Update on a B- wheelchair question

[Guest guest]

Hi All, Have you ever been too sick to go to the doctor? That's how I ended up yesterday. I had been feeling real punk, and then the fever and chills hit and next came unreal nausea and vomiting (which is why I had no desire to ride 25 miles to the doctor's office), and then lucky me I got a rip rip rip roaring urinary track infection. So, I went to the doctor today and got the boom lowered on me. I had a good med to start taking for the urinary tract infection. My husband picked up a sterile container from the University Med Clinic (he works for the University) and brought it home for me and took the specimen to the doctor. Clinic policy is if you need a medication because of lab test results you need to have seen a doctor prior to having a prescription written. Having worked at a doctor's office (as the nurse), I think this is an excellent policy.

Anyway, I started the medication I had and found out today that the infection I have is so bad that what I am taking will just barely knock it down so it won't burn and the bleeding will stop. So now I am on a stronger medication.

I have given an OK for my doctor to review my records with other clinic physicians. I met with them for a few minutes today. I have had every blood test know to man. I don't have mono, thank goodness, but I do have Chronic Fatigue. I was told today it is pretty bad right now and hopefully will improve some. I have been in a lot more muscle and joint pain to the point my husband needs to help me out of bed. I have the Celiac Sprue disease I was diagnosed with several weeks ago. It is a rough go with this stuff, but has improved some now that I am on a gluten free diet. I have Fibromyalgia and also Sjogren's and the lovely Systemic Lupus. Then there is irritable bowel to go along with the Celiac disease, and pulmonary hypertension and problems with a couple of my heart valves.

You take all this and shake it well and pour it in one of my ears and let it settle well and you end up feeling like I do. The doctors I saw today did some tests on me for strength, etc., etc. The consensus of opinion is that my level of energy may come up a little, but not much. For me to go to the mall shopping is out of the question. Then my doctor told me it is time to use a wheelchair every time I go out. I have a portable wheelchair that we had purchased for a friend. When he died we took the chair thinking it would come in handy one day for one of my parents. Ended up being me who needed it. Doctors say I quality for a motorized chair paid for by Medicare through my disability. Have any of you had Medicare OK a motorized chair for you? I would love some suggestions...on what mistakes to avoid, what I should do and even brands of chairs. I need a chair that will hold 300 lbs. I don't weigh that, but have a couple little people who will want short rides once in a while and I don't want to stress the chair. I also do NOT want to buy a van and have a lift installed. I'd like a chair that comes apart. I don't drive, so I would have someone there who could help put my chair together. My doctor said the Medical Supply Stores have forms for him to fill out so that I can get my Medicare approval. So, after all that, any suggestions?

I feel like someone backed over me with a truck - both physically and emotionally. I don't like hearing that I have gone downhill some. I don't mind using my wheelchair when I want to, but sure hate hearing doctors all say I need one every time I go out. I'm not super depressed, just terribly sad. I'm OK, but think I will stay on no mail for a while. I am NOT reading anything from the board right now. If you would like to contact me, please send me a personal E-mail at: aDJB@... Hugs - a B