[chickadee]

Not sure where to start, because it's such a saga. I fell in the shower while I was in Germany last November, and after an agonizing time for the rest of my vacation, I came home, worked a day, and then went to urgent care. December 1 2008 my life changed. Urgent care sent me to an MRI, who sent me to the ER, who sent me to the OR (from end of MRI to being put under was maybe an hour?). I woke up and my legs weren't working right anymore, and my midsection and plumbing weren't working right.

Time has worn on, and I've weaned myself off the walker, and onto forearm crutches. I use a chair for longer distances. I've gotten off all of the drugs they put me on after the surgery, and am looking for a job (my company laid me off in February). I'm moving to a more accessible place, and am trying to fix up my life after all of this.

My big questions are: will the pain stop? Will my leg stretch out again? How do I lose the weight more? Will someone be interested in a girl who walks like she's smuggling something? How do I shave my legs?

I dunno, does anyone have any tips? I was sent here by doing some research on the internet for more information (what little information there is). Just looking for kindred spirits maybe?

[greybeard]

chickadee, on Aug 10 2009, 09:43 PM, said:

Just looking for kindred spirits maybe?

Welcome, chickadee.

You'll find plenty of kindred spirits here.

Sorry I can't help with the leg shaving bit cos many of us fellas don't bother over much about bodily hair. But someone will probably be a long in a while with the right answer - as they will for any other questions you may have. Just ask away.

[fatdave]

First off, Welcome!

CES in April '08. Pain hasn't stopped yet but still hoping. I can't answer the shaving question, I really don't have to worry about that!

And yes, men will still be interested in you. To most of us we don't care how you walk or even if you can. Just think, if you ARE trying to smuggle something you have an excuse for walking like that.

Welcome again

[Little Alex]

Hi and welcome.

I suffered my injury over 10 years ago and still get pain but you learn to cope with it as time goes on.

As for leg shaving, I use an electric shaver on my legs as I found with a razor I could not feel myself shaving properly and had a few minor cuts.

[ButterflyInAmbr]

Hi and welcome! I am completely paralyzed from the waist down, so I don't know much about CES, but congratulations for getting back on your feet. I do know about shaving legs; I also use an electric shaver because I'm afraid of cutting myself. They are quite convenient, but mine does leave some stubble, so it might not work as well if you have dark leg hair. Losing weight is hard for me, too. I've found swimming to be good exercise, if you can find a pool with a lift chair. Also, as much as it sucks, going on a diet is very helpful. Lastly, I can totally identify with the fears about guys. I was nervous about dating before my accident, and now that's even worse. I guess my only encouragement is that even if fewer guys are interested in someone with a disability, that just weeds out the flaky ones, and you (and I!) will find someone better than we might have otherwise.

[chickadee]

Thanks everyone for the welcome.

Some other questions:
-For the folks with CES, how do you explain it to people? I usually just say 'a spinal cord injury' because there were waaaaaay too many long attempts at explaining CES.
-Is there anything else you can do to help spasticity without baclofen or other medications? I'm attempting to go without baclofen and neurontin (gabapectin), but it's hell on earth.
-I feel so depressed so often, but I don't want to go back on any meds, due to becoming a zombie while on them. I'm trying to be positive and more active, but I find it hard to even get out of the house. It's so hard to see people out and about on bikes etc. when I was so active before. Any idea how to motivate me and brighten me up?
-Because I try to walk everywhere, I find that fatigue is almost numbing. I have issues with insomnia, but end up sleeping in short spurts twice or three times a day. I really need to stop this! Any ideas?
-I'm trying to get a new job, but what do I do if the company I'm interviewing at is not accessible? Or should I ask the interviewer beforehand if it's accessible?
-If/when I start dating again, how do I tell a guy that I've got junked-up legs? I'd feel like I'm lying if I don't tell them. And how do you explain something like that?
-How do you cath yourself without peeing all over your hands?

I dunno... I have other questions, but it's hard to think of them all.

[chickadee]

Funny... before asking all those questions, maybe I should have looked in the different forum topics! So much info here.

fatdave, on Aug 11 2009, 04:25 AM, said:

Just think, if you ARE trying to smuggle something you have an excuse for walking like that.

On my way home from Munich via Amsterdam, I was barely walking from the evil pain. Somehow, my internal pleas for a fast run through MSP customs fell on deaf ears, and I was searched! I told them that I hurt myself while in Germany to no avail.

Body cavity search - just part of the fun story that was my injury.

This post has been edited by chickadee: 12 August 2009 - 03:30 AM

[ButterflyInAmbr]

chickadee, on Aug 11 2009, 03:56 PM, said:

-I feel so depressed so often, but I don't want to go back on any meds, due to becoming a zombie while on them. I'm trying to be positive and more active, but I find it hard to even get out of the house. It's so hard to see people out and about on bikes etc. when I was so active before. Any idea how to motivate me and brighten me up?

People have a lot of different ideas about whether or not anti-depressants are a good idea, but I myself would recommend being on them if you're having a tough time with mood. Yes, some of them do make you into a zombie BUT you do not have to take those ones! Try out a few different brands, they will each affect you differently. I was on Lexapro for awhile and found it impossible to think or pay attention, so I switched to Paxil instead and, though I do still feel sad sometimes in a way I didn't when I was on the Lexapro, I'm not depressed all the time AND I'm not a zombie.

That said, obviously that isn't the only solution. I would recommend becoming a part of some kind of community, whether that means going to church or joining a club or volunteering. I was living in AZ for three years, then my accident happened while I was at home in Idaho. I lived there for about eleven months after the accident and had the hardest time getting out of the house. Recently, I've moved back to AZ where I have friends and a church community and it is so much easier to get out and about! Don't do it alone, it's much easier when you have other people to encourage you to come out.