Hi Jenni,

You have been in my thoughts since reading your post yesterday,

Have just spoken with my daughter who is a muscle biologist, and she says that muscle wasting (atrophy) is directly related to a lack of nerve input. This can be due to lack of use or disease however the cause is ultimately the same. She had s suggestion for you although you would need to consult your rheumatologist first
.
It seems worth trying a wheelchair just for now to avoid placing further stress on your back, but increasing electrical input to your postural muscles should help to strengthen them, which will both build them and actually sustantially reverse atrophy, and also as the muscles strengthen this will take pressure off your joints as they are better supported.
This could be achieved by checking with your specialist about possible electro-therapy at a hospital, or by using something such as Slendertone belts at a low setting regularly. She emphasised that it is IMPERATIVE that you check with a doctor first before commencing anything, but it seems definitely worth a try.
Let us know how it goes and she says if you had any questions she can try answer them as best she can. Good luck and stay positive!

My prayers are with you. Love Lorna xx

Hi

Thanks so much for thinking of me. I will ask the rheummy nurses to ask the consultant. Im a bit overwhelmed by your kind offer Jean! but thank you I promise I will ask.

I think you are probably right about the wheels. I just dont have a house in anyway ready for me to be full time in the chair. Thankfully I do have a couple of chairs and I can hobble a few steps in doors holding on.

I do hope that the plans for the house changes come back soon. I am ordering a WAV for my next mobility car, due in Sept.

Much love

Jenni xx

Just to show you how well Di kniows her stuff, Jenni!!!

Diana Farragher OBE MSc. Grad Dip Phys. Dip TP. FCSP. LINDENS CLINIC NEWS
Diana is a chartered physiotherapist who recieved an OBE June 2001 for her work with chronic facial paralysis. Diana currently heads an International Trophic Electrical Stimulation Centre of Excellence.

She is an expert on muscle physiology and has lectured internationally on the subject for which she received her fellowship from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists in 1990.

She is a member of a variety of professional organisations including:-

• Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
• Member of the Teachers' Association of the C.S.P.
• Member of the Organisation of Chartered Physiotherapists in Private Practice
• Member of the CPPC 1990 – to date

Medical Advisor to:-

British Acoustic Neuroma Association 1995 – to date
British Moebius Foundation 1999 – to date

Her previous conference presentations include:-

• First International Symposium for Electrical Stimulation in Neuromuscular Disease
• Mainz - Germany (March 1985)
• National Congress of American Physical Therapists
• Chicago ( June 1986)
• The Current Status of Nerve Regeneration
• Alberta ( July 1986)
• World Confederation for Physical Therapy. 10th International Congress
• Sydney - Australia (May 1987)
• Developments in Electro-motor Stimulation Research and Clinical Practice
• Perth - Australia (May 1987)
• Third International Symposium for Electrical Stimulation in Neuromuscular Disease.
• Charing Cross Hospital - London ( January 1988)
• Olive Sands Memorial Lecture
• OCPPP - Torquay (March 1988)
• Curso E E Functional
• Portugal (May 1988)
• International Meeting of European Academy of Facial Surgery
• Flims-Laxx - Switzerland (March 1991)
• World Confederation of Physical Therapy. 11th International Congress
• England (July 1991)
• World Confederation for Physical Therapy Private Practitioners International Meeting
• Hong Kong ( November/December 1992)
• European Academy of Facial Surgery - 3rd Winter Meeting
• Flims-Laax - Switzerland (March 1993)
• OCPPP Annual Conference
• Bristol (April 1993)
• Japanese Physical Therapy Conference
• Yokohama - Japan (May 1993)
• Centro De Medicina De Reabilitacao, Portugal
• Alcoitao - Estoril (March 1995)
• APCP Conference 'Practice in Progress'
• Scotland (March/April 1995)
• Association of Portuguese Physiotherapists, Portugal
• Oporto - Portugal (January 1996)
• European Lecture Tour sEMG biofeedback and advanced Trophic Electrical Stimulation
• 6 locations 1999
• Toronto Canada
• November 1999
• Irish Lecture Tour
• July 2000

Day Courses:-

1. Portugal
2. Hong Kong
3. Phoenix
4. San Diego
5. Sacramento
6. Toronto/Dundas/Alberta/Calgary/Ottawa
7. Milan
8. Israel
9. Britain

Publications:-

• Eutrophic Electrical Stimulation for Bell's palsy
• Farragher D J, Kidd G, Tallis R
• Clinical Rehabilitation 1. 265 - 271. (1987)

• Appropriate Effects Stimulation for Sufferers from Chronic Bell's Palsy
• Farragher D J

IN TOUCH 44. 18. OCPPP Journal. (1988).

• Trophic Electrical Stimulation for Human Muscle in Chronic Traumatic Facial Paralysis
• Farragher D J.

Proceedings 10th International World Confederation for Physical Therapy. Book 1. 336 - 370. (1987)

• Neuromuscular Plasticity - its Relevance to Neuromuscular Stimulation
• Farragher D J.

Proceeding Developments in Electro-motor Stimulation and Functional Electrical Stimulation Research and Clinical Practice. Caresr Perth. 111 - 114. (1987).

• A Physiological Approach to Neuromuscular Stimulation
• Farragher D J

IN TOUCH. OCPPP Journal. September. (1988).

• Electrical Stimulation a Method of Treatment for Facial Paral
• Rose C, Jones R, Vrbova G

Neuromuscular Stimulation Basic Concepts and Clinical Implications. Chapter 26. (1989)

• Trophic Electrical Stimulation: An Innovative Approach to Neuromuscular Stimulation •
• in Animal Therapy
• Farragher D J

ACPAT Journal. Vol 1. (1989)

• Trophic Stimulation a Method of Treatment for Pelvic Floor Weakness.
• Farragher D J

Nov.14. Vol 5. No. 8. (1990)


• The Assessment and Treatment of Anorectal Incontinence, A Pudendal Neuropathy.
• Farragher D J

Journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. No 72. Feb (1993).

• Trophic Electrical Stimulation for Bell's Palsy
• Farragher D J

IN TOUCH Autumn 1993 - No 69

• A Physiotherapeutic Approach to Electrical Stimulation for the Spinal Cord Injured
• Patient
• Farragher D J

Proceedings of Conference on Muscular Components in Functional Electrical
Stimulation. 25-26 June 1993. ISBN 1 8560100 1 5

• A Loss of Face - Facial Paralysis, A Guide to Self Help
• Farragher D J

Book Published by D J Farragher 1993. Produced by Total Enterprises Ltd, Croft,
Leicester

In Press:-

• Post Polio Syndrome and the case for Active Intervention using Trophic Electrical
• Stimulation: A Case Study
• Farragher D J and Farragher J H

Other Publications:-

Newsletters for the following special interest groups:-

• British Acoustic Neuroma Association
• AMNET
• Moebius Foundation
• Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy
• Plus numerous newspaper articles, radio and T.V. appearances

Jean - you are amazing. What a wealth of information - here's hoping Jenni can get some help from it.

I am imagining that in the future I will be remembering 'I read about that somewhere - where was it?'
Jenni - I'm so sorry to hear about the physio's remarks - sounds like they are not prepared to go that 'extra mile' to find the right thing for their patient! Not good enough
I know - when I had been referred (I had to ask!!!!!) they said 'too many joints are involved - we can't do anything) so That was it.
Sending positive vibes and hugs Jenni.
Beth

Jean, your friend is obviously an amazing woman, look what she has done!!! I sincerely hope your machine could help Jenni, how wonderful will that be for her!!