A Wheelchair or a Scooter? Long sorry

October 21, 2006

I have a couple of questions. I have RA and take Methotrexate,

Remicade, Prednisone (slowly weaning) and a few otgher things for

other issues. I have asthma, depression, DDD, and am about 100 lbs

overweight.

I have come to the conclusion that to continue working full-time at my

job I am going to need to use a power wheelchair or scooter. I have to

visit schools over about a third of Missouri. By the time I drive 2-3

hours I am so stiff and my back and joints hurt too much for me to

walk around schools and sit through training sessions and meetings. I

also realized recently that I have just stopped doing a lot of the

things that really make me happy ... talking our dogs for walks, going

to the mall with my daughter going to the zoo and museaums. Also, my

duaghter is a junior in highschool and is looking at colleges to

consider. I can't even walk around the campuses without being in

tremendous pain and just unable to walk.

I hate the idea of using a chair or scooter, but I find myself pulling

further and further away from my life and friends and family. I work

and sit in my recliner. I want my life back again.

I have been kind of caught in between doctors because my

rheumatologist says she can't treat my back and my neurosurgeon treats

me with nerve blocks etc. The last time I had an MRI, about 6 weeks

ago, it was noted that I have arthritis in my facet joints. I don't

have the sharp nerve pain down my leg just horrible pain in my back

now.

So, my questions, how do insurance companies decide if you qualify for

a chair or scooter? Do doctors usually go along with these kind of

requests or should I anticipate a fight? Is there an advantage to a

powerchair vs. a scooter?

Sorry for the long post ... just not sure what to do

in St. Louis

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