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would like opinions please. sorry long

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 9/16/2012 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
I went to the ortho about my back the other day. Along with fibro, i also have a very bad back due to osteoporosis, and a lot of past fractures in my back. Because I have a bad ankle from a previous injury that did not heal correctly, i limp and it has messed with my back. I went hoping for some  relief from pain. When i told him the cardiologist said to start walking for exercise, he said no, it would mess my back up more. I had a bone scan on Friday to see how much worse it is from the last one in 2009.

I have a manual wheelchair that i use when i know there will be a lot of walking or standing involved in an activity. Have had it for a few years. He also said i probably have trouble just walking at home.

I can not push it myself due to the fibro and bad shoulders, i also get chest wall pain. Dh usually pushes me. He has severe asthma and hurts a lot also. So it is getting where he can not push me. I want to ask the ortho about a electric wheel chair. I talked to my insurance and they will pay 100% since met out of pocket this year. Said it is an unlimited cap on the price as long is it customed to what i need.

So when i see the ortho again on Tuesday with hubby, how should i go about asking and talking about it to him. I am terrible about asking for help. I have trouble with what people think about me.

I have a visit with rhuemy on oct 10th. When i told the ins rep i had fibro she said oh, then you can't use a manual because your arms are probly weak and hurt.

So what do you all think any suggestions to making it easier to talk him into writing a script?

 

Posted 9/17/2012 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
The last time I saw my pain doc, I wanted a cane, and a handicap card. I just flat out asked. He even asked me if I wanted a walker, and said I qualified for the card.

Don't beat around the bush, just tell him what you want. He's heard it all before. He knows your situation, his staff will help you. He may even have suggestions for things you hadn't thought of.

Besides, you need to take care of you, who cares what others may or may not think?
Posted 9/17/2012 9:29 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry for all you're going through. It is a difficult road.

Yes, it doesn't feel good to ask people for help but for me I feel it's easier as long as I'm trying to take optimal care of myself. Maybe if you're not doing this for yourself, this would make it easier for you?

I am proud of all I do for myself naturally and feel I am an inspiration to others. 

Good luck to you.

Posted 9/17/2012 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not a doctor, but what you are asking for sounds completely reasonable to me. I suggest just being totally honest and tell him what you just told us, especially the parts about having trouble with activities that require lots of standing/walking and being unable to push a manual yourself (I wouldn't be able to either). Explain to him that your life is limited by your lack of mobility.

You deserve to be able to participate in activities as much as possible. You are also the only one who knows what your body can handle. If you think that you need an electric wheelchair, don't feel like you have to apologize to your doctor or anyone else. Just ask for what you need in a calm, rational way, presenting the facts.

Having said all of that, I can sympathize with how you feel. For some reason, I have a hard time asking for what I need too. I'm afraid people will think I'm weak or just being lazy. rolleyes But really, the worst thing he can do is say no (although I don't know why he would). If that happens you can ask your rheumy or you PCP. Or you could wait a few months and try again. Don't give up.

One last thought - would a scooter/hoveround chair be more economical or suit your needs better than an electric wheelchair? I don't know anything about them, but I am just wondering if one of them might also fit the bill.

Good luck and hugs - Austen

Post Edited (AustenFan) : 9/17/2012 6:32:36 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/17/2012 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Tell him what you have told us.  He is the one that told you that you cannot walk!  He knows all about your back, osteoporosis, and fractures.  You should have no problems at all getting him to sign for a power chair. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 9/17/2012 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
"One last thought - would a scooter/hoveround chair be more economical or suit your needs better than an electric wheelchair? I don't know anything about them, but I am just wondering if one of them might also fit the bill."

The insurance said they would pay 100 % with cost depending on what my needs are and what is best for me. The place i  got my manual wheelchair is in network and they were very helpful. will talk to dr to see what he suggests. Also need to see if cigna has a certain one they will pay for.

 

Posted 9/17/2012 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ladywithfibro, why don't you go down to the store that sells the chairs. Let them see what you would benefit from. Learn and educate yourself before going to the Dr. This way you can share what exactly you need with the Dr. This way the store representives can tell you the pros and cons of each chair. They have so many on the market now.
Posted 9/17/2012 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Angel had a great suggestion. They can let you try different power chairs. If I needed one, I personally would go for the power chair and not the scooter. If I ended up needing it around the house, I couldn't get close to the sinks, etc, plus I think it would maneuver around things better. The only reason the scooter would help is the basket in front but how often would you use that? You could get a wheeled cart that you pull that could do the same thing around the house. Stores have the power chairs with the basket in front anyway.

Sherrine
Posted 9/17/2012 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
The basket. When we go to walmart on one of my bad days, sometimes the chair available will not have a basket. Dh usually first takes me to the aisle with storage bins and has me put a medium size one on my lap. we put our items in it then let the cashier put it back when we check out.

 I have been researching online. The place i got my manual chair was wonderful and helped a lot with it and helped with the insurance.

I think they would help there also, but do not have time to go there before dr visit.

Keep your fingers crossed for me. I am so glad dh will be with me.

 

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