Introduction

Two years ago I had a Spinal Cord Stimulator implanted in the hope that it would help me cope with my chronic pain.  It worked very well…..For the first year.  During the second year it gradually got less and less effective and my pain rose to the level it had been before the implant was fitted.

During the summer I realised that the situation was only going to get worse, so I called the Walton Centre in Liverpool for help.  They arranged a clinic appointment for me and then a follow up appointment with my new consultant.

He was honest and told me that he feared the loss of efficacy…… Read the rest

It’s Official – Hospitals Are Boring!!

Well, haven’t I had a really exciting couple of days?  I was due to be admitted into the Walton Centre on Wednesday so that my Warfarin could be stopped ready for my Op on Monday.  The letter said get here by 10am but it also said to speak to the Bed Manager before you leave (but after 0830hrs).  Well, of course, it’s a 5 hour drive from home to Liverpool so this was a problem!

I phoned the Bed Manager on Tuesday and explained the situation.  She said it was not necessary for me to be there by 10am and suggested I call her back…… Read the rest

Here’s a piece on the BBC website suggesting that scientists have found the key to blood clotting.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8082692.stm

Work being carried out at Harvard University could lead to the development of new treatments for blood disorders.  As someone that’s been told I need to take Warfarin for the rest of my life, this could be fantastic news!

Hope You Had A Good One!

Well, we’re half way through the Christmas festivities and I hope everyone got a little of what you hoped for from Santa.  My kids got the Guitar Hero “Band Hero” game for the Wii and have rocked ever since!  It is very addictive and extremely good fun when the whole family gets involved!

As far as this site is concerned, I’ve added a number of plugins to adjust the output.  Mainly I’ve added a few ways…… Read the rest

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

The deep veins of you body are designed to return blood from the extremities back to the lungs and heart ready for re-circulation.  This function is assisted by a pump process formed by your calf muscles.  When the muscles contract, they force blood up through the vein.  The blood is then stopped from flowing backwards by a series of valves (The diagram shows valves working correctly).  If the valves are damaged, blood is able to travel in both directions and the vein is said to be Refluxive.

…… Read the rest