Cathy,
I feel llike an idiot for not asking how many AN patients were treated at this facility. I certainly asked every doctor I had a consultation how many AN patients they had treated. I guess I now understand why eveyrone I worked (three different PTs) with seemed so very interested in me too. Another example of how rare ANs are. . I am more annoyed at myself than the facility. It was ultimately my fault for not asking the most important question. I guess when I asked about vestibular rehab, at the time I thought that covered the subject. I am also very annoyed at burning my insurance benefits as well as the amount of money I've spent -- each session cost me an additional $20 out of pocket. I can't help wondering how much my insurance paid for each session too. On the flip side of things, the PTs at this facility have helped me regain much of my balance even if not as much as I had hoped. The one who took the vestibular course in particular has worked very hard to help me. I'm not sure if it would pay to try to go somewhere else for the last three sessions. No other facility on Staten Island that accepts my insurance even offers vestibular rehab and I don't think I mentioned this, but I also only have until October 10. My insurance only covers sessions that take place within 60 consecutive days as well as limiting the number of sessions. It really seems to make sense to make the most of the three sessions I have left where I am now going.
Karen,
I practice all the exercises I learned in PT at home at least twice a day. Besides that I walk, usually rain for shine every day at least one mile. My neighborhood is quite hilly and I deliberately choose a route that has two small hills, one medium sized hill and many inclines. I have been walking on grass as welll as the sidewalk and visit the mall at least once a week. I've found getting on escalators that are going down something of a challenge too -- I have a little trouble deciding when to step on as the stairs seem to move more quickly than before -- just my perception I know. I don't like the mall as much as I used to either or crowds in general -- too much visual stiimulation from all the activity I think. I don't really get very dizzy but do feel sort of disoriented and slightly nauseous. When it gets to be too much to stand I look at one spot on the floor because it makes me feel better. When I reach that point, I've usually had enough and leave. If things don't get better I may ask my doctor to see if he can convince the insurance company I need more physical therapy but I am not hopeful that even his intervention would help. They seem to have policies set in stone.
DHM,
You are lucky that you are able to assess your own weakness and figure out how to work on them. I understand your desire for formal help from a PT as it has proven helpful to me even if it hasn't delivered everything I hoped for. I think having a list of questions to ask when interviewing/consulting a potential PT would be very helpful. I see my mistakes now -- hindsight is 20/20. I have a question for you -- regarding your tight neck muscles have you ever seen a chiropractor? I had a lot of upper back pain after my surgery probably from both my neck muscles being moved during surgery and the horrible hospital beds. My doc let me see a chiropractor with the proviso that I didn't let her manipulate my neck -- he said it was too soon for that since I started seeing her three weeks after my surgery. I think she helped me quite a bit even with that restriction. My back feels a lot better and my neck, thankfully, is almost back to normal.
My thanks to each of your for your input and suggestions. I hope this post will help others along the way.
Wendy
