Chronic Pain and Do's and Don'ts

Having broken the first five vertebrae in my neck in a car crash twenty three years ago, I believe I am quite an expert on pain.

What I want to say today is: Using a Tens Machine. If you have a Pacemaker fitted - please DO NOT use a Tens Machine. It can do some serious damage.

After the car crash, the Orthopaedic Surgeon warned me to never let anyone massage or manipulate my neck eg Chiropractors.

Hey evah.Welcome aboard.23 years is quite a haul.

Look forward to reading your Posts.

Take care.

Rick

Thanks folks for your replies to my post. I am in a great deal of pain at the moment - I need a break from the computer.

I did actually write another post then clicked on Submit and it came back with the response that the web page could not be found and my post has disappeared. I'll try again tomorrow.

Good night and God Bless

evah1 xxx

Hi again folks

Tx for your messages of encouragement and welcome.

I have problems drinking from a cup, usually end with a wet top. I have solved them problem by buying a Doidy cup. I used them when my daughters were babies and learning to drink from a cup.

If you are not familiar with Doidy Cups they are similar to normal cups but they slant on one side towards you, and they have handles on both sides. I bought mine through Amazon. Just put Doidy Cups in the search box.

Adult size bibs are available through catalogues / brochures - catering for disabled / older people. Try googling for them, type Adult Bibs into the search box.

When eating I use a spoon instead of a knife and fork.

I've been having problems swallowing recently. Living alone I buy frozen meals from Wiltshire Farm Foods who have just brought out a range of softer / pureed food. They deliver free of charge right to your door. (I'm not getting paid commission for advertising for them).

I hope what I have written today is helpful.

Hi Happy Turtle

Sorry to hear about your problems, but it sounds like you are fighting back.

The subconscious mind is responsible for a lot of our thinking and doing. It is inclined to listen to every thing we say - so if you say you have a poor memory enough times - it proves you right. So try changing what you are saying - tell yourself you have a wonderful memory, make it into a mantra - repeat it over and over again throughout the day.

I have Narcolepsy and have spent the past 53 years sleeping my life away. Yet when I was in my early 30's I went back to school and slept through every lecture - that meant I had to read my text books at night when the kids were in bed. Anyway, a year later I came out of Adult College with 6 O'Levels.

As they say - where there's a will there's a way and where there's a will there's relations as I'm finding out, but that's another story.

I'm sorry have I done or said something wrong? Certainly not intended.

Hi folks - I wish there was a magic cure for grieving. My beloved husband of only 3 years of marriage passed away. It was just over 3 weeks ago but I can't stop crying.

Anyway, let's change the subject.

As I told you I broke the first five vertebrae in my neck 23 years ago.

For the first 7 months I wore what was called a Sami Brace - made me look like a spaceman, I was going for checkups every month. Then for the next 5 months I wore a collar. Then at my final checkup, the orthopaedic surgeon said I should just go and get on with my life - he couldn't do anything more for me.

So fast forward 6 years. I got out of bed and couldn't put my left foot on the floor. The pain radiated from my hip and down my leg to my ankle. An x-ray revealed yet another fracture of one of the vertebrae in my lumbar region. It seems that when examining me and taking x-rays they concentrated on my neck so missing this lower fracture. I spent the next week, lying on my back with my knees drawn up to my chest.

From that point on I have become worse (as far as walking outdoors) is concerned. And I have to use a wheelchair when walking outdoors.

Next time I'll tell you about my damaged hands.

Meanwhile, take care

Luv

Evah1

xxx

So very sorry on your loss, you have my many sympathies and prayers...

Thank you Angel Lisa, Chartreux and Malagain for your kind thoughts. Although we were married such a short time we were very happy and went away on regular mini breaks. Even took him to meet my daughter and her family in South Africa. We were going to go to Australia to introduce him to my sister and her husband - but the Cardiologist advised us not to try such a long journey, so they never did meet him.

I'm going to Blackpool to sprinkle his ashes outside the hotel where we stayed several times that will be on his 76th birthday.

Must go now and find out what's happened to my DLA that was due today. Got a feeling it has gone into his closed bank account.

Luv to you all

evah1

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello Evah. Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear of your pain, both physical and emotional. There is no 'getting over it', there is only 'going through it'. Here, we have companions for the 'going through'.