currently 28 games left in the season. Out of those games, only 12 are to be played at home. The Tigers must play against the White Sox four more times. Hopefully we sweep the Chicago White Sox, putting us in the lead. We can and should win the majority of the games that are remaining.

    The Tiger’s two hottest hitters are Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. Cabrera has hit 33 homeruns this season alone, and holds a .331 batting average. Fielder is only ten homeruns behind with 23 and a steady batting average of .313.  

The Tiger’s top pitcher is Justin Verlander. He won the MVP Award last year, 2011, for his outstanding performance game after game. This season he has been able to keep up with his household name, pitching 204.1 innings, and striking out 209 batters. Verlander has started 28 games and he has pitched six complete games so far in the 2012 season.

    With this triple threat, the Tigers have a chance at winning the Division Title for the 2012 season. Tune in tonight to see or hear how the game goes against the Cleveland Indians. GO TIGERS!!!!         

My Brain Injury

    

Written by Bret K.

       Hello, my name is Bret and I have a traumatic brain injury. I acquired my injury when I was 20 years old. A traumatic brain injury happens when the brain is injured due to an outside force. Half of all traumatic brain injuries result from motor vehicle accidents. My injury is no exception.

     Before my accident I was working full time at a machine shop. I loved playing baseball, and was even on my school's team. I was attending a community college and planning to become a police officer. I was very independent and had an active social life. I had even lived in another state with friends, but recently moved back home prior to my accident.

     My accident occurred very early one morning, at about 4:30 a.m. I was driving one person to their house after a night of drinking with a group of friends. I was not wearing a seatbelt. I was ejected from the vehicle after it flipped multiple times. My friend was still inside, with his seatbelt on, which saved him from getting a traumatic brain injury. I wasn't as lucky.  I was in a comatose state for a couple of months following the accident. When I awoke, I knew my parents, but everyone else was a stranger to me. The doctors told my parents that I was going to be a vegetable for the rest of my life. I am able to be here telling you my story because of the hard work and faith that my family and friends had in me. My injury occurred on the left side of my brain, leaving my right side of my body semi-paralyzed. I have little to no control of my right arm and right leg.

   My life now is not a pot of gold, but is definitely worth more than any words can explain. I am able to work through Special Tree and even have more than one job title. I have a few friends that continue to visit and remain in contact with me, which I am very grateful for. I am still pretty independent. Although I currently live in a group home and require some staff assistance, I am planning to move to an apartment in the near future. I am improving everyday. I get to walk with a walker two times a week, it was very difficult at first, but I am not willing to give up. I am currently working on my social and communication skills with my peers and staff to be able to find a life partner and supportive friends.

     Although partying may be fun, do not drink and drive.  If you drink and drive the thing that happened to me could happen to you, or even worse you could die.

   
    

Underage Drink?

          

Written by Bret K.

                Do you drink under age? If yes, you should stop. I know some people that drank under age and they decided to drive.  This caused them to get into a serious car accident. They ended up getting a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). There are also many affects that consuming alcohol has on an under developed brain.

            Many bad things can happen to you if you drink under age. While the brain is still developing alcohol can have lasting affects. When alcohol is consumed the brain’s central nervous system is affected and makes you think, speak, and move at a slower rate than normal. Alcohol consumption at young ages may interrupt key processes of brain development. A study performed by Brown and colleagues shows that alcohol dependent 15 and 16 year olds have greater difficulty remembering words and geometric shapes after a tem minute interval than teens without the dependency. The cerebral cortex is also slowed down by the consumption of alcohol. The frontal lobes of the brain are important for forming ideas, making decisions, and using self control. Alcohol consumption can permanently damage the frontal lobes of the brain. The part of the brain that forms memories is called the hippocampus, it is shown that in alcohol dependant teens the hippocampus is smaller than in normal teens that do not consume alcoholic beverages. The part of the brain that controls automatic actions, like your heartbeat and breathing, is called the medulla. This portion of the brain can be seriously affected by the consumption of alcohol, possibly leading to hypothermia (dangerous low body temperature) in the right conditions. The last thing I want to talk about is the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus of the brain controls blood pressure, hunger, heart rate, temperature, and thirst. When alcohol is consumed, blood pressure, hunger, urination, and thirst are increased. While the body’s heart rate and temperature is decreased.

            Under age drinking can pose a very dangerous situation for anybody involved. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of sexual assault such as rape.  Teens that involve themselves with under age drinking are much more likely to have unprotected sex with multiple partners. This can lead to unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.

            Teen suicide has been increasing due to under age alcoholism. Due to alcohol affecting the brain in the ways listed above, teens are facing greater levels of depression and anxiety. There is an alarming rate of 37% of females in the 8^th grade who drink heavily reporting attempts of suicide. Alcohol related suicide is the third leading cause of death for ages 14-25.

            Early drinking and alcohol abuse may be linked to personality characteristics. Persons who are more likely to become dependant on alcohol tend to seek out new experiences and sensations. They also have strong tendencies to act impulsively before alcohol consumption. Environmental factors are also prevalent to early alcoholism. Having alcoholism in the family to begin with is a major factor in adolescent alcoholism. There is easier access to alcohol, greater acceptance of alcohol use, and a lack of parental monitoring.

            There are many long lasting affects of early alcohol consumption. Teens that began drinking prior to age 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol dependant than others who wait until the legal age. Once an alcoholic pattern has begun, social factors such as peer pressure play a large role in relapse for teens.

            For those of you that drink under age you should think about all of the negatives that can happen before you take your next drink. You can still attend parties, but you don’t have to drink to have fun.

Labor Day

  

Written by Bret K.

      Labor Day is approaching, it is the first Monday of September. Labor Day is a national holiday because it celebrates the economic and social contributions of the American society. This year it falls on September 3rd.

     The first state to declare Labor Day as a holiday was Oregon in 1887. As time went on, more states began to recognize the holiday until 1894 when Labor Day became a federal holiday. Labor Day was passed following the Pullman Strike where many union workers were killed by the United States military and the United States Marshalls. In fear of further conflict, after the reconsiliation of President Cleveland and the leader of the labor movement, Congress unanimously signed Labor Day into law as a national holiday just six short days after the end of the strike.

      First celebrations of Labor Day included  a street parade and a festival to display the strength and devotion of the trade and labor organizations. Later, speeches made by prominant men and women were introduced in celebration of Labor Day. Today's celebration has a different feel. It is regarded as a day to rest and party. Different ways to celebrate Labor Day include attending a picnic, barbeque, public art event, fireworks display, or participating in water sports. Many families take this weekend as a chance to travel one last time before school resumes from summer recess.

     Labor Day is looked at as being the end of summer by most Americans. It is also looked at as the beginning of college and NFL football. NCAA teams often play their first games the week prior to Labor Day, with the NFL generally playing their's the week after.  

     This year Labor Day is September 3rd, so try and figure out what your plans are for this year. Whether its having a barbeque, attending a college footbal game, or just relaxing for the day you should enjoy whatever you choose to do for this holiday.

My Biggest Regret

      

Written by Bret K.

      I used to think about working instead of having fun.  When I look at it now I wish I could have had more fun.  I used to be an excellent baseball player and even made my high school team.  I could play many positions around the field including catcher, pitcher, third base, and left field.  Pitching was my favorite; I could throw hard and fast.  I was throwing 77 miles per hour when I was just fourteen years old.  Now, I look back and wish I would have stuck with it longer.

          I played baseball for six years.  It was very important to me while I was young.  Once I got to high school, I tried out and made the freshman team with twelve other players.  It was the best season yet.   I was starting catcher for the team throughout the season.  I had the time of my life and made a bunch of new friends with other kids on the team.

          When spring came the next year, I was unable to try out because I had a job.  I decided that work was more important to me and making money was the better thing to do.  Wow, was I wrong.  My biggest regret in life is not trying out for the team again because I would rather work.  

          I occasionally think about where I would be and what I would be doing if only I had played baseball instead of working a part time job throughout high school.  Maybe I would be making millions of dollars, attend a major college on a scholarship, or even a little kid’s idol.  I wish I would have continued to play baseball.

           All the reasons I listed above are the reasons I wish I would have kept playing baseball.  Although all of the choices I have made have gotten me where I am today, my biggest regret is not continuing to try out for the baseball team after my freshman year.

Father's Day Coming Up

                Father’s Day is quickly approaching.  Get ready to WOW your dad this year, from a great gift to an awesome fun-filled day.  He will not be disappointed with this holiday.

                The very first person to celebrate Father’s Day was a woman, or girl, named Sonora Smart-Dodd.  She had been inspired to celebrate her single father of six children by a Mother’s day church service in 1909.  By the next year, she had gained her city’s approval and celebrated the first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.  Hallmark did not begin printing Father’s Day cards until 1920.  However, it did not become a national holiday until 1972. Richard Nixon declared Father’s Day be celebrated the third Sunday of June.  Although many presidents attempted to make Father’s Day a national holiday, congress was not on board for fear that it would just become commercialized.

                A lot of people give their dad gifts to celebrate Father’s Day.  Fathers tend to be more satisfied with their gifts than mothers.  Being this, on Father’s Day people generally spend less money than on Mother’s Day.  Sons and daughters spend an average of $90.89 for their Father’s Day gifts, as opposed to $123.89 for Mother’s Day.  If you are looking to give your dad a more traditional gift this year, head to the card section.  Father’s Day in the fourth highest card giving holiday in the United Sates, with 93 million cards exchanged annually.

                No matter the gift, all dads really want is time with their  family.  For an afternoon outdoors play some catch, head down to the lake to catch fish, or check out a local park for a hike.  Want to stay at home, try a family car wash, backyard barbeque, or shoot some hoops.  Most dads love to grill; you could pack it up for picnic style dinner or just enjoy preparing and cooking together at home.  You could also stay in and watch some old family videos, if your father is not into getting outdoors this year.  No matter what you choose, your dad will enjoy making new memories with his family.

                I hope Father’s Day 2012 is a lot of fun for you and your dad.  Do some activities with your family, I’m sure you will be glad that you did!