>From what I've been reading, you are right about AD being a problem for many >paras, too.
Bobbie, the easiest explanation of AD (autonomic dysreflexia) was this. Your bowel and bladder and sex organs function attached to your sympathetic nervous system as well as the central nervous system. When something is wrong your sympathetic nervous system begins to malfunction causing your heart to race, your blood pressure to go up and breathing difficulties as well as spasms. AD also occurs when pain is severe enough to overwhelm your entire nervous system. Untreated it can lead to stroke (hence the severe headache) and heart attack. Some people have told me tthey couldn't catch their breath. This is due to the heart beating to fast and irregular for blood to get oxygen as it passes thru the lungs. As my doctor, (Randall Bradom) told me years ago, a stuffy nose can be a preliminary symptom. Last I heard, he was head of rehab at Columbia University Hospital. I read where there was a study about pneumonia triggering AD. Most quads loose half to two thirds lung capacity just from the injury. I get my flu shots and pneumo-vax regularly. I've never had a cold, but pneumonia once. Avoid snotty children and adults that just can't get rid of a cough. Practice using an inspirometer,(the tube with a hose that you inhale slowly from) and cough when you can. Maybe an aid will help you by doing the Hiemlich manuvre. Since the blood clot hit my lung I only draw .8 litres of air. I use to draw 2.4 litres. I have 2 different inhalers and a nebulizer 4 times a day, oh yeah, in bed I use an oxygen machine. There is absolutely no space left in my bedroom. Go to http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.4453413/k.5E2A/Autonomic_Dysreflexia.htm And read up. I don't think I gave you bad advice, but they can describe it so your understanding is much more detailed. Quality of life is what we all look for, so do what you must so you can do what you want. Best Wishes, Bobbie, john ________________________________ From: Bobbie Humphreys <[email protected]> To: Bob Vogel <[email protected]> Cc: John S. <[email protected]>; "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 10:39 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] do or don't you use narcotic/pain meds-survey What is AD? Bobbie Sent from my iPad On Jun 26, 2012, at 2:34 PM, Bob Vogel <[email protected]> wrote: Hi John, > > >From SCI nurses and physicians I've spoken with-- AD can hit anybody with >SCI of T6 and above, and is possible in people with SCI as low as T10. > > >Bob V > > >On Jun 26, 2012, at 11:10 AM, John S. wrote: > >I've taken valium for 36 years, hydrocodone for 20, oxycontin for 8 and lyrica >for 5. Because my bones deteriorate and fracture from simple lifts I either >take my npain meds or suffer from AD. I broke a multitude of bones in my >original accident and many never healed right. I have deformed so badly that >Dr.s have said it hurts to look at my X-rays. Now, my bones and floating >organs make lifting and moving in my chair almost unbearable. >>Tell your Dr. to read up on AD if your a quad. If you're a paraplegic you >>shouldn't have AD. This doesn't mean you have no pain issues. You might try a >>physiatrist. >>bw, >>john >> >> >> >>________________________________ >> From: Derrick <[email protected]> >>To: [email protected] >>Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 3:59 PM >>Subject: [QUAD-L] do or don't you use narcotic/pain meds-survey >> >>I've been on 5mg (2x/day) narcotic for over 10 years. >>I've been having more pain and asked my latest doc(very rural town) if she >>would up my meds. >>She told me that "narcotics are not prescribed to parapelgics" and the only >>reason she writes me a script because I've been on them so long. >> >>I disagree with her. I would like to hear how many on this list do or do not take narcotics. If do, how many pills&mg? >> >>I built a quick survey with 3 questions. You can see results at end of survey. >>http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22G3WRVEZKQ >>Thanks in advance, >>Derrick W >> >>By the way, I'm a C5/6 quad, not a para. Not only her but the next towns pain >>clinic prescribed "voltran cream" a few years back. Like I can rub on my neck >>myself. I do plan to switch drs but I want to educate her & others in the >>future with survey results. >> >> >> >
