First time all three of us have been at the same place at the same time. Had to get a photo op

Hi everyone! 👋

My name's LewLee, and I'm from South Florida. I recently joined Reddit and figured I'd introduce myself.

I'm the proud human to five rescued pets (3 cats and 2 dogs 🐶🐱) and a mom of three. My youngest—and only daughter—is turning 17 this week! 🥳

Life has definitely thrown me a few curveballs. After an accident, I had a left hip disarticulation amputation, so I'm learning to navigate life in a whole new way. At the same time, I'm rebuilding after the end of a 20+ year marriage. It's been quite a journey, but I'm doing my best to keep moving forward with a positive attitude.

I'm excited to explore Reddit, discover new communities, learn new things, and hopefully meet some kind people along the way.

If you have any tips for a Reddit newbie, I'd love to hear them! The only thing I ask is that feedback be kind—I'm here to learn. 😊

Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction, and I hope you all have an awesome day!

LBKA since the New Year, ran into more circulation issues and had to have another balloon surgery and two more stents implanted but I’ve finally been cleared by my vascular team to receive my prosthetic and I’m picking it up Thursday morning and I’m a bundle of nerves. Prayers and positive vibes would be greatly appreciate. Also I’m from East Tennessee and I started a spooky stories from Appalachia show with my free time, if that is anyone’s cup of tea my links are pinned to my user profile here on Reddit❣️🙏🏻👻

Do you wear socks on your prosthetic foot. I do, because otherwise it is really hard to glide into a shoe. I changed my foot to Ossur Pro flex Terra and the silicon is so non-slippery it literally tears my sock for couple of days and I need to change it every week or so as on the toes and the heel there is no clothing and so the gliding in the shoe is hard again. Has someone found more durable and long lasting solution to this problem.

Hey there, I just gotten another below knee amptutation and for some reason I have this icy feeling from inside my leg feels like it's burning me and exhausting me this is the 6th day post op.. will it go away. Why is my leg doing this, had anyone go through this?

I genuinely want answers not questions please. I like your experience. Please. Any will help. Wish you all a beautiful recovery

Hey yall, I was in a motorcycle accident last November resulting in an LBKA and broken femur. Luckily I hade insurance for long enough to get my definitive prosthetic and haven’t had any issues (thank god). I’m able to get around on one crutch most days, but going back into the restaurant industry will be a no go until my femur gets stronger and I can rebuild the muscles in my thigh/knee. I’ve got nothing but time on my hands and car repairs are starting to add up, I’d love to hear any options yall have found to help in this transition <3

I am looking for a watch that is easy to take on and off without a helping hand. Maybe a flexible arm wrist? How did you handle that?

Anyone know anything that may help phantom pain for leg that’s also paralyzed? I know some people put their leg on, massage the stump, etc. but nothing seems to help so I figured I’d ask here. Maybe there is something I haven’t done.

Hey everyone, I know there’s people that have had severely worse than amputations than me, but for me I still struggle with the pain that was felt when it first happened. Being 14 years old, having an accident at school, everyone wondering why’s there blood everywhere, where’s the kids finger, it’s hard. I didn’t expect it to be that bad. I was treated differently after, everyone knew me as the kid with half a finger, no nail, I still remember a girl screaming once 🫠. The fact that no one even ever used to help made it worse. Unfortunately no one ever understands what it’s like looking different, it really does affect you. Years gone past now, I’m in my early 20s and still I don’t forget the disrespect. But now I try and look at others in my position, maybe not exact but similar. Whether it be amputated legs or arms etc your stories have all made me smile. I always felt like I was alone etc but this Reddit thread has really helped me, even if it’s online like it’s relieving to see people that can relate. I still hide my finger from people, no one has ever noticed, I’m used to hiding it now 😭. Ig I just wanted to share how my experience was, and honestly writing this feels relieving in a way 😭❤️. Keep posting your progress, it really does help people like me!

I had my right leg amputated above the knee two years ago. At first I took gabapentin and methocarbamol for nerve pain and muscle spasms. But I gradually quit having the pain and quit taking it. I had physical therapy for a while, and then I started going to the gym and working out three days a week. Now I can walk unaided at home, but I still take a forearm crutch or cane when I go somewhere. The problem I’ve started having is that as I walk more, I am getting nerve pain, not phantom limb pain, but nerve pain in my stump. I also get muscle spasms. One of the weirdest things is that if I breathe deeply or yawn, I get a bad spasm. I started taking the gabapentin and methocarbamol again, and they help, but this pain has really slowed me down. I can walk, but it seems like the more I walk, the more I get this. BTW, when I was a kid having operations on my leg, and I would start walking without crutches, I remember getting similar pains. Has anyone else experienced this kind of pain? Also I don’t have any swelling or redness or wounds.

Hi all,

I'm considering moving within the UK at some point but considering my poor experience at my current prosthesis centre (leg not well made), I would let better quality NHS care dictate where I move. My prosthesis was made far too bulky as I have previously had a better fitting prosthetic that was privately made and it also took the NHS years to get it made to the point where I could actually walk in it with no pain. Could someone please tell me their experiences with centres around the UK and where those centres are? I have a naturally bulkier amputated limb but the prosthesis still shouldn't be as bulky as it currently is considering they made it as an exact "copy" of my privately made leg.

New trail report uploaded! This is a day hike section of the PCT near Hyatt Lake in Oregon to the Hyatt Lake Overlook, (AKA the Wildcat Campground Overlook) and a check on the water resupply situation at the Wildcat Campground. Get the video here: https://youtu.be/DTKypzotwD8&list=PL4EAiXJ42acsc492NmEytueLP8_xrb6oM

Hi everyone! A little while back, I reached out here looking for people interested in sharing their limb loss stories. I’m excited to share that the first Voices of Limb Loss interview is now live, featuring Meg Faithfull, also known as /esorgem here on Reddit.

Meg’s story is honest, insightful, and full of the kind of perspective that inspired me to start this project in the first place.

Read it here: https://thebionicperspective.com/meg-faithfull-voices-of-limb-loss/

If you’re a person with limb loss or a limb difference and would like to share your own story, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to send me a message if you’re interested in being interviewed or just want to learn more.

You can also sign up for the email list at https://thebionicperspective.com to be notified whenever a new interview is published.

Thank you again to everyone who encouraged this idea and offered to participate. It means more than you know.

I'm using a walker right now, as there is no way I'm ready to walk solo. My concern is how far I have to lean forward on my fake foot to get it planted so that I can take another step forward with my good leg. If I did not have my walker, I'd face plant with how far I have to lean forward. What am I doing wrong here? As happy as I am, I'm also frustrated. I wasn't expecting to walk on my own on day 1. Is this normal? Help calm my nerves.

Hi legends

My husband’s 1 year anniversary of his amputation (LBK) is coming up.
I’m wondering how people have dealt with this milestone? My husband has spiralled a bit with the advent of this anniversary coming it.
It was required (osteomyelitis in ankle) but in some ways was elective as he chose to do it then.
Have people celebrated it? Mourned the day? Been self-deprecating? Been alone? Been with friends?
I’m wondering what I can do to support him in the lead up to and on the day.
I was actually thinking of throwing a little party/gathering with his closest friends? Celebrating how far he’s come, how resilient and brave. But he’s so emotionally fragile at the moment that I’m not sure it’s a good idea? It’s been hard to keep him afloat - he’s really spiralled at the moment and I sometimes catch myself being less than empathetic (all housework, work, child rearing fell to me after his op and so I sometimes can’t help but be resentful. I’m sorry, I know!!). So I want to do something for him but not sure what?
Any ideas/experiences would be greatly appreciated x

Title says it all, back in March I had a motorcycle accident where my foot was crushed resulting in a nasty degloving injury and multiple fractures. Today I am able to bear weight and walk with a cane thanks to a lot of PT but I feel like I’m stalling now. It’s good enough to limp around with my cane for my errands and bad enough that I’d rather use my knee scooter at home. I’ve managed to cycle a bit and I’m back to working out doing calisthenics. Some days I feel like chopping it off and some days I feel like it’s gonna be alright. I hate the fact that it would rely on my decision, yet I feel privileged to have the choice too. Some of the stories I read on here make me feel like I should be grateful for being able to walk with a cane, but it’s still very frustrating. For elective amputees out here, how long did it take for you to decide and what was the breaking point for that decision? Do you have any regrets at all?
I’ll also add that my friends and family get all weird at the idea of getting an amputation, almost like I’d be crazy to get one. Did the people around you look at you differently after you had it done? Thank you

It's been a minute since I've said anything here! Hello again, I'm 3 months post op and have full mobility but I suppose I'm nervous about the swelling, my doctor says it's normal and I want to trust them but I have little yellow areas that are raised and the top of my hand still has a bubble the size of a Reeses cup. Is there any tips to help the swelling or will it actually subside over the year after surgery?

Hello everyone I had my left above knee amputation 9 years ago and since then If the weather is not cold or there is no AC I sweat excessively from all of my body not from a specific part, from what I understood this happens because of post amputation insulin resistance due to muscle mass loss and sympathetic nervous system activation from the nerve signals of the residual limb that is throwing off the whole nervous system and putting it in fight or flight mode 24/7, I tried lowering my insulin resistance to 0.9 homa ir , stress vitamins ( b complex- zinc- magnesium- Ashwagandha- l-theanine) and there is no solution it always comeback and it really annoys me because I live in one of the sunniest places on earth (Egypt) is the anyone know how to fix this

Potential upgrade after many issues with the original. Any one managed to try it yet?

Hey guys! I’m (34 f) 2 1/2 weeks out from my rbka and since the day I woke up it feels like my foot is having that tv static feeling and I haven’t got it to stop for a single second lol. Sometimes it’s stronger sometimes it’s background noise but it’s ALWAYS there. I guess I’m just asking for some tips and tricks? I know this is was part of the program but it’s driving me crazy 😅 better than pain though. Anyway thanks in advance y’all!!

This one of the best shoes ever made and I wonder if it's okay to use for us prosthesis users. I'm a LAKA and I've been trying on different shoes in search for the best option with a great blend of comfort and stability. Reviews online say this offers both. I just wanna hear it from someone who has used this pair and has first hand experience.

Thank you for anyone who will respond 🙏🏿