I'm writing this to help a friend who is not SCI, but has same disease as me and I'm hoping from our collective experience to offer her some options. She has small fiber neuropathy and bursitis in her buttocks, which makes sitting in an upright position impossible beyond short times. It is affecting her practically and socially. She does not use a wheelchair. Any ideas of furniture that might offer a semi-reclining or sidewise position? Standard recliners are still too upright for her, as she needs to avoid contact with affected area.
That's a hard one wavewolf, I was thinking a leather recliner till I read further. Would a recliner be ok if she could kind of lay on her side ? Otherwise I'm sorry but I can't think of anything that would of any use to her. Sounds like a terrible condition to have.
That's a hard one wavewolf, I was thinking a leather recliner till I read further. Would a recliner be ok if she could kind of lay on her side ? Otherwise I'm sorry but I can't think of anything that would of any use to her. Sounds like a terrible condition to have.
To be honest ive been thinking hard about this one too Butiki...I have a leather recliner would be perfect for your friend wavewolf as It sits me too far back so i need support but is definitely less pressure on the buttock area.
Could she try some out in a shop? other than she could maybe try some gel pad material? Sounds like she needs something that will tilt back similar to this:
I have one similar to the picture that Lara posted. It is a power lift chair and the legs and back are operated independently. It has a preset program for zero gravity and will lay out to about 170º angle. If this is something she may be able to use, let me know and I'll send you a link to it. (The brand name is Golden.)
Thanks for all your input. Leather does seem the best option, because it breathes. I'm thinking some sort of alternating pressure mattress pad with lambskin throw on top, but the underlying structure is the matter. She is not able to lay her buttocks on anything--feels as if the skin has been burned and is tearing off. The bursitis is an inflammatory condition, and may resolve some for her with time. She tried a leather recliner and it didn't work. She needs to lie on her side and have some support. I am trying to look at chaises for her. Maybe adding strategic pillows would help.
I also have SFN (small fiber neuropathy) in my legs below the knees, and a band around my torso. It is torture, and the pain never stops. For me, if I put on a lot of moisturizing oil (I use castor oil) and then my compression hose, legs touching my AFOs and trousers is less painful. And taking R-alpha lipoic acid has helped mitigate the pain to a more manageable level.
wavewolf pure sheepskin is a great natural product to use... it is breathable too and should be comfortable against the skin.
It sounds you have found an effective way of getting some relief and prevention from the neuropathy you describe. Thankyou for sharing as im sure this will be very helpful for other members who experience similar
Lαrα, Actually, I was referring for my friend to use sheepskin. What DJ described is a possibility--sheepskin (real) is so comforting that it might just do the trick, even on a recliner. But I suggested to her that she use a chaise, maybe one of those like used outdoors, and place pillows for secure positioning on side with sheepskin underneath. Also suggested a semi-lying position (recliner or chaise) with pillow above buttocks and leg wedge to support legs, relieving most of the pressure on buttocks. She is experimenting with this.
I have used sheepskin myself to help with my SFN on torso, but in bed it is hard to address this. I have almost no sensation in legs, yet light pressure triggers the pain of SFN when I don't have the hose on.