I have been trying to get a wheelchair for years. But Medicare says you have to be bed bound. I am at my end. I live in terrible chronic pain in my legs and I have OA and RA thru my whole body. I have had 15 surgeries on my right knee with a total put in in 1992. I can not work and I live on oodles of pain killers just to be mobile daily. I just had a evaluation from the Physical Thereapist and she says it would be in my best interest to have a chair.
Have any of you had this problem? If so, how did you finally end up getting a wheelchair. I am so upset about this.
I just don't get it, since I have been disabled I have to fight for everything. I am so tired of all of this crap. Nothing, nothing every goes right. I am so sick of being upset about being sick. Once again it seems like I am beaten to the ground. I am emtionaly drained. I am so sick and tired of all this I don't want to go throught it anymore. I am feed up!
HELP
My friend had this same problem... she had gastric bypass and had a broken foot (she broke her foot like 3 weeks before the bypass) I think her doc wrote her a script for a wheelchair and a few other items like a shower chair etc. She went to a healthcare store and they hooked her up... i believe insurance is paying for the chair, and I know she uses it cause i take it out of the car and push her in it. She had to pay for a few things, but not the chair. Talk to your Doc... they should be able to hook you up... Call a local church or salvation army... they may be able to find you a chair for free or cheap. I know its late in the season, but i have seen chairs at garage sales even... If i knew I could get it to you, i would buy one at a garage sale and take it to you!!!!
Try these things and good luck!
I am so sorry. The medical profession is so frustrating. I went to a compassionate doc yesterday and I wanted to hug him and not let go. It is so hard to find one that seems to actually care. Unicorn had some good suggestions. Don't despair. It will get better. I know It is hard to believe when you are so frustrated. Come here to vent. It has sure helped me.I hope you get your wheelchair. Good luck!
Hello RSL2
I read your post. I am so sorry to hear that you are in such awful pain, all the time.
First thing to do is get your doctor to give you a prescription for a wheel chair. Then you can go to a Medical suppy company that rents and sales wheel chairs, sometimes they can rent you one with out a prescription. They may even help you with the paper work that is needed to send to Medicare in order for Medicare to pay for it.
Please don't give up. I know how hard it is to get the government (Medicare) to get things going. If you can't do this yourself, maybe there is someone that you trust and can designate as your Agent (Limited Power of Attorney) for the sole purpose for working with Medicare on your behalf.
There are always ways to get help. Like Unicorn said, try a church, Salvation Army, flea markets, maybe your local chapter for Seniors (if you are a senior) or google for "help for the disabled" in your area, on the internet.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you?
(((HUGS)))
Toni
RLS2....MY ELDERLY AUNT, AGE 86, SEVERLY CRIPPLED WITH RA AND OA USED A WALKER & LIVED WITH ME UNTIL RECENTLY. SHE WAS NOT BED BOUND EITHER AND SHE COULD NOT WALK LONG DISTANCES. I HAD TO HAVE A WHEELCHAIR FOR HER. JUST NEED A GOOD DR TO WRITE YOU A RX FOR ONE; HE KNOWS YOUR LIMITATIONS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU! LET US KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. MEDICARE WILL TELL YOU LOTS OF JUNK IF YOU JUST CALL THEM. I DON'T THINK SHE HAD TO PAY A CO PAY OR DEDUCTIBLE OR IF SO, NOT TOO MUCH. SHE GOT A FEW YEARS BACK THO, MEDICARE MAY BE GETTING MORE STRICT.
Oh, I guess I was pretty upset the day I wrote that post about the wheelchair. Well I talked to the nurse yesterday and she said they are sending me a script for a chair. She also asked if it was going to be something special. I don't know what that means but I told her i had to have a powered one. So I guess that is special. Anyway I am going to get ahold of some reps and have them come to my house and go from there. Thanks for listening to me vent. I am thankful for all of you that post back. It makes a person feel better knowing that you are not alone and that you have others to talk to about these things. Cuz I know my family does not like to talk about it.
Thanks for the help! God Bless you all