This is your life.

[Luke]

Hello, I'm Luke, I'm 25 and my spinal cord got messed up when i was 20 and i can't walk. this is the most relentless thing that could ever happen to anyone and it's so depressing.  I have no one i feel comfortable talking with except internet strangers and trolls. If anyone feels the same way as me, cheers to you.

[LW]

Hi Luke,

I can relate to that on so many levels. It is so bloody depressing and miserable, especially when you're young. I was 26 when I was diagnosed with a large and aggressive spinal cord tumour and lost my legs for over a year. In fact I could hardly move at all or look after myself. Two years down the line I have 'recovered' to some extent in that I can walk a little, but my body still feels totally alien and I am constantly plagued by strange sensations/pain from the chest downwards. I'm so uncomfortable and miserable and this has completely overtaken my life. Very few people understand the spinal cord and this makes it doubly hard when trying to explain how you're feeling. Sometimes I feel completely worthless and useless as I've lost everything because of this 'condition'. I had to give up my job and, as a result, nearly lost my home.

Before this happened to me I would have never communicated on-line with 'strangers' as I always thought it a little odd , however, sites like this have provided me with valuable information which I couldn't have got from friends/family. I've also learned more this way than from the medical profession who told me to 'wait and see' if I'd get better. You're right, it sucks.

[Gary Anderson]

Luke & LW

Yep! I can relate to the two of you as well. I was injured in 1989 and suffered injury to the nerves as they leave the base of the spine. I had a further serious accident a few years ago that left me with another injury nobody knows much about - a traumatic brain injury.
As a doctor, it is very frustrating for me to be in this position - I am supposed to be able to help others but I cannot help myself!

I too can associate with strange pain, depression, and loneliness as well as any other feelings that come along. I would never have joined an online forum prior to injury either. Yet I found this site quite by accident  and am a regular poster.

The great thing is you never feel really alone here. There is always someone who can relate to you.

[chrisarnold]

Welcome to the club, Luke. My injury occurred 2 and half years' ago. I'm pretty browned off at 65, after a life of self reliance. You've come to the right place, however. You will learn a lot about aspects of SCI you may not have thought about, and of course those have. Try to capitalise on things you could do before injury, that are not affected by your present condition. This gives an assuring sense of empowerment. I think we all experience odd sensations and pains. Although my injury is T12, I noticed changes in my food tastes, tinitus in the right ear and various other weird things.

I hope you find good cheer here, and all the best,

Chris

[Andy]

hi luke

welcome to the forum

Andy
[thanks to all who also replied ]

[Apparelyzed]

Hi,

Nooo, don't talk to Trolls, it keeps them alive!

Welcome to the forum. 

Simon