Question: What testing have you had for neuropathy?

What does balance therapy involve? Thanks!

Hello, all!

Balance practice has proven to be my No. 1 helper, especially as I recover from the worsening balance difficulties caused by my recent sepsis infection. In the year leading up to my infection, I regularly participated in an online balance program led by an inspiring Australian therapist. Sepsis brought all that good work to a halt. I'm now back to doing the program.

All in all, learning to survive with PN has been like walking up and down the length of a buffet table: selecting this, passing up that, going back and giving a second once-over to something I had passed over before, finding something new and choosing it—on and on. It took me a while before I realized that I would not get all of my answers and the help and encouragement I needed in one place.

My life with PN has been a process, a process founded largely on patience.

Ray (@ray666)

@mustii - Each person is different with various balance issues. I happen to have drop foot. I need to wear ankle foot orthotics (AFO) both feet. My balance therapy involved about 12 different exercises specifically geared to my balance issues. For example, there were step-up and step-down exercises to left and right holding on to a support bar. Close eyes and try to stand for more than 7-8 seconds. Hands over support bar, about 8 steps left and then right and back again. Place one foot in front of the other hands over support bar. Other patients had different exercises than me. It involves body strength and core strength. I went for 1 hour 2 - 3 days a week. Medicare will only pay for about $2300 per year. I find it helpful and plan to return in the fall.

Ed (@njed)–

" … It involves body strength and core strength. … Medicare will only pay for about $2300 per year. I find it helpful and plan to return in the fall.'

I have a hard time paying attention to my core muscles as I do my daily balance routine. The therapist is forever having to remind me, 'Ray, don't forget your core,' or 'Ray, tighten those glutes.' I'm pleased I have a Medicare-provided therapist. The term of my present coverage ends on Sept. 3rd. I guess I'll keep an eye on my core and glutes after Sept. 3rd. (I, too, plan to return to therapy once I've got coverage again.)

Ray (@ray666)

Ray - I love your patience reminder! Sometimes it’s hard to get back on the horse, but we have to, right? Hope you are well; we’re planning a mountain escape to Denver/Lakewood to visit my stepson, hoping it will be cooler there Labor Day!

Interesting I’ll try as few: Thank-you very much I really appreciate it!

@mustii I need to stress the point that these exercises were designed for my issues, my balance problems and were designed by a physical therapist after a one-hour evaluation of my problems involving balance. And, a majority of the time, I also had a spotter next to me for the first several weeks to make sure I did the exercises properly and above all followed the rules of safety when doing the exercises. I did locate a physical therapist who had a Dr. degree and was heavily trained in balance therapy. Good luck to you. Ed

Ray, I guess the PT runs on a calendar year. I had exercise bands at home, huge ball to sit on for balance (didn't master that at all!!) and other things and ended up going to PT 2 days a week and then 1 day a week to stretch out the benefit. I did PT at home as well, my wife being my spotter. I went to PT for several years in a row, I knew the 15 exercises, in exact order and for how many minutes. I walked around PT with the timer in my pocket. The core strength is important but with back issues in L-3 to S-1 area, concentrating on core strength is difficult. I'm also rather tall and I find that can be a problem with some exercises as well.
Ed

Good morning, Debbie

That's what it feels like, doesn't it? Finding yourself sitting in the dust and knowing if you've to have a chance of living a wholehearted life, you've got to climb back on your horse.

That's been the pattern of my life these past few years since getting my PM diagnosis, a series of ups and downs. My physical ups and downs have not been as challenging as my emotional ups and downs.

To this day, I need to begin each day with a little poke to the spirit: 'Come on, Ray, let's rally! Things could be a lot worse. So, come on, Ray, let's get this day underway!'

That's me, Debbie, climbing back on my imaginary horse. 🙂

Ray

Good morning, Ed

My insurance runs on the calendar year, whether it’s an Aztec or Mayan calendar, I don’t know. My doctors’ requests for a specific service, however, such as sepsis care and physical therapy I’m currently receiving, are honored by my insurance for only short (e.g., weeks, months, or number of visits) terms. The terms, if the doctors make an appeal, are renewable.

For example, the term under which I’m currently seeing a wound care doctor at the local hospital once a week and having homecare nurses and physical therapists come to my home expires on Sept. 3rd. This is already a renewal, and I doubt it will be renewed a second time. The wound care doctor seems ready to discharge me.

I’m sooo looking forward to being discharged! On the day a wound patient is discharged, he’s escorted to the front desk where he gets to ring a big brass bell. I can hardly wait to ring that bell!

Have a good day, Ed.
Ray