When it all goes wrong...
When it all goes wrong...
Author
Discussion

Funky Squirrel

460 posts

90 months

Saturday 9th March 2019
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Did you sign up to PH biggest looser at start of year?

You will certainly have the top spot now!

Joking aside all the best on your recovery.

TWOKWACKS

84 posts

198 months

Sunday 10th March 2019
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Sorry to hear of your accident, in one respect I think you’re very lucky if it’s the accident I came across shortly after it occurred. The road was obviously closed and Hgv and police recording the scene.
The next day I drove the same road and saw all the paint markings from impact to where the collision ended and was amazed how far the bike was dragged along the road. I thought a fatality was on the cards,thankfully I was wrong.

Wishing you all the best for a good a recovery as possible.

WinstonWolf

72,863 posts

257 months

Monday 11th March 2019
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-474432...

Life changing injuries have a habit of making you more competitive, a monoped just broke the Atlantic rowing record...


Bob_Defly

4,958 posts

249 months

Monday 11th March 2019
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Funky Squirrel said:
Did you sign up to PH biggest looser at start of year?

You will certainly have the top spot now!

Joking aside all the best on your recovery.
Wow, what a cock.

GallardoSpyder

76 posts

198 months

Monday 11th March 2019
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Bob_Defly said:
Wow, what a cock.
laugh Thought the same! Some odd people around...


OP, this might sound samey but as a daily motorcycle commuter thank you for your post. Hard to read but very honest. Some low days to come; probably useful to come on here and while away some time whilst your body heals. Some links to while away the hours:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YFrwfRXvyg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ0OkRciKKc



The Moose

23,452 posts

227 months

Monday 11th March 2019
quotequote all
Bob_Defly said:
Funky Squirrel said:
Did you sign up to PH biggest looser at start of year?

You will certainly have the top spot now!

Joking aside all the best on your recovery.
Wow, what a cock.
I thought it was quite funny. The PH Biggest Looser thread is a weight loss thread.

DuraAce

4,270 posts

178 months

Monday 11th March 2019
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The Moose said:
Bob_Defly said:
Funky Squirrel said:
Did you sign up to PH biggest looser at start of year?

You will certainly have the top spot now!

Joking aside all the best on your recovery.
Wow, what a cock.
I thought it was quite funny. The PH Biggest Looser thread is a weight loss thread.
I thought it was funny also. Knowing several amputees I know you'll need a sense of humour over the coming months. All the best with the recovery.

Joe5y

1,607 posts

201 months

Monday 11th March 2019
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I'm so sorry to hear of your accident. Delighted with your positive outlook; I'm sure times will be hard but keep this outlook!

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet but I read a few post from you OP re cars and driving manuals. My Uncle lost his leg in the early 80's and as a mechanic has driven loads of cool and interesting cars (owned) and he made hand controls for the clutch which seemed to work well.

Bob_Defly

4,958 posts

249 months

Monday 11th March 2019
quotequote all
DuraAce said:
The Moose said:
Bob_Defly said:
Funky Squirrel said:
Did you sign up to PH biggest looser at start of year?

You will certainly have the top spot now!

Joking aside all the best on your recovery.
Wow, what a cock.
I thought it was quite funny. The PH Biggest Looser thread is a weight loss thread.
I thought it was funny also. Knowing several amputees I know you'll need a sense of humour over the coming months. All the best with the recovery.
Ah ok, without that context it sounds like a particularly harsh 'joke'. I take it back.

selmahoose

5,637 posts

129 months

Tuesday 12th March 2019
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I lost both legs above knee in late 2015 in a nasty hit and run aged 63.

I now use Genium X3s without any other walking aids.

Very soon you'll be introduced to prosthetics. You should look at videos from Cameron Clapp, Darren Wilson, Heath Calhoun and anything you can find from the Hanger Clinic.

A lot sooner than you think you'll be walking again pretty well normally. Certainly by Xmas and probably before. But you are going to have two problems. One is the above knee socket, and the other is phantom pain.

There are a hundred "remedies" for dealing with the phantoms. You'll just have to find the one that suits you best.

The socket issue is a bh. There are many alternatives to the NHS socketry, but the NHS won't allow you to use a prosthetic they supply with any socket which is not supplied by them.

Earlier someone mentioned osseointegration. You really need to look at that. Seriously. Currently I'm doing rehab physio with the first two guys to have had it done by NHS Scotland. They are both delighted with the outcome. I've been offered it, but I'm just a bit too old so probably won't bother, but if I was a bit younger I would 100% go for it. You definitely need to do this if you can.

A single AK amp scenario isn't the same as a DAK scenario. Totally different rehab. As to driving, many single leg amps drive automatics. Hate to tell you but under current regs because you've got one natural leg you may not get higher rate mobility benefit so no motability car. You should also have informed DVLA of your injury. They may suspend your licence. But you get it back when the doc signs a line to say you're no longer using opioids.

I don't know about single amps, but DAK amps are not allowed to drive manual cars in the UK. But in the States they are. Here's a vid. of retired staff sergeant Calhoun driving his:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJbub1hG04

Makes it look easy but that much prosthetic control requires endless hours of gym and practice.

As I said, the single above knee amp rehab is very very different from the double. But if you think there's anything I can help you with just get in touch.


Edited by selmahoose on Tuesday 12th March 01:27

RemyMartin81D

Original Poster:

6,759 posts

223 months

Tuesday 12th March 2019
quotequote all
selmahoose said:
I lost both legs above knee in late 2015 in a nasty hit and run aged 63.

I now use Genium X3s without any other walking aids.

Very soon you'll be introduced to prosthetics. You should look at videos from Cameron Clapp, Darren Wilson, Heath Calhoun and anything you can find from the Hanger Clinic.

A lot sooner than you think you'll be walking again pretty well normally. Certainly by Xmas and probably before. But you are going to have two problems. One is the above knee socket, and the other is phantom pain.

There are a hundred "remedies" for dealing with the phantoms. You'll just have to find the one that suits you best.

The socket issue is a bh. There are many alternatives to the NHS socketry, but the NHS won't allow you to use a prosthetic they supply with any socket which is not supplied by them.

Earlier someone mentioned osseointegration. You really need to look at that. Seriously. Currently I'm doing rehab physio with the first two guys to have had it done by NHS Scotland. They are both delighted with the outcome. I've been offered it, but I'm just a bit too old so probably won't bother, but if I was a bit younger I would 100% go for it. You definitely need to do this if you can.

A single AK amp scenario isn't the same as a DAK scenario. Totally different rehab. As to driving, many single leg amps drive automatics. Hate to tell you but under current regs because you've got one natural leg you may not get higher rate mobility benefit so no motability car. You should also have informed DVLA of your injury. They may suspend your licence. But you get it back when the doc signs a line to say you're no longer using opioids.

I don't know about single amps, but DAK amps are not allowed to drive manual cars in the UK. But in the States they are. Here's a vid. of retired staff sergeant Calhoun driving his:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJbub1hG04

Makes it look easy but that much prosthetic control requires endless hours of gym and practice.

As I said, the single above knee amp rehab is very very different from the double. But if you think there's anything I can help you with just get in touch.


Edited by selmahoose on Tuesday 12th March 01:27
How did you afford two genium x3s lol they are £75k a pop. Did you not try to get two C leg 4s on the NHS yes they are as good as the geniums but also don't dent wallet to the tune of a mortgage. FWIW I'd have a genium X3 in a heartbeat as it's properly waterproof mind you I think the Plie3 on the NHS is good too. I'd love a genium as I was a very keen runner and you can run on it.

I might PM you as you would be a great person to talk to! If you don't mind. Let me know if that's ok. Thanks


As to update this thread. Still in hospital but able to get myself in my chair and go anyway inside the confines of hospital and grounds. Able to get on and off toilet and shower myself so it's going well and I'm getting loads of visitors but I'm in a lot of nerve pain and my mental health hasn't ever been worse. It feels like I'm in prison, a prison of my own making over a fking tiny mistake magnified. I seem unable to snap out of the overall downwards spiral. So I need out soon. Fingers crossed but not getting hopes up as I don't want them crushed like my poor leg frown

I should point out by the time i leave I will just be on gabapentanol and amitriptyline, I've taking next to fk all of oxycordone as I don't have any local pain just nerve. I'm getting used to but having read your reply a bit closer I'll do some reading on what you said.

Edited by RemyMartin81D on Tuesday 12th March 14:45

RemyMartin81D

Original Poster:

6,759 posts

223 months

Tuesday 12th March 2019
quotequote all
Bob_Defly said:
Ah ok, without that context it sounds like a particularly harsh 'joke'. I take it back.
FWIW I have a sense of humour and I don't find it funny.

WinstonWolf

72,863 posts

257 months

Tuesday 12th March 2019
quotequote all
RemyMartin81D said:
How did you afford two genium x3s lol they are £75k a pop. Did you not try to get two C leg 4s on the NHS yes they are as good as the geniums but also don't dent wallet to the tune of a mortgage. FWIW I'd have a genium X3 in a heartbeat as it's properly waterproof mind you I think the Plie3 on the NHS is good too. I'd love a genium as I was a very keen runner and you can run on it.

I might PM you as you would be a great person to talk to! If you don't mind. Let me know if that's ok. Thanks


As to update this thread. Still in hospital but able to get myself in my chair and go anyway inside the confines of hospital and grounds. Able to get on and off toilet and shower myself so it's going well and I'm getting loads of visitors but I'm in a lot of nerve pain and my mental health hasn't ever been worse. It feels like I'm in prison, a prison of my own making over a fking tiny mistake magnified. I seem unable to snap out of the overall downwards spiral. So I need out soon. Fingers crossed but not getting hopes up as I don't want them crushed like my poor leg frown

I should point out by the time i leave I will just be on gabapentanol and amitriptyline, I've taking next to fk all of oxycordone as I don't have any local pain just nerve. I'm getting used to but having read your reply a bit closer I'll do some reading on what you said.

Edited by RemyMartin81D on Tuesday 12th March 14:45
Talk to the nurses, in years to come you'll be fine but you've got a stormy and sometimes dark journey to complete before you get there. You need to look after your head as much as your physical health...

selmahoose

5,637 posts

129 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
quotequote all
RemyMartin81D said:
How did you afford two genium x3s lol they are £75k a pop. Did you not try to get two C leg 4s on the NHS yes they are as good as the geniums but also don't dent wallet to the tune of a mortgage. FWIW I'd have a genium X3 in a heartbeat as it's properly waterproof mind you I think the Plie3 on the NHS is good too. I'd love a genium as I was a very keen runner and you can run on it.

I might PM you as you would be a great person to talk to! If you don't mind. Let me know if that's ok. Thanks


As to update this thread. Still in hospital but able to get myself in my chair and go anyway inside the confines of hospital and grounds. Able to get on and off toilet and shower myself so it's going well and I'm getting loads of visitors but I'm in a lot of nerve pain and my mental health hasn't ever been worse. It feels like I'm in prison, a prison of my own making over a fking tiny mistake magnified. I seem unable to snap out of the overall downwards spiral. So I need out soon. Fingers crossed but not getting hopes up as I don't want them crushed like my poor leg frown

I should point out by the time i leave I will just be on gabapentanol and amitriptyline, I've taking next to fk all of oxycordone as I don't have any local pain just nerve. I'm getting used to but having read your reply a bit closer I'll do some reading on what you said.

Edited by RemyMartin81D on Tuesday 12th March 14:45
Feel free to pm me if you think I can help. Be happy to. But to be honest your best peer support is from another traumatic SAK amp of similar age who's already completed rehab and is full time mobile on their prosthetic limb. Pretty obvious really, but they've been through exactly what you're facing and can give you all the tips and tricks that can be so helpful. DAK rehab (as you will also discover when you get into the physio gym) is completely different. You'll be pleased to hear that it's not twice as hard (as you might logically expect). More like 10 times harder! In fact the only thing easier than YOUR rehab is SBK rehab.

So here's what happens next:

Very soon you'll be sent for your very first rehab physio at the hospital's little gym - probably before you're discharged. Good news is that because you're a traumatic amputee (as opposed to, say, a vascular or diabetic amp) you're going to find it relatively easy. And because you were a runner and therefore presumably fit, you're going to find it even easier. Doubt they'll even have to put you thru the assessment for suitability for prosthetic use. You'll 100% be suitable. So then you'll be discharged from hospital and sent to your local rehab clinic. And then begins a great adventure which I've got a funny feeling you're actually going to enjoy. Probably not at the very first, but believe me, a guy like you will be on a very fast rehab curve and within only a few months most of your life will be pretty much back to where it was before that accident.

My clinic (Westmarc) is an NHS centre of excellence. It gets everyone from 85-year old grannies hobbling about on below knee limbs right up to the odd paralympian and invictus DAK athlete passing through. And what you have to do is really really simple. You do exactly what your physio tells you. You in turn need to communicate everything you possibly can to your prosthetist. Within a month of getting your first basic prosthetic you'll be mobile in the gym. Within 2 months you'll be mobile outside (steps gradient terrain and camber). And within 3 they'll be ordering you a more advanced prosthetic which as an SAK you will transition onto really easily. Your job is really simple. Relentless physio and as much limb wearing and practice as you can stand. And the rest is up to you. If you want to run, tell them and they'll organise you a blade. If you want to play football (as many single leg amps do) then go for that. And if you want to ride a bike, motorbike or whatever else you fancy then just do it! Trust me, that wheelchair is going to be in the attic in a few weeks (yes, weeks) and you'll be back driving a train a lot quicker than you could ever believe. I'd guess by the end of '19 at the latest. Possibly quicker. Again....RELENTLESS physio and limbwearing practice. See it like job. And push it to the limit you can handle. And see all these new obstacles you'll encounter when you first start limbwearing outdoors as challenges.

Nerve pain: As you'll discover nobody on the planet has the solution to the phantoms. Some meditate or pray or do mindfulness. Some take drugs of many different types. There's a thing called 'mirror therapy' that NHS were keen on for a while. You've just got to find what works best for you. Me I take a Naproxen tablet if I get the unbearable phantoms - probably about once a month, and within an hour or two the phantoms die away and that's usually me for a few weeks again. But that's me. Highly unlikely it'll be the same for you though it might be. Best to find a really good GP and work with them on it. On a better note, some people find they don't get phantoms much if ever. And most people find they die away in frequency and intensity as time passes. If you're unlucky you'll be discovered to have neuromas which isn't the same as phantom pain and can be sorted with a simple surgery.

Mental welfare: The rehab clinic will have a psychologist. Obviously if you have a real mental problem or PTSD or whatever then I suppose you'll need to take a clinician's advice on how to deal with it. But if you don't have a real medical problem then just stop drifting into despair and get into that physio! You've lost one leg for fks sake! You're going to be back to your normal life within a few months PLUS you're going to have a whole lot of opportunities you didn't have before.!!

When you start attending the rehab clinic you're going to see all sorts of patients who'll make you feel very lucky. How do you fancy a severe brain injury?? Or here, try THIS guy for size:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGP5Wd_9J-8

So every time you slip into despair think about Peng Shuilin.

To be honest, if you get familiar with the back stories of quite a few of the world's best known amputee success stories you'll find many of them didn't start out well. Heath Calhoun spent a long time in despair before he saw Cameron Clapp who inspired him to rise up! And Cameron, in turn, didn't start out too well when he first lost 3 limbs. Personally I'm probably not totally right in the head, but I just don't do depression or gloom or despair. Not even once and not ever. And there's something else. Loads of amputees are addicted to prescription drugs including some of the ones you mention. Morphine, oxycontin, amytryptilene, gabapentin, etc etc. My advice is that you obviously need to use these drugs to control pain in your early post amputation period and you should use them as directed, but get away from them as soon as you can. There's pain and there's pain. And some amps keep using the hospital drugs for years after their surgery. Seriously don't advise it. Start reducing the prescribed dosage asap until you're off them. You certainly don't want to add the co-morbidity of drug addiction to your amputation disability. And anyway the level of fitness you want to aim for completely rules out drug use never mind drug addiction.

Anyway.....that's a few thoughts to keep you going. If you were a DAK you might find me a useful mentor but I'm not sure how much I can help a SAK amp. But as I said if you think I can help then by all means keep in touch. Last but not least, google Shaun Whiter and Billy monger. See how fast they've managed to get back to independent mobility. And that'll give you the idea of how much easier and quicker you'll be there (which I 100% know you will be) once you start getting beasted in there!!

http://abc.action.news/watch?v=wlWSBvjgoKU















Krikkit

27,598 posts

199 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
quotequote all
What a fantastic post. beer

Dr Jekyll

23,820 posts

279 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
What a fantastic post. beer
+1

PH at it's best.

poo at Paul's

14,475 posts

193 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
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OP, re your mood being up and down, it's entirely normal, so keep that in mind and don't let it get to you. It's difficult to get your head around, but in the scale of things, an extended stay in hospital is absolutely insignificant when compared to the rest of your life, worth just telling yourself that once in a while, you know you need to take that long term view, and you will have to suffer a fair bit to get there!
But it is important to keep looking long term to the positive and in many cases, totally normal life you should be able to lead, but DONT RUSH THINGS!!

Take things slow, think of this as a hiatus, that's all. Keep in mind the better days and forget the crappy ones.

It's great to have a lots of mates visit too, but maybe see if the hospital has anything like a League of Friends or something similar that can offer perhaps a new face or stranger to chat to, face to face. I think this thread highlights the importance of being able to talk to relative strangers (and some of us a fking strange!) it really can help as allows you to be totally yourself, not put on any front, and your mates likewise.


Take things slowly though. Don't think of it as a "prison", you're there very much for your own good, you know that. And stuff you get help wiht and learn now, you will need for the next 50 years or so.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

252 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
quotequote all
Dr Jekyll said:
Krikkit said:
What a fantastic post. beer
+1

PH at it's best.
Echoed. It's posts like that which make me think this place isn't so bad after all.

RemyMartin81D

Original Poster:

6,759 posts

223 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
quotequote all
Magnificent post, honestly I can't thank you enough. I will still send a PM but you've answered alot of the stuff I was going to ask lol.

My friends and family have rallied around in a way I never realized I was that liked and that's been amazing , I've made crazy progress so far all the nurses, my friends and family have all said the same thing in that, I'm really fit, very determined and bloody minded and young and I will do really well on the rehab. I was supposed to have a go on the PPAM aid thing on Monday but it was cancelled until Thursday although it looks like I'm going to be discharged in a couple of days anyway. I certainly will throw myself into it.

As for going back to train driving it won't be quite that simple, for archaic reasons that won't be clear unless you are au fait with being safety critical railway, is firstly drugs, every thing you regularly take has to be sent away and decided that it won't affect your drowsyness but the hardest thing will be more likely I will have to prove I can walk a 1 mile and 1/4 on the ballast ( the heavy gravel stones that for the permanent way under the sleepers and rail) but hopefully I can be an industry trend setter and believe me I WILL go back.

I don't aim to be on the drugs I'm on for a long protracted period that's for certain but it is still early days my body needs time to calm down in terms of nerve pain

Edited by RemyMartin81D on Wednesday 13th March 09:52

Biker's Nemesis

40,481 posts

226 months

Wednesday 13th March 2019
quotequote all
Yeah great post by "selmahoose".

Double above knee amputation is indeed a fker of a disabilitiy. So best of luck to you my friend.

I spent quite a lot of time learning to walk again but I had a lot of support from the doctors and nurses at the Freeman Hospital which is invaluable in helping the speed of your recovery and the amount of mobilitity you will carry forward for the rest of your life.

It best to keep looking forward at what you want to do not what you think you will not be able to do.

Keep a postitive mindset which isn't easy at times. I found exercise, reading and developing a very dark sense of humor helped me no end.

I find talking about stuff like this hard when it involves others really hard. I was asked back in the late 80's if I would talk to groups of new amputees but I couldn't do it.

Stay positive OP.