I am Cold

davidpar · 12-18-2009, 04:27 AM

Hi

this is my first winter since SCI and today I am cold despite the house being warm. I am ok above my injury but below my body is cold. My legs are stiff and I am full of spasm. I have taken a warm bath but it did not realy help. Never had bad spasm before but today it is bad, even hit the floor when I transvered to the chair. What else can I do? This has exposed me to a new dimension of SCI and it getting me down a bit.

Thanks

carbar · 12-18-2009, 04:49 AM

The winter months can be really hard on a SCI body - you'll probably have to experiment with a number of ways to try to improve on keeping warm.

1) you could try doing a work-out on your bed before getting up (if you don't already do this)
2) the obvious - play around with different clothing, particularly on your lower half - make sure your feet are as warmly covered as they can be.
3) I have metal sideguards which can get very cold against my thighs - if yours are the same, think about clothing that can diminish that coldness
4) continue with as much exercise as you can during the day, even if you don't manage to go out just do a few short bursts of activity to pump up the circulation a bit

And check that there is nothing else causing the increase of spasm, such as UTI infection, pressure sore.

It takes time to get to know what is best for your new body, and often there are no conclusive answers, just a series of mini-solutions that can make things a bit more comfortable.
Best of luck finding yours.

Eileen · 12-18-2009, 10:45 AM

I know it is easier said than done, but don't let it get you down too much. It is, unfortunately, common for SCI folk to feel the cold more than pre-injury. I know that it takes me forever to warm up once I do get cold. Simply getting into a warm room isn't any kind of magic. I find keeping my legs elevated when I am able to helps circulation and keeps my legs from getting as cold as they might if down all day. Good sheepskin slippers are my best winter defense.

t8burst · 12-18-2009, 11:04 AM

This is my first winter as well post-sci and I am experiencing the same thing. If I am in bed I put a heating pad on my chest, it really seems to get rid of the chills.

Tom

davidpar · 12-18-2009, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the advice I will try it out. I think hitting the floor and then needing help to get back into the chair got to me a bit. I hate being dependent, it made me feel vulnerable and it scared me. I am not used to being in a situation where I am physically unable to things and this morning I actually recent-ed my body for not working. At least I have warmed up a bit and the spasms got a much better. Always something positive.

lynnifer · 12-18-2009, 11:40 AM

If I'm extremely cold, I find getting into bed with my legs elevated and sheets 'o' plenty on my core will do the trick.

A heating pad too but be careful and make sure to get one with an auto shut-off.

Lazlo · 12-18-2009, 11:55 AM

A common lament of the SCI. I like to have one of those microwaveable heating pads (the ones full of rice) handy. I'll heat it up for a couple minutes then rest it on my neck. This seems to kill the chills pretty effectively for me. Also, I have a radiant space heater (way better than those fan-based ones) that really hits the spot if the house is cold, especially in the bathroom.

crags · 12-18-2009, 12:52 PM

wear more clothes, i always wear a fleece vest or a sweater in the house and often wear a hat as well

the hat makes a difference

Lazlo · 12-18-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crags

wear more clothes, i always wear a fleece vest or a sweater in the house and often wear a hat as well

the hat makes a difference

Oh yeah, a hat, especially if you are bald like me.

Van Quad · 12-18-2009, 01:44 PM

I get fleeced leggings made. I even wear two pair on an especially cold day. Combined with wool socks, you're toasty and warm.

I also use the microwavable heating pads.

12-18-2009, 04:27 AM	#1
davidpar Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9	I am Cold Hi this is my first winter since SCI and today I am cold despite the house being warm. I am ok above my injury but below my body is cold. My legs are stiff and I am full of spasm. I have taken a warm bath but it did not realy help. Never had bad spasm before but today it is bad, even hit the floor when I transvered to the chair. What else can I do? This has exposed me to a new dimension of SCI and it getting me down a bit. Thanks

12-18-2009, 04:49 AM	#2
carbar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: France Posts: 2,438	The winter months can be really hard on a SCI body - you'll probably have to experiment with a number of ways to try to improve on keeping warm. 1) you could try doing a work-out on your bed before getting up (if you don't already do this) 2) the obvious - play around with different clothing, particularly on your lower half - make sure your feet are as warmly covered as they can be. 3) I have metal sideguards which can get very cold against my thighs - if yours are the same, think about clothing that can diminish that coldness 4) continue with as much exercise as you can during the day, even if you don't manage to go out just do a few short bursts of activity to pump up the circulation a bit And check that there is nothing else causing the increase of spasm, such as UTI infection, pressure sore. It takes time to get to know what is best for your new body, and often there are no conclusive answers, just a series of mini-solutions that can make things a bit more comfortable. Best of luck finding yours. __________________ Think Tall! www.stepnow.org http://www.irishstemcellfoundation.org

12-18-2009, 11:40 AM	#6
lynnifer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Windsor ON Canada Posts: 15,298	If I'm extremely cold, I find getting into bed with my legs elevated and sheets 'o' plenty on my core will do the trick. A heating pad too but be careful and make sure to get one with an auto shut-off. __________________ I think over again my small adventures, My fears, Those small ones that seemed so big, For all the vital things I had to get and to reach; And yet there is only one great thing, The only thing, To live to see the great day that dawns And the light that fills the world. Anonymous (Inuit, 19th century) T-11 Flaccid Paraplegic due to TM July 1985 @ age 12

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12-18-2009, 10:45 AM	#3
Eileen Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: last house on the left Posts: 9,796	I know it is easier said than done, but don't let it get you down too much. It is, unfortunately, common for SCI folk to feel the cold more than pre-injury. I know that it takes me forever to warm up once I do get cold. Simply getting into a warm room isn't any kind of magic. I find keeping my legs elevated when I am able to helps circulation and keeps my legs from getting as cold as they might if down all day. Good sheepskin slippers are my best winter defense.

12-18-2009, 11:04 AM	#4
t8burst Moderator Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6,436	This is my first winter as well post-sci and I am experiencing the same thing. If I am in bed I put a heating pad on my chest, it really seems to get rid of the chills. Tom

12-18-2009, 11:30 AM	#5
davidpar Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9	Thanks for the advice I will try it out. I think hitting the floor and then needing help to get back into the chair got to me a bit. I hate being dependent, it made me feel vulnerable and it scared me. I am not used to being in a situation where I am physically unable to things and this morning I actually recent-ed my body for not working. At least I have warmed up a bit and the spasms got a much better. Always something positive.

12-18-2009, 11:55 AM	#7
Lazlo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,901	A common lament of the SCI. I like to have one of those microwaveable heating pads (the ones full of rice) handy. I'll heat it up for a couple minutes then rest it on my neck. This seems to kill the chills pretty effectively for me. Also, I have a radiant space heater (way better than those fan-based ones) that really hits the spot if the house is cold, especially in the bathroom.

12-18-2009, 12:52 PM	#8
crags Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,021	wear more clothes, i always wear a fleece vest or a sweater in the house and often wear a hat as well the hat makes a difference

12-18-2009, 01:44 PM	#10
Van Quad Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 5,493	I get fleeced leggings made. I even wear two pair on an especially cold day. Combined with wool socks, you're toasty and warm. I also use the microwavable heating pads.