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struggling big time

Hoping your at physio now.
Hope they are thorough. If not call gp for to see him, like he said hun. :)
 
Have been to see the Physio. Had a good check over.
She agreed that I had pulled a muscle when I last fell over, will heel in time.
I had to lay on the couch where she did various tests like what flexibility I had in my ankles, knees and hips.
They were ok so no problem like arthritis.
Went onto check reflexes in feet, ankles, knees and hips. I wasn,t aware she was doing this until afterwards as was laying on my back flat.
I wasn,t aware the my legs jerked when this was done.
Established that I Don, t have joint problems.
She also did the touch test on feet and both legs and confirmed what I said to where the numbness is.
Physio went to her boss, physio can,t help but have now been referred to the OT Physio and referred for a balance test. They will call me to talk all through my numbness and falling over. Though I won,t know until they call to see if they can help.
Physio has agreed that using 2 walking sticks will not help with the falling over.
So until I have that call, I am in limbo.
I was very impressed with the thorough checks I had done
 
That all sounds very positive, Ally, with plenty of tests to try and help you. I would be relieved just to know there are no joint problems or arthritis. Back to the awful waiting room for you though. In my experience, that is the worst place to be, but hopefully not for long.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
That all sounds very positive, Ally, with plenty of tests to try and help you. I would be relieved just to know there are no joint problems or arthritis. Back to the awful waiting room for you though. In my experience, that is the worst place to be, but hopefully not for long.
Click to expand...
The waiting is always the worst part.
She did say using 2 walking sticks won"t really help me much re falling and one of those push along thingys with a seat on in her opinion will be better. That's where the OT people will be able to help with.
The physio I saw today can only issue walking sticks and crutches x
 
ally1 said:
The waiting is always the worst part.
She did say using 2 walking sticks won"t really help me much re falling and one of those push along thingys with a seat on in her opinion will be better. That's where the OT people will be able to help with.
The physio I saw today can only issue walking sticks and crutches x
Click to expand...

My sister-in-law had walking and falling problems. She had a sort of trolley thing with two handles and a big basket in the front for her bags and whatnot. It did the trick for her. I think that came from OT. Hopefully they will sort you out quickly. :)
 
ally1 said:
Have been to see the Physio. Had a good check over.
She agreed that I had pulled a muscle when I last fell over, will heel in time.
I had to lay on the couch where she did various tests like what flexibility I had in my ankles, knees and hips.
They were ok so no problem like arthritis.
Went onto check reflexes in feet, ankles, knees and hips. I wasn,t aware she was doing this until afterwards as was laying on my back flat.
I wasn,t aware the my legs jerked when this was done.
Established that I Don, t have joint problems.
She also did the touch test on feet and both legs and confirmed what I said to where the numbness is.
Physio went to her boss, physio can,t help but have now been referred to the OT Physio and referred for a balance test. They will call me to talk all through my numbness and falling over. Though I won,t know until they call to see if they can help.
Physio has agreed that using 2 walking sticks will not help with the falling over.
So until I have that call, I am in limbo.
I was very impressed with the thorough checks I had done
Click to expand...
Very good appointment again @ally1. At least something will be looked into, for you.
When will they call you back hun? Tomorrow or few days time? Call them if nothing heard, maybe?
Hope they can at least suggest something but OT physiotherapist may do.
Well done!
 
The physios generally work in a team with the Occupational Therapists, so hopefully now you are in the system you shouldn't have to wait too long to have the OT assessment.
Physios look at the medical reasons for a patient's problems. The OTs look at improving the patient's environment, and recommend any equipment and aids to improve things. This should be carried out by first of all listening to what the patient feels they need. They should work with you, not just tell you what you will be getting. I would recommend you have a think, @ally1, about what you find difficult in your own surroundings and your lifestyle, and have a list again ready for when you see them. You are getting good at that, aren't you. :)
All power to you ally, you are doing so well.
 
ally1 said:
The waiting is always the worst part.
She did say using 2 walking sticks won"t really help me much re falling and one of those push along thingys with a seat on in her opinion will be better. That's where the OT people will be able to help with.
The physio I saw today can only issue walking sticks and crutches x
Click to expand...

I was offered one of those (A Diana Stroller I think it was called) a few years back. I found the OT to be far better at offering practical help around the home than the physiotherapist. There is also a gizmo that looks like hostess trolley but obviously more sturdy, sorry I have forgotten the name of it, and I found it useful for when I needed to take a meal from the kitchen to the dining room as it is designed to provide stability for you and a safe way to transfer hot foods or liquids.
I was also sent a bed rail that fits under the mattress so I can safely raise myself to a sitting position in bed. Your OT will have a gamut of aids to assist you. It is great to hear you are getting some help.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
My sister-in-law had walking and falling problems. She had a sort of trolley thing with two handles and a big basket in the front for her bags and whatnot. It did the trick for her. I think that came from OT. Hopefully they will sort you out quickly. :)
Click to expand...
I just need for OT to call me to see if they can help.
If not I will go and buy one of those
 
ickihun said:
Very good appointment again @ally1. At least something will be looked into, for you.
When will they call you back hun? Tomorrow or few days time? Call them if nothing heard, maybe?
Hope they can at least suggest something but OT physiotherapist may do.
Well done!
Click to expand...
I have no idea when they will call me. Just hope it's sooner rather then later
 
Pipp said:
The physios generally work in a team with the Occupational Therapists, so hopefully now you are in the system you shouldn't have to wait too long to have the OT assessment.
Physios look at the medical reasons for a patient's problems. The OTs look at improving the patient's environment, and recommend any equipment and aids to improve things. This should be carried out by first of all listening to what the patient feels they need. They should work with you, not just tell you what you will be getting. I would recommend you have a think, @ally1, about what you find difficult in your own surroundings and your lifestyle, and have a list again ready for when you see them. You are getting good at that, aren't you. :)
All power to you ally, you are doing so well.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
I am lucky that the council bungalow I am in, already has a shower, so no bath to struggle in and out off.
I will say that I like the idea of the trolley thingy though I would feel embarrassed to start with.
I will wait for the call first to see if they can help me
 
Guzzler said:
I was offered one of those (A Diana Stroller I think it was called) a few years back. I found the OT to be far better at offering practical help around the home than the physiotherapist. There is also a gizmo that looks like hostess trolley but obviously more sturdy, sorry I have forgotten the name of it, and I found it useful for when I needed to take a meal from the kitchen to the dining room as it is designed to provide stability for you and a safe way to transfer hot foods or liquids.
I was also sent a bed rail that fits under the mattress so I can safely raise myself to a sitting position in bed. Your OT will have a gamut of aids to assist you. It is great to hear you are getting some help.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
Am just waiting for a call from OT to see if they can help
 
ally1 said:
Thank you.
I am lucky that the council bungalow I am in, already has a shower, so no bath to struggle in and out off.
I will say that I like the idea of the trolley thingy though I would feel embarrassed to start with.
I will wait for the call first to see if they can help me
Click to expand...
I understand about the embarrassment. I have needed walking aids, and for quite some time, a whelchair. The walking aids can be cumbersome, and I always used to bemoan the fact that I could no longer go for long country and hill walks like I used to. Then I realised I had a choice, use the walking aids and get out and about, or stay at home and miss out.
It won't be so bad when you get used to the trolley walker. In a short while you will wonder how you ever did without it.
Don't wait longer than a week or so. If you don't hear from the OTs, chase them up yourself.
 
Would add, @ally1, it is great you have a bungalow, with shower, but as you have had falls let the OTs check around the rooms, to see what can be provided to help. Perhaps a seat in the shower if you don't already have one. I have also put grab rails in my bathroom / shower room. Helps if I am a bit unsteady.
 
ally1 said:
Thank you.
I am lucky that the council bungalow I am in, already has a shower, so no bath to struggle in and out off.
I will say that I like the idea of the trolley thingy though I would feel embarrassed to start with.
I will wait for the call first to see if they can help me
Click to expand...

That is the reason I refused the offer of one, I was still in my early forties and struggling with a life changing diagnosis (not Diabetes). It was all due to denial and embarrassment but looking back I wish I had accepted every aid that the OT offered. Instead I struggled for the following five years until I had no choice but to ask for these aids but by then I just wasn't strong enough to use them so I had set myself back a bit. The longer you stay on feet the stronger you are so don't worry about how things look, see these aids for what they are which is a way to keep your independance and quality of life. Hopefully you will get an OT who is as good as mine, her greatest attribute is that she really does listen.
 
What a week for you @ally1 , and it's still only Wednesday. I'm so glad the physio was receptive to you and is referring you on inside their system.

As I mentioned earlier in the thread, the OTs made a massive difference to my parents' lives as they respectively became infirm. Your issues are very, very different to either of them, but the OTs are just so creative, and if you are offered a home visit, grasp it with both hands. They will have dealt with people with issues like yours before and have insights into what will help you.

Some of the things they gave Mum, she didn't think she needed, but when she got them, she tried them and realised they made things so much easier. I don't use the aids Mum had, but I stole a couple of their ideas and use them myself - things like using a steamer basket in the saucepan when cooking vegetables, meaning to drain the veg, I lift our the steamer and can pour the bouling water away when it's cooler.

I hope you have another good night's sleep tonight and you're not waiting for the OT appointment too long.

Go Ally! At long last you're getting some of the support you need.
 
Pipp said:
I understand about the embarrassment. I have needed walking aids, and for quite some time, a whelchair. The walking aids can be cumbersome, and I always used to bemoan the fact that I could no longer go for long country and hill walks like I used to. Then I realised I had a choice, use the walking aids and get out and about, or stay at home and miss out.
It won't be so bad when you get used to the trolley walker. In a short while you will wonder how you ever did without it.
Don't wait longer than a week or so. If you don't hear from the OTs, chase them up yourself.
Click to expand...
Yes I will chase it up if not heard anything by next wednesday
 
Pipp said:
Would add, @ally1, it is great you have a bungalow, with shower, but as you have had falls let the OTs check around the rooms, to see what can be provided to help. Perhaps a seat in the shower if you don't already have one. I have also put grab rails in my bathroom / shower room. Helps if I am a bit unsteady.
Click to expand...
Am just hoping OT will help
 
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