I’m pretty discouraged by my current physical condition. The constant pull of my muscle tone is debilitating and contorting my body.
I had a baclofen pump surgically inserted next to my stomach back in February of 2019. It has been an adventure since.
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant medication used to decrease spasticity for an SCI or other ailments. The pump is an intrathecal delivery system that transports baclofen straight to the spinal cord via a catheter. It has done virtually nothing to relieve my tone and spasticity.
I have had multiple procedures to replace the pump, change catheters, and change the location of the catheters. All this confirms is that the pump is working but the medication is not.
I have already had three surgeries on my feet and toes. Currently, my big toes on each foot are folding over the next toe. I get spasms shooting through my right leg when in the wheelchair causing my body to jump. My body becomes extremely rigid when staff give me a shower in the shower chair causing my right leg to press tightly against my left. Not even the hot water soothes my muscles.
It’s difficult for me to straighten my elbows. All fingers are cold in a fist except for my left forefinger and thumb. My left wrist deviates outward and my right wrist bends backwards in extension. It’s difficult for me to complete functional tasks.
It has been a wild ride since my injury. Life has settled down these past six months except for my tone and spasticity. I’ve stayed out of the hospital for six months, which might be a record for me since the injury. My blood pressure has been stable and I have not had any episodes of autonomic dysreflexia in several months.
My moods are fairly stable. I have episodes of depression but haven’t had suicidal thoughts in quite a while. My depression centers on grieving the losses I have experienced such as my independence, marriage, and functioning. The anxiety tends to focus on the future such as my health or housing.
Overall, I’m turning the corner in my recovery after four grinding years (fingers crossed!). Up to this point, it’s been one step forward, two steps back. There will be future setbacks but hopefully not as frequent or is long in duration.
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