17 replies to this topic

[km143]

Does anyone know what it means in a neck injury becoming a quadraplegic can not move his body, but yet can feel vibrations? Is there hope he will one
day be able to over come this nightmare? What does a rehabilatation for a quadraplegic do if he can feel vibration does that mean he can move again with their
help ?

[tomsov]

being a t12 complete injury i am not sure what you mean. however what you are talking about is any force that is put on a limb below the injury but is felt in an area that is above the area id have to say no. for me i can feel when my legs start going spastic. meaning my injury leaves me to feel nothing below the waist but at my stomach i feel the skin stretching. when someone physically moves my legs i can feel right at the point were nerve endings are severed. I am not a quad and do not know the severity of the injury but i want to help. I am not a doctor and will not say ye or ne on this. what i will say is if the injury is new then hang on to hope with both hands. I will say that you should help him focus on defying what they say he can't do. i am new to this too. i have been hear since august. and the first year everyone will say is the hardest. there is so much shit to deal with. in response to your question really there is no answer. vibrations could mean so many things. my interpretation of vibrations is what i think is going on. but i have been classified as a complete injury therefore i have had the last 9 months to figure out what i feel and don't feel. I hope this helps. like i said if this is new then you are at the beginning of a very long road. you will learn a lot in the next few months. good luck.

[km143]

tomsov, on 10 May 2011 - 03:21 AM, said:

being a t12 complete injury i am not sure what you mean. however what you are talking about is any force that is put on a limb below the injury but is felt in an area that is above the area id have to say no. for me i can feel when my legs start going spastic. meaning my injury leaves me to feel nothing below the waist but at my stomach i feel the skin stretching. when someone physically moves my legs i can feel right at the point were nerve endings are severed. I am not a quad and do not know the severity of the injury but i want to help. I am not a doctor and will not say ye or ne on this. what i will say is if the injury is new then hang on to hope with both hands. I will say that you should help him focus on defying what they say he can't do. i am new to this too. i have been hear since august. and the first year everyone will say is the hardest. there is so much shit to deal with. in response to your question really there is no answer. vibrations could mean so many things. my interpretation of vibrations is what i think is going on. but i have been classified as a complete injury therefore i have had the last 9 months to figure out what i feel and don't feel. I hope this helps. like i said if this is new then you are at the beginning of a very long road. you will learn a lot in the next few months. good luck.

Hello, Thanks for getting back to me. My best friend he was playing football and broke his neck. He has 3 vertabraes broken and they say it is the spinal injury that has him paralyzed from the neck down. I try to find out what is going on, but it is hard to find out any information. I don't know if it is a complete or incomplete and I just need people to talk to. I am not immediate family so I can not even see him in the ICU. I am going crazy I want to break in the hospital, but it is like a state prison. I am trying to learn a little bit about what he is going through. I want to be there for him no matter what happens. I'm sure it has to be hard what he and other people have gone through. I'm scared and I'm sure he is, too. How did you stay strong and hopeful?

[Parachute]

Hi km143

Good luck with your friends recovery.

How long has your friend been injured? You must find out if the injury is complete or incomplete.

How old is your friend?

If anyone says that your friend may not walk again, it is only a may not.

I have a C 3/4 neck injury. My family and friends were told lots of things that I may never do again. I was not told all of the things that they were told. However, I always knew that I would recover. I am not as good as the vision that I had but can't complain whatsoever with the way that I am at the moment. I was injured playing rugby.

Rehabilatation will be very helpful. As for overcoming this nightmare. Once Spinal Cord Injured,it is always part of your life. Wouldn't say a nightmare though. Tell your friend to simulate movement in his body, especially arms and legs. Tell your friend that whoever visits him not to just sit or stand there but to flex and extend elbow and knew joints. There WILL be more of a chance of more recovery if you and them listen.

Get back to me and let me know the latest.

Good Luck to everyone involved.


Parachute

[Jeanette]

km143, on 10 May 2011 - 02:12 AM, said:

Does anyone know what it means in a neck injury becoming a quadraplegic can not move his body, but yet can feel vibrations? Is there hope he will one
day be able to over come this nightmare? What does a rehabilatation for a quadraplegic do if he can feel vibration does that mean he can move again with their
help ?

My injury is c5-7 incomplete SCI. I have movement ilegs and arms but I am have paralysis in my hands up to my elbows. We are still trying to find out why I am deteriorating.
My understanding is that if he is able to feel anything including vibrations there is a possibility of some additional things coming back. Rehab would include getting him to sit up so he can be in a chair getting used to controlling chair by what ever means the therapist finds works for him. It includes having PT work large muscles OT work with fine motor and adaptations recreational therapy so he can do something he enjoys and working with counselor to help adapt emotionally to his situation

[Jeanette]

Since he is in ICU his injury is acute meaning it is very recent.
Joining this group to learn about his injury is a great thing. There are many who have
Lots of experience and will be able to help you so you can help your best friend.
Take one day at a time and don't overwhelm yourself as you learn.
Ask questions.
The one thing you can do is write him cards and as soon as he is moved out of ICU then you can give them to him.
Jeanette

[km143]

Parachute, on 18 May 2011 - 07:31 AM, said:

Hi km143

Good luck with your friends recovery.

How long has your friend been injured? You must find out if the injury is complete or incomplete.

How old is your friend?

If anyone says that your friend may not walk again, it is only a may not.

I have a C 3/4 neck injury. My family and friends were told lots of things that I may never do again. I was not told all of the things that they were told. However, I always knew that I would recover. I am not as good as the vision that I had but can't complain whatsoever with the way that I am at the moment. I was injured playing rugby.

Rehabilatation will be very helpful. As for overcoming this nightmare. Once Spinal Cord Injured,it is always part of your life. Wouldn't say a nightmare though. Tell your friend to simulate movement in his body, especially arms and legs. Tell your friend that whoever visits him not to just sit or stand there but to flex and extend elbow and knew joints. There WILL be more of a chance of more recovery if you and them listen.

Get back to me and let me know the latest.

Good Luck to everyone involved.


Parachute

Hello, He is 30 yrs. old. He has no feeling/movement below the neck. He broke 3 vertabraes, but the Drs.say, it is the spinal cord injury with being able to have no movement. They will be moving him to a rehab. I am not sure if it is a complete/incomplete injury or not. Shouldn't they already know that by now? It has been over a week now. I have so many emotions and most of all upset because I can not be there for him. I feel so helpless! I'm not allowed in because I'm not immediate family. It is like a state prison. UGH! They say he will never walk again, but if they are not even sure if it is a complete how can they even say that? He is a very strong person and was always in great shape so I hope that will be to his advantage. I'm sorry to hear you were injuried, too, but glad to hear you are doing better. I know Doctors say you will never be able to do this/that and people everyday prove them wrong. I came onto this website to stay strong and talk with people that have/are going through all of this. It really lifts my spirits to know people out there really care. Thank you ~Kelly

[km143]

Jeanette, on 18 May 2011 - 09:43 AM, said:

Since he is in ICU his injury is acute meaning it is very recent.
Joining this group to learn about his injury is a great thing. There are many who have
Lots of experience and will be able to help you so you can help your best friend.
Take one day at a time and don't overwhelm yourself as you learn.
Ask questions.
The one thing you can do is write him cards and as soon as he is moved out of ICU then you can give them to him.
Jeanette

Hello, I did write him a card and that made me feel a little better knowing when he sees it he will know I didn't go anywhere. You never think this will ever happen to you or a loved one, but in reality it can. It is heart breaking. I try to stay calm and breathe, but it is easier said then done. This website has lifted my spirits though with people just telling me their stories and just to take it step by step. Thank you for reaching out to me. ~ Kelly

[goose]

Hey Kelly

Where is your friend now? In the beginning, the spinal cord can be swollen . When this goes down, the doctors will be able to get a better understanding of the damage. Time will tell .Return can happen slowly and with alot of hard work. Just be the best friend you can be.

You will find lots of answers on this forum. Don't be scared to ask. You will have plenty of time to get used to his new normal. Keep on being you and it will get better with time.

[Simba]

welcome to the forum

Spinal diagnosis can take a considerable period of time, they won't be able to tell what damage there is until the swelling subsides. I'm not sure about the vibration thing and what it would indicate, it's early days try to stay strong & positive for him. Hopefully they'll move him onto rehab and you will be able to see him and be closer to offer your support & friendship.

[km143]

Simba, on 19 May 2011 - 02:26 AM, said:

welcome to the forum

Spinal diagnosis can take a considerable period of time, they won't be able to tell what damage there is until the swelling subsides. I'm not sure about the vibration thing and what it would indicate, it's early days try to stay strong & positive for him. Hopefully they'll move him onto rehab and you will be able to see him and be closer to offer your support & friendship.

Thank You. I know it is only the begining of a long rocky road, but we both need to stay strong.

goose, on 19 May 2011 - 01:36 AM, said:

Hey Kelly

Where is your friend now? In the beginning, the spinal cord can be swollen . When this goes down, the doctors will be able to get a better understanding of the damage. Time will tell .Return can happen slowly and with alot of hard work. Just be the best friend you can be.

You will find lots of answers on this forum. Don't be scared to ask. You will have plenty of time to get used to his new normal. Keep on being you and it will get better with time.

Thank you for your words it really lifts my spirts to know there are so many people out there that care. ~KM

[MummyTomTom]

So sorry to hear about your friend's injury. Just want to echo what everyone else is saying really. I know how scary and distressing this is but it is very early days so there will be alot that the Drs may not even know yet. As every injury is different there will be alot of 'wait and see' and recovery can be a long long process but there is always hope.

[Drkate]

Hello there.
I hope you have found some answers to your questions by now, but just in case I thought I would add my limited knowledge to the answers.
Vibration sense is carried from where it is detected to the brain via a particular part of the spinal cord, and it follows that if your friend is feeling this sensation, some information is getting through. This is an incomplete injury in that case. This follows only if the vibration sense is felt below the level of the lowest completely normal segment of the cord (ie the level where all movement and sensory nerves are working normally). An incomplete injury offers considerably better chance of improvement than a complete one.
In the first few weeks, and sometimes longer, it is not possible to be sure of the extent of SCI because the swelling can give a falsely worse picture.
Hope that helps.

[Jeanette]

Jeanette, on 18 May 2011 - 09:34 AM, said:

km143, on 10 May 2011 - 02:12 AM, said:

Does anyone know what it means in a neck injury becoming a quadraplegic can not move his body, but yet can feel vibrations? Is there hope he will one
day be able to over come this nightmare? What does a rehabilatation for a quadraplegic do if he can feel vibration does that mean he can move again with their
help ?

My injury is c5-7 incomplete SCI. I have movement ilegs and arms but I am have paralysis in my hands up to my elbows. We are still trying to find out why I am deteriorating.
My understanding is that if he is able to feel anything including vibrations there is a possibility of some additional things coming back. Rehab would include getting him to sit up so he can be in a chair getting used to controlling chair by what ever means the therapist finds works for him. It includes having PT work large muscles OT work with fine motor and adaptations recreational therapy so he can do something he enjoys and working with counselor to help adapt emotionally to his situation

On may 26 2011 I lost all movement in all for limbs I went to ER after extensive testing I was sent to rehab and finally treated by SCI specialist
We found out why I was deteriorating... I have C2 incomplete tetraplegia.

[Tetracyclone]

I am glad you finally got a diagnosis that makes sense.

[Jeanette]

Thank you
Now the hard work has been going on since may 26 I am finally in out patient OT and PT, hypnotherapy, acupuncture, pain doctor, my NP and pcp my psychologist I think I have appointments every day. and school starts tomorrow. And house is not ready for homeschooling anything.

Jeanette

[Carriem327]

Km143,

Is your friends name, Rob??

[philalittle]

I had a sci at c-3 c-4. The first several days I had a sensation similar to a vibration. It was kind if like an a.c. electrical current. If you have ever been shocked pretty hard a person can feel the current turning off and on very quickly. It was a very uncomfortable humming thru my entire body. It was awful. I feel for the guy. As the swelling went down the discomfort subsided and the movement slowly returned. I pray your friend will fare as well as I did.