Gooddays....and others...a question

[monotreme]

HI.    I have a friend who has relapsing progressive MS .  Anyway, she is in a wheelchair.  She can stand and take some steps with a walker but never really learned how to use the walker for long distances.  Walking with it makes her very tired.

She very much wants to get out of the wheelchair.  She saw a device called "walk aid" which costs four thousand dollars.  Does anyone know anything about this??

She has had minimal physical therapy. Her  neuro will not prescibe it and said to accept her fate in the chair.  Her primary doctor said the same thing.  Most of the doctors in our area have that attitude and that is why Craig left his last primary care physician.


So what is the best thing to help someone who can stand  and take some steps with a walker.   Would this be something that braces could help?  Or does anyone know about "walk aid"?

Thanks for your help.
Elaine

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Good physical rehab, including occupational therapy which can help maximise what your friend can do is really really important.

Her doctors have badly let her down.  What a shame. NO, SHAME on them!   People with MS can greatly benefit from physical rehab!  She should be agressively fighting to get appropriate and on-going rehab.

Best wishes

Sally

[monotreme]

Thanks so much Gooddays.  I will call my friend and tell her what you said.  She has never gotten good physical therapy or any kind of rehabilitation.  

I appreciate your help!!
Elaine

[gooddays]

Hi and I hope your massages are still working with Craig.

I asked my neuro to recommend physical and occupational therapy and to see a physiatrist.  I has worked to my advantage.

Back in 2004 I had a relapse which paralized me from my shoulders down.  I needed specialized treatment because I had no control of my regular needs.  Once I got better, my doctor had on me a walker, but I hate it.  I am very clumpsy because of my MS, I would like to think.

After that epoisode I got better through therapy and was able to leave my walker or at least exchanged it for a cane,

I have had three different types of leg braces and the one that I have now are the best I have gotten used to.  I feel I can walk with more confidence because my feet would not get in my way and have me fall down.  They were a little expensive because my medical insurance did not cover them, they were $1,035 each, but the way I feel they are a worthed.  I still have to use a cane in order to feel stable and not afraid of falling down as much as before.  I swear by them and they are not pretty, but beauty is not necessary when it come to walking.

I do not know if I have cleared your question, but I think that your friend should seek help from a physiatrist and take it from there.  Do you need a referral from your pcp for this service?  If she is have her stand her right to better treatment and for a better kind of life.

Let me know her outcome and thanking you for asking,  I am available to answer to question that I know how.  If not. I would look for it and try to give you the information.

Keep up with Craig's massages and don't forget about yourself, because if you feel bad how would you be able to help him.

Gooddays.