Specialist appointment/stairlift query

sharmaine

Hi everyone -
It's been ages since I posted anything on the site. I'll blame it on the decorating.
Great news....after a second lot of x-rays on my knees I've got an appointment on 25 June to see the specialist. The x-ray of my left knee shows severe deterioration. My right knee is not as bad - probably the same state as the left one was 2 years ago. I think my GP was surprised - she kept saying I was too young. What should I expect on this initial visit?

I'm having real trouble getting up and down the staircase lately.

My husband says we should rent a stair lift. Not sure if you can do this? It would make life easier. Some days I feel about 95 years old instead of 53!

Regards
Sharmaine

woodbon

Hello, I don't know about renting stair lifts, but occy therapy may be able to help you. I do know you can buy second-hand reconditioned ones from the manufacturers, but I don't know the costs. Good luck. Love Sue

ninakang

Hi Sharmaine

That's good news about your appointment on 25th, you'll have to let us know how you got on.

I don't know anything about stairlifts either, but I'd follow Sue's advice about asking Occy Health, they would be a good starting point.

Nx

lindalegs

Hi Sharmaine,

Good news eh. I think your initial visit will be to take your medical history, list what drugs you're on, an examination - don't know about bloods cos it sounds as if you're OA, if you're RA I would have thought they'd need bloods and possibly a urine sample.

Start making a list of questions that you need answers to as soon as possible because if you try and remember them the day before you may find you miss something important.

As for a stairlift ask about being referred to an occupational therapist and they may install one for you - although don't have one prematurely, I've had periods of time where struggled with stairs but have made myself do them and at the moment am doing them with ease again. My worry is that once you rely on a stairlift you may lose the ability to do stairs altogether - and there are alot of steps and stairs in the outside world that we need to be able to tackle if we can.

Luv Legs

debbieclap

Hi Sharmaine,
I had my stair left fitted about 6 months ago its wonderful I am only 48 but feel 90 some days. Occupational therapy should be able to help. You can sometimes get a grant from your council to pay for a stair lift Disabled Facilities Grant .
Debbie

jaspercat

Hi Sharmaine, we recently made some inquiries about a stairlift for my father-in-law, we found 1 company that gave us a really good quote for a rental stairlift, I am sending you a pm love Jaspercatxx

sharmaine

Hi Debbie
I thought I would start making enquiries re the stairlift as some days its a real problem and I have no idea when the doctors/specialists will take any action regarding my deteriorating left knee. I will ask abut an occupational therapist. As time goes on I add to the list of things I just can't do anymore.

Thanks for this information.
Sharmaine

debbieclap wrote:

Hi Sharmaine,
I had my stair left fitted about 6 months ago its wonderful I am only 48 but feel 90 some days. Occupational therapy should be able to help. You can sometimes get a grant from your council to pay for a stair lift Disabled Facilities Grant .
Debbie

dean76

As people on here know I currently have a surgeon and a GP who are a waste of space and messing me about.
So if I want to be referred to an Occupational Therapist for a needs assessment or whatever you call it; do I simply contact Social Services at my local council or are we referred a different way?

I had my Blue Badge Assessment last Friday and was given a leaflet from the Occupational Therapist about a local disability company in a retail park not far from me. She said stairs were a problem for me without me even saying anything about them. She even mentioned those doorbells that you can speak to the person without having to open the door.

Dean76 xxx

sharmaine

Hi Dean
What did you have to do for your blue badge assessment? I applied for a blue badge last week and I'm just waiting to hear. I forgot to include photos in my application and a cheque which is probably why I haven't heard anything. This would make my life so much easier! Good luck with the Occupational Therapist stuff. I'm thinking of asking my GP to refer me. I think you can contact social services directly. Why not give them a ring?
Sharmaine

dean76 wrote:

As people on here know I currently have a surgeon and a GP who are a waste of space and messing me about.
So if I want to be referred to an Occupational Therapist for a needs assessment or whatever you call it; do I simply contact Social Services at my local council or are we referred a different way?

I had my Blue Badge Assessment last Friday and was given a leaflet from the Occupational Therapist about a local disability company in a retail park not far from me. She said stairs were a problem for me without me even saying anything about them. She even mentioned those doorbells that you can speak to the person without having to open the door.

Dean76 xxx

jaspercat

Hi, you can contact your local social services directly, and you can get access to a community OT, they can advise on things that you might need at home, and wll advise on where to get them, also advise you on getting a Disability Grant from the counci

I got a 100% grant to have a low level shower fitted, best thing I ever had done, so suggest that you give it a go love Jaspercatxx

woodbon

I do know that my disabled niece has found her stair lift has changed her life and her husbands. Its given her back some independance and means that even though she needs someone with her when she uses it, as she has balance problems, the person is not required to do more than push the button and make sure she gets her balance at the top. It was a good investment. I hope, if you need one, you can have it Love Sue

sharmaine

I will. I just hope the person I see is understanding. A friend told me that I may come across as being too capable and confident and I really must lay it on the line - how difficult it is to get about etc. You would think the x-rays would speak for themselves. I'll go with an open mind and just tell it like it is. I try to be optimistic but there are some days when I'm not.
Sharmaine

ninakang wrote:

Hi Sharmaine

That's good news about your appointment on 25th, you'll have to let us know how you got on.

I don't know anything about stairlifts either, but I'd follow Sue's advice about asking Occy Health, they would be a good starting point.

Nx

sharmaine

I'm going to leave the stair lift until I see the specialist. If it looks like months before they do anything with my knee then I'll have to do something. My left knee is very bad and my right knee is going the same way. I will celebrate when I'm able to walk without an aid; I hope that one day I'll be able to bend my knees and skip. I want to hop, skip and jump...but sadly can only limp! I'm pleased your niece has found having a stair lift beneficial.
Sharmaine

woodbon wrote:

I do know that my disabled niece has found her stair lift has changed her life and her husbands. Its given her back some independance and means that even though she needs someone with her when she uses it, as she has balance problems, the person is not required to do more than push the button and make sure she gets her balance at the top. It was a good investment. I hope, if you need one, you can have it Love Sue

dean76

I applied for my Blue Badge saying I have Arthritis in both feet they rang me about 2 weeks later and asked me when I was next seeing surgeon/GP about it I told them the date of the next appointment they said they would ring the day after that. They did I was told I needed surgery so they rang the day after surgery.

I was then told that the Blue Badge scheme doesnt allow you to apply till their is nothing more that can be done for you. There is a cutoff of 11wks from your intial application then you have to make a fresh application. But as no further treatment was likely nor was the condition going to improve they sent me an appointment. It was inconvenient but you can only refuse 2 appointments or application closed. They select the date, time and venue and do not consider your carers commitments/accessibility to the centre. It was 6 weeks from that date.

When I went to the Assessment Clinic I was watched by a security officer getting out the car who was extremely brash in his manner. I then took a seat in reception and an OT came to greet me and told me to move at my own pace we walked (me with crutch) down a short corridor and she chatted about all kinds to distract me. I felt obliged to move quicker as she spoke but physically couldnt because of balance so took her at her word and moved at my pace.

In the room which was like a GP's room she asked me .....do you fall and how often? Describe the last time you fell and how did this make you feel before and after? On a scale of 1-10 how would you describe your pain when you walk. And using same scale describe your pain when you are resting. What does the pain feel like? Where would you go if you had a blue badge? Do you work and if so how do you cope/not cope with your condition? Was really relaxed and at ease.

She then said that the local disability centre could help me with appliances and stuff. She told me I would need a grab rail and additional rail on staircase. Gave me a leaflet.

The she lead me back to my carer who was waiting for me in the reception area. She told me to put in for DLA incase I had not already applied. This time she wasnt talking to me as much as when she first met me.

I havent had the cheque cashed yet although I got my badge on Tuesday. I sent in a passport photo and a larger A6 sized one and they never said nothing despite them stating they had to be two passport sized ones. Im sure you will be fine with your application!

I hope this helps but its all I can recall at the moment about the process. Sun has frazzled my brain somewhat.

Dean76 x x x

ifeelninety

All I did when i applied for blue badge (first time)( I have RA) I just filled in the form, got the doctor to do his bits then sent off with photo ( no charge) . I got it back within a week without seeing anyone. My mum (oa)had to go for an assessment when she got hers but they just asked her to walk across the room.

Wonkylegs

just a thought about the stairs problems .....


when I had an OT home visit they suggested that i might find a second banister rail a help. I was sceptical, but we had one put in (didn't cost a lot) and I would be lost without it now!

because I use both hands, I don't put too much pressure on one side of my body. and I find that when using stairs with only one rail I really really miss the second!

also if one leg is ok and the other is not, you could use the method that the OT taught me ..... bear with me ... this is not as easy to explain in words as in actions! :oops:

ok ....... for coming down the stairs I would face the banister & hold on with my good leg doing the bending. I would bend enough to let my bad leg down onto the step, then bring the other to join it.

Reverse the system for going up. It does require you have two banisters though, or interchangable legs

It does mean going down one step at a time, but believe me, it is much better than possibly falling with a knee that gives way. Or going down on my bottom which I have been known to resort to :oops: :oops:

hope that helps in the meantime

lindalegs

Hi Wonky,

You described my method of using handrails and legs perfectly - although I only have one banister. This has restricted me in a way too because I can't use banisters on the opposite side to the one I have at home :roll: - still you can't win 'em all

Luv Legs