Just Back

Just back from my first visit to the physio again.

Apart from the hospital doc's displeasure about my use of my crutch and the mobility when manipulating my hips I have no idea why he wan't me to re-do physio from the beginning.

Just like me and physio herself, Ellen something or other, had no idea why I had been sent to her as I had already did one whole round of physio about three years back.

She spent over half an hour taking notes but I feel she didn't understand half of what I was saying. She found nothing wrong with my hips at all. As for my crutch I tried to tell her I use it for long distance, uneven surfaces and steps etc., the same as the speel I went through with the docs. She had me walk a short distance without my crutch and then a little distance longer with it.

She seems determined to get rid of my crutch as well if I was reading her right. I stressed my need for it for when I have bad spells and stiffness outwith my usual norm. Also how I can't navigate uneven ground and steps unassisted.

I have to go back in four weeks time for a whole hour and she is going to try to find my file and hopefully see the notes made my the doc I saw plus see for herself what exactly he wanted. I tried to explain I never had written notes/exercise plan printed out per say. I was just given verbal instructions from the physio. Nothing written down. All I know is the stretching exercises I do morning and night now my memory alone.

She wanted my exercise plan next time plus wants to work on my endurance over longer distances unaided by my crutch. Get this, she says she wants to work on making my left hip stronger as using the crutch isn't helping it work as the crutch is doing the work of my hip. That's all well and good but unless she can make me less tired than now, straighten out my spinal column, fix my bad left side (leg esp.) and suddenly give me perfect balance I can't see it helping much.

I navigate my own home without my crutch except in extremely bad days. Keeping up with my physio at the same time. But the work isn't 100% flat and step free and without any hills to climb. Also I use my crutch to help keep my back upright, without it over extended periods of time I will become like those old ladies you see that walk around like the hunchback of notre dame.

She was also talking about an occupational threpist or some such thing. Unless she is going to provide me with 24/7 help at home and outside I don't see what else she can do.

I'm frustrated to say the least. The session seemed to start out so good. I thought a few visits and a review of my maintanence schedule would appease the doc., but now this physio seems to be pulling in all sorts other people including some other physio/therapist. I don't mind increasing my endurance a bit but I hope they don't intent to make me 100% un-aided in walking etc., I can't get into/out the shower without danger of falling and cracking my skull open, I dread being without the added help given by my crutch.

What almost had me falling over in astonishment was after I did the walk with/without my crutch she came up me going on about increasing my endurance over longer distances and how using my crutch will mean my left hip will never get stronger and my balance get better. I tried to stress my balance isn't just about my left hip but my back problems too but didn't know if I got through to her.

But then she says there is time for crutches later when you are older and less able to get around but now while I'm young and health, me young and healthy isn't that one a kicker. If swallowing 20+ tablets a day, suffering from RHA, FM, IBS plus my spinal problems (all 3 of them), is healthy I'd hate to be what she considered unhealthy?!

I have to attend at get this, 8.30a.m. for my hour appointment complete with my schedule from the last physio (which I never got in the first place) in hand.

I hope this doesn't go on too long before they realise there isn't much to be done for me. I'm going to detriorate from now on and I am happy for stay level and not get worse. Why can't certain docs/physio's be as happy. I think they are all given instructions from the government to get us back into work asap regardless of our personal health problems as long as the money cuts then need don't have to have their wages and bonuses affected.