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A plea for Help (if you can) Need a medical specialist.

Original Post
phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

I really need to find a doctor in the Boulder/Denver area that understands, perhaps specializes in, the long term neurological effects of a lightning strike. Four years ago in Vedauwoo I got blown off the rap anchor (daisy chain worked)and to this day I am still suffering with episodes of what I refer to as "Electric Malaria" or "EM". These episodes are fewer and perhaps shorter than in the first few years but they are more profound in a devastating sort of way. They are a Jekyll and Hyde sort of thing. It effects everything from my mood and memory to my sleep cycles and my internal thermostat. Today, in the throes of a nasty bout, I am in my overheated house in a down coat and blanket with a hot water bottle and I am freezing. At times I am shaking nearly uncontrollably. For most of my life I have been a Winter enthusiast and today would have been a t-shirt day. During other episodes of "EM" I have been sweating on the coldest days putting off enough heat to melt sidewalks clean of snow. There is no rhyme or reason to the effects of any given bout of "EM". During some I can't sleep. During others I can't stay awake. Profound fatigue and hyperirritability as well as physical pain usually occur. In a day or two it will be like nothing happened. But during an episode it is hell! Most people think strike survivors are just plain crazy. But I assure you having done a few years of investigation that strike survivors are not crazy just scared and confused. Main stream medical parishioners have little or no experience in the complexities of massive electrical doses. Although with the current wide spread acceptance of taser use they might get on board and up to speed sooner than later. Personally I would rather be shot. They already know how to fix bullet wounds.

To get back to my point I would greatly appreciate finding out if any of the Mountain Project community know of someone who knows of someone who knows of anybody that knows what they are talking about. You can easily e-mail me through Mountain Project. Thank You Kindly! Phil Broscovak - Boulder

Anne Wilfong · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0

Hey,

How long have you been in the area? I'm thinking you are bound to have a neurologist, but maybe not. You're right, the generic medical community has little experience with this syndrome. Don't expect them to.

Have you looked into a lightning strike support group? I just googled that, and there seem to be many. I'll bet you would find others in the local area, or at least tips on how to find the right neurologist.

I knew the effects of lightning could be bad, but I had no clue just how miserable one can be. Alot of people get cognitive dysfunction. Gretel Ehrlich, a novelist from Wyoming, wrote a memoir about her experience with a strike, "A Match to the Heart."

I know this doesn't give you what you asked for--maybe someone else can help better. Best of luck to you.

Anne

phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

Anne, Thank you for your response. I grew up in the area but moved back here in 2000. No I do not have a Neurologist in fact the only MD's I have seen since 1980 are orthopedic surgeons. Twelve knee surgeries including an artificial knee in ten years. I just don't normally get sick. But this "EM" stuff is beyond being sick in the traditional sense. I have done extensive searching through the Lightning strike and Electric shock survivors databases and have NOT found any referrals to regionally based specialists. I tried the C.U. med school neurological sciences department and was told that without a referral form a primary care MD that I would be stuck on the outside looking in. Gretchen Ehrlich's book "A Match to the heart" was a great book. It probably saved my life through a deeper understanding in the midst of despair.
As I said in a day or two this will pass I will go about my business
as if it had been a bad dream and put off doing anything about it till the next episode lays me out.
It was kind of you to respond.

tenesmus · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2004 · Points: 3,023

Gotta get a referral to see a neurologist. It won't be hard with your case though. I know bunches of them here in slc but that does you no good.

The real question I have is whether your knee had any metal in it and was that affected by the strike? Did it conduct differently?

phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

Yes my Knee has lots of metal. the last thing I remember before going unconscious is that leg kicking like a can-can dancer. neither I nor my Ortho knows what may have been the effect of a massive electrical pulse on the interface between metal and bone. It does feel different though. I don't even know what branch of the Neuro sciences to inquire into.

phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

Mike Thank You!!!!!
I had no idea there even was a Lightning data center at St. Anthony.
Even the medicos I have queried didn't mention anything about St. Anthony's. I will make contact tomorrow.

THank You again. Phil Broscovak

KevinCO · · Loveland, CO · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 60

Phil,

I don't have nearly as much to offer as the previous posts, but I would recommend seeing Dr Lillihei at University Hospital. He is a neurosurgeon who is a true Healer. He doesn't specialize in lightning injuries but might point you in the right direction.

In addition, add the Omega oils to your diet from cold ocean fish such as salmon. Raw walnuts are a good source. Make sure the salmon is wild Ak salmon to avoid ingesting mercury. Omega oils are crucial for brain function and can speed healing. Also, make sure your diet is high in raw food enzymes. This can also speed healing.

Take a bromelain capsule once a day in the morning before breakfast. Taken on an empty stomach, bromelain is a very effective anti-inflammatory. Maybe inflammation or pressure on the injured areas leads to the episodes. Bromelain doesn't have any side effects and may have other benefits such as anti-tumor.

God Bless and Heal Fast!

P.S. Take a B-Complex and a sublingual B-12

Armin hammer · · Reno, NV · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 225

Phil, I myself have been hit by lightning, twice. I'm not kidding. One of the two times was direct (once was holding an umbrella outside, and the other I was playing Nintendo games inside my parents' house). The only effects I suffered was home hearing loss that returned after a few days. I did not receive any entry/exit burns or other neurological damage. I'm sorry to hear about your condition. My mother-in-law did see a physician at Swedish Hospital, and I hear their neuro area is top-notch.

phil broscovak · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2002 · Points: 1,631

I want to thank everyone for their kind responses. There have been many good suggestions and leads as to who to contact. I called a Dr. Philip Yarnell on a breaking up cell phone and tried to introduce myself. The office seemed kind and understanding. I will call back and set up an appointment as soon as I can.
Now that some if not most of my lucidity has returned I want to explain how brutally difficult writing that original post was.
Writing that plea took my usually verbose self FOREVER as I struggled with an alzhiemers like inability to spell even simple common words(Thank you MP for the spell check option). And a bizarre disconnect between my mind and fingers that actually had me in tears. If any of you have ever read my other posts you might notice that word play is something I appreciate to excess. The other day just making a sentence or even sense was a effort beyond description. Now that it has past I look back and can't even recognize that other self. That last one was a doozie!
I will try to respond to everyone personally as well as give what ever updates seem pertinent. Once again I really appreciate the feedback from the climbing community here on Mountain Project. Sincerely Phil Broscovak.

Barbara Stemple · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

I am also a recent lightning strike survivor and am looking for a medical specialist in the Denver area for help. I would like an MD that will look at the whole picture. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

Kristen A · · Seabeck, WA · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 5

I got hit indirectly and it hit my watch and went up my arm. I typed for a living and it felt like sparks and shocks coming down my arm and hand when I typed for several weeks. I remember calling a few doctors offices and no one really knew what to tell me. Luckily it resolved on its own after several uncomfortable weeks.

Interestingly I used to work as a nurse in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) where we shock people on purpose to heal various mental and brain illnesses. It is a miracle cure for a lot of people...but in minute doses compared to lightning.

Mark E Dixon · · Possunt, nec posse videntur · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 974
Barbara Stemple wrote:I am also a recent lightning strike survivor and am looking for a medical specialist in the Denver area for help. I would like an MD that will look at the whole picture. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you
You might try Dr Phillip Yarnell at St Anthony's. He is the Medical Advisor for the Lightning Data Center stanthonyhosp.org/SAH/About…

I believe his number is 303-223-6949
Barbara Stemple · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

Thank you for the referral to St Anthony's Hospital in Denver. I.will contact them first thing Monday morning. As other victims know you can' t explain what you are experiencing. I will keep you posted as to what I find out. Thank you again, barb

Barbara Stemple · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

To Phil Brosovak. I read your posts when I found this site and totally identified with everything you are experiencing or have experienced. Did you finally get some help? Even though I read your posts before, I did not comprehend them the previous time. It makes you feel so stupid. I would like to hear from you. Thank you, Barb

Scottmx426 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

Wow, what a story. I wish you luck Phil. Here's a good example of the forum doing good things and not people bickering.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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