Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Frank.Whitney From: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Numbness Message-ID: <17305@bunker.UUCP> Date: 31 Jan 91 20:55:11 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD Lines: 69 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 13291 [This is from the Spinal Injury Conference] > To all of those of you who have cervical/spinal injuries and are still >ambulatory (sort of): I don't really fit this category but I thought that I would post something for you to think about. > The other morning (after a nights sleep) he attempted to get out of >bed - he told me his entire body was numb. He TRIED to get up and get >dressed but could not raise his legs to put his pants on. I ended up >lifting his legs and putting his pants and socks on him. He layed there for >a while, then rolled over so he could sit up - after sitting for a time, he >was finally able to motivate by himself (sort of - shaky, but he did do it >by himself). My wife has MS and when she first wakes up in the morning she has more difficulty in moving then later in the day. We know that Buddy tried to get dressed but when you get to a certain stage the nerves just don't function properly. I know from watching my wife over the last few years that she tries to raise her leg but it just won't move. Buddy might be getting to the point where he is experiencing the same type of problem. It might not be what you want to hear but you might want to have Buddy get a reassessment as to what his capabilities are right now and what they might be in the future. The way that I look at it is that it's better to be prepared for the worst and if it doesn't come then you're that much better off. > Question: Do you all have problems (on and off) with your bowl >movements ??? Loss of feelings so bad that 'problems' occur once in a while >(I don't know how else to put this delicately). > > Twice this month, Buddy had an 'accident' ... he never felt it >happening - he feels the 'gas' but that's all - when the 'accident' happens >he knows it --- this sounds strange to me but I know he's telling the truth >-he doesn't understand it either. It sounds like Buddy might want to put himself on a bowel program. That's where he has himself go to the bathroom at the same time every day. He might want to watch what he eats because some foods can cause more problems with regulating the bowels then others. It's a pain in the neck to have to do these things but it is better then the alternative. It also sounds like there might be a change in the pressure on part of his nerves which would be causing these things to happen. > > The doctors told us his condition would get worse as he got older >..... I know it's very frustrating to him. Most degenerative type of conditions are very frustrating to all who have to deal with them. I know that is the case with my wife's MS. It is hard to know that she is getting worse in front of our eyes. > I'm sorry this got so long and drawn out but we would appreciate >knowing how others felt about these 'happenings'. That's okay that is what this conference is all about. Trying to help each other with their problems can sometimes help us better cope with ours. > >PS. Yes, we've made another appointment to the doctors - we just went back >in November so we aren't ignoring his problems, but Buddy is becoming very >'disalousened' (sp) with doctors as they don't ever seem to help much. Unfortunately, that is generally the case with any degenerative type disease. Even though Buddy is disillusioned with the medical types it's still best to keep in contact just in case there is something new going on. Sorry that I couldn't give you more encouraging information but its the best I can do. The best of luck from both Jeanne and I to you and Buddy. -- Via Opus Msg Kit v1.11 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Frank.Whitney Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org