New here with partial left leg paralysis

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (brian) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:49:40 GMT

Jeff, go for it! Several years ago my hubby took me to Costa Rica and we rode horses through the jungle and beaches. You'd love it. (BTW-I can't seem to access my account so am using my hubby's--hence it says Brian but it is really me Rachel)

Rachel

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (jeff) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:30:33 GMT

Riding a motorcycle! How fantastic! What bravado! I've been thinking about getting on a "foot-pedaled" bike soon..... I've been looking into visiting Costa Rica. Been looking at all the web-sites and most read that one has to "hike" into the rain forests for hours to, for example, get to the lodge. Gulp! Man.....I don't want my leg to get in the way of my dreams..... So Shirley, what an inspiration! If you can ride a motorcycle, perhaps I can ride a horse thru...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (Shirley WNG) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 09:54:47 GMT

Yes! I am RIDING a bike! I have my own beautiful red Softail Deluxe. I know, sounds crazy, but something about the way the handlebars & seat are situated, but I feel stable driving a bike! (it's the one thing I do that I feel strong, young & a bit reckless again!) I have trouble riding behind my husband on his because I don't have the handlebars to brace on so my torso gives me problems. So, darn it (LOL) I just had to get my own! I have had motorcycles of my own since I...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (jeff) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:45:45 GMT

Texana and Shirley, thx for your responses. Shirley......are you RIDING a motorcycle? Did I remember that right? Texana, you are in the swamplands of Texas, right? Sounds like a southern novel from a guy in southern Cali. Well on a good note.......went hiking today with hiking poles. Went for an hour which equated to about 3 miles on rolling terrain. Nothing like I used to do, but more than I have been expecting as it has been 4 months as of today since having beat the fever. Where I tend to...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (Shirley WNG) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:08:09 GMT

I hope my comments didn't/don't sound too negative. I know what you mean that you "never thought about muscle strength before...it was just there" Jack & I have talked before about how we used to take it for granted that we could lift this or that and that we enjoyed long days of physcial work then all of sudden we couldn't open a pickle jar or pull the tab on a quart of orange juice. So first off you have to realize how far I have come in that I had no use of my...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (Texani) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:17:18 GMT

I've been in contact or know people here that know others with West Nile. One woman had NO use of any of her limbs for a year. She gradually got them all working again.

Another came out of it with a complete loss of memory for how to operate anything! His car, his microwave, his washer......anything. He had to relearn it all.

I always had an excellent memory, and lost a lot to WNV. I have found through trial and error that while some things are apparently gone, most of...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (jeff) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:38:38 GMT

Just great.........are you telling me that after improvement, your improvement has declined because you didn't "keep up"? Remembering......I never thought about muscle strength before......it was just there. It remained as a result of just "working those muscles naturally". Is it possible if you don't "push it" that those muscles will diminish???

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (Shirley WNG) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:33:11 GMT

I agree. It's amazing how fast you lose mobility if you don't keep after it. Dec 2007 I had surgery on my big toe (unrelated to WNV). I couldn't walk for a couple of weeks on it & then very limited for a couple of months. Out of laziness I used this as an excuse to not exercise the rest of my body either so by Feb 2008 I was in terrible shape. My muscles & joints were so tight, I could barely move my head, my back was killing me, all parts had suffered. Of course the worse...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (Jclauson) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:48:36 GMT

Very Inspirational Jeff, thanks for sharing. I am so very glad to see the progress you are making and I encourage you to keep up PT of some kind even after you feel you have recovered. I find that once you stop, your muscles like to migrate back to something in the area of West Nile happiness.

I can not say enough for theapry with this disease. It has helped me greatly. Since I stopped a few months ago (doing it for about a year) I have noticed a decline in my muscular and nerve...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (jeff) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:46:16 GMT

What a great reply Shirley! Thanks!

Now for the update........It's been 3 1/2 months. I went from wheelchair, to a 2 wheel walker, to cane and now, no cane. I didn't really think I'd meet my goal of hiking again.....but just yesterday I went to the beach with some friends and I was able to climb a small bluff w/o assistance. So now I'm going to purchase some hiking poles and see if I can hike the local mountains I hiked before the illness.

I began using the...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (Shirley WNG) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:19:32 GMT

First, what a great post Jclauson!! I think you are right on target with all you said - great stuff!

I'm no authority, but I have been around here for over 5 years now so I'll put in my 2 cents worth! I got WNV encephalitis & poliomyeltis in Aug 2003. My left leg & left arm were partially paralyzed. My right arm had very limited mobility and my right leg was receiving no...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (mark) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:07:28 GMT

Jeff, I had some facial paralysis when I had WNV. It took about a year to resolve...but it did resolve. Obviously when there is neurological involvment everyone's experience is likely to be a bit differant. I'm about 18 month out and have pretty much recovered entirely. I feel your pain on the fatigue. I was sleeping 18 hours a day and could have slept more .....BRUTAL! It took about six months for me to get energy back and it was a very gradual process. I think rest is very...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (granma3xnow) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:49:08 GMT

The left knee feels numb, but isn't...the left ankle feels like I'm walking on the ankle not my foot. Frankenstien parts is what I call them...But I am on my OWN two feet.
I try so hard to keep track of my own business....when it gets too much tho, I break down in tears. Working on that.
X-mas is on its way, and this year for the first time ever...I'm done. Think it's because I have all of this time on my hands.
Take care.
Fran

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (Jclauson) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:33:14 GMT

Hi there! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and are settling into the Christmas season well.

I seem to think so Jeff...time is what it takes. I know for me it took SEVERAL months for the brain fog to lift and be able to keep tasks organized in my head. Shoot I was lucky if I remembered two simple tasks in a day such as mailing a letter and remembering there was a load of laundry in the washer. AND Fran, I'm with you. Great job for getting out and taking control like that....

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (jeff) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:32:04 GMT

I don't know if that was supposed to be a joke, but I cracked up regardless. "Don't think, it will make your head ache less". Too funny! I tend to think ALOT......doctors and physical therapists go crazy......but it is my body so I want to be informed. But my problem is paralysis/weakened leg muscle. Doctors say that best recovery is within first 6 months for paralysis......wonder if time for nerve in-nervation is same for both weakened muscles and brain? There I go thinking...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (granma3xnow) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:16:19 GMT

Yep, it could have been worse. It actually took about 7-8 months before I actually felt "steady" on my feet. But on my feet I am. Once a month I go to the next town, on my own, and I go to a small grocery store. I had a question last week, my brain couldn't get around the advertisment, expired by 2 weeks. The personnel were very helpful, even offering me the item at sale price. "No it just makes me feel grown up to come to the store." This once a month trip is done...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (mumto7) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:17:00 GMT

Fran,

I agree whole heartedly. This morning when I booted up my computer and saw the news, one of the top headlines was of a family that as of last night is now facing tragedy. Both mom and dad killed in a car accident leaving a 5 year old and a one year old behind. Wasn't their fault. A truck wandered into their lane and hit them head on. I read this story and said, "yup, see Rachel, it could always be worse."

I am grateful I am here alive with my children...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (granma3xnow) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:06:33 GMT

Jeff,
I'm trying to do this without medication. There is nothing they can give me to "speed" up the nerve re-generation. I take ibuprophen to manage the pain, and my son-in-law tells me not to think, so my head doesn't hurt.
When I first started group therapy, I thought that my problem was so serious. But found out different.
There is an old saying, "When God give you back, don't ask questions." My neurologist has said he would have to go back to...

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (jeff) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:57:46 GMT

Granma,

someone here stated they had good luck with "Cymbalta". Might be a good lead for anxiety and depression.

I am about 3 months out (from contraction of virus) and so far, all the symptoms have gone away (for now at least). But I still have the challenges of a very weak left leg. But everyday I see improvement.

Hope you get better. Have you tried any medication that works?

Jeff

Re: New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (granma3xnow) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 19:48:00 GMT

I have relocated to central Indiana...everyone here wants to KNOW where the squeeter bite took place. The doctor here is says I expect too much too soon. HELLO....It's been about 16 months now...vertigo, aches and pains, blinding headaches, and unrelenting fatigue are still with me. Jack is correct, we need to have a sense of humor. (doctor also seeezzzzz I've got a great sense of humor so he thinks I'll make it) Started Mental Health, Depression Group.....it isn't as bad as I...

New here with partial left leg paralysis

feeds@yuku.com (jeff) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:56:23 GMT

I am SOOOO glad I found this web-site! I was infected with West Nile 54 days ago. I had a fever for about 2 weeks before I was admitted to the hospital. I was released from the hospital after 3 days with a diagnosis of West Nile and meningitis. Unfortunately, my left leg from the waist to the knee was partially paralyzed. I have been told the paralysis can be from damage to the spinal cord or from peripheral nerve injury or a combination of both. Best case scenario, from the limited research,...