Loss of sensation

[Paull 55]

I have loss of sensation in my right arm from the shoulder down. Heat and cold is tough to feel, and I have a slight burning sensation from time to time. I was on Neurontin, which helped quite a bit, but I am now off it. I take no meds for any neuro pain. Sometimes I think I want to go back to them, but I know I am better off without them.

My back in the surgical area aches frequently, but I have got used to it as well.

[linda]

The loss of sensation I experience is in my toes, both feet. This is where I first noticed something was wrong. It's very strange. It is better since the surgery (4 1/2 yrs ago), because I have my balance back. I guess I'm just used to it now.

[mikefoster]

I have regained about 50 % sensation in the past 3 1/2 months since surgery. I never took neurotin after the surgery. I took some morphine (PCA) for a few days post surgery, fuerocet (tylenol, cafeine and butabitol) for headaches after my staph infection and motrin (200-800mg) for general aches and pains.

The thing that I found was that the more I used my body parts the quicker my sensation came back. It's not comfortable but it wasn't painful either. Excerises included eliptical machine, lots of balance exercises (really target the smaller, stabilization muscles) and core exercises. Lots of walking, too. I ran 1/2 mile today and already "feel" better.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[tc]

Wow, Mike - You have really made good progress and I find your post very encouraging. I'm happy to hear that you were able to run a half mile already in your recovery. Thanks for the great advice (for my future reference, since I haven't had surgery yet.) After I exercise, my feet usually feel very heavy, like I have lead boots on. My doctor said this wasn't harming anything and that the exercise was still good for me, so I continue despite the uncomfortable/weired sensation.
Teresa