[jacques]

I'm not sure whether I'm in the right arena(!) but here goes anyway.

Since my spinal injury was properly diagnosed in 1986, although it actually occurred in 1964, I've realised that I'm "in between" most groups as I'm neither paralysed nor fully able.

To explain, my injury originated from a fracture in a transverse facet and following a "Buck's Fusion", removal of discs at L5/S1 and a subsequent decompression of the nerves running down both legs, I've been left with phantom pain in the lower legs, feet and thighs. Through my own research, I eventually discovered the spinal cord neurostimulator. The first was fitted in 2002. Because of a non-rechargeable power supply, the second was fitted in March 2006 - still functioning as I write! The amelioration provided has been excellent increasing my mobility from some 30% to about 50% - my estimations.

I've never been able to find, for example, pain management courses that deal with nerve damage as opposed to muscular or skeletal damage. Nor, even though the hospital I attend is very helpful, have I been able to find physiotherapy of the right type.

I would also like to ask advice about the connection (if any) been tinnitus and spinal injury and whether or not prostate function can be compromised.

Any ideas, please.

[Kwag_Myers]

Actually, your condition sounds a lot like mine, although our injuries are different. You may want to take a look at the Acute Spinal Cord Injury thread where Simon has posted some really good information you might find useful. Also, the ASIA Classification table (on page 2) describes different levels of function. My guess is that you're a C.

I hope this helps.

[allister]

jacques, on Sep 30 2009, 10:13 PM, said:

I'm not sure whether I'm in the right arena(!) but here goes anyway.

Since my spinal injury was properly diagnosed in 1986, although it actually occurred in 1964, I've realised that I'm "in between" most groups as I'm neither paralysed nor fully able.

To explain, my injury originated from a fracture in a transverse facet and following a "Buck's Fusion", removal of discs at L5/S1 and a subsequent decompression of the nerves running down both legs, I've been left with phantom pain in the lower legs, feet and thighs. Through my own research, I eventually discovered the spinal cord neurostimulator. The first was fitted in 2002. Because of a non-rechargeable power supply, the second was fitted in March 2006 - still functioning as I write! The amelioration provided has been excellent increasing my mobility from some 30% to about 50% - my estimations.

I've never been able to find, for example, pain management courses that deal with nerve damage as opposed to muscular or skeletal damage. Nor, even though the hospital I attend is very helpful, have I been able to find physiotherapy of the right type.

I would also like to ask advice about the connection (if any) been tinnitus and spinal injury and whether or not prostate function can be compromised.

Any ideas, please.

Hi Jacques

Your symptoms sound like mine were till july this year. I'm L4 L5 too. Could walk 20 - 25ft with stick, chronic pain,pins and needles in legs/feet. tought it was just me with tinitus !!! drives me mad at times. I've now lost all from waist down. Hope you find your answers, there are some very friedly and knowledgable guys and gals here.
All the best
Al

[StillFingers]

You said spinal injury right...I think you're in the right place Jacques, welcome aboard, lots of friendly folks here and tons of great information. Your level of injury is not of import, we are all brothers and sisters doing our best to live reasonable lives despite an unreasonable body, keep walking, rolling, pushing when ever possible. See you around the forums and come join us in chat sometime...take care.

[FROG]

Welcome aboard!!!

[chickadee]

Welcome, pal. There are a few of us with low level injuries that have that same 'limbo' or 'inbetween' situation. Everyone here though has been unreal awesome, and there have been great amounts of information and personal experience I've personally gleaned.

As for the pain mgmt stuff, I'm new on that sort of thing - so far, I'm just trying to sort it out with meds and self-imposed physio, but it's not going very well, IMO. I'd be interested in saying hi in chat and hearing your experiences firsthand, maybe comparing notes?

Glad you're here!
-S

[greybeard]

Welcome.

[Texas Angel Ang]

Welcome, as you can see there are plenty of people on here that can help you out with answers to questions that nobody else can seem to figure out!

[Slowlegs]

Hi, while our conditions are both somewhat different I know where you are coming from. I sometimes feel like I am stuck in a disability no mans land. I don't fully fit into the able bodied or the disabled worlds. Althought I get a lot of SCI issues, because I walk and struggle to keep my full time job, sometimes I find it difficult to get assistance for my "para issues" from my medical funders.
Welcome to the forums though, I have found more help here on how to describe my condition to medical people and about what is "normal" for SCI injured and how to deal with some of the complications. I am sure you will find the site helpful and will gain a lot from being here.