48 replies to this topic

[Wheelsonfire]

Since finding the forum I have noticed 2 things that come to mind.

1. Physical therapy in America is superb compared to here.

2. A lot of people still go to physical therapy after they are released from rehab.

Reason for asking;

I left rehab in 93, I haven't been back since and have not gone for PT since then either.

I do my own thing at home, is this just an Irish thing?
When they release you from rehab your forgotten about, or so it seems.

In Ireland, when you hit rehab irregardless to whether you point out to the consultant" hey look I can move my toes".
Your just set on the track to plonking your ass in the chair and sent on the road to independance, and no more done to enhance the possibilities of gaining anything else back.(This was my expeirence)

Ideas?

Regards

John

[TextualFury]

I think the where in the US matters as far as the quality of PT. The better financing for the state the better the PT. The poorer, the lower quality.

That said I never actually got rehab. Due to my doctors deciding I was just born this way I wound up figuring out how to function and dragged myself around for over two years before finding out what had happened. I had PT for three months after the big reveal but in my case with the other genetic issues that were also revealed at the same time PT was pointless as there was "nothing we can do". I also found that multiple PTs expected me to dislocate my shoulders to use a manual chair, and therefore I fired them.

I do think my case is really rare (like the rest of me and my medical stuff) but I would suspect that the milage of PT varies based on the individual, the needs and how willing doctors are to actually try new things. The last PT I saw did determine that I shouldn't be using a manual chair at least.

I think you may want to assess what it is you think PT will help you achieve at this point and you can try for an assessment? I don't know anything about the Irish medical system but it may be a matter of just asking the right questions. So make a list of goals and talk it over with your doctor and see if you can get in?

[Wheelsonfire]

TextualFury

Many thanks for your reply, I remember reading on another thread as to your ailments, I hope you are keeping well.

I was just curious as to what other SCI got up to regarding PT.

I don't mix with the disabled outside of this forum, once in a blue moon I'll call to a few SCI that I know and never ask what they get up to as it's their own business.

My GP......I had a good laugh at that.

I see my GP once every 3 months to get a perscription, if someone I know is heading down to him at the same time I will get them to pick up the script while they are there......Oh, I tell him what to write and if I need anything outside my normal script, yet again I tell him what is needed.

I think it has been nearly a year at this stage that I have seen him and when I had the script sorted we discussed my car for half an hour.
He knows me at this stage that I know my body better than anyone and he is aware of that.

As to a list of goals, um, not one for lists, I just get on with it regardless.
At this point in my life I'm a para and that's cool with me, could be a hell of a lot worse.

Seemingly things haven't changed all that much in the last 20 years, I reckon the next 20 years will be as stagnent.

regards

John

[TextualFury]

I am well, thank you.

The list of goals is only a suggestion but I have noted that doctors often like to see their patients as proactive and this helps.

I hope the next twenty years are only stagnant if the stagnant is towards the positive and not the negative. I wouldn't mind a little sedateness in life right about now.

[Wheelsonfire]

TextualFury, on May 15 2010, 10:38 PM, said:

The list of goals is only a suggestion but I have noted that doctors often like to see their patients as proactive and this helps.

I hope the next twenty years are only stagnant if the stagnant is towards the positive and not the negative. I wouldn't mind a little sedateness in life right about now.

A good suggestion it was too.

By stating stagnant I meant the negative side, yes a little touch of calm is always welcome, even more so when the disability can be a chore of difficulty.

Regards

[Travelling Blackbird]

I think it may be an Irish thing.

I had very negative experiences of the medical profession in Ireland, generally and specifically when it came to TBI and SCI. I'd go so far as to say the mentality was book 'em in, set 'em up, get 'em out: there was no follow-up after the initial period in hospital and rehab. No suggestion of long-term physiotherapy, no trauma therapy, no suggestion of seeing a neurologist more than once a year for a check up. Besides that, I found Irish doctors to be very blinkered, with no sense of the body as a whole.

My experiences in Poland, Germany and the US were much better. The approach was more holistic, the support was more extensive. In Poland, I was in two long-term physiotherapy programs: one in the gym, one in the pool. I also had speech therapy.

In the US, I had a twice-monthly program of physio, and there was the first suggestion that I might need trauma therapy.

In Germany, after the second set of injuries, I was completely reassessed, put back through rehab and speech therapy, and now I have a follow-up program of exercises to do at home and in the gym, physiotherapy and trauma therapy once a fortnight, and I see a neurologist once every six months.

I should say that because the TBI was the more severe aspect of my initial injuries, my Polish and German programs are somewhat different to the ones for someone with an SCI. There is overlap, but there's also more of a focus on fine motor control. I have trouble committing movements to memory, so there's a need for some very repetitive work that I know SCI patients don't have to do.

[Wheelsonfire]

Derek

I have to agree with you regarding the Irish, you seem to have it just right at the moment.

I had near 500 staples holding the head together and the only time I seen a neuro was for a piece of steel that was still stuck inside my back when the knife snapped off inside. When they brought me around after a few months, they seen I was ticking over alright bar the obvious injuries, probably thought "Ah sure he's the grandest".

I think this is the reason I treat the health service here with contempt.
On saying that I must pay homage to my urologist, he is something else and knows his stuff.

Jeez, I need to get the f*@k out of Eire lol

Regards

John

[TextualFury]

Before you move out of Ireland mind sending me some dirt? (I've Irish roots hidden beneath my redhaired scottish heritage.)

I can't believe some of what you just listed... except that I do fully. It seems there may be need for an irish Gimp Revolt. Gather a bunch of varying abilities, tape signs to your wheels and storm the... uh health offices? Demand reform? Not sure where the Irish medical controls are at, and maybe neither are the doctors?

[allister]

lol.....no disrespect here at all, so please don't roast me....
i think i must be having a blonde moment, even though i ain't blonde

i thought the post was about premenstral tension ! ! ! !

cut me some slack here before you rip the p out of me,
in hospital with rampant blood pressure
just getting over a little blip of 180/125
take pity, my brains on the boil . . . .lol.......

[TextualFury]

Why would you be boiled exactly? We can use you in the Gimp Roll (march?) to change Irish medical practices and make them less "HUH? (Censored) do you doctors get PAID for this?!" You can be the banner carrier?

[allister]

TextualFury, on May 16 2010, 12:41 AM, said:

Why would you be boiled exactly?

errrrrrr i feel a prat !

[mellowgator]

i've been injured 23 years. at this point i have a neurologists who writes me scripts for anything i tell him i need and it's done. i do deal with chronic pain and i see a pt weekly for ultrasound treatment (deep heat treatment) and for range of motion. it helps the pain greatly and i keep my legs loose and heal cords from dropping.

there have been times when i have no need for pt. some of the best pt i've had was in the pool. you really can get a good stretch in the warm water plus without gravity i can stand and take steps.

so in my case if i want it iget it. i also have the best insurance in the land. if insurance won't pay (they always do) i call my lawyer and as long as i have a script the insurance has to give it to me.

mellowgator

[tyvin]

Here in Hawaii I do my own PT. The system over here is set up to nickle and dime you to death. Sure they offer you PT all night and day but I'm still a little bit solvent and pay for everything. Soon I will have spent down everything and have to go on assistance.

My insurance won't pay for a handi-van to go to PT (where the machines are) and I don't need someone standing over me in my room telling me how to increase muscle size in a certain area because I already know so I ordered some equipment and do it myself. Besides it's a 20% copay on my part for the visits which adds up real quick. This is the stimulus to keep me self disciplined plus the fact that I do a very good job of it.

I have said this before that Hawaii is one of the worst states to be handicapped in so I will move to Washington State in a few months after I recover from bilateral knee contracture release surgery. I will move there because I have some family there that will help me out (I also miss the seasons).

I just ordered a knee brace as after the surgery I have no control of my lower right leg and it is terribly painful. I had the surgery so I could transfer more easily to my wheel-chair now it looks as if the darn leg is still a hindrance. I wanted my surgeon to cut it off but he wanted to try this first.

My doc is somewhat like yours in that I tell her what to write for and she trusts my judgment and does it.

Now sir; what did you have 500 stitches for?

[mellowgator]

allister, on May 15 2010, 11:38 PM, said:

lol.....no disrespect here at all, so please don't roast me....
i think i must be having a blonde moment, even though i ain't blonde

i thought the post was about premenstral tension ! ! ! !

cut me some slack here before you rip the p out of me,
in hospital with rampant blood pressure
just getting over a little blip of 180/125
take pity, my brains on the boil . . . .lol.......

al,

this thread is about premenstral tension. you've got it right.

mellowgator

[allister]

mellowgator, on May 16 2010, 01:52 AM, said:

allister, on May 15 2010, 11:38 PM, said:

lol.....no disrespect here at all, so please don't roast me....
i think i must be having a blonde moment, even though i ain't blonde

i thought the post was about premenstral tension ! ! ! !

cut me some slack here before you rip the p out of me,
in hospital with rampant blood pressure
just getting over a little blip of 180/125
take pity, my brains on the boil . . . .lol.......

al,

this thread is about premenstral tension. you've got it right.

mellowgator

i ain't that blonde !!!!! good try...........x

[TextualFury]

You may be well roasted though. If you're boiling give yourself a lick and see if you are done cookin yet. (Just don't add anymore salt, I bet you have plenty!)

[qbounce]

The only reason I had outpatient therapy is because my in-hospital therapy was little to none . . . a WHOPPING 5 weeks. Then, outpatient therapy went on 2 days a week for 5 months. I never did more than one hour on car transfers, or even a half hour on floor transfers.

Now, my insurance will cover a certain amount per month for a gym pass. I'm not there yet, but I do plan on taking full advantage of this benefit when the timing's right.

Ali, could it be your dancing to The Culture Club is bringing your blood to boil? Just simmer down, already.

[rue2you]

I did have PT 3 times a week as outpatient, then down to 2 times a week (because I was a good girl and would do the exercises at home like I was told), then down to double sessions 1 time a week which is where we are at now. I am setting up a home work-out room and then maybe they will let me work here and only go back every now and then to be re-evaluated. But it not, I will continue to go once a week.

[allister]

qbounce, on May 16 2010, 02:37 AM, said:

The only reason I had outpatient therapy is because my in-hospital therapy was little to none . . . a WHOPPING 5 weeks. Then, outpatient therapy went on 2 days a week for 5 months. I never did more than one hour on car transfers, or even a half hour on floor transfers.

Now, my insurance will cover a certain amount per month for a gym pass. I'm not there yet, but I do plan on taking full advantage of this benefit when the timing's right.

Ali, could it be your dancing to The Culture Club is bringing your blood to boil? Just simmer down, already.

ha ha ha. oppps here i go again, its all the excitement, stop it your killin' me.......lol.

[Edinburgh Colin]

Similar experience here in Scotland.
Made me competent, independent (as much as they thought I could be) and out the door.
3 months flat on my back in Acute Dependency, 4 months in Rehab in a modified minerva body brace from my ass to me ears, slowly mobilising and 6 weeks without it then discharged out the door.

Still have medical follow up's 6 weeks (been), 3 months, and yearly after that.

[Wheelsonfire]

Bejeasus what happened to me thread



The Celts seem to have the opinion; Come on you ole jessie, ya only damaged yar legs n arms, sure ya can still bite the bastard ........lol

It seems to differ worldwide as I expected.

PT.....premenstral tension, Christ Al you could have a point there lol

Tyvin......Although my trade was that of a grease monkey prior to my injury, I also worked in security, I received between 50 and 60 stab wounds one beautiful night while finishing a 21 hour shift, on my way home to pick up food to head out to do another 12 hour shift. I tasted steel.

Some went through the back and out the front, some even more serious, but to answer your question, the head took mayor damage(If you were to super impose the scar mapping over a map of Afghanistan the Yanks would find Bin Laden(saying this, they ALREADY know where he is).

All wounds had to be cauterised prior to stapling(stitches wouldn’t hold) 1600 in total, 500 to the top, back and sides of the skull.

[TextualFury]

Well that's why they didn't give you PT then! "Oh you survived that? Pfft adaptation won't be a stretch for you old man!"

That does seem almost logical in your situation. Glad you stuck around. I also have stitching issues, though yours may be a one time thing just because of how many you needed. Did they at least try to glue the skin layers underneath? A little dab of glue goes a long way in holding a person together. (My facial surgery only has a bit of visible scarring and they lifted up half my face and glued it back on. Before anyone has to ask I had a mole removal scheduled and it turned into an emergency that's not a mole it's a tumor ectomy)

[FlyPelicanFly]

This subject is one of my biggest gripes in the UK. I do feel that many spinal units are like sausage factories with patients being operated on, rehabilitated to independence and conditioned to the wheelchair. If you dont show massive gains in the first 6 weeks they pretty much roll you out of the door. I can understand it in a way as resources are limited and PT is expensive. But I think we all have the right to affordable PT. It's the old Care versus Cure debate again - the UK is great for benefits and rights for the disable - but a trick is definately being missed where by people who want it, should be offered affordable (if not free) physiotherapy as they desire.

[McTavish]

Hi Wheels, I am in the Emerald Isle too but have been getting Physio since I left Rehab in 2005, only because I fought tooth and nail for it, I used to have a physio come to the house once a week until he returned to India so the HSE thought they were finished with me. I then went to our local politician and was able to go to a local hospital for physio once a week, which I am still doing. I also got over a year of swimming classes from another hospital simply because I again fought for that. It is one long battle of fighting for yourself and It shouldn't be these services should be offered to us.

[Trinity]

One of the reasons the USA seems to get more physio is that they have bugger all time, generally, as an inpatient and it is cheaper to do out patient rehab than inpatient rehab. It all comes down to £££ or $$$. I was offered physio when I left rehab but I declined. After nearly 6 months I had had enough and just wanted to get on with my life. If I was in America with just a few weeks rehab then I would have bitten their arm off if I had been offered outpatient physio

[S&W Winger]

Two words: DUCT TAPE!! Forget the staples, glue and stitches...


...as far as PT...I'm supposed to be getting it 3x week but cannot afford it as well...too bad cows don't carry insurance...


I am also working on acquiring a standing frame...I also do a lot on my own (but then, I have freckles and as far a premenstrual tension: none of that nonsense for me! I'm too old! LOL!)...


Regardless of injury and time, any movement/therapy is beneficial within your limits...


Have you had an evaluation lately?

Edited by S&W Winger, 16 May 2010 - 04:20 PM.

[Travelling Blackbird]

Wheelsonfire, on May 15 2010, 11:59 PM, said:

Derek

I have to agree with you regarding the Irish, you seem to have it just right at the moment.

I had near 500 staples holding the head together and the only time I seen a neuro was for a piece of steel that was still stuck inside my back when the knife snapped off inside. When they brought me around after a few months, they seen I was ticking over alright bar the obvious injuries, probably thought "Ah sure he's the grandest".

I think this is the reason I treat the health service here with contempt.
On saying that I must pay homage to my urologist, he is something else and knows his stuff.

Jeez, I need to get the f*@k out of Eire lol

Regards

John

There's a couple of good doctors in Ireland, naturally, but the majority of them are shite. They're only good at treating the things they see regularly: arthritis, pregnancy and alcoholism!

There was a study done on medical care in Europe, and Ireland came next to last on the list. Right down there with Lithuania and Latvia!

I'm glad to be out of Irish doctors' hands, let me tell you.

TextualFury, on May 16 2010, 01:19 AM, said:

Before you move out of Ireland mind sending me some dirt? (I've Irish roots hidden beneath my redhaired scottish heritage.)

I can't believe some of what you just listed... except that I do fully. It seems there may be need for an irish Gimp Revolt. Gather a bunch of varying abilities, tape signs to your wheels and storm the... uh health offices? Demand reform? Not sure where the Irish medical controls are at, and maybe neither are the doctors?

We'd have to find some wheelchair accessible health offices to storm... and sure, how'd we get there? Dublin Bus?

Wheelsonfire, on May 16 2010, 11:54 AM, said:

Bejeasus what happened to me thread



The Celts seem to have the opinion; Come on you ole jessie, ya only damaged yar legs n arms, sure ya can still bite the bastard ........lol

It seems to differ worldwide as I expected.

PT.....premenstral tension, Christ Al you could have a point there lol

Tyvin......Although my trade was that of a grease monkey prior to my injury, I also worked in security, I received between 50 and 60 stab wounds one beautiful night while finishing a 21 hour shift, on my way home to pick up food to head out to do another 12 hour shift. I tasted steel.

Some went through the back and out the front, some even more serious, but to answer your question, the head took mayor damage(If you were to super impose the scar mapping over a map of Afghanistan the Yanks would find Bin Laden(saying this, they ALREADY know where he is).

All wounds had to be cauterised prior to stapling(stitches wouldn’t hold) 1600 in total, 500 to the top, back and sides of the skull.

That was some vicious attack. If you don't mind me asking, was the attacker caught? Was he mental, or was it some personal vendetta, or what was it?

[TextualFury]

Maybe by bus? Could always get all the crips with nice roomy vans to caravan us. Pun so intended too. That or we get our carers to haul those portable ramps and drive across? Though I'd have to first cross the sea!

[hurbshankin]

I'm almost three years post SCI, started PT the 2nd week I was in ICU. Did 5 days a week 3 hrs a day for the first 5 months til I got home from the nursing home. Since then I do 3 times a week for an hour - hour and a half at my home. This is only because I have pretty much the best insurance available.

Hurb

[Wheelsonfire]

Apologies to all, I hadn't the time to follow up on this thread.

Okey doakey, I'll start from the top down without quotes.

TextualFury; Oi where are you going with the “old man” in leap years I'm not even 10 yet...heh heh.
Glue, oh God no, there was too much damage done to be looking around the place for glue, my urologist came up with the idea of packing my internals with swabs to try and stop the bleeding, it worked, multiple surgeons working on me at the same time, it would have only started a row, don't you know one of them would have taken the others tube and all hell would have broken loose, I can't stand having to look at my surgeon when he stomps his feet like a child.

FlyPelicanFly; UK seems similar to here bar the rights of the disabled, the UK have the discrimination Act which gives you more rights than our revised disability Act of November 2005, ours been needs based rather than rights based, in saying that, the preamble should stay and all Acts and sub sections there after should evolve as we do within our Constitution. (and no smart comments people about Irish evolution)

McTavish; Well bejeasus, top of da mornin to ya, what's the craic.(sorry, couldn't resist)
You could imagine what there was back in '92/'93 when I was injured compared to '05, as you can see by our now poster child Mary Harney Minister for health(personally thinking, she would be more at home eating from a troff than in Government).
SII(spinal injuries Ireland) would have created their mailing list from the database of patients, I was not on the mailing list so that shows you that I got lost in the system.

Trin; Yes I agree, it's better to enjoy rather than calendar watching and look afters ones needs themselves.

Beverly; Depending on circumstances of your accident, lets say the cattle roamed outside their boundaries, your compensation should come from the owner of the cattle as it would be a necessity for him to have public liability insurance (covering PT). Unless you decided to go off road into the field after them (just thought, your not a crazy bike riding cattle rustler are you?)
To answer your question, no I have not been evaluated (come to think of it, I have many friends who think I should be; but my disability doesn't enter the equation).

Alas, Derek me ole bud (using Dublin slang); Yes, there are some talented surgeons on this Isle, not enough though. It doesn't surprise me with the results of the study, what our present Government has done now is even worse, NAMA/more taxes, we will be last to come out of recession within Europe and what makes it worse is the the next Government in '12 will be a definite Fine Gael(Good God the country run by a Mayo man) and Labour coalition, they won't have time to resolve the issues Fianna Fáil and the Greens caused and of course the thick will stick Fianna Fáil back in Government in '16.
Regarding my love for Sheffield steel; not at all sure they were the loveliest lads you would ever meet (there were two).(written using the wit font) On leaving the premises I had a brown bag filled with junk food to give me the sugar rush because of working such hours (at times when securing council housing that was been regenerated, I would start Friday at 4.30pm and finish Monday at 8am), on the night in question you could imagine their surprise when realizing it was not the takings(money) that was on my person. And bejeasus did they know anatomy, ah mere flesh wounds.

Hurb, yes, money talks BS walks.

Regards

John

Edited by Wheelsonfire, 19 May 2010 - 01:11 AM.