Happy end of February!

Soon we can begin to think spring!

This has been a rough beginning here in Maryland with snowstorms and ice, but thankfully only brought about 48 hours’ worth of inconvenience. How are all of you handling the cold weather? I know that as an amputee the cold and ice is my enemy - so staying safe, staying warm is of the upmost importance to us. I am asked regularly, ”How do you handle the weather change and how to prevent the phantom pains from kicking in?” My best advice - keep your limb warm. Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor, review the ways that you can desensitize your limb and try to get your brain to think of something else. In one of my online support groups, the subject of weighted blankets came up and several amputees have tried this with success.

Weighted blankets can help a lot different conditions in a person’s life. I have read that adults and children have had more restful sleep with weighted blankets. There are guides to let you know the best weight of blanket to try. I know occupational therapists have recommended them for children and adults with such diagnoses as ADDHD, autism and anxiety. The cost of these vary and many retailers now carry them - even Walmart. Weighted blankets weigh between 5 to 50 lbs. They are definitely worth exploring and as always talk to your physician before trying anything new!

Here are a few reference articles I have found:

What the Research Says: Do Weighted Blankets Work?

From the Mayo Clinic: How weighted blankets may lift anxiety.

When venturing out in the cold to the store always remember, wear your mask, and myself I wear a pair of fleece-lined tights. It helps to keep the cold working its way to my socket and pylon - thus helping keep my limb warm. They are just not for women, as they make a variety of fleece lined long underwear for men that can keep the cold out.

Footwear is critical as well and remembering to evenly place your weight on both your sound leg and effected leg to maintain good ground contact. Look for a boot with a good non-slip tread. I wear a sturdy boot by a company called Kamik and they work great for the snow-covered sidewalks where I live. There are also outer snow grips that slip on over any size boot. The mail carriers wear these to prevent falls -especially on ice.

Here's a link to an example of these Crampons.

So Stay Warm! Stay Safe! Wear your masks! This will pass, do not give up hope! You are not alone!

All of us at Dankmeyer want you to know that we are here for you!

“Stay positive, Better days are on their way.” Unknown author.

These tips are informed suggestions. If you do not feel comfortable with them, please do not attempt them. Instead as always contact your medical professional or your prosthetist for help and advice. 

If you have a question for me about living as an amputee, ask! And if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you, and I will leave no stone unturned to help you find your own personal new normal. If there is a topic you would like me to feature please let me know! I want us all to grow strong together.  Email me at Dawn@dankmeyer.com. This email is not secure, so if you wish to keep any specific health information private, you should call us!

Dawn Miranda recently joined Dankmeyer, Inc. as a Prosthetist Assistant after relocating from San Antonio, TX.  To read more about Dawn on our Clinical Staff page, click here.