In a motorcycle accident in Mar 19 i had a number of injuries and after my neck was stabilised (C6 Incomplete Asia D Walking) I was transferred to another hospital to have a leg rebuilt and other stuff done. As a result I was effectively discharged by the neuro team armed with a Miami J and an armful of morphine three days after my accident. A year later and I hear about Autonomic Dysreflexia but know little more than I have read on the Christopher Reeve and other quality websites I understand that if I suffer an episode and have hypertension it’s a blue light trip to hospital
Would anyone who has experienced it let me know - I have warmed up my family about it but do I need to tell others? I work out/ physio at my local gym, I go away for long weekends with a club I attend through on of my hobbies, I have staff at work.
Generally will I just feel a bit light headed and have other warning signs giving me plenty of time to react or is there an off switch and I become almost immediately or rapidly dependent on others recognising it and making the emergency call for me
I wear a medical alert tag and also carry a laminated card in my wallet. First couple times were scary. Now that I am better informed, it has been less stressful.
Jackstraw, don't be so alarmed. Get yourself a blood pressure gauge if you're worried. Anyway, the fact that you are incomplete may mean that you are spared the horrors of dysreflexia. There are plenty of warning signs. For a start you may feel heaviness in your chest and throat. You may sweat or if your blood pressure is very high you might experience a pounding pain in the middle of your brain. Get some 5 mg capsules of nifedipine from your GP. Bite down on them and allow the contents to swirl around under your tongue for a few minutes. Be warned. You must measure your blood pressure first. You will not have to be blue lighted to a hospital (unless the dysreflexia is uncontrollable). It is perfectly manageable with a little common sense and experience. Make sure you are prepared. Get those capsules and keep them in the cupboard. Buy a blood pressure gauge. The medication and the gauge are essential in the battle against autonomic dysreflexia.
Thanks Mike. I had a zoom interview with a neuro-consultant a couple of days ago and he said that in his opinion it is very unlikely that I will suffer an AD episode - 2% chance apparently - but that I should be ready for it nonetheless I am very fortunate that I am able to carry on motorcycling and my only real concern is if I suffer a trauma in an accident which sets off AD. I will check my baseline BP and carry a laminated card in my wallet and with luck there it will stay Many thanks mikeq, for taking the time to reply
My last episode occurred when I fell off a step ladder. ( play stupid games, win stupid prizes, was how my son summed it up) Anyway AD kicked it because I was hurt, just didn't know where. After an ER trip and 30 x-rays, it was determined that I torn a ligament in my knee. ER staff was very helpful and got my BP under control right away. Carry the card because most doc's don't remember what AD is. Mike