With no balance, how do you pull yourself up to sit up in bed

maryonwheels46 · 11-03-2009, 04:14 PM

I think one of the reason I have shoulder problems is because I have a rod iron headboard and I use it to pull myself up to sit up and watch TV. Then when I get up I will grab the headboard again but that pulls my arms back wards then they will pop. Actually, I'm hyper extending them.
I sleep on my sides so I try to pull on the sheets or grab the mattress to help myself up. Guess I need to remember to grab the mattress. I keep forgetting. Any ideas?

T9 complete with no balance from waist down
Mary

LooseCannon · 11-03-2009, 04:44 PM

I usually put my hands/arms under my butt to lift up or will throw my arms forward to lift up just enough to put my elbows down then kinda get on my side, put a hand down and push up to a sitting position.

nevada · 11-03-2009, 04:48 PM

I have used a bed ladder for the last seven years and would be lost with out it.

vjls · 11-03-2009, 04:49 PM

[QUOTE=maryonwheels46;1116348]I think one of the reason I have shoulder problems is because I have a rod iron headboard and I use it to pull myself up to sit up and watch TV. Then when I get up I will grab the headboard again but that pulls my arms back wards then they will pop. Actually, I'm hyper extending them.
I sleep on my sides so I try to pull on the sheets or grab the mattress to help myself up. Guess I need to remember to grab the mattress. I keep forgetting. Any ideas?

maybe get a rope and those slings to loop your hand or wrist thru i am a quad and do.t have a problem but my abs are coming back

6 Shooter · 11-03-2009, 05:02 PM

[QUOTE=vjls;1116364]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maryonwheels46

maybe get a rope and those slings to loop your hand or wrist thru i am a quad and do.t have a problem but my abs are coming back

This will help. Just tie it to something at the end of your bed. It is made of 2 gait belts sewed into loops. My son used this for about a year or more. Now can sit up on his own.

SCI-Nurse · 11-03-2009, 06:22 PM

Hi,
You can try those suggestions above. It used to be that people would use trapezes attached to beds, but those have been found to be damaging to shoulders.

Please look at the sticky note at the beginning of this care forum about Preservation of Upper Extremities- much of this information pertains to conditions such as yours.

AAD

Ivyella · 11-03-2009, 07:00 PM

hi Mary, I'm a t-9 complete with no balance also. I lay on my side and push myself up into a sitting position. It is very difficult for me to to sit up from laying straight on my back (in fact I don't think I can do it) so I always start from the side position.

partygirl · 11-03-2009, 09:01 PM

mary, i have a 'bedstick' I don't know if you have them in the USA. It is shaped /bent so that it slides under the mattress and comes up at right angle straight alongside where you can comfortably grip it and pull yourself up to sit. i am T7 to L1 TM lesion and have poor trunk control.

crags · 11-07-2009, 04:21 PM

sounds like you definately need a webbing bed ladder or 2. you might also consider a new bed with power. the transfermaster is full size, does not look like a hospital bed and is built like a tank. expensive though. with the head section elevated, pulling yourself into a long sit position is easier, not to mention the hi/lo function for transfer ease and preservation of shoulders.

cali · 11-07-2009, 04:43 PM

i use my rim of my wheel to turn and all that stuff. it's right beside my bed, so i just stick my arm out and move however i need.

11-03-2009, 04:14 PM	#1
maryonwheels46 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 1,368	With no balance, how do you pull yourself up to sit up in bed I think one of the reason I have shoulder problems is because I have a rod iron headboard and I use it to pull myself up to sit up and watch TV. Then when I get up I will grab the headboard again but that pulls my arms back wards then they will pop. Actually, I'm hyper extending them. I sleep on my sides so I try to pull on the sheets or grab the mattress to help myself up. Guess I need to remember to grab the mattress. I keep forgetting. Any ideas? T9 complete with no balance from waist down Mary __________________ I want to Rock you Gypsy soul and together we will flow into the Mystic. Van Morrison

11-03-2009, 04:44 PM	#2
LooseCannon Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: PA, USA Posts: 729	I usually put my hands/arms under my butt to lift up or will throw my arms forward to lift up just enough to put my elbows down then kinda get on my side, put a hand down and push up to a sitting position. __________________ Accessible Suburban Project Accessible Baby Crib

11-03-2009, 07:00 PM	#7
Ivyella Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Denver Posts: 44	hi Mary, I'm a t-9 complete with no balance also. I lay on my side and push myself up into a sitting position. It is very difficult for me to to sit up from laying straight on my back (in fact I don't think I can do it) so I always start from the side position. __________________ I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

11-07-2009, 04:43 PM	#10
cali Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: where everyone knows your name Posts: 4,455	i use my rim of my wheel to turn and all that stuff. it's right beside my bed, so i just stick my arm out and move however i need. __________________ Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway http://callan-campbell.blogspot.com/

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11-03-2009, 04:48 PM	#3
nevada Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: north dakoa Posts: 441	I have used a bed ladder for the last seven years and would be lost with out it.

11-03-2009, 04:49 PM	#4
vjls Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: middle georgia Posts: 331	[QUOTE=maryonwheels46;1116348]I think one of the reason I have shoulder problems is because I have a rod iron headboard and I use it to pull myself up to sit up and watch TV. Then when I get up I will grab the headboard again but that pulls my arms back wards then they will pop. Actually, I'm hyper extending them. I sleep on my sides so I try to pull on the sheets or grab the mattress to help myself up. Guess I need to remember to grab the mattress. I keep forgetting. Any ideas? maybe get a rope and those slings to loop your hand or wrist thru i am a quad and do.t have a problem but my abs are coming back

11-03-2009, 06:22 PM	#6
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 29,485	Hi, You can try those suggestions above. It used to be that people would use trapezes attached to beds, but those have been found to be damaging to shoulders. Please look at the sticky note at the beginning of this care forum about Preservation of Upper Extremities- much of this information pertains to conditions such as yours. AAD

11-03-2009, 09:01 PM	#8
partygirl Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: south eastern Australia Posts: 58	mary, i have a 'bedstick' I don't know if you have them in the USA. It is shaped /bent so that it slides under the mattress and comes up at right angle straight alongside where you can comfortably grip it and pull yourself up to sit. i am T7 to L1 TM lesion and have poor trunk control.

11-07-2009, 04:21 PM	#9
crags Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 803	sounds like you definately need a webbing bed ladder or 2. you might also consider a new bed with power. the transfermaster is full size, does not look like a hospital bed and is built like a tank. expensive though. with the head section elevated, pulling yourself into a long sit position is easier, not to mention the hi/lo function for transfer ease and preservation of shoulders.

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