I’m trying to be positive, but you hit a not-so-funny bone with most exam tables! With my neuropathy, steps are extremely difficult to maneuver with walker or cane, and I must be very careful with a curb. Step ladders are no longer in my life capabilities.
I still cannot erase the memory of my fall after I had my last step I was able to take before my sudden onset of neuropathy put me in wheelchair for 6 months, before some good rehab. Anyway, I had been admitted to a hospital for rapid weakness and an infection that needed IV antibiotics. I had no restrictions (yet), went to the toilet, and my knees just finally collapsed when I tried to stand from toilet. I was at rock bottom, couldn’t even pull myself up. I had to pull the emergency cord. When the nurse and an assistant came in to “help”, I was greeted with the worse chewing out I’ve ever gotten in my life! Apparently falls in hospitals are frowned upon and tracked, and they really try to not let them happen. They hadn’t seen me as a fall risk yet, but at that point an alarm was put on my bed in the event I was able to get out, and I officially became a “fall” risk for the 6 years bringing me up to today.
I gladly find that medical folks are more than happy to help me up and off the tables that aren’t well suited for us, and wish they had better tables like my PT does. Expense I guess, but I can’t do the high/dangerous step up and down without help. But 8 months ago, my actual Neurologist then, of all doctors, quickly rushed out after our quick exam and told me to just check out at the desk on my way out. I just sat on the table in disbelief, looking at my shoes and socks way down there on the floor. My cell phone was in my walker which was out of my reach, so I couldn’t even call 911 lol. So after a minute, I had no choice but to yell as loud as I could from my closed room “Hello!!??? HELP!!!! Can anyone out there help me?? HELLOOOO????” Finally my neurologist’s nurse came in, and I sweetly said “oh thank God, thanks for coming. My Neurologist left me on this table, and I have neuropathy and am not able to get off this high table and using that step by myself without falling, and I really need to go to the bathroom” Well, she was embarrassed for the situation and of course more than happy to help.
Anyway, we have sadly learned by hard knocks so many simple things that other people take for granted, and even our doctors can sometimes overlook little challenges we have, including the not so ideal table design. But I do know that almost all the time, they do not want us to risk falling and are more than happy to help. What I definitely know is that WE do not want to fall, and must assess in the end if it’s too risky to climb on the table. Some docs just take one look at me and know they can do what they need to do from a chair.