Since we all are in recovery in some form here, got a question and interested in all responses. Currently I am post injury 1 year and 11 months and gaining strength fairly rapidly now, I am standing for 2 to 5 minutes in one place many instances during the day up to 10x and walk in my walker a couple times a day for about 30 ft each try. this has been happening for about a week now and I am super sore in many places and muscle twitches happen regularly and substantial twitches at that. how long does this go on? I am in serious muscle soreness and hoping this doesn't last to long? My goal is to be walking again one day, at least some of the time.
That is really great, congrats on the improvement. When there's muscle soreness I was told that means the muscles are rebuilding themselves, so I think it's a good thing? When I get soreness now I give the muscles a break for 1-3 days, once it's gone I do the same workouts again and they're a little bit stronger
thanks monarch, I'm learning to do the same its just my impatience to get back to walking sooner rather than later.
Just be aware of payback when you over do it -- it can be days even months. You want to find that point (add on difficulty level that it varies everyday) so your payback days are reasonable. The spasms are inevitable. The fatigue is inevitable. You might look into baclofen for spams -- the drug doesn't do much for me or not enough. But a lot of people find it helpful. Also, keep it mind the risks -- we are at risk w/o trying to gain strength. I agree with most, the worst is the first three years and I've seen some people make remarkable improvements during this time but IMO, to my knowledge, most get to a point of their max or seemingly max. I say this because nerves take forever to repair -- don't want to give a number because it is THAT slow, which makes it feel like our progress is very limited if at all. I think this is why they focus most on those within the first two years but what I know?
Also, Sam, get some compression socks -- I was amazed how much these things help with spasms, especially while trying to get some sleep. Another thing I found is if I remove things on top of my legs, as simple as a light sheet, reduces the spasms at night (didn't sleep much during year 2 and 3) but got a lot more with these seemingly stupid things. I'm sorry Apparalyzed is gone -- a lot of information of this kind of stuff and strangely, eventually you find someone else's experience helps you.
Also, Sam, get some compression socks -- I was amazed how much these things help with spasms, especially while trying to get some sleep. Another thing I found is if I remove things on top of my legs, as simple as a light sheet, reduces the spasms at night (didn't sleep much during year 2 and 3) but got a lot more with these seemingly stupid things. I'm sorry Apparalyzed is gone -- a lot of information of this kind of stuff and strangely, eventually you find someone else's experience helps you.
I do have compression socks, cant put on myself and live alone, limited left hand function. thanks
ive discovered part of the issue with recovery and sci. poor sleep and fatigue is a big issue with sci, fatigue just seems to be exacerbated because of poor sleep because of the bladder issues. the evil wheel of sci recovery. if I get 6 hrs of sleep I feel good during the day, any less and the fatigue really is more pronounced and really noticeable. currently avg sleep a night 5 hrs.
Post by kilg0retr0ut on Aug 1, 2017 18:31:29 GMT -8
Same with me Sam, I sleep in two hour cracks two or three times a night. probably average 4-6 hrs. a night, not continuous though. I have to get up 3x times to pee and take meds. If it wasn't for the meds the fatigue would do me in. Hard to explain it to people, it's not like you road marched 12 miles, it's worse, when your done your done. I go to bed before my daughter many nights and her bedtime is 8pm. Sci fatique is different than AB fatigue IMO, but tell someone that and it's like " sure fella", like your making it up. Anyone else feel like this at times?
well I'm back for a ing update, still sore as hell, but I am gaining strength ever so slowly. the issue is this fatigue, I work out for a few minutes and I need to rest because don't want to fall. walking in walker most of the time will happen soon just anticipation is killing me, now 27 months post injury. because of soreness I get full body spasms at times, horrible.
well I'm back for a ing update, still sore as hell, but I am gaining strength ever so slowly. the issue is this fatigue, I work out for a few minutes and I need to rest because don't want to fall. walking in walker most of the time will happen soon just anticipation is killing me, now 27 months post injury. because of soreness I get full body spasms at times, horrible.
Hey sam, how many meters/steps are you able to walk with walker? Can you stand upright without holding anything and balance yourself?
I haven't pushed myself recently in walking because I live alone and fear of not having help if needed if I should fall. I have walked up to 50 ft at a time with walker, but it is difficult to go long distances like that. I stand alone next to my stripper pole without any assistance for a couple of minutes at a time with full balance. it seems to take forever this recovery thing?
This recovery thing may take forever or we may reach certain stage where we will be able to manage to walk little distances and everything else comes around. I can walk for only 30ft with elbow crutch and balance has improved tremondously as my muscles started to help me stand on my heels rather than on my toes.
I am able to stand for 15-20 mins without losing balance lately. I am 40 months into injury.
I think we both are at similar juncture @sam. Keep posting every minute development that you see and if possible, please specify if any kind of exercise change helped you for that improvement. My therapist asked me to completely concentrate of bridging at various heights and distances of legs. And calf muscle stretches in standing too.
I believe we are at similar junctures in recovery and now we are bladder buddies and walking friends, this is good. I have been having control issues with my left foot, impaired from accident. recently been getting more feeling in left foot and it feels like some muscles are awakening from a long snooze, I am able to stand on toes now or extend or stretch left foot more now. I think its happening because I'm forcing my left foot to work now, instead of laying around. hoping my edema will subside in my left foot if I use it more. younggun , keep me updated also on any little instance of good news on your recovery.
I believe we are at similar junctures in recovery and now we are bladder buddies and walking friends, this is good. I have been having control issues with my left foot, impaired from accident. recently been getting more feeling in left foot and it feels like some muscles are awakening from a long snooze, I am able to stand on toes now or extend or stretch left foot more now. I think its happening because I'm forcing my left foot to work now, instead of laying around. hoping my edema will subside in my left foot if I use it more. younggun , keep me updated also on any little instance of good news on your recovery.
Yeah sure. I will update my recovery details sam. My left leg is the weakest link in my recovery. I am trying to push it hard but muscles below knee are not awakening.
My current routine is Bridging, plank, side plank, kneeling and complete squating.. All are done with some assistance.
it takes time and a lot of patience in recovery. I cant do complete squats, so that's great, I don't have assistance regrettably. I turned a corner today, or maybe a realization that I will walk again, just have to be patient and not push to hard or risk injury, which could lengthen or slow recovery. walking in walker today and feeling much stronger and even did a super crappy dance for 2 minutes with my walker to "the ripper" by judas priest. my goal is to walk 50% of the day around house instead of using powerchair by January 1, that may be too hopeful but it would be exciting.
it takes time and a lot of patience in recovery. I cant do complete squats, so that's great, I don't have assistance regrettably. I turned a corner today, or maybe a realization that I will walk again, just have to be patient and not push to hard or risk injury, which could lengthen or slow recovery. walking in walker today and feeling much stronger and even did a super crappy dance for 2 minutes with my walker to "the ripper" by judas priest. my goal is to walk 50% of the day around house instead of using powerchair by January 1, that may be too hopeful but it would be exciting.
That is awesome sam.. Good target, You will reach it. I never did dance before surgery but ohh man.. I also do some weird moves and plays in rhythm now.
I also cannot do complete squats but I am pushing myself hard on that.. I have beds on 4 sides for protection if I fall and holders at certain height to pull myself up with hands. I can only do half squat properly for now.