Just to say hi everyone

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1051763#Comment_1051763

Hi Santosha, following on from my message to you just now… yes well your ankle doesn't sound too brilliant, sounds rather like mine, which is all swollen at both sides and painful to walk on. Realistically I'm not sure physio would be the best option, it sounds very much as though an operation on your foot would be better. Physio sounds as though you could be being fobbed off, like lots of us, because of age + they know full well we won't be economically productive. They've agreed to operate on my foot, or did until the tremors gave them an excuse to cut me off the waiting list "until the tremors have been sorted", which I'm afraid might be never. What I'd do in your shoes (oh dear, no pun intended!) is go along to your first physio session, if it's pretty soon now, and ask them to tell you realistically how much of an improvement they could give you. But bear in mind sometimes they paint a really rosy picture, so quiz them about whether you'll need to continue with the wheelchair etc after said "improvements". If they can't guarantee you'll be able to walk again afterwards unaided, if they say something like "let's just see how it goes" I'd quiz the docs again about having an op. One thing that got things moving for me, by accident I saw a young doc back around Jan, rather than my normal doc, a young + sincere bloke who got things moving, agreeing to refer me to Oxon. Might work with you if you see another doc when yours happens to be on holiday or something. When you see them, emphasise the pain and how much you want to be mobile + back doing something productive in work (whether you do or not). Really the NHS should be there for everyone, not just the young + productive, which they appear to have been doing several decades now. I actually came across a memo some years back, put on the internet by one of the southern hospitals, advising staff to restrict knee operations to those under 30, believe it or not. I bet this is sort of practice is well-known by those in the know.

Brilliant work you've got yourself a bungalow - yippee! Sounds lovely. And your dogs much give you so much company too : ))) What breeds are they? Bet they cost a packet with food, vets though! But… you mentioned your sister in the past tense Santosha, has she passed away then? I've got 2 brothers, one miles away in the south, who's been recovering from cancer - not seen him for years as he can't travel far + neither can I. My little brother lives near + is big good help but has autism so it's really we try to look out for each other. But it's not the same as having a real chat…

Oh dear will have to speed up, time goes to quickly. Have you applied for PIP Santosha? You might be eligible if you haven't, especially with the mobility component. Could be a big help with the bills. Sounds as though you're making really good progress with the vaping. I would really try to switch to patches if you can, I think you can get them on prescription + you'd then be eligible for oxygen. Sounds pretty tough if you can't have oxygen if you're vaping - almost like they don't care if you kick the bucket! Probably not that, but a way to force you to give up. I'm pretty sure the docs have been running a scheme here to give a free bag full of fruit + veg to anyone who gives up smoking, you never know, would be worth a phone call.

As for the prescriptions, oh dear they certainly make people jump through hoops don't they? Almost like another fending off tactic to keep costs down. Hope you're sorted now + the enzymes, vits etc are kicking in. I wouldn't worry too much about the adverse affect of enzymes, as long as there aren't chemical additives to make them work (which though you never know), all the enzymes do is help you digest food, so shouldn't give side effects. Vit D etc certainly sounds a good idea, especially if you can't get out in the sun too much, though your dogs would certainly appreciate (lots and lots of!) time outdoors. I get your point about not being able to have weight-bearing exercise, it's a bind, although one extra point to drive home to the docs that you really need an operation on your foot, before your bones become too fragile + you become even more disabled (and a bigger burden for them!).

I'm just one year older than you Santosha, so we're certainly the same generation! I'd best go now, been writing the best part of an hour! Take good care of yourself + let me know how you get on with everything. Try and keep your spirits up + don't give up with these docs and everything. I'll get back as soon as I'm able. Lots of hugs for yourself + your fluffy friends : )))) xxx

FeistyPigeon

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1051763#Comment_1051763

Sent you a DM Santosha xx