I went for my follow-up two weeks ago with my Neurologist Neurologist Nurse Practitioner. She started asking me questions. Most of the answers were on my chart. Anyway, she said they were concerned about my falling and balance. I reminded her that before and after the Ritalin and Welbutrin, I didn't fall a lot and my balance, well I have Cerebral Palsy. DUH! (Okay, I left out the duh verbally.)
She insisted I see a Physical Therapist to help with my balance, get orthotics and some kind of percussion vest since I have a history of pneumonia. I haven't had pneumonia in ages. Probably because I take the pneumonia shot. So to make her happy I agreed to be evaluated by the PT.
The staff and PT were awesome. However, when the PT came get me she was walking behind me with her arms out on both sides of me to catch me if I fell. It made me uncomfortable. I told her don't do that. She said, "I just want to catch you if you fall." I asked her to stop and told her if I fell I would just get back up. She backed off a little.
I really like my PT and I know she was just concerned.
After a slew of questions, she tested me. I laughed at some things and I have to admit I gave her trouble until she told me she was testing my balance and risk of falling.
Here are a few tests of many:
She made me stand up from sitting with and without the support of my hands I was able to stand with support no problem. Without using my hands I did it but it was unstable. No surprise to me. Sometimes if I stand up from my couch or bed I'll fall back down two or three times until I finally find my balance.
She made me stand with my feet close together and stay still. I was not to move. That was a challenge because I kept moving. I would sway. Then I had to do it with my eyes closed. That was funny but it makes you realize how important your sight is to balance. I kept swaying.
Another test was walking up steps. There were three steps. She told me to walk up the steps without holding the rail. Yikes! I felt iffy but determined. I went up one step fumbled, regained my balance and walked up the other and so on with same results. Then she told me to walk down the steps. That was fairly easy. Of course, when I got down to the bottom and stopped I woobled but I didn't' fall.
I had to stand up and lift each leg. That was hilarious. That didn't go so well but I didn't fall.
She told me my ankle tendons were tight and could be a factor in my balance. "SIGH" When I was a child I had the surgery to lengthen the tendons to loosen them.
I was sitting while she was putting things in the computer. All of my life I have been able to put my foot a certain way on the floor and my leg will shake. I can stop it anytime I want. It's not because I'm nervous, it's just something I've done all my life. It is sorta habit sometimes but it feels good.
She informed me it was clonus and not do that. My next post will be about that subject and I promise it will be very soon.
All in all, she said I was at Medium risk for falling. Actually, I thought it would be high. She suggested I visit her twice a week for six weeks. I grudgingly agreed.
Today is the end of my second week. I realize I can walk backward. Slowly and carefully. PT has benefited me a little. Most of it I think that it just been my life for 55 years. But I understand that since I'm older (If I hear that word one more time I'm gonna scream!) I'm prone to broken bones or serious injury if I do fall. It's frustrating to hear professionals tell me what they THINK they know about me. They just read the paperwork, if they actually DO read it, that I have Cerebral Palsy. They assume things because I have CP that doesn't pertain to me.
I was so tired last week because I was running around working on another project plus PT. I'm not used to being on the go 2-3 times a week. Last week was 4 days.
I will fulfill my promise I'll go six weeks but I will be done. I may take some exercises to strengthen my muscles etc but I shall go along with my life like I've always done.
Oh! My PT didn't think I needed a vest. Thank you very much! I already have orthotics in my shoes. They asked if I had any assistive devices. I told them I had walker from surgery but it is in my junk room. I refuse to get any canes or other things like that. Now if they suggest a scooter to go around the yard I would certainly go for that but she said no.
Oh! My PT didn't think I needed a vest. Thank you very much! I already have orthotics in my shoes. They asked if I had any assistive devices. I told them I had walker from surgery but it is in my junk room. I refuse to get any canes or other things like that. Now if they suggest a scooter to go around the yard I would certainly go for that but she said no.
Until next time, tell someone you love them.
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