abx = antibiotics

B12 DEF = Vitamin B12 deficiency/pernicious anemia
BI = Basilar impression or basilar invagination
<!-- m -->http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/66/3/357<!-- m -->
<!-- m -->http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/p ... hiari2.asp<!-- m -->

b/t = "break through" (pain)

CCI = craniocervical instability
CCF = cranio cervical fusion
CM = Chiari Malformation


CPS = Central Pain Syndrome <!-- m -->http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cent ... l_pain.htm<!-- m -->

CSF = cerebral spinal fluid
CST = Cranial Sacral Therapy
<!-- m -->http://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/CSTA_home.html<!-- m -->

CTO = cervical thoracic orthosis (a vest that goes with an Aspen collar)
<!-- m -->http://www.alsab.ca/equipment/collars.aspx<!-- m -->

DDD = Degenerative Disc Disease
<!-- m -->http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/d ... gen01.html

dx = diagnosis, diagnosed

EDS = Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
<!-- m -->http://www.ednf.org/<!-- m -->

ER = Emergency Room

Fibro = fibromyalgia (see also FMS)
<!-- m -->http://www.fmnetnews.com/<!-- m -->

FM = foramen magnum
FMS = fibromyalgia syndrome
<!-- m -->http://www.fmaware.org/<!-- m -->

frx (or fx) = fracture

HA = headache

I/C = insurance company
ICP = intracranial pressure
<!-- m -->http://www.health.adelaide.edu.au/paed- ... ssure.html<!-- m -->

ICT = Invasive craniocervical traction
IICP = increased intracranial pressure
<!-- m -->http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 000793.htm<!-- m -->

LP = lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
<!-- m -->http://www.webmd.com/brain/Lumbar-Puncture<!-- m -->

LPS = lumbar peritoneal shunt
LOC = loss of consciousness

MVA = motor vehicle accident

NIH = The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
<!-- m -->http://www.nih.gov/<!-- m -->

NL = neurologist
<!-- m -->http://www.neurotraumaregistry.com/Inde ... istdef.htm<!-- m -->

NS or NSG = neurosurgeon
<!-- m -->http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art ... lekey=4556<!-- m -->

OMD = Oriental Medical Doctor
OTC = over the counter (medication)
OTC = Occult Tethered Cord (see also TCS)
OTFT = Occult Tight Filum Terminale

PCP = Primary Care Physician
PFD = posterior fossa decompression
<!-- m -->http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/p ... hiari2.asp<!-- m -->

PRN = Pro re nata, a medical term for "As the situation arises." Used by
doctors/nurses with medication, to mean, "As needed."

PST = pre surgerical testing
pt = patient
PT = physical therapy
PTC = pseudotumor cerebri
<!-- m -->http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pseu ... erebri.htm<!-- m -->

PTP = primary treating physician
PTS or PTSM = post-traumatic syringomyelia
<!-- m -->http://www.craighospital.org/SCI/rehabNeurosurgery.asp<!-- m -->

Rx = prescribed or prescription

SB = spina bifida
<!-- m -->http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spin ... bifida.htm<!-- m -->

SFT = Section Filum Terminale (see OTFT or TCS)

SM = syringomyelia
<!-- m -->http://www.syringo.org/<!-- m -->

SSDI = Social Security Disability Insurance
SSI = Supplemental Security Income
sx = symptoms

TCI = The Chiari Institute in Great Neck, NY
<!-- m -->http://www.northshorelij.com/body.cfm?ID=6407<!-- m -->

TCS = Tethered Cord Syndrome
<!-- m -->http://www.muhealth.org/~neuromed/tetheredcord.shtml<!-- m -->

TENS = Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator
<!-- m -->http://arthritis.about.com/od/assistive ... nsunit.htm<!-- m -->

TFS = Tight Filum Syndrome
<!-- m -->http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract<!-- m -->

TMJ = Temporomandibular joint
<!-- m -->http://www.emedicinehealth.com/temporom ... cle_em.htm<!-- m -->

TOS = Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
<!-- m -->http://www.vascularweb.org/patients/Nor ... drome.html<!-- m -->

tx = treatment

VPS = ventriculoperitoneal shunt
<!-- m -->http://www.umm.edu/surgeries/ventriperishunt_1.html<!-- m -->


COMPUTER SHORT-HAND AND TEXT MESSAGING:

b/c = because
BTDT = been there done that
btw = by the way
DH = dear husband
DW = dear wife
DD = dear daughter (you get the idea...)
HTH = hope this helps
IMHO = in my honest opinion
IMO = in my opinion
JIC - Just in case
JK = just kidding
KWIM = Know what I mean?
LMBO = laughing my butt off
LOL = laugh out loud
NCC = No Chiari Content
PMP = peeing my pants (from laughing)
ROFL = rolling on the floor laughing
OT = Off Topic
ttyl = talk to you later
TY = thank you
YW = you're welcome

PM = "private message" used on the message board by clicking on the PM symbol at the bottom of the messaging window