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| The Big File All issues not easily categorized in the above forums are here. Comments on general health, diet, "getting comfortable," and more are here. |
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#1
12-22-2004, 08:41 AM
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Last night my husband and I went out to dinner. When it was time to go, I got up and tried to walk but due to the stiffness, spasms and the fact that I'm having difficulty with an uncontrollable dragging of my foot, I almost fell into another table.
I'm thinking of pulling out my cane that I use when I go through surgeries. I' not sure if it will help with my balance. I know people will be staring and wondering why a fairly young looking woman needs a cane but could you just imagine the embarrassment if I actually did fall into the other table?? Especially after the fact I just got through with having a margarita with my dinner. I did hear someone say "Jeez, she must've had one too many." So, has anyone ever used a cane for the same purpose? Do you think it would help at least with my balance and regain my composure when the spasms start when I begin to walk?
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Kris 3/18/02 Laminectomy L5/S1 11/18/03 Laminotomy L5/S1 Hoping for ADR in Summer 2005 
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#2
12-22-2004, 08:56 AM
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Kris, who care what other people think?! If it helps you, give it a try. If people give you dirty looks, give em a whack!
 If it helps you walk or stabilize, give it a go. You have nothing to lose trying!
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
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#3
12-22-2004, 09:12 AM
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Hi Kris,
You use what you want to help you Your only critic is your spine Best wishes Alastair 
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ADR Munich 26th July 2002 L5/S1. Aged 82 now Your best asset is your health My story is here http://www.adrsupport.org/alastair.html Thank goodness for Dr Zeegers I am painfree I am here to help,I live in the UK I now run the UK spine site and can be contacted at www.adrsupportuk.com/
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#4
12-22-2004, 09:50 AM
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Hey guys
I say bring that stick on I've use a cane myself & I'm fairly young(and vain) After & before ADR I used the cane a lot, and the Trusty claw (thingy that picks up things) I've used constantly One thing I've realised (truley )is I don't care what others think ,I'm doing the best I can & there is people much more worst of than me Best wishes Janie
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#5
12-22-2004, 10:20 AM
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I say use it, if it helps then it is worth it.
I have just been through trying to convince my mum to go back to using hers as her knees are bad again, think I have got through to her now. Take care!
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Sufferer of lower back pain since 1994. Neck problem since 2004. Also suffer from ME (CFS) and Chondromalacia Patellae
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#6
12-23-2004, 02:14 AM
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Kris,
I am currently a cane user, I too have a hard time walking after sitting for a dinner out, or after a car ride of more than 20 minutes, or if the walk is more than 5 minutes. I don't use the cane all the time,( never at home) but I do keep it in the car with me. Don't be embarassed by it, use it when you need it. Just today my PM dr. encouraged me to use my cane, but also cautioned me that you can become dependent on it and weaker as a result. So it does have its negative side too. I bought a cane that has butterflies on it and just tonight at the video store a 5 year old girl ran up to me and said "Wow I really like your shiney stick" I laughed and told her thanks. I think her mother was embarassed but I wasn't, I think kids honesty is great! So hang in there with your cane, hopefully soon you won't need it. Vivian
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2001 FusionL5/S1, Revision 2003, Faill back surgery diagnosis 2004
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#9
12-28-2004, 09:14 PM
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What is important is how you feel not what other people think of you...as they have no clue as to what you are going through. If you feel you need the cane then use it. I have a suggestion, I am assuming you cannot exercise but what you can do in place.. is contract your muscles, meaning tense and squeeze them isometrically...this will believe it or not strengthen them and offer more muscle control and balance for you, when you fall your muscles will at least support you and go into high gear to protect your spine, I have been there. When I damaged my sciatic nerve I too had a hard time moving my left leg, but what I did was use a one-legged leg curl machine and I did everything I could to stimulate those muscles and I made a miraculous recovery, I was to where I could not even go up on my toes it was like that part of me was completely dead, 6 months later my left leg can handle the same amount of weight as the right even though it struggles with it somewhat. Try this then maybe you could eventually use some exercise equipment it won't hurt to try and actually a lying leg curl and a single leg extension machine should not bother your spine. Stretching, deep tissue massage and Malic Acid works well for muscle spasms.
Hang in there Andro1111
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Charite @ L5,S1. W/Zeegers March 11, 05. Successful.
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#10
12-30-2004, 02:16 PM
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Don't be afraid to carry the cane around just-in-case. Yes, you will feel foolish, but it is better to have it on hand and not deend it than to need it and not have it. Don't fall into a trap, though, of using it simply because it's on hand. You can develop some poor posture and gait habits from over-reliance.
Best of luck.
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Male 34 y.o. as of ADR date 5'10", 180 lbs. 12/03: Sudden, non-traumatic onset 03/04: L5-S1 discectomy 01/05: L5-S1 ADR (Charite) by Fabien Bitan (Spine Institute at Beth Israel)
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