Hi guys!

I am so frustrated, upset and hurting. I need to vent...I have only driven one time in 2013 and that was months ago and I only drove 5 minutes from our house. My husband drives me everywhere now. I have to start PT for my pelvic floor dysfunction and my husband cannot keep taking off work so much so I decided I would take him to meet his carpool and drive myself to the appts. Today we went out so I could "practice"...yeah, it didn't go so well. I made it about 2 miles and I was in tears and had to pull over. The pain in my right foot got so bad and holding on to the steering wheel was painful. This just really sucks! We are gonna try again tomorrow since my first appt is Monday morning. I don't know if this is gonna work. Ugh!

Thanks for listening...
Nanc

Well done for trying Nanc, and I hope it gets a bit easier and you can gain some driving independence back. As my arm is getting worse, I've started worrying about driving, and what a right royal pain it would be to have to rely on my poor husband for every trip I make...

Do you have a friend who could help out? Maybe you could drive as far as you are able each time, and then they could take over? It's awful having to ask for help all the time tho isn't it? I don't know Nanc, this thing takes so much away from us.

Take it easy and hopefully things will get easier

Bram.

Would at home PT be an option for you? When I couldn't drive because my RSD symptoms were at their worst...my doctor prescribed for a physical therapist to come to the house. That worked out really well and was a wonderful experience. It also meant that I didn't have to rely on anyone to drive me to therapy a couple times a week.

Hey Nanc,

I really am sorry that this is so painful for you. Is there anything different you can do with shoes or socks that could make your foot just a bit more comfortable? What about lidoderm patches placed along nerves above the ankle to help? What about using cruise control as much as possible? For your hands can you add a steering wheel cover so that your grip doesn't have to be so tight?

What about friends or neighbors is there anyone who might be able to help out when your husband cannot?

If your mornings are better for pain it might be good to try your practice then?

Sure wish there was an easy answer but as we all know with CRPS there never is.. so sorry.

I do hope your next practice goes better than today!

In the UK we have to report any condition that affects the safety of our driving, they took my licence away.

Thanks Bram! Unfortunately I do not have many friends left around me. Lost a lot of them as I got worse, so I guess they weren't too good of friends huh? My "better" friends live in the same town as my family, which is 2 1/2 hours away. I only have a few friends around here and they all work full-time. My in-laws live close by, but neither are doing too well. If my family was closer by, it would be so much better.

I want to ditch this PT, but I have to try it. She told me it would be a lot of visits...at least 8-10 to start. What a pain!! She is helping the pelvic floor but knows nothing about RSD/CRPS....not good!

I had a minor meltdown coming home, I am having one of those weeks where I am so fed up with the pain getting worse and more limitations. It was hard accepting the fact that my husband has to drive me everywhere, and we adjusted. Now this just makes it too difficult. He works an hour from home and the PT/Dr's office is 45 minutes from our house.

Thanks again for listening...

Hi catra! I am not sure if it is an option for this kind of PT. I will check into it though. I explained the transportation issue with the PT and she didn't offer anything up, except having 1 hour appointments instead of 30 minute appointments...for some of the visits. Her latest appt is 2 or 2:30 and she is not there on Fridays...my husband is off every other Friday and works 7:00 - 4:30 every other day.

Thanks for the idea

Yeah, I worry about that too.

My husband is really worried about me driving, as am I.

(((Nanc)))

My heart goes out to you. I've seen you rise above so many obstacles. I know it probably doesn't seem so to you. You are a true inspiration to me.

In my town, we have 'Access Vans' for this very purpose and they only cost a dollar a trip. It's a great service to have, but not all areas have them.

Hopefully you'll get to where you will be able to drive. Maybe some soft mittens to wear and/or getting a padded steering wheel cover? Zookester has some good ideas for your foot. Gel inserts for shoes?
I have a pair of soft boots with very soft fur type of stuff inside.
Just some thoughts....
Rae

My husband said to check with your county social service department to see if there are any rides to pt or dr appts or any other services you may be entitled to. Also my sister in law said that sometimes when your disabled there are services that provide in home pt if you need it. I hope you can find someone to help you. I think it's great your trying to drive, but be careful not to drive if your on prescription pain meds that can make it hard to think clearly when driving. I don't drive anymore because of the trouble I have holding onto the steering wheel with my rsd hand and because of the pain meds I'm on. They both impair my abilitiy to drive and I don't want get into an accident and hurt someone. I'm not trying to scare you, it's just how I feel. Good luck with pt and I hope it helps. And I hope you can get there or have an in home pt so you don't have to worry. My thoughts are with you.