Physiatry

[stillstANNding]

First, I wanted to mention that the physiatrist (and PT in general) have always been my idea. And have always helped. I wonder why providers don’t think to refer more often?

The visit was good. I thanked him for his advice last time including what I call “bouncy” shoes and noticed he was wearing Sketchers himself. I told him about the chronic pain in my R butt cheek that only hurts when sitting or lying on it. It may be referred pain from bursitis of R hip. That was treated w the usual novacaine and steroid injection. I also had xrays and blood work done. I’ll see him again in three weeks to see if it has helped and might have a trigger point injection, depending.

These problems are indirectly linked to MS as my gait is off from one leg being weaker but not the one I thought. It turns out the leg I feel is weaker is the stronger leg - it just does more work.

He said that I might have immediate relief and I did and then after the novacaine wore off it would likely come back until the steroid does it’s work. I’m back to pain but hopeful.

The rehab hospital is a wonderful place. The X-ray and lab were very close to the exam area and the parking was under the building.

ANN

[agate]

You have to love buildings that are designed with the needs of people with mobility problems in mind.

My dentist has yet to get the message but as an employer of fewer than about 5 people, he's probably exempt from ADA requirements that might have obliged him to put in a ramp.

Wheelchair users have to have whoever brings them go to the back door of the building, knock on the door and wait for someone to unlock it, then wheel the wheelchair person across a very narrow pathway and up first one step, then another that is less than 3 feet from the first step.

Technically that's probably two steps, and that is a definite no-no for wheelchairs. Some drivers are able to maneuver it but I've found that it's easier if I get out of the chair and hang onto the nearby wall while the driver tilts the chair up that second step. Going out of the place is a challenge as well. I've been going there for about 5 years now and still no ramp, not even a portable ramp.

However, the people there are very nice and helpful.

I've always thought it odd, too, that medical providers don't think of PT as an option more often. I've always found PT to be helpful--and yet one PT person told me that many of her patients tell her it doesn't help them.

I guess some conditions are helped and others aren't?

[Virginia]

PT did not help me. As a matter of fact in one way it made me worse. After going for a few months and using their equipment and doing what they told me here at home, I couldn't really tell a difference. When I quit I asked if it would be better for me to do the yoga that I had done for many years or the exercises she gave me. She told me I would have more strength and do better if I did the exercises she gave me. Well, that hasn't turned out to be true.

Now I can't get down on the floor to do the yoga and the last time I tried quite awhile ago when I put my head down on the floor I got very dizzy. I became much weaker on her exercises than I had been while doing the yoga. I will always believe that the yoga I did kept me walking much longer and better. I did it faithfully, until I went to the PT. She was nice, but I wish I could go back to doing yoga that kept me limber and walking better - not perfect by any means, but better.

Ann, I am so glad this one is working for you. I hope the steroid shot keeps you pain free for a long time.

[Lazarus]

Hi....
I have found most pt useless but, one pt taught me 2 things that corrected movements I had and these things were really useful.

anyway, good luck!
my brother is visiting so I am not online much...hope everyone is healthy!

[Sunshine 2]

ANN, I am so glad you have found people you trust and are helpful to you.

I wonder if one leg is slightly shorter than another. A chiropractor pointed that out to me. I did not follow up because I didn’t trust his judgement: he was grasping for straws as his adjustments always helped but only for about 10 minutes or the most, 3 days: I went for 2 years. I concluded the SPS undid the chiropracter’s help with straighten out the sacroiliac joint, the culprit.

Might one leg be shorter slightly?If so a podiatrist can assess that and recommend certain lifts in your shoe. Worth a shot?

P.S. PT helped me the first time I used it for twice weekly , about 5 weeks, before I became so debilitated. I will consider trying it again after surgery fixes the spasticity problem better. It was my neuro who recommended it. I qualify for at home help as I am housebound .