Is a wheelchair my ultimate fate?

Posted by christinav @christinav, Jan 25 8:04am

I have been diagnosed with total spinal stenosis which started as a T-12 vertebral fracture when I was 15 from an accident when the toboggan I was on - #2 position was identified as the injury position - hit a tree. I wore a body cast for several months. An entirely new treatment at that time. I am now 77. Stenosis is located throughout all of my spine: cervical, lumbar and thoracic. There are bone spurs present. Chiropractic no longer helps. I received a full disability in 2007 because of this. I am now 77 and in constant pain. I spend much of my time on a heating pad in my recliner. Sleeping can be difficult. (I have serious sinus problems and must sit up at times to breathe throughout the night.) I can feel my rib cage moving and tipping. I am in my own home with only limited mobility. I am not in a wheelchair but I wonder if that is going to be my fate. I also am diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis from an exposure to benzene- contaminated well water in the early 80's. I am on carvedilol for my blood pressure which adds to my dizziness from both ME and total spinal stenosis. I can still drive with a valid license but not far. I have only minimal help with cleaning and laundry, both costly. I am a widow. I have never really talked with others who might have similar conditions. I think that would be a good thing for me to do.

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@mskow

My husband uses a Neti daily. We have 3 of them so they can be run through the dishwater for cleaning. If you don't have a d/w, boil in water on the stove like the olden days with baby bottles or canning jars.

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It isn't feasible. Thanks, though.

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@mskow

My gym, and yes it is "expensive", recently changed their warm exercise pool from chlorine to salt water. My skin is definitely less dried out.

The cost may seem excessive. I am blessed to have saved enough for retirement while working to afford these things. But I can walk without pain while in there, which helps
later with land walking.

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Lucky you. Just driving to the venue of any kind is out. No gyms here have pools. Thanks though. P.S. I have researched salt pools extensively. There is one at a retirement community I cannot afford.

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An orthopedist decades ago told me that having any surgery will NOT fix my spine. I was to not gain weight - sorry about that - and to learn to manage symptoms, which I have. I do appreciate all the messages but 90% were suggesting things that I have tried/researched/etc. Thanks to all. I need to figure out how to get off this now.

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