Physical Therapy
 

I have been going to Physical Therapy, for evaluation of my dizziness and balance problems. At first I went 3 times a week, for two weeks, then once a week, after this week she said so you want to come back in two weeks. So what good will that do. She said they don't think they can help my dizziness, or balance, so I need to work on my core strength, and legs. I have been having fits with my legs, since they put me on one of those riding and arm machines, and the treadmill. I know I won't do it, if they stop seeing me. They won't call dr. and ask him how long I was suppose to go 3 times a week. Have they given up on me? Has anyone went to therapy for balance, and what kind of exercises did you do?
Maybe I need to take pain meds before I go, or do exercise?
This is the only thing he gave me after my dx, beside gabapentin. Stopped taking it because I was getting pains in my head and a little manic.

I'm doing physical therapy.

They're giving me balance exercises, but they're also making me do things to build up my strength (that's working, I feel a ton stronger than I did 2mos ago)

Some of the balance exercises dont seem to be helping (one where you stand with your feet together, and close your eyes. I always get dizzy with that one. I refuse to do that one now) but the ones that are supposed to build up strength are working, and I think now that I'm stronger feeling, I dont feel like I'm going to fall down all the time.

I do think, on the whole, that the PT is helping me, maybe not for everything they sent me there for, but it's helping me enough that I'm still going back every week.

They havent put me up on a treadmill or the bike yet, but I have gone to the gym on my own time and used a recumbent bike there, which I think is also helping. I want to do the treadmill, but the PT techs told me not to try until they help me do it.

About a month ago, I was going to quit PT, and one of the girls at the PT place told me to keep up with it for awhile longer. Glad I did. I do think that PT will help, if anything they'll keep you moving and if you're dizzy it's better to exercise with someone helping you so that you wont hurt yourself.

I still dont feel all that great from the MS, but I do think I'm feeling better than I was in early february when my dad took me to buy a rollator because I could barely walk across my bedroom. (I dont use the rollator now except for when I get out of bed with a killer charley horse. Use it to get out of bed really fast, and hold onto if the charley horse is really bad)

I'm still carrying a cane with me everywhere I go, but I tend to forget it a lot, and I probably dont need it except for the times when I get up and start walking across the room and all of a sudden a leg decides to go in a direction that I didnt tell it to go in.

Hi debw,

I have used PT a few different times. The last time I went was to work on my leg that kept giving out on me. During this time we also worked on balance. I have to say the balance stuff was kind of fun...I know, I'm strange :rolleyes:

For balance: they had some type of foam mat that made it impossible to stand still and required you to try and keep your balance. The mat was always put in a place where I had something to hold onto. Not only was it to help for balance but to improve ankle and leg strength. It was fun!

Has the PT given up on you? Possibly :( Don't give up on yourself.

Years ago I had broken my left ankle and was non-weightbearing for 7 weeks. I spent alot of time in PT from before surgery to after I was able to drive. When I started PT after I was able to drive the PT worked with me for a few weeks then released me saying that was the best it was going to get.

What!!!???

I wasn't even close to the endurance or strength I had before the accident. I was shocked and sad...then I got ****** off and decided I could and would get back to where I was...on my own. It took dedication and alot of work and time but after a year I had regained what I lost.

I felt like going back to that Physical Therapist and telling her "see I did improve and without your help" as a "in your face." Of course I didn't do it but it was a great experience in my mind :D.

There are good and bad PTs. You may have gotten one of the bad ones. If possible ask your neuro for any recommendations and try again with a new PT.

Dealing with pain after PT is common and a PT will usualy even tell you this and how best to treat the pain as well as telling you to call if there is a problem after your session. Anytime you are using muscles or muscle groups you have not been using, there can be pain.

The key is not to overdo and for the PT to understand and know this.

Erin & Snoppy I am glad you are getting stronger! It takes a lot of willpower to keep it up and endure the pain it causes! I guess it is the lack of enthusiam I am getting from them, to keep coming. I have only saw the actual Therapist twice, the assistant is the one that I keep seeing. I guess I just need a cheerleader, because I am working so hard to keep up (balance wise) to do my everyday chores and work full time, this is a lot of added fatigue.
Although I think they thought by doing the balance exercises on the foam mat, the half of rubber ball they make me stand on, the swinging bridge, swaying. I could strengthen my ankles and feet to keep my balance. I still can't move my head up or down and hold my balance. I just jolt backwards, which is usually how I fall.
I see the neurologist on the 20th, first time since dx, so maybe he'll have some ideas. Also having a lot of anxiety, I really need to address. Seems to be getting worse, almost constant. Not sure why..
I could maybe try the other Pt in town and see how it goes, might be worth it.
Thanks for the input! ;)

The assistant is the one that works with me too, most of the time. But, I've noticed that the two PT's that basically run the place are always watching, even if they're helping someone else. They ask me questions on how I'm doing.

At least once a week, one of the PT's will grab my chart, ask me questions about things that are going on and then will make notes.

At the beginning I balked at a lot of the exercises, because I didnt feel like I could do them. They gave me a couple of weeks and then tried again to get me to do them, and at that point, I figured "I'm feeling better, let's try it".

If the PT's are acting like they've given up on you, give up on them and go find a new PT. Just call your doctor and tell them the PT therapist and you dont mesh and you want a new Rx to go somewhere else. (that's if you're in an area that has more than one group of PT places)

What I like about my PT, is now that I'm in there doing it, they're addressing a few problems that I've had for years. I ruptured my achilles tendon in 2001 (10yrs ago this month) and never had PT for it. Some of the exercises they're making me do are helping that, and I've always had bad knees. Since these are areas that are probably contributing to my balance being wonky, I'm getting help for that stuff.

I still feel neurologically wobbly, but I feel like the physical stuff that was making me more wobbly is starting to get better. I'll take any improvement I can get.

I've also noticed that some of my numbness isnt as annoying now that I'm moving around. Think I might be losing some weight and that's probably helping that too. I think some of my numbness isnt all from the MS. I think I might have some other health problems that are contributing to the numbness. (I need to get checked for diabetes again)

i've had some experience with PT.
i don't believe it's up to them to diagnosis and tell you when to stop. there's a process they have to follow to keep the dr informed.

and, PT's should be your biggest cheerleader. if not i think you should find someone else. please discuss all this with your dr. or, call the office now and see what they say. maybe you can try some med for your sx's now so that by the time you see the dr you'll have some feedback to give him.

keep us posted.

I talked to my PT today while I was there, she told me that the reason they do the core strength building exercises so much for me was to build up my strength. Said that once I started to get stronger, that's when they started tossing all the balance exercises at me.

She said that if I didnt have the strength to do the exercises, it wouldnt really help much doing the balance exercises if I couldnt hold myself up. Said also that having weak muscles makes you that much more wobbly and unstable. If you're better able to hold yourself up, then the balance exercises will be so much easier to do.

She told me that it took me about 2 mos to get my strength up to where she felt comfortable having me do more balance exercises. Which would explain why they only just started several of the balance exercises in the last 2 or 3 weeks for me. She asked if I was feeling better since starting the PT. I told her yes, today when I got there I felt great. I was walking almost normally and it was only at the end of the session that I started to feel like I have MS.


Debw, did you start backing off on going to PT every week, or were they the ones that started to lower the number of days you went every week? If they're the ones who cut down the number of days you go per week, then you might want to look around for another physical therapist.


I go 3 times a week. Which I think is a fairly consistent number of days. My PT told me you have to be consistent and keep up the exercises. It's not exactly something you can do once a week and then go home and sit around all the time like I did when I first started PT. I have to do exercises at home too. (yay for the Wii and the Wii Fit board I got for Xmas. Some of the games are ok stand-ins for some PT exercises) I also go to the gym and ride the recumbent bike.

If I didnt have the Wii to use and a gym to go to, I'd have to go to the mall and just walk a couple of laps around it. (indoor mall, with nice a/c and heat. Cant take money with me or I wouldnt get any walking done) It's easier to use the Wii at home tho, but walking at the mall is free also (as long as I dont take any money or credit cards with me and stay out of the stores)

Reply to You
 

Hi, I am a new member, just wanna say I feel badly they are kinda "dumpin ya out there. Medical field is so crazy these days, I actually work in a clinic for pain managment, the rules in health care are so tight, they are all afraid of keeping pateints too long I think. Did they at least give U stuff to do at home?

I have been doing some stuff at home, have a treadmill, been walking on it. Got one of those big balls, they showed me some exercises to do on it. It's just hard to do it at home, if I have to go there, then I do it for sure! I'm sure its expensive, (haven't got bill for it yet) . Guess, since it took 4 years to get dx, I would get a little longer treatment. Oh well!
Thanks for caring!

Deb, if your PT was ordered by your Doc, it should be covered by your Insurance.....at least up to a certain amount of sessions?

:hug: