[soncare]

hi all iam new to this forum, my elderly mother fell in the house and is now incomplete t6 i think, she had an emergency op on her spine at the neck to relieve compression. unfortunately it didn't work, that was three month ago, we almost lost her a couple of times, she is still in hospital at the moment but was due to move to a nursing home two days ago,the problem for the delay is she keeps getting temperature increases and they have to rule out possible infection before she can leave. i have read about people with this kind of injury who are not able to control there own body temperatures, this might seem a silly question but would this show on a thermometer,? i am trying to find out all i can about her condition, as the doctors don't seem to be up with a lot of the issues i have read about SCI, have others found this also. thanks for any help.

[CrazyLucky]

Interesting question. I have internal temperature regulation issues as well. I never thought to actually take my temp. To be honest I don't know the answer, but you may wish to ask her doctor. Welcome to the site, and good luck to your mother. I think you will find a lot of useful information here.

[Scribbler]

soncare, on Jan 28 2010, 10:38 PM, said:

hi all iam new to this forum, my elderly mother fell in the house and is now incomplete t6 i think, she had an emergency op on her spine at the neck to relieve compression. unfortunately it didn't work, that was three month ago, we almost lost her a couple of times, she is still in hospital at the moment but was due to move to a nursing home two days ago,the problem for the delay is she keeps getting temperature increases and they have to rule out possible infection before she can leave. i have read about people with this kind of injury who are not able to control there own body temperatures, this might seem a silly question but would this show on a thermometer,? i am trying to find out all i can about her condition, as the doctors don't seem to be up with a lot of the issues i have read about SCI, have others found this also. thanks for any help.

Welcome to the site and sorry to hear about your mother. Its true SCI people can suffer from lack of temperature control; I often do.
The only time it affects my internal temperature is if I get heat stroke; my temp goes up a little.

I feel the cold a lot now, but my internal temp stays normal. I wouldn't worry about it just yet, its not the most serious issue for you at the moment.

[soncare]

thanks for the info, i will probably have a lot more questions and i now feel after finding this forum i will get answers from people who share the same concerns. thanks again.

[Denny]

I had high temperature after my spinal injury, and it took almost 3 months to stabilize. Dr's did all tests possible and found no reason for high temperature, finally concluded that it may be due to Spinal shock. Dr said some people may get unexplained temperature changes after spinal injury. To start with my temperature used to shoot up by 9am every day. Every other day temperature shoots up bit later, this went on for months and finally I remember having high temperature at about 5-6pm everyday and then it stopped.

My body now cop well with cold, but struggles in hot weather. I sweat a lot and get very tired if weather is bit hot.

[soncare]

thanks for the info Denny. that sounds just like mum.high temperature pointing to fever but no cause. they finally discharged mum from hospital to a care home. now she has other issues. but that's another post. i am beginning to think a lot of Dr's don't know to much about sci and its effect on the body. so this is the forum to be on. thanks again.

[Izziwhizzi]

Just a quickie Soncare.

Did your Mum go through a spinal unit or a general hospital? I got the feeling when you commented about the doctors ability that it may have sadly been the latter.

I guess what I'm asking is she prepared enough about her care requirements? Its an awful lot to take in for an elderly person. Is she just being turfed out of hospital to another institution?

Just being aware that nursing care/care home care may not be up to the level she requires. Please, please be careful about pressure sore issues, as well as loads of others.

Good luck

I

[soncare]

thanks for your concern izziwhizzi, she didn't go through a spinal injury unit as such, it was a neurological stroke ward she was on for two months. then she has recently been shipped out to a full care nursing home, i worry myself sick about her care,but they do seem to be quite knowledgeable about bed sores, but you can,t be there 24-7 to keep an eye on the staff. i looked into continuing health care,i was told mum failed the screening, as its social care,not health care. what a load of crap.

[Scribbler]

To qualify for CHC you need to tick certain boxes, but there are people more able than me who have qualified.
The Health Service fund the lot, so you don't have to contribute; even if you're a Millionaire.

There is always a battle between the Social Services and your PCT; each will always try and get out of paying.
He's a link below to show you the things to consider, but its mostly written by Active Assistance who have an interest, as they are a Care Agency.

I use the Direct Payment method, which I have to Contribute to, but I can choose my employees and Manage my own care here at home.

Like all systems, there are good and bad points; you have to consider your options and choose which suits you.
If your Mother is over 65 she couldn't get Funding from ILF, who pay a large part of Direct Funding, which is also means tested.

http://www.spinal.co...ealthcare-guide

This post has been edited by Scribbler: 04 February 2010 - 03:20 PM

[soncare]

thanks for the reply scribbler, i have never heard of ILF, and what is direct funding please,as you can tell i am new to all this.i wish the social services would put up more of a fight against the PCT as i think mum might have a case,but they just seem to except their ruling. thanks again.