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Is a wheelchair my ultimate fate?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jan 29 8:11am | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
@christinav I have 7 spinal fractures (first one was T12, like yours) , cervical and lumbar stenosis, cervical myelopathy, bones purs in neck and hip, and some spinal cord damage and also the usual degeneration with age (I am 72). I also live alone. I am only recounting my issues to relate.
I walk every day so am better off for sure but have pain every day. Things that have helped me (that you may or may not be able to do): tai chi (I modify it, I used to do it full out), walking, a PT massage person who is amazing (with ultrasound, and I cannot do PT exercises so they only do massage) and I am considering swimming. Art class or art at home helps take my mind off pain.
Pain management programs can help a lot, especially when there is a team. Insurance and finances can be an issue so hoping you can try that.
Do you have a good mattress? I watch a lot of movies for distraction. Are you able to take any pain meds? I am sensitive to almost all possibilities but take 1/4 Klonopin every once in awhile. I feel for you and understand your fears about being in a wheelchair or more helpless while living alone. Sorry not to offer more helpful suggestions!
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I have done all you mention but nothing helps now, though maybe once it did, particularly very expensive due to the National Arthritis imprimatur for the courses involving immersion for exercise in 95 degree water up to the neck. I became extremely allergic to the chemicals in this pool situation, more used because during the day people who were incontinent were doing exercises for PT. I remain sensitive to too much shower exposure. I do have a good mattress. Several. I watch Netflix and Aljazeera and other streaming options. I cannot stand long enough to do much. Neuropathies from the TSS, ME, and clindomyacin abound. I spend a lot of time in my recliner and often nap there as it is a preferable angle for what ails me. I can no longer go to the sloped backyard due to dizziness. I can't do any gardening or yard work.