Hairy Legs - living with a disability
October 17th 2006 04:44
OK, here's a bit of a story...tell me if you relate to it.
Although this story is based on a disability everyone that shaves their legs will smile.
As a background, skip this if you like,the disability mentioned is: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or RSD - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome or CRaPS!!. I also have a prosthetic disc in my spine and permanent nerve damage which has left me unable to walk unassisted.
I have hairy legs and am desperate to shave them. To feel feminine again even for a day is like gold to me.
I use a chair in the shower to wash my hair, so I think I can shave my legs while sitting on the chair. I am also thinking because the only place I have hair on my legs is the front, (perhaps the shin area ) the rest of my legs are hair free, it should be minimal time, pain and effort. The scant covering of hair has only happened since I developed CRPS.
I HAVE FOUND A GOOD SYMPTOM OF CRPS. - or so I think.
But before having my shower, another special treat for myself, I spend the next 1/2 hour looking through my wardrobe searching for just the right garment. Finally, I settle on a lovely summer dress made of stretch fabric -not too tight, not too loose- just perfect for CRPS sufferers.
Now for the shower, usually I procrastinate for most of the day before making myself begin the routine of safely showering, drying and dressing. But today is different, today I am shaving my legs for the first time since the accident.
So, now, in the shower, seated safely, the water is streaming beautifully hot in just the right position so that I won't hurt myself moving around, the razor, shining and new is sitting on the ledge.
And here I go, the first stroke..oh, no, what's wrong?? didn't I take the cover off?? that wouldn't be a surprise, I forget so much especially the simplest detail. Something is causing an obstruction. On further inspection I find it's all clogged up.
What is going on, I know I'm not really a hairy person?
I try again, and again, the amount of hair clogging the razor is unbelievable!! I know we may have descended from the apes, but this is ridiculous!!
It took me forever to shave each leg, the drain is struggling with the amount of hair fighting it's way through with the soapy water, I may as well have had hair all over my legs rather than the scantly area it had grown.
Oh no! now I remember - in my research of anything CRPS, symptoms included changes in hair growth - hair falling out, hair growing LONGER or even thicker.
I realise now, the small amount of covering on my legs is so long it may as well have been braided!!
Somehow in my forgetful self I need to remind myself of this, perhaps in the future waxing or shaving sooner - even if my husband does it.
Although this story is based on a disability everyone that shaves their legs will smile.
As a background, skip this if you like,the disability mentioned is: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or RSD - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome or CRaPS!!. I also have a prosthetic disc in my spine and permanent nerve damage which has left me unable to walk unassisted.
I have hairy legs and am desperate to shave them. To feel feminine again even for a day is like gold to me.
I use a chair in the shower to wash my hair, so I think I can shave my legs while sitting on the chair. I am also thinking because the only place I have hair on my legs is the front, (perhaps the shin area ) the rest of my legs are hair free, it should be minimal time, pain and effort. The scant covering of hair has only happened since I developed CRPS.
I HAVE FOUND A GOOD SYMPTOM OF CRPS. - or so I think.
But before having my shower, another special treat for myself, I spend the next 1/2 hour looking through my wardrobe searching for just the right garment. Finally, I settle on a lovely summer dress made of stretch fabric -not too tight, not too loose- just perfect for CRPS sufferers.
Now for the shower, usually I procrastinate for most of the day before making myself begin the routine of safely showering, drying and dressing. But today is different, today I am shaving my legs for the first time since the accident.
So, now, in the shower, seated safely, the water is streaming beautifully hot in just the right position so that I won't hurt myself moving around, the razor, shining and new is sitting on the ledge.
And here I go, the first stroke..oh, no, what's wrong?? didn't I take the cover off?? that wouldn't be a surprise, I forget so much especially the simplest detail. Something is causing an obstruction. On further inspection I find it's all clogged up.
What is going on, I know I'm not really a hairy person?
I try again, and again, the amount of hair clogging the razor is unbelievable!! I know we may have descended from the apes, but this is ridiculous!!
It took me forever to shave each leg, the drain is struggling with the amount of hair fighting it's way through with the soapy water, I may as well have had hair all over my legs rather than the scantly area it had grown.
Oh no! now I remember - in my research of anything CRPS, symptoms included changes in hair growth - hair falling out, hair growing LONGER or even thicker.
I realise now, the small amount of covering on my legs is so long it may as well have been braided!!
Somehow in my forgetful self I need to remind myself of this, perhaps in the future waxing or shaving sooner - even if my husband does it.
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Comment by Anonymous
Thanks for responding to my blog. I am working thru your site, and it sounds so like me with the rsd.
Hair-wise, it was really dark, thick and stiff for the first several years, but seems to have subsided for some time now. That is something I'm sure thankful for, because of the torment I go through. My skin sometimes is extremely painful so shaving all that hair was torture.
The best material for me is the soft thin t-shirt type. Sometimes I have to lock myself in the bedroom with usually my top off, and my hair pinned up off the shoulders and back because each hair touching my skin is extremely painful; it's sharp and burns.. And the skin can't tolerate anything touching It. It doesn't happen now too much lately. I had taken Neurontin for several years until it affected my liver, but it really helped. Some of those terrible burning, stabbing pains have been returning some in the last month or so, so my pain doctor has me on it for a few months again to stop it in its tracks.But even at its best, material on my knees and some above and below them is untolerable.
I also can't stand pressure around my waist, so pants and skirts are out. If I'm extra cold, sweat pants work if theyr'e bigger and I can adjust the waist with a draw string. I only wear dresses that are loose. Knee-high nylons or socks are also big no-no's, due to sensitive skin, too.My legs also mottled badly, which is from bad circulation, so that's another reason for no tight things. Panty hose seems better, or slippers/ low loose socks.
Stay in touch, okay? Take care.
DianeEO[/SIZE]