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Therapy

CagedBird

Entry posted by CagedBird

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I went to see the bioness rep yesterday for a follow up with my ness h200. I got kind of frustrated with him. He was irritated that I had used the bioness for too long. One day I used it for 4 hours when I was not supposed to ever use it for more than a hour and a half a day. This was the same day I had the seizure in my sleep so Im guessing too much e-stim that day could have been a contributing factor to my dizziness. I was afraid of getting dizzy again so I quit using the bioness for about a week. Still, the rep said I had too much tone. I think he doesn't know what he's talking about. I have not had therapy or botox since last spring and I've noticed my fingers have been looser since I got back on the baclofen last month but even before when I got e-stim over the summer I was only on baclofen (no therapy, no botox). Yet he claims I have too much tone for the bioness to work for me. I couldn't help but get an attitude with him. I havent been to therapy since May 2011, havent had botox since February 2011, but he wants me to believe I have too much tone to benefit from e-stim when I just opened my hand multiple times using e-stim last October and this June. I should have just done what Kathy Spencer said and asked for a new rep. He also told me it felt like I had more tone than I did when we first met in November. Yes I used the bioness for too long on certain days but I always took breaks. I never used it for more than an hour and a half straight and anyway me starting back on the baclofen should have reversed any more tone I could've caused. Oh well Im sending it back so sorry there will be no more bioness news.

 

I was excited to find out I finally got my referral for therapy. I was scheduled to get my PT evaluation today and OT evaluation next week. but today at PT I found out Medicaid changed their policy and since my stroke was so long ago I only get 3 sessions per year. I was forced to choose between OT or PT. I decided to spend my 3 sessions this year doing PT then just work on my hand starting January. I will have to research other providers and find out what networks are in my dad's insurance because I cant afford the expensive co-pay to continue therapy after my Medicaid sessions run out. I feel good about PT and am motivated to do the strengthening exercises at home.

Thank you all for your nice comments

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swilkinson

Katrina, it seems as if you have obstacles put in your way at every turn. I would ask for a new rep as the one you have is so negative. We all need encouragement, not negativity.

 

3 sessions is certainly less than you need in PT or OT. Cut backs are the pits!

 

Sue.

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ruthpill

Katrina,

Don't give up. I know that you won't. Work your own program. Utilize the 3 visits to the max. Ask them for more workouts that you can continue to work on your own. Get them to give you handouts to continue your therapy. They can make one up for the year. Ask them to give you OT and PT workouts they probably will.

Sorry to hear that the bioness rep was so negative.

I , personally am so impressed that you work so hard and have made such advancements.

Ruth

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fking

About your PT? I assumed you had that from the beginning of your stroke recovery days, months, and years?? No wonder your hand is closed and you like to hide it!!

 

Get your three sessions of PT from Medicare then try to continue at home with what they show you there and you'll be okay and a great start,

 

it's never too late!! See if they will give you a couple of those stretch bands to take home, the green and the red one tied to your headboard will help you use your left hand while you grasp them and stretch your hand and arm out daily!!

 

I think Walmart sells the big exercise ball, I bought one, and that good exercise to have one for your legs and hands on exercising!!

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SandyCaregiver

Please call your insurance company again. I had thought that I had to pick between therapies, but found out that I could get any therapies I wanted on ONE DAY and they all counted as one therapy day. It was not the number of therapies he got (OT, PT, Speech) it was the number of therapy DAYS. So, it is possible that you can have both OT & PT, but they must be on the same day. But please check and ask them exactly if it is 3 therapy days as with any therapies you get that day, or just 3 therapy sessions, and you can only choose one a day, for those 3 days.

 

Katrina, the reason why they give instructions is because that is the best way it works. Please don't try to make it up on your own, you could actually be creating a problem, and most likely that is why you had the seizure. The reason for the instructions is based on their studies of how people react, and you are not aware of their testing and results and it's not good to ignore that and base what you will do on whatever you feel like.

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