Hey Lori, Yes, I'm new on this site! Looks like we have a lot more in common than just our names... I'm a 30 year post injury 46 year old. My injury level is C3-4/5-6, though. I wanted to add one thing that works for me & covers v2 discussions on here right now. Not only do I drink hot water during the winter, at night, I drink about a quart of chamomille tea for several reasons. 1.) It continues to keep me warm; 2.) It . I've really been thinking about starting a 'support group' in a local rehab here in Arlington, Tx. So, I did a 'search on SCI support groups & that's how I found this site!! Whoever founded this site... CUDOS TO YOU! This has given me lots of ideas on how to facilitate a group. ............
--- On Fri, 3/13/09, Lori Michaelson <[email protected]> wrote: From: Lori Michaelson <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: [email protected], [email protected] Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 6:58 PM Wow Lori! You chose to do exactly what I did starting in the 1980s when I lived in New York state! Firstly, you must be one of the many lurkers on the list and I did not know there was another Lori (spelled the same way!). So hello Lori! Soon after I came home from the hospital I used to drink "weak" tea but since I felt jittery sometimes I thought it might be the tea. Therefore, because I drank it so very weak -- I thought I might just as well drink HOT WATER! Like you! Hitherto I have not seen or heard of another quadriplegic mention this. LOL. And of course I find that it helps! Because, even down here in the very hot part of the summer in Arizona or other warmer times -- if I even drink a few swallows of something very cold or iced -- it cools me down almost instantaneously. *shiver* On the positive side down here -- I am now able to have my big drink junk filled with semi-cool water that comes out of the refrigerator (purified a little with a filter) and then it pretty much stays room temperature all day long and have not needed my daytime drink of water heated in the microwave (like I used to in the Northeast) all the time. No matter what, it seems after 4 p.m. *I* start feeling cooler inside. Pretty weird. So sometimes an evening if it gets too bad I will either drink decaffeinated tea (weak) or hot cocoa to get warmed up and for a little break of drinking water all day long. But I do not drink it because I am thirsty--I drink it because I am warm and it warms me up! 99.99999999999999999% of the people I know like to drink soda or something else but I never liked soda (even before my accident/injury) so I always drank water prior to my injury also. When I went to college in New York State and had to travel from building to building outdoors (sometimes quite a ways apart) in fgreezing temperatures -- I had to wear long underwear, turtlenecks, sweaters and heavy jackets/coats. Back then those LEG WARMERS with Jeans were popular so I wore those too. I have no idea now how I did that (traveled from building to building in the blustery cold) but I am here to tell about it. LOL. My ears and neck get the coldest the easiest as well too. So I wore ear muffs back then and they were fortunately popular back then as they are now I think. Nice to see another female quadriplegic on the list as we are few and far between compared to the males! Lori Michaelson Age - 44 C4/5 complete quad, 29 years post Tucson, AZ On Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 2:58 PM, Lori Taylor <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Raymond, While I may not have a degree to tell me hypothermia & quadriplegia go hand in hand, I do have 30 years of being a quad as my experience. And, yes, it has gotten worse over the years. My ears and neck are the areas that get coldest. Unfortunately, I can't just call it cold b/c I get down right miserable. So, I have resolved to have warmth over fashion!! I wear a turtleneck from around Sept. to around April. I wore ear muffs for years. But, I wear hooded sweatshirts most days. I have let my hair grow so it covers my ears. As we all know, we're supposed to drink lots of water, right? Well, the last thing I want in the dead of winter is a glass of water or anything else that will make me cold!! So, call me crazy, I drink HOT water. Yes, it takes some getting used to. It works, though. While preparing to go somewhere, I'll get as much hot water in me as I can. It's like warming from the inside out! Most restaurants don't mind, I'll ask for them to fill my cup (I carry a 32 oz. cup w/me at all times) w/the hot water they use to make hot tea. I choose to drink the water over coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. b/c of the caffiene & calories.......really don't need any extra! At night, I use a heated blanket. But, found that wasn't even enough. So, I discovered those 'herbal packs' that can be heated in the microwave, put them behind my neck, & use them faithfully. Last & probably the most important for me, my attendant will put a big towel in the dryer while getting me in bed. After heating the pack, he gets the towel & wraps it around my ears & face. I can't say it's attractive but it's warm! Those 3 things...electric blanket, herbal pack, & hot towel, feel soooo good after being cold all day!! I also turn the blanket on high in the morning for awhile before getting up. This may be more info than you were looking for. But, if you're like me, I absolutely HATE being cold/miserable. Hope this helps. ~Lori --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Raymond Kelly <[email protected]> wrote: From: Raymond Kelly <[email protected]> Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: "Quad-list" <[email protected]> Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 3:59 PM I doubt anybody has an answer to this being it is part of being a quadriplegic. Anyway I have been a quadriplegic for almost 16 years now. It seems that every year it is harder to keep warm. I remember the first year I was hurt I wore shorts and tank tops all summer just to stay cool. Now after being a quad this long this long I end up wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt most of the summer just to stay warm. During the winter I wear sweatpants, two thermal shirts, a sweatshirt, a knit hat and have a blanket on me just to stay in the house. that doesn't even keep me warm. Even with all that and the house being about 73° I still have trouble keeping my temperature above 95°. It would be great if somebody on here had a miracle way to help this. I guess I am wondering if this is a typical quadriplegic problem for it to get worse every year. If it is it would be interesting to hear how other people cope with this. -- Lori C4/5 complete quad, 27 years post Tucson, AZ
