Generally, if it is within warantee, go in and repeat after me "It just stopped working and I really need it to keep in touch with my doctor."

My worst case was when I dropped a "Marine Radio" over the side in about 3 feet of water. It died immediately, beyond resurrection, and the company would not stand behind it.

Re: Standing vs. sitting; I was talking with a couple who had circumnavigated recently. They agreed that he would keep the head clean. After he switched over to sitting for all functions, there was a lot less for him to do and the place smelled a lot sweeter.