Nerve damage, spinal cord injuries

Man, I'm slow. I didn't realize, until just right now, that this was you, Neil. Sorry to hear about this.

I hope it wasn't that screwy Florida humidity. Otherwise, this may have never happened if you stayed in California. Haha. Just kidding, man. Hope to see you out there playing again soon. Sounds like the doctors are confident, so that's definitely good news.
 
Not a problem Jimmy, I made this profile up to stay incognito for a while since I was working at Predator and didn't want to mix business with pleasure. Florida is definitely different but it was probably a previous injury that got aggravated to the point of paralyzation.
 
cuejoey said:
thanks for your concern and advice...It's people like you that are willing to share about their life that can make another person's life better.............I have severe RLS from the accident that at times drives me crazy..I am still in Chicagoland helping my parents with their severe problems..Once i am back in the wilderness i will be slightly better....The traffic around here is insane...I wrote a note about the Percocet 10's that you suggested i am going to suggest them to my Doc...Pain i can live with IF i could just sleep for 8 hours ..I have tried 2 different RLS meds and they put me in a dozzy state so i dropped them long ago.... i can go on real long hikes thru the woods and work for hours and still not be able to relax...Ohh well we all have this but i will check out those Percocet's i had heard of them....The severe RLS i have i wish i could bottle and give it to the terorists so their lives would be miserable....As far as our livers i drink alot of distilled water a day to help....Thanks again and the best to you.....Sincerly Cj:)
Click to expand...

NP bro, just trying to help. I was glad I switched to the Percocets and if your doc is like mine I can call the next week and get switched BACK to the Loratabs if you are having side effects, etc. Keep a journal if you have to so you can remember how your daily life is compared to a day of taking Loratabs against Percocets. Percocets are the same as OxyContin, but the difference is OxyContin is extended release form (12 hour pills instead of the 4-6 like we take). I'm wanting to say Percocets are 50% stronger than Loratabs (Percocet 10 compared to Loratab 10) but dont hold me to that exact number. Its worth a try or atleast I thought it was, cuz I take less pills (we swallow enough pills a day, I'm sure you're like me and try to cut down anytime possible). I just hope if you make the jump it helps ya. Like you said, talk to your doc and see what he thinks. The only bad thing is Percs are a Schedule 2 drug and you cant get refills, the doc has to either send in a script or you have to go back to the doc. Luckily mine sends one in every 3 months then I go back instead of having to go every single month. We can thank the morons that abused these pills and snorted them, etc. for the inconvenience.

I know how ya feel on the RLS. I've had some bouts with it but not much thank God. When that crap is flared up it makes trying to sleep feel like torture. Luckily they've started new meds for that and hopefully in the near future they'll find something to help that better.

Like I said I'm just a pm away. I'll even give you my email if you want to chat in private without anyone else seeing it. Me and two of my first cousins (all of us came from 3 different siblings) and we all 3 have similar diseases. Two of us are already on disability. My Grandfather had serious problems too but of course when you were born in 1912 they didnt have enough technology. They say some things arent hereditary but I believe some kind of strand has been passed through our family. Kinda weird huh?
 
Update: Taking steps without the aide of the walker for the first time in the past couple of days, also getting up and down stairs faster. Sure I stumble around like Young Frankenstein with leg cramps but it's progress nonetheless, my fingers still tingle like hell though and that hasn't gotten any better at all. Hmmmm.
 
good news!

Fart sniffer said:
Update: Taking steps without the aide of the walker for the first time in the past couple of days, also getting up and down stairs faster. Sure I stumble around like Young Frankenstein with leg cramps but it's progress nonetheless, my fingers still tingle like hell though and that hasn't gotten any better at all. Hmmmm.
Click to expand...

Sounds like things are looking up. About the fingers, one medicine that has to be used generously in these situations is tincture of time. Patence, um, pattence, err, Pattiience, OK I can't even spell it but whatever that word is, it is rumored to be a virtue!

Hu
 
I had to rehab a totally destroyed ankle years ago and it sucked! Sounds like your really progressing to get up and down stairs and walking around without a walker. Still praying for ya bro!
 
Buckeyejim said:
I just got out of the hosp.today( 4th attempt).I look forward to conversing this subject with you,good luck in your recovery,regards Jim
Click to expand...
Jim,

I wish you a speedy recovery. I hope that your rehabilitation goes well and I'd like to tell you that i'm enjoying that wrapless Schon cue that you sold me.

James
 
Fart sniffer said:
Has anyone had any type of injuries where they lost sensation/motor control over parts of their body and recovered to the point where they could be competitive again? They told me I should be able to recover 100% in about 6 months of hard work and rehab but wanted hopefully to hear some stories of overcoming adversity pertaining to this lovely game we play.

I just had surgery about 10 days ago that fused c6 and c7 in my neck and am slowly learning how to walk again, they just released me from the hospital on Tuesday so everything is still fresh and new to me. Before the surgery I was paralyzed from the chest down having compressed my spinal cord while doing some stretching exercises on a machine at home. They told me that I probably had a long term injury that didn't manifest itself fully until I aggravated it recently, I am very lucky no permanent (knock on wood) damage was done.

Many people came by to see me while I was in the ICU, Thorsten even brought by a steak to jump start my stomach the day after surgery and of course the nurses all had inspirational stories but I was looking for something from our little community here. Please share your stories as you see fit, I am looking forward to reading about them all. Thank you.
Click to expand...
I wish you the best in your recovery. I had a serious operation a few years ago and I can sympathize with you on what you are going through. I had to keep telling myself "I'm going to do what I have to do to get through this" and definately keep a positive attitude. Don't ever get down on yourself if your recovery isn't going as fast as you want it to.

James
 
Neil, you are more fortunate than many and less fortunate than some as well. I think of all the great athletes I've seen who are confined to wheelchairs for life, due to injuries suffered in competition. And many more who collapsed on the field and died.

You Neil HAVE LIFE, and with it anything is possible! It is really in your hands how hard you want to work to recover. You are fortunate that you have a good support team in place to assist you. Knowing you and who you are, I believe you will make a full recovery, and have a long and rewarding life.

I can't help but think about our friend Aaron Aragon, the best pool player I ever saw confined to a chair. Never a complaint, never a whimper, he viewed every day and every shot as a challenge. I admire him so much, Aaron is one of my heroes in life.
 
Thank you for your support everyone, right now the hardest thing to do is to take it easy. As Hu said it's time and patience that will prevail, I have plenty of one but none of the other.

Last night I actually went out to hit some balls and was surprised that it wasn't worse than it was, broke a mean sweat though I didn't realize it was going to be so physically taxing. But I think my balance got better by playing, walking is better but my back is suffering from the 2 hours of knocking balls around and breaking.

Going to take it easy the next few days since I've been having back spasms for the last 3 days, but didn't let that stop me from at least gauging how badly my game has deteriorated from the injury. I still have a smile on my face and my thoughts are very positive, all coming from the support and love that everyone has shown throughout this ordeal.

Again I thank everyone for their words of encouragement and offers of help, I hope one day I am able to thank everyone in person for their generosity and support. Take care everybody.
 
Last edited:
Go to rehab

I worked with Neurosurgeons for years and from my experience go to Shepard rehab. The Shepard Center in Atlanta is the best by far, if you have the money go . Best of Luck...
 
jay helfert said:
I can't help but think about our friend Aaron Aragon, the best pool player I ever saw confined to a chair. Never a complaint, never a whimper, he viewed every day and every shot as a challenge. I admire him so much, Aaron is one of my heroes in life.
Click to expand...

why the past tense? did aaron pass away?! i'm used to hearing his named called during the Open.. he's a great player and i hope he's doing well.




Niel, are there any serious injuries in your past that caused this? It seems crazy to me that you could become paralyzed from doing a few stretches... its actually frightening. I don't know what I did recently but right now I'm suffering from sciatica... the pain shoots from my butt down to the back of my knee and makes my toes tingle. Hopefully I just irritated something and it will go away in a week or so like most cases but I gotta tell ya, I'd rather be punched in the face than walk around with back pain all damn day... the only thing that sucks almost as bad is a throbbing toothache.
 
jay helfert said:
You Neil HAVE LIFE, and with it anything is possible!
Click to expand...

Thats how I live everyday. I have life so I will not gripe to God or anyone else about how bad I have it. I can atleast look my nephews in the eye, hug them, see my parents, and play pool. Dont get me wrong, I'm ready to go when that time comes (because I know it is and I have God in my heart even though I dont act like it sometimes...haha) because I'm ready to see my Grandfather whom I never got to meet that my Mother tells me I act just like. I would rather want to meet him first, then God second (he might not like that but oh well).

Neil and Joey I'm still praying for yall. We have alot in common and its good to be able to talk to someone that knows how you feel. I spent the day disinfecting the rental car I got to go to Shreveport because I'm scared to get sick (one cough or sneeze and I could be paralyzed). You guys take it easy!
 
powerlineman80 said:
Thats how I live everyday. I have life so I will not gripe to God or anyone else about how bad I have it. I can atleast look my nephews in the eye, hug them, see my parents, and play pool. Dont get me wrong, I'm ready to go when that time comes (because I know it is and I have God in my heart even though I dont act like it sometimes...haha) because I'm ready to see my Grandfather whom I never got to meet that my Mother tells me I act just like. I would rather want to meet him first, then God second (he might not like that but oh well).

Neil and Joey I'm still praying for yall. We have alot in common and its good to be able to talk to someone that knows how you feel. I spent the day disinfecting the rental car I got to go to Shreveport because I'm scared to get sick (one cough or sneeze and I could be paralyzed). You guys take it easy!
Click to expand...
U too bro...Hang in there..Try to shoot some pol that is great for therapy as you move every part of your body...Have a great day.....:)
 
jay helfert said:
Neil, you are more fortunate than many and less fortunate than some as well. I think of all the great athletes I've seen who are confined to wheelchairs for life, due to injuries suffered in competition. And many more who collapsed on the field and died.

You Neil HAVE LIFE, and with it anything is possible! It is really in your hands how hard you want to work to recover. You are fortunate that you have a good support team in place to assist you. Knowing you and who you are, I believe you will make a full recovery, and have a long and rewarding life.

I can't help but think about our friend Aaron Aragon, the best pool player I ever saw confined to a chair. Never a complaint, never a whimper, he viewed every day and every shot as a challenge. I admire him so much, Aaron is one of my heroes in life.
Click to expand...

How about San Diego female wheelchair player, Hydred Makabali? She has a robotic stroke, positive attitude and always wearing a smile:) . Not to mention THE most beautiful girl I've ever seen with a great personality on the INSIDE as well:)
 
Yea I generally shoot 2-3 times a week. I cant go no more than 4 hours and thats hurting like hell and taking pills at the same time. I have to sit down for awhile to re-coop from that. A night of league would put me in bed all day on Mondays. But like you said earlier, I'd rather be active and pop pills than die in a bed (I've watched too much family go that way).

Hope you're able to hit a few yourself.

BTW-Here are my MRI's, I pointed out the cysts. The dark stuff is your spinal cord and the white stuff inside it is the cysts.
 
Last edited:
branpureza said:
Niel, are there any serious injuries in your past that caused this? It seems crazy to me that you could become paralyzed from doing a few stretches...
Click to expand...


I've wrecked my fair share of cars with no injuries (or so I thought), plus when I was a kid I tried ice skating and fell backwards with my head breaking my fall. Over the years there have been minor things here and there but those events stand out, I had plenty of time to think about what caused it when I was in the ICU and couldn't move the majority of my body.

Wrong movement at the wrong time with my body being stressed out from other things is what I think happened, a freak accident really. Just like in high school a girl I knew broke her back, she was in the passenger seat of a car that had only a lap belt (older import car) and they stopped suddenly from about 5mph.

At 16-years old you would figure your body is as resilient as it can be yet this simple movement broke her spine, thankfully she was not paralyzed at all. I don't know all of the details as I was not that close to her but I do know there were no lasting effects and she was able to play basketball for the school the next year.

You just never know when or where something debilitating might happen, that doesn't mean you should live life in fear of it but we should appreciate what we have.

Edit: Here is a picture of my rolling walker with a slight "addition", who says I drink too much?
 

Attachments

  • walker.jpg
    walker.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 105
Last edited:
Fart sniffer said:
I've wrecked my fair share of cars with no injuries (or so I thought), plus when I was a kid I tried ice skating and fell backwards with my head breaking my fall. Over the years there have been minor things here and there but those events stand out, I had plenty of time to think about what caused it when I was in the ICU and couldn't move the majority of my body.

Wrong movement at the wrong time with my body being stressed out from other things is what I think happened, a freak accident really. Just like in high school a girl I knew broke her back, she was in the passenger seat of a car that had only a lap belt (older import car) and they stopped suddenly from about 5mph.

At 16-years old you would figure your body is as resilient as it can be yet this simple movement broke her spine, thankfully she was not paralyzed at all. I don't know all of the details as I was not that close to her but I do know there were no lasting effects and she was able to play basketball for the school the next year.

You just never know when or where something debilitating might happen, that doesn't mean you should live life in fear of it but we should appreciate what we have.
Click to expand...


Yep we think mine might have started in a wreck when I was about 13. I rode to school with a Senior (we were a K-12 school) and we just left the parking lot and he was trying to light a cig and wasnt paying attention. We rear-ended a bus doing about 15-20mph tops. I hit the windshield and broke it. 2-3 years later it was muscle spasms and the doc thought it was nothing but posture. It stopped for 2-3 years then BAM it hit me at once. A simple SEAT BELT could have stopped years of pain and agony for me but I was just a kid ya know? I never let ANY kid ride with me with no belt on. I just couldnt live with myself if that happend on my watch..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top