Posted on: Wed, Dec 16 2009 4:36 PM
Posted by: mcjane
Posts: 1,290
Hello Newbie! I'm T6 para, complete...a little over two years now. The only time I wore a brace was in the trauma unit and it was the only time I experienced pain! Had to get Xrays taken in 5 positions...while the students practiced on me. I was released to rehab with a "for comfort only" on the brace. Medicaid paid $1800 for the friggin contraption that I never needed.
I invested in a MOTOmed, an electric exercycle. You roll up, strap your feet in, and turn it on. It goes from 0 to 60....rpm's...lol. It is wonderfully relaxing and definately helps with leg spasms. www.MOTOmed.com. I read all the side effects of baclofen and I know someone who is up to the highest dosage and still has severe spasms. Mine are not so bad. They seem to be worse when it is going to rain, or when you get stressed out...or have to pee. hee hee. Beer seems to help. I also read that tonic water has quinine in it and can be beneficial.
I was told it takes two years for the swelling of the spinal cord to go down, and the earlier you see improvement the greater your chance of recovery. Good luck! Best Wishes! Be Blessed!
At 56 I feel too old for this challenge but too young to give up on Life. How did you get hurt? I got hit from behind by a sleepy driver. No pain...no loss of consciousness....just lost the use of my legs on impact. One broke rib...a few scratches on my nose from flying glass...my head broke the back window of my truck but I didn't get a cut or bump. Sometimes it is good to be a hardheaded Irish woman. ???
Disaboom has been the most therapeutic thing. The psychiatrist in the hospital told me "Nobody can tell you anything because they don't know" But people here DO know...we live it.
So feel free to ask questions...vent...rant and rage....weep and wail...laugh at the absurdity of the "pesky bipeds"...the non-wheelers. Search the archives because there have been some great Discussions on so many topics. Welcome.
