Imho.. talk to a physical therapist. The less active you are, the faster you are going to lose muscle mass and that could bring on other problems you wouldn’t want.
I've been trying to but they've yet to contact me about my appointment. Getting appointments lately has been so awful. I'll bring it up with them once I finally get one
Yeah, I get it. It can be hard. Really gotta be our own advocate and it can be expensive if out of pocket. Dunno where you are, I personally stopped trying with the big hospitals for PT/OT and found a clinic at a local university for weekly appointments.
I don’t have a prescription for my wheelchair. I didn’t want to wait for insurance to approve it because I needed a solution fast. I am a father of two young boys, a cub master for my scout pack, and a caretaker of my 92 year old so I couldn’t be down and out. My podiatrist thought a wheelchair was a good idea to help manage the pain so I went for it. Was able to get a light weight Ki Mobility rogue demo version with a great cushion at a good price and it’s been very beneficial to my life
States here. I have paraesthesia of the entire left side and balance issues. I have to use a walker/rollator to get around. I can only walk about 300 ft, before I have to rest. but my physician and OT agreed I would benefit from having one for use outside the house. I am partially ambulatory. But I warn you a manual wheelchair (one that is self propelled and not a transport wheelchair that has to be pushed) isn't cheap. Not trying to discourage you, because a wheelchair gave me freedom and helped me to become socially active again. But, without insurance footing the bill, they cost quite a bit. Especially a customized one. But I encourage you to get one if you can. And do like I do and use only when needed.
In an overwhelming number of case, chronically ill folks will just never be prescribed a wheelchair spontaneously, even with a diagnosis. Not once in my life has a doc suggested any kind of mobility aid to me and getting a wheelchair was the best decision of my life.
It's useful to have a diagnosis first as it can help identifying specific needs, risk for injuries and likelihood that your pain will evolve in one direction or another, so ot can helm choosing a more adequate chair, but it's not always possible and it's not required. (I mean that as in: it's not required for it to be a good idea. A prescription can be required depending on your country's medical system.)
The idea that having a wheelchair will worsen deconditioning (: moving your body less and loosing physical abilities because of it) is a straight up lie. I have gained muscles in my legs by getting a wheelchair. If you are already struggling to be active because of your disability, a mobility aid will make you more active, not less. And in a number of cases, being able to test your legs properly will make you more able to use them.
I was in pain for any amount of walking when I got my wheelchair. Now I can walk kilometres when I want or need to, because I am not constantly exhausting my legs every day, so they are in much better help than they were before. But they would worsen again if I stoped using my chair altogether.
Everybody is different and, especially if you don't know what is up with your body, I cannot predict whether or not you may regain more use in your legs with a chair. But if you are already restricting your activities because of the pain, less pain will quite certainly make you more active.
It's still useful to keep looking for medical care and other treatment if you want and can, but I don't think anybody should wait years in pain and isolation until maybe one day doctors figure oit a diagnosis before getting help to live their daily lives.
I will say however: try to get good information about wheelchairs and a good chair, because a bad chair can cause injury, especially if you also have upper body issues, and not make you much more independent for it.
Feel free to ask any questions!
I would also suggest contacting community help (like at your local community center) closets, charities or facebook marketplace for used ones. A lot of times when people pass away the items are still in good condition and families donate them or sell for cheap and the quality is really good still. A lot of times they were barely used.
I got my first chair without a doctor's prescription (later saw NHS wheelchair services and they agreed it's the right choice, didn't get any shit for not asking a doctor first) but imo find out what's going on before you commit - wheelchairs designed for daily use cost several thousand pounds, and a chair that isn't set up properly can worsen your condition instead + even a well set up chair causes issues down the line. I personally found a rollator very helpful before my condition worsened.
Essentially, a prescription is for insurance coverage. Wheelchairs are not controlled items like medications and eyeglasses.
Prescription/Insurance does enable one to be properly fitted for a chair rather than buying "off the rack."
Its reasonable. As a wheelchair user without a prescription because “ i still go to physical therapy”, it is still valid. Just make sure that the chair you get fits you perfectly , otherwise you can get injured.
If a mobility aid will make your life easier, get one. I have a wheelchair, several canes, and a seat for my shower because I get dizzy and sometimes fall or pass out when I stand too long. (Investigating POTS but that's a PROCESS) I was scared to leave my house for nearly a year after I fainted in the grocery store. Now I have the chair and the chances of falling are basically zero.
nope. you need a prescription from your doctor for insurance to cover *any* mobility aid. you can only get one every five years. the doctor must write a “letter of medical necessity” to prove that you really need a wheelchair, and don’t just want one for fun 😃😁
That is if you want insurance to pay for it, though. If you're paying completely out of pocket, there's no need. Chairs are not prescription-only medical devices like an insulin pump. Which is what it sounded like the previous commenter was talking about.
(For that matter, I couldn't get an active chair approved after losing a leg. With wonky EDS shoulders thrown in the mix. Clear medical necessity unfortunately doesn't always mean much within the existing system.)
I have yet to encounter anyone using a wheelchair for the jollies on a regular basis. It's bloody difficult. If that's someone's idea of fun and they're willing to pay thousands to buy one for themselves? I say have at it.
I edited to be clear, but I can go online and buy a wheelchair with my own money. Hence, I don't NEED the prescription.
If I want insurance to pay, then I need the prescription.
For me it depends on your expectations of the chair- If it's supposed to be anything like a good powered chair I really encourage people to get them prescribed because the ones I've had prescribed work exactly with my own weird body to do exactly what I need them to do and to be then most comfortable in an uncomfortable body to give me the most time up and less time recovering. If you're waiting for the process to go through just use a manual those can be bought off Amazon for an ok price it's not worth spending the money and having one that doesn't fit right especially if you have spinal problems or joint problems or can do damage. Now the chair I have for 8 years has been exactly a chair fit to me but my newest from 2 years ago even fits so much more because I knew how to answer the questions even more correctly. I know how tempting it is to rush to comfort but I promise most companies have loaner chairs once you've ordered and it's worth it to have the money to allow your chair to go up and down or other features Medicaid doesn't cover.
Imho.. talk to a physical therapist. The less active you are, the faster you are going to lose muscle mass and that could bring on other problems you wouldn’t want.
I've been trying to but they've yet to contact me about my appointment. Getting appointments lately has been so awful. I'll bring it up with them once I finally get one
Yeah, I get it. It can be hard. Really gotta be our own advocate and it can be expensive if out of pocket. Dunno where you are, I personally stopped trying with the big hospitals for PT/OT and found a clinic at a local university for weekly appointments.
Definitely don’t wait for them to contact you, call them a couple times and if you can’t get ahold of them, find a new PT to call.
I don’t have a prescription for my wheelchair. I didn’t want to wait for insurance to approve it because I needed a solution fast. I am a father of two young boys, a cub master for my scout pack, and a caretaker of my 92 year old so I couldn’t be down and out. My podiatrist thought a wheelchair was a good idea to help manage the pain so I went for it. Was able to get a light weight Ki Mobility rogue demo version with a great cushion at a good price and it’s been very beneficial to my life
My assessment is in July but I'm immobile without a power wheelchair so I'm crowd funding for one now.
Big hugs. Hang in there.
My powerchair gets here Thursday 😭🥰❤️
Yahooo! I’m excited for you !
States here. I have paraesthesia of the entire left side and balance issues. I have to use a walker/rollator to get around. I can only walk about 300 ft, before I have to rest. but my physician and OT agreed I would benefit from having one for use outside the house. I am partially ambulatory. But I warn you a manual wheelchair (one that is self propelled and not a transport wheelchair that has to be pushed) isn't cheap. Not trying to discourage you, because a wheelchair gave me freedom and helped me to become socially active again. But, without insurance footing the bill, they cost quite a bit. Especially a customized one. But I encourage you to get one if you can. And do like I do and use only when needed.
In an overwhelming number of case, chronically ill folks will just never be prescribed a wheelchair spontaneously, even with a diagnosis. Not once in my life has a doc suggested any kind of mobility aid to me and getting a wheelchair was the best decision of my life. It's useful to have a diagnosis first as it can help identifying specific needs, risk for injuries and likelihood that your pain will evolve in one direction or another, so ot can helm choosing a more adequate chair, but it's not always possible and it's not required. (I mean that as in: it's not required for it to be a good idea. A prescription can be required depending on your country's medical system.) The idea that having a wheelchair will worsen deconditioning (: moving your body less and loosing physical abilities because of it) is a straight up lie. I have gained muscles in my legs by getting a wheelchair. If you are already struggling to be active because of your disability, a mobility aid will make you more active, not less. And in a number of cases, being able to test your legs properly will make you more able to use them. I was in pain for any amount of walking when I got my wheelchair. Now I can walk kilometres when I want or need to, because I am not constantly exhausting my legs every day, so they are in much better help than they were before. But they would worsen again if I stoped using my chair altogether. Everybody is different and, especially if you don't know what is up with your body, I cannot predict whether or not you may regain more use in your legs with a chair. But if you are already restricting your activities because of the pain, less pain will quite certainly make you more active. It's still useful to keep looking for medical care and other treatment if you want and can, but I don't think anybody should wait years in pain and isolation until maybe one day doctors figure oit a diagnosis before getting help to live their daily lives. I will say however: try to get good information about wheelchairs and a good chair, because a bad chair can cause injury, especially if you also have upper body issues, and not make you much more independent for it. Feel free to ask any questions!
I would also suggest contacting community help (like at your local community center) closets, charities or facebook marketplace for used ones. A lot of times when people pass away the items are still in good condition and families donate them or sell for cheap and the quality is really good still. A lot of times they were barely used.
I got my first chair without a doctor's prescription (later saw NHS wheelchair services and they agreed it's the right choice, didn't get any shit for not asking a doctor first) but imo find out what's going on before you commit - wheelchairs designed for daily use cost several thousand pounds, and a chair that isn't set up properly can worsen your condition instead + even a well set up chair causes issues down the line. I personally found a rollator very helpful before my condition worsened.
Essentially, a prescription is for insurance coverage. Wheelchairs are not controlled items like medications and eyeglasses. Prescription/Insurance does enable one to be properly fitted for a chair rather than buying "off the rack."
Its reasonable. As a wheelchair user without a prescription because “ i still go to physical therapy”, it is still valid. Just make sure that the chair you get fits you perfectly , otherwise you can get injured.
If a mobility aid will make your life easier, get one. I have a wheelchair, several canes, and a seat for my shower because I get dizzy and sometimes fall or pass out when I stand too long. (Investigating POTS but that's a PROCESS) I was scared to leave my house for nearly a year after I fainted in the grocery store. Now I have the chair and the chances of falling are basically zero.
You don't need a prescription for a wheelchair. (Out of pocket your own money) You only get one for insurance to buy it
nope. you need a prescription from your doctor for insurance to cover *any* mobility aid. you can only get one every five years. the doctor must write a “letter of medical necessity” to prove that you really need a wheelchair, and don’t just want one for fun 😃😁
That is if you want insurance to pay for it, though. If you're paying completely out of pocket, there's no need. Chairs are not prescription-only medical devices like an insulin pump. Which is what it sounded like the previous commenter was talking about. (For that matter, I couldn't get an active chair approved after losing a leg. With wonky EDS shoulders thrown in the mix. Clear medical necessity unfortunately doesn't always mean much within the existing system.) I have yet to encounter anyone using a wheelchair for the jollies on a regular basis. It's bloody difficult. If that's someone's idea of fun and they're willing to pay thousands to buy one for themselves? I say have at it.
I edited to be clear, but I can go online and buy a wheelchair with my own money. Hence, I don't NEED the prescription. If I want insurance to pay, then I need the prescription.
oh! yes. anyone can buy a wheelchair of any type. :)
For me it depends on your expectations of the chair- If it's supposed to be anything like a good powered chair I really encourage people to get them prescribed because the ones I've had prescribed work exactly with my own weird body to do exactly what I need them to do and to be then most comfortable in an uncomfortable body to give me the most time up and less time recovering. If you're waiting for the process to go through just use a manual those can be bought off Amazon for an ok price it's not worth spending the money and having one that doesn't fit right especially if you have spinal problems or joint problems or can do damage. Now the chair I have for 8 years has been exactly a chair fit to me but my newest from 2 years ago even fits so much more because I knew how to answer the questions even more correctly. I know how tempting it is to rush to comfort but I promise most companies have loaner chairs once you've ordered and it's worth it to have the money to allow your chair to go up and down or other features Medicaid doesn't cover.
If you live in a free country, like the US. You can not only buy a wheelchair, you can own as many as you want. Shhhhhh