Dorothy,
Most YMCA's have an arthritis class for people who need water to exercise. Even in our small town they do. I was going to the YMCA on a regular basis for the hydrobics classes. (til bones started breaking) They have instructors who teach you how to exercise in water. It's wonderful for range of motion. You don't have to be able to swim, the exercises are done in the shallow part of the water. Only water up to your chest. I can't swim anymore and they were easy to do. It helped a lot. Check around and see if you can find some of these classes close to you. I'm going back as soon as the doctor says I can. It's fun too and I've met a lot of people, some who email me.

Billye

I think advanced neuropathy can mean that the area of the body that is affected by neuropathy has expanded to include a larger area. Example of this is when PN starts in feet,and eventually travels up to cover all of legs.

Or that the neuropathy has advanced because initially symptoms were mild, and things seem to be getting worse.

I too am also am a bit puzzled as to how the neuro can predict how long it would take for symptoms to pop up,as one thing I know about PN is that it's very unpredicatable.

Your PN might not be getting worse,it may just be changing in it's characteristics.To give you an example, when I first got PN, it was really really bad as it encompassed my entire body. Now I hardly ever get zaps or burning. I have some cramping and tightness that's fleeting, but it's still so much better than it was. Just think of your entire body being on fire, that's what it felt like. Now I have some muscle pains, but I'll take this over the strong sensory symtoms anyday.

I am seeing an osteopath now,nd he has helped me quite a bit. He works on muscle groups and realigns muscles, primarily shoulders,back,kneck, and legs.
I feel great afterwards but it's a bit short lived.I have also had PT in the past and I find it very useful. I would really give it a go if you can.

Wow i'm 60 and like you i can't swim either. You would go out our
patio door there was a deck and our yard was Lake St. Clair. Dad
sent us to swimming classes as well,my brother had no trouble but
i did. So it was hold my breath under water,or play in the front yard.
I made up for it by ice skating in the winter. Ha

Billye if you have balance issues is ther anything to grab hold of??
I had a Uncle who did this for his back,and he just loved it as well.
He lived in small town and what he loved the most was meeting people.
And he said a lot of laughter helped the pain. Sue

All those swimming lessons - for years - and all I can do is dog-paddle. - good to know I'm not alone!
Near where I am the County Parks and Rec. has pools fairly close. The one nearest me is indoors and HUGE, classes at one end [which I've done], lap lanes in the middle and diving at the other end. It's got wheelchair access so you don't have to worry about diving in...just walk down a ramp, and the water's between waist hi and shoulder hi at the shallow end. I never felt afraid, but did get breathless from their version of 'gentle' workouts after the first 10 minutes of a 40 minute class. I could also go at non-class times and just do my own thing so it wasn't too complicated or anything. But, and I don't know if this is an issue for you, there is a small fee each visit. Various access memberships are available so - I guess it's like a Y, but there are usually lots of options around. You just have to learn to know where to find them!
The pool near me has those long foam bopper-sticks [don't know what else to call them] for classes and you could probably use one of those for security, if you ask them.
MY PROBLEM is tho: the pool is fairly warm and the temp is comfy...till I get OUT! I start really and truly turning blue and can't warm up for hours!
Hope this all helps! ???? = j

Dorothy, I can't imagine that any doctor would refuse to refer you to PT. Your neuro, or the first doctor you have an appt. with, should be able to refer you. All of these smart people here are quite right about water aerobics classes, too. They are a great way to keep motivated, as well as being wonderful excercise. You can go to those in addition to PT. PT will see you for awhile and then discharge you with a home program. Just tell your doctor that you are beginning to have some problems with weakness and balance, as well as some stiffness of your joints. That should do it! If you don't like your first PT, go to another. Your doctor should be happy that you are interested in taking care of yourself!

I MEAN DOROTHY! don't or won't prescribe PT, they just simply don't think of it!
Since I had been a somewhat active person, and, because a few years before I'd gotten whatever it is I have...I knew about sports-medicine [good and bad] and that I was losing lots, LOTS of muscle tone and agility and balance and all that.
I WAS THE ONE who asked my neuro for PT, and explained why [loss of muscle tone and all], He just went sort of HUH? Yes! and took out his pad...It's simply that the neuro is doing all those neuro-thingy replays in his brain in terms of diagnosis and med treatments, and not thinking about the whole body! Didn't take long for the neuro to change channels after the Huh? To OF COURSE! Makes sense, without much effort...Just tho, should your doc write a PT order....to INCLUDE what's called a HOME PROGRAM...that means: one that doesn't rely only on the equipment available at the PT place...That's why under another thread about exercises similar to those I've been given to do at home. You want to be able to do this all and keep it up after your PT sessions are done. Once learned, they are easy, require little expense or equipment AND MOST IMPORTANT: THEY WORK! My only advice, is to start right and learn how to do them the best way for YOU under a physical therapist's guidance, and then you have to be strong and keep doing them on your own [this part I know I fail at]. They seem silly, insignificant, but they work if you keep at it. Those little efforts add up! And most of them are safe for most of us.
Um, also, don't try to learn/do it all...all at once? You will HURT and be one unhappy camper- for DAYS!. Ask for a therapist [yes, you can do this!] who is familiar with stroke, chemo and/or diabetes patients...such PT's will be more likely to be familiar with Neuropathies and how much you can and can't do, and what can be done to help you do more. Give it a try, but be sort of a Savvy Shopper? I don't know how else to put it more succinct.
Get going and get moving! Hugs! - j

Most swimming pools at YMCA's are also geared to help handicapped people and any of them who teach the arthritis classes have to be. Rails on the steps you need to get down into the pool, lifeguard on duty who will help you get started down the steps. And for those who can't go down the steps, there is likely a hydraulic chair that lifts you into the water. Ours is in a small town and it has one, I would think that larger cities would have even better equip.

I bought a thick terrycloth robe that I put in a chair by poolside and I put it on immediately and then go into a hot shower in the dressing room. This keeps me from freezing. I do the same in the Summer, because my body freezes year round.

There are body flotation devices that you can wear in the pool, and most pools have a rail along the side. The long "bopper sticks' that Dahlek is talking about can be held around the waist to help you walk in the water. We call them noodle's here. They are simply long foam sticks that bend and help you with water exercises. I did this when I started going to the classes. Then soon I got to where I didn't have to use them. I can't wait to start back.

Billye

Dahlek,

I see by your information that you live in the DC suburbs. Where is your neuro? Do you go to Hopkins? I l;ive in the Baltimoe suburbs and see a neurologist at Hopkins? Wouldn't it be funny if w saw he sam one and maybe you would have paved the way for me to ask him to see a PT. I am going to do it whe I see him in June.


Dorothy

I once again called my oldest son,he laughed ,will you please listen
to these wonderful people. I didn't realize his friend for years teaches,
just a mile away. And he said she will get me down into the water
and there are those railings. I'm going to try,thaks to all of you. But
i better let my leg heal first. Sue