Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o
I stay hot all the time. I have a floor fan blowing across me, and will open the window a little if it's cool outside. When I start to run a fever, I do get the shakes and feel cold, but that's the only time I feel cold. With Love, CtrlAltDel aka Dave C4/5 Complete - 32 Years Post Texas, USA --- On Thu, 3/19/09, t crook onemofor...@yahoo.com wrote: From: t crook onemofor...@yahoo.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o To: quad-list@eskimo.com Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 9:39 AM I go from one extreme to the other with my body temp; but generally I am freezing, unless I am in the heat too long and then it takes me forever to cool off. I had a full muscle flap in'01 on my right ischium that was a result from the wound getting osteomyelitis (that nearly frickin' killed me). I spent a month in the hospital and 5 weeks off of my bottom at home; gradually getting up in my chair for short duration's until my skin could handle 8 to 10 hrs. Now these days to make sure I maintain good skin integrity, my nurse checks my skin every 6 to 7 hours (just during the day) and applies a thin layer of bag balm on the bum, then I am good to go for another 6 to 7 or even 10 to 12 hrs. if I had to. I sleep in a water-bed, and have for 20 yrs. and it has worked great, plus it is warm and toasty! Ruth I am sorry to hear of you losing spouse and the life you had; peer groups may be of some help (a place to vent), when things are bad I look around and see that it could be worse. If I can't bring myself up I ask the Lord for some help! ~peace~ Tim c5-c6, 20 yrs. post www.geocities.com/onemofortom WhoopieKat.com --- On Thu, 3/19/09, Wendy Sell w...@ptd.net wrote: From: Wendy Sell w...@ptd.net Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o To: quad-list@eskimo.com Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 4:30 AM my name is wendy and i have a hospitol bed, but i use a camping mattress. the air-filled kind. i stay in bed all winter. so far, knock wood, no sores. they really work for me. and they are cheap too.been using them for about 4 years now. - Original Message - From: ANTHONY and RUTH To: quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 2:58 AM Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o I'm a C 4-6 quad, auto accident 30 yrs ago, female. My normal temp. all year long is 96-97 degrees. Below 96 I'm physically cold, when my temp is 99 or higher I'm too hot. I drink very weak hot decaf tea all year long [my nephrologist calls it colored water]. I am usually cold, but this last winter I just slept with a very light blanket. I wear shorts all year long to make getting dressed and undressed easier on my helpers. I wear long socks, leg warmers and a blanket on my lower half and a coat, shawl like scarf over and around my head, I make sure my ears, nose and mouth is covered when I go out in the cold. I do have issues when it gets hot. I only drink hot tea indoors. [I'm a sun person], I use a cold wet towel around the back of my neck, I constantly keep wiping my face with a cold cloth, when possible I ask whom ever is around to use a spray bottle to mist me down and I drink cold Propel water. I don't drink plain water, my Dr. has me drink Propel to help me keep from getting dehydrated and it helps keep me from getting light headed and too low blood pressure [I run low normally anyway]. I've been a quad since 10/27/1978, I was in the hospital for 3 months got sores on both on my heels, tailbone and both shoulder blades. I then went into rehab for 3 months, the sores got healed within 1/2 of the time there [hubbard tank w/ betadine added]. My 2nd sore I got was in 1983 at my tailbone [not caused by sitting], it required surgery [skin-flap no. 1] 2 weeks in hosp. back up in w/c 16-18 hrs. a day. In 2000 I got 2 p/s one under each butt check at the underwear line, the one on right side healed; the left had to be operated on [May 2001 skin-flap no. 2] 2 weeks in hosp. and I was gradually aloud up in w/c 6-10 hrs. a day [I'd push it a couple of extra hrs. on special occasions]. 2003 p/s on tailbone wound care Dr. said he could get me healed no surgery, unless the tailbone has gotten infected. MRI done [May 2003 skin-flap no. 3], but this time they removed my coccyx [tailbone] and sacrum [bone above tailbone] had to be removed, was given 2 units of blood, in the hosp. 17 days and in nursing home for 18 days. I was aloud up in w/c gradually up 20 mins a day to no longer than 8 hrs. [on special occasions maybe 1-2 hrs. longer]. 2008 I got a p/s under left butt check [again] went to wound care center from Feb. to Sept.. On Sept. 24th I had surgery [skin-flap no. 4] I was in the hosp. 5 days allowed to come home, stay in bed, get turned frequeintly [yawl right] I've been given permission to get up in my w/c 3 times
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o
my name is wendy and i have a hospitol bed, but i use a camping mattress. the air-filled kind. i stay in bed all winter. so far, knock wood, no sores. they really work for me. and they are cheap too.been using them for about 4 years now. - Original Message - From: ANTHONY and RUTH To: quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 2:58 AM Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o I'm a C 4-6 quad, auto accident 30 yrs ago, female. My normal temp. all year long is 96-97 degrees. Below 96 I'm physically cold, when my temp is 99 or higher I'm too hot. I drink very weak hot decaf tea all year long [my nephrologist calls it colored water]. I am usually cold, but this last winter I just slept with a very light blanket. I wear shorts all year long to make getting dressed and undressed easier on my helpers. I wear long socks, leg warmers and a blanket on my lower half and a coat, shawl like scarf over and around my head, I make sure my ears, nose and mouth is covered when I go out in the cold. I do have issues when it gets hot. I only drink hot tea indoors. [I'm a sun person], I use a cold wet towel around the back of my neck, I constantly keep wiping my face with a cold cloth, when possible I ask whom ever is around to use a spray bottle to mist me down and I drink cold Propel water. I don't drink plain water, my Dr. has me drink Propel to help me keep from getting dehydrated and it helps keep me from getting light headed and too low blood pressure [I run low normally anyway]. I've been a quad since 10/27/1978, I was in the hospital for 3 months got sores on both on my heels, tailbone and both shoulder blades. I then went into rehab for 3 months, the sores got healed within 1/2 of the time there [hubbard tank w/ betadine added]. My 2nd sore I got was in 1983 at my tailbone [not caused by sitting], it required surgery [skin-flap no. 1] 2 weeks in hosp. back up in w/c 16-18 hrs. a day. In 2000 I got 2 p/s one under each butt check at the underwear line, the one on right side healed; the left had to be operated on [May 2001 skin-flap no. 2] 2 weeks in hosp. and I was gradually aloud up in w/c 6-10 hrs. a day [I'd push it a couple of extra hrs. on special occasions]. 2003 p/s on tailbone wound care Dr. said he could get me healed no surgery, unless the tailbone has gotten infected. MRI done [May 2003 skin-flap no. 3], but this time they removed my coccyx [tailbone] and sacrum [bone above tailbone] had to be removed, was given 2 units of blood, in the hosp. 17 days and in nursing home for 18 days. I was aloud up in w/c gradually up 20 mins a day to no longer than 8 hrs. [on special occasions maybe 1-2 hrs. longer]. 2008 I got a p/s under left butt check [again] went to wound care center from Feb. to Sept.. On Sept. 24th I had surgery [skin-flap no. 4] I was in the hosp. 5 days allowed to come home, stay in bed, get turned frequeintly [yawl right] I've been given permission to get up in my w/c 3 times a day for 1 hr. at a time [you bet ya]. I couldn't get turned as often as I should of and there wasn't anybody around to get me in and out of bed and w/c, so... I got a p/s on my right butt check close to the tailbone was, plus a small spot close to the groin area [the opening the size of a q-tip top, but it's 4cm deep]. I haven't been up in my w/c except maybe once every 10-14 days for abt. an hour since I've been home. Well to cut this a little shorter, skin-flap no. 5 and 6 is Mar. 25th. I'm not happy, I'm scared, I'm afraid I'm not going to make it and if I do they want to put me in a nursing home indifinently. I lost the love of my life Dec. 30, 2007. His name is Anthony. We were together for almost 20 yrs. He took great care of me. He always told me that nobody could ever take care of me as good as he did. He was so right. I lost my best friend, lover and caregiver... my life. We have 3 grandkids [he had a daughter 10 yrs. before we got together] and his daughter won't let them be in contact with me because she never liked me and I wasn't a woman to take care of him, he did everything for me. I tried. I keep getting told that I handle everything going on in my life very well. I feel like I'm about to explode. I hope it's not on anybody I love or care about or somebody I depend on whether I care about them or not. How do you all deal with the crap thrown at you? Ruth C 4-6 quad since 1978 [MO]
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o
I go from one extreme to the other with my body temp; but generally I am freezing, unless I am in the heat too long and then it takes me forever to cool off. I had a full muscle flap in'01 on my right ischium that was a result from the wound getting osteomyelitis (that nearly frickin' killed me). I spent a month in the hospital and 5 weeks off of my bottom at home; gradually getting up in my chair for short duration's until my skin could handle 8 to 10 hrs. Now these days to make sure I maintain good skin integrity, my nurse checks my skin every 6 to 7 hours (just during the day) and applies a thin layer of bag balm on the bum, then I am good to go for another 6 to 7 or even 10 to 12 hrs. if I had to. I sleep in a water-bed, and have for 20 yrs. and it has worked great, plus it is warm and toasty! Ruth I am sorry to hear of you losing spouse and the life you had; peer groups may be of some help (a place to vent), when things are bad I look around and see that it could be worse. If I can't bring myself up I ask the Lord for some help! ~peace~ Tim c5-c6, 20 yrs. post www.geocities.com/onemofortom WhoopieKat.com --- On Thu, 3/19/09, Wendy Sell w...@ptd.net wrote: From: Wendy Sell w...@ptd.net Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o To: quad-list@eskimo.com Date: Thursday, March 19, 2009, 4:30 AM my name is wendy and i have a hospitol bed, but i use a camping mattress. the air-filled kind. i stay in bed all winter. so far, knock wood, no sores. they really work for me. and they are cheap too.been using them for about 4 years now. - Original Message - From: ANTHONY and RUTH To: quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 2:58 AM Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o I'm a C 4-6 quad, auto accident 30 yrs ago, female. My normal temp. all year long is 96-97 degrees. Below 96 I'm physically cold, when my temp is 99 or higher I'm too hot. I drink very weak hot decaf tea all year long [my nephrologist calls it colored water]. I am usually cold, but this last winter I just slept with a very light blanket. I wear shorts all year long to make getting dressed and undressed easier on my helpers. I wear long socks, leg warmers and a blanket on my lower half and a coat, shawl like scarf over and around my head, I make sure my ears, nose and mouth is covered when I go out in the cold. I do have issues when it gets hot. I only drink hot tea indoors. [I'm a sun person], I use a cold wet towel around the back of my neck, I constantly keep wiping my face with a cold cloth, when possible I ask whom ever is around to use a spray bottle to mist me down and I drink cold Propel water. I don't drink plain water, my Dr. has me drink Propel to help me keep from getting dehydrated and it helps keep me from getting light headed and too low blood pressure [I run low normally anyway]. I've been a quad since 10/27/1978, I was in the hospital for 3 months got sores on both on my heels, tailbone and both shoulder blades. I then went into rehab for 3 months, the sores got healed within 1/2 of the time there [hubbard tank w/ betadine added]. My 2nd sore I got was in 1983 at my tailbone [not caused by sitting], it required surgery [skin-flap no. 1] 2 weeks in hosp. back up in w/c 16-18 hrs. a day. In 2000 I got 2 p/s one under each butt check at the underwear line, the one on right side healed; the left had to be operated on [May 2001 skin-flap no. 2] 2 weeks in hosp. and I was gradually aloud up in w/c 6-10 hrs. a day [I'd push it a couple of extra hrs. on special occasions]. 2003 p/s on tailbone wound care Dr. said he could get me healed no surgery, unless the tailbone has gotten infected. MRI done [May 2003 skin-flap no. 3], but this time they removed my coccyx [tailbone] and sacrum [bone above tailbone] had to be removed, was given 2 units of blood, in the hosp. 17 days and in nursing home for 18 days. I was aloud up in w/c gradually up 20 mins a day to no longer than 8 hrs. [on special occasions maybe 1-2 hrs. longer]. 2008 I got a p/s under left butt check [again] went to wound care center from Feb. to Sept.. On Sept. 24th I had surgery [skin-flap no. 4] I was in the hosp. 5 days allowed to come home, stay in bed, get turned frequeintly [yawl right] I've been given permission to get up in my w/c 3 times a day for 1 hr. at a time [you bet ya]. I couldn't get turned as often as I should of and there wasn't anybody around to get me in and out of bed and w/c, so... I got a p/s on my right butt check close to the tailbone was, plus a small spot close to the groin area [the opening the size of a q-tip top, but it's 4cm deep]. I haven't been up in my w/c except maybe once every 10-14 days for abt. an hour since I've been home. Well to cut this a little shorter, skin-flap no. 5 and 6 is Mar. 25th. I'm not happy, I'm scared, I'm afraid I'm
[QUAD-L] Hypothermia, Preasure Sores, Skin Flaps, Losing your s/o
I'm a C 4-6 quad, auto accident 30 yrs ago, female. My normal temp. all year long is 96-97 degrees. Below 96 I'm physically cold, when my temp is 99 or higher I'm too hot. I drink very weak hot decaf tea all year long [my nephrologist calls it colored water]. I am usually cold, but this last winter I just slept with a very light blanket. I wear shorts all year long to make getting dressed and undressed easier on my helpers. I wear long socks, leg warmers and a blanket on my lower half and a coat, shawl like scarf over and around my head, I make sure my ears, nose and mouth is covered when I go out in the cold. I do have issues when it gets hot. I only drink hot tea indoors. [I'm a sun person], I use a cold wet towel around the back of my neck, I constantly keep wiping my face with a cold cloth, when possible I ask whom ever is around to use a spray bottle to mist me down and I drink cold Propel water. I don't drink plain water, my Dr. has me drink Propel to help me keep from getting dehydrated and it helps keep me from getting light headed and too low blood pressure [I run low normally anyway]. I've been a quad since 10/27/1978, I was in the hospital for 3 months got sores on both on my heels, tailbone and both shoulder blades. I then went into rehab for 3 months, the sores got healed within 1/2 of the time there [hubbard tank w/ betadine added]. My 2nd sore I got was in 1983 at my tailbone [not caused by sitting], it required surgery [skin-flap no. 1] 2 weeks in hosp. back up in w/c 16-18 hrs. a day. In 2000 I got 2 p/s one under each butt check at the underwear line, the one on right side healed; the left had to be operated on [May 2001 skin-flap no. 2] 2 weeks in hosp. and I was gradually aloud up in w/c 6-10 hrs. a day [I'd push it a couple of extra hrs. on special occasions]. 2003 p/s on tailbone wound care Dr. said he could get me healed no surgery, unless the tailbone has gotten infected. MRI done [May 2003 skin-flap no. 3], but this time they removed my coccyx [tailbone] and sacrum [bone above tailbone] had to be removed, was given 2 units of blood, in the hosp. 17 days and in nursing home for 18 days. I was aloud up in w/c gradually up 20 mins a day to no longer than 8 hrs. [on special occasions maybe 1-2 hrs. longer]. 2008 I got a p/s under left butt check [again] went to wound care center from Feb. to Sept.. On Sept. 24th I had surgery [skin-flap no. 4] I was in the hosp. 5 days allowed to come home, stay in bed, get turned frequeintly [yawl right] I've been given permission to get up in my w/c 3 times a day for 1 hr. at a time [you bet ya]. I couldn't get turned as often as I should of and there wasn't anybody around to get me in and out of bed and w/c, so... I got a p/s on my right butt check close to the tailbone was, plus a small spot close to the groin area [the opening the size of a q-tip top, but it's 4cm deep]. I haven't been up in my w/c except maybe once every 10-14 days for abt. an hour since I've been home. Well to cut this a little shorter, skin-flap no. 5 and 6 is Mar. 25th. I'm not happy, I'm scared, I'm afraid I'm not going to make it and if I do they want to put me in a nursing home indifinently. I lost the love of my life Dec. 30, 2007. His name is Anthony. We were together for almost 20 yrs. He took great care of me. He always told me that nobody could ever take care of me as good as he did. He was so right. I lost my best friend, lover and caregiver... my life. We have 3 grandkids [he had a daughter 10 yrs. before we got together] and his daughter won't let them be in contact with me because she never liked me and I wasn't a woman to take care of him, he did everything for me. I tried. I keep getting told that I handle everything going on in my life very well. I feel like I'm about to explode. I hope it's not on anybody I love or care about or somebody I depend on whether I care about them or not. How do you all deal with the crap thrown at you? Ruth C 4-6 quad since 1978 [MO]
Re: LORI Michaelson...Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
Great! I'm 47, with a 30 year injury. I drink hot tea and water during the winter.. I'm a C3-4 quad. I don't drink soda. I wear leg warmers now. However, I'm a guy, so it goes both ways. Now, I've had heat exhaustion s many times that my thermostat is so screwed up beyond my post injury state that just ice water won't cut it for me in the hot summer. Craig On Mar 16, 2009, at 4:48 PM, Julie wrote: Hey Girls! I just had to chime in because you two sound like carbon copies of meright down to the hot water. I'm 44yrs old have been a C 5-6 quad for 29 years. It's kinda nice to know I'm somewhat normal! :-) Julie From: Lori Taylor [mailto:llt1...@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 12:42 PM To: quad-list@eskimo.com; Lori Michaelson Subject: LORI Michaelson...Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia 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 lorilivin...@gmail.com wrote: From: Lori Michaelson lorilivin...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: llt1...@sbcglobal.net, quad-list@eskimo.com 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! 99.9% 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 llt1...@sbcglobal.net 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
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
I¹m here occasionally too. Barbara C-5-6 quadriplegic since 1981 Spinal cord injury On 3/16/09 6:49 PM, ladyno...@aol.com ladyno...@aol.com wrote: Hello two Lori's, Add me as another female to the quad list. I don't comment much, but I am here. Naomi C-4 Quadriplegic, since July 2, 2005 Due to Transverse Myelitis Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood0001 .
RE: LORI Michaelson...Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
Hey Girls! I just had to chime in because you two sound like carbon copies of meright down to the hot water. I'm 44yrs old have been a C 5-6 quad for 29 years. It's kinda nice to know I'm somewhat normal! :-) Julie _ From: Lori Taylor [mailto:llt1...@sbcglobal.net] Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 12:42 PM To: quad-list@eskimo.com; Lori Michaelson Subject: LORI Michaelson...Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia 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 lorilivin...@gmail.com wrote: From: Lori Michaelson lorilivin...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: llt1...@sbcglobal.net, quad-list@eskimo.com 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! 99.9% 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 llt1...@sbcglobal.net 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
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
Hello two Lori's, Add me as another female to the quad list. I don't comment much, but I am here. Naomi C-4 Quadriplegic, since July 2, 2005 Due to Transverse Myelitis **Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood0001)
LORI Michaelson...Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
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 lorilivin...@gmail.com wrote: From: Lori Michaelson lorilivin...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: llt1...@sbcglobal.net, quad-list@eskimo.com 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! 99.9% 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 llt1...@sbcglobal.net 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
OOPS! LORI Michaelson...Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED..One minute I'm just plugging away, typing next thing I know, I look up my e-mail's GONE!! Hate it when that happens! 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 2 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 before going to sleep, for several reasons. 1.) It continues to keep me warm; 2.) It helps me relax so I'm not so bug-eyed when I lay down; 3.) If perhaps I didn't get enough fluids in during the day, the tea brings comfort to my bladder as it can get pretty spastic otherwise! 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. I think it's a great idea to not only get other people's insight. But, it's nice to know we're not alone! I feel bad that people go through some of the things I have gone through or am going through. But, at the same time, having the support is great Thanks, ~Lori--Arlington, Tx. C3-4/5-6; 1978 car accident --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Lori Michaelson lorilivin...@gmail.com wrote: From: Lori Michaelson lorilivin...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: llt1...@sbcglobal.net, quad-list@eskimo.com 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! 99.9% 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 llt1...@sbcglobal.net 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
Re: OOPS! LORI Michaelson...Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
Hi Lori! The other Lori. If you need information regarding a support group in Texas, you can contact Mercedes Raun, Executive Director of the Chicago Chapter at _sciinj...@aol.com_ (mailto:sciinj...@aol.com) She is a super lady and very knowledged. Best Wishes In a message dated 3/15/2009 11:59:05 A.M. Central Daylight Time, llt1...@sbcglobal.net writes: NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED..One minute I'm just plugging away, typing next thing I know, I look up my e-mail's GONE!! Hate it when that happens! 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 2 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 before going to sleep, for several reasons. 1.) It continues to keep me warm; 2.) It helps me relax so I'm not so bug-eyed when I lay down; 3.) If perhaps I didn't get enough fluids in during the day, the tea brings comfort to my bladder as it can get pretty spastic otherwise! 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. I think it's a great idea to not only get other people's insight. But, it's nice to know we're not alone! I feel bad that people go through some of the things I have gone through or am going through. But, at the same time, having the support is great Thanks, ~Lori--Arlington, Tx. C3-4/5-6; 1978 car accident --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Lori Michaelson lorilivin...@gmail.com wrote: From: Lori Michaelson lorilivin...@gmail.com Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: llt1...@sbcglobal.net, quad-list@eskimo.com 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! 99.9% 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 _llt1...@sbcglobal.net_ (mailto:llt1...@sbcglobal.net) 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
RE: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
Dreamtime microwave heat body wraps from drugstore.com _ From: Raymond Kelly [mailto:kel...@hughes.net] Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 5:00 PM To: Quad-list Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia 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.
[QUAD-L] Hypothermia
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.
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
Same problem for me. Only answer I've found is warmer clothes. Richard --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net wrote: From: Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: Quad-list quad-list@eskimo.com Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 1:59 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.
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
i use an electric heater under my desk. old age (61 ?) seems to exacerbate the problem. :( AZDAVE Take the world in a love embrace Fire all of your guns at once And explode into space _DAVEOCONNELL.COM_ (http://daveoconnell.com/) In a message dated 3/13/2009 1:07:52 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, rkr...@sbcglobal.net writes: Same problem for me. Only answer I've found is warmer clothes. Richard --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net wrote: From: Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: Quad-list quad-list@eskimo.com Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 1:59 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. **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220439616x1201372437/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
i work out and drink got coaco - Original Message - From: dav...@aol.com To: quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 4:14 PM Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia i use an electric heater under my desk. old age (61 ?) seems to exacerbate the problem. :( AZDAVE Take the world in a love embrace Fire all of your guns at once And explode into space DAVEOCONNELL.COM In a message dated 3/13/2009 1:07:52 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, rkr...@sbcglobal.net writes: Same problem for me. Only answer I've found is warmer clothes. Richard --- On Fri, 3/13/09, Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net wrote: From: Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: Quad-list quad-list@eskimo.com Date: Friday, March 13, 2009, 1:59 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. -- A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps!
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
The ability to regulate your body temperatures can affect both paras and quads, depending on the level of injury and how the body is maintained. Have you discussed this with your primary doctor to be sure that everything else with your body is ok, as sometimes an infection can affect one's ability to regulate one's body temps. Physical activity might help in some cases, but as you know, quads are all different. Make sure that your primary doctor is aware of your situation. Best Wishes In a message dated 3/13/2009 2:58:28 P.M. Central Daylight Time, kel...@hughes.net writes: 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. **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220439616x1201372437/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
Same for me here too. What is even stranger is that I spent 36 years (of my 44 yrs) in the Northeast and I don't remember getting as cold inside as I often do down here in Southern Arizona where it is much warmer and we keep the indoor thermometer at 77° or 78° year-round! To keep the heating bills affordable in the Northeast I remember we only kept it at 72° inside in the winter time. So, it looks like it's me! I hate it and I can't imagine going back to the Northeast or any colder climate. It makes or breaks my day. Lori Michaelson Age - 44 C4/5 complete quad, 29 years post Tucson, AZ On Fri, Mar 13, 2009 at 1:59 PM, Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net wrote: 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
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
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 s 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 kel...@hughes.net wrote: From: Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: Quad-list quad-list@eskimo.com 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.
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
I live in Massachusetts and the coldest months for me are during the change of season from summer to fall. After October, as long as I dress in layers (t-shirt, long-sleeve shirt, and wool sweater, preferably, or fleece jacket), I am comfortable with indoor temperatures as low as 68. I also keep a radiant (electric) heater near me when sitting at my desk. Its not always on, but its especially comforting in the morning. Starting about this time of year (late winter), I lo-o-o-ove to sit near windows in the sun and feel its warmth. Its especially nice when I'm wearing dark clothes. Sleeping during the winter months, I love using an electric blanket (set to level '2' of '10'). My first year (9 years ago, I'm 54 now) I was cold even on warm summer days and *freezing* cold the rest of the year (when I lusted for a roaring fire in the fireplace to sit close to). My third summer I can remember the feeling of elation when one warm spring day I actually enjoyed the feeling of the wind on my bare arms while driving with a short-sleeved shirt on. For the first time it didn't make me cold. Since then I've been as I am now. Its definitely true too that the more I go out in the cold (dressed well in ski parka, hat, scarf and mittens), the more tolerant I am of cool temps inside when I come back in. Conversely, I need to be careful not to let myself get over-heated, especially in the Spring. I always know when I'm over-heated cuz I feel nauseous. It can take hours sitting in front of a fan or A/C to cool down again. From: Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net To: Quad-list quad-list@eskimo.com Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 4:59:59 PM Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia 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.
Re: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia
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! 99.9% 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 llt1...@sbcglobal.net 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 s 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 kel...@hughes.net* wrote: From: Raymond Kelly kel...@hughes.net Subject: [QUAD-L] Hypothermia To: Quad-list quad-list@eskimo.com 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
