Tilting/reclining wheelchair

[White Falcon]

I am in the process of getting a tilting/reclining wheelchair. I have given up sitting as it is just too painful. That means no driving, either. I can't stand long enough to take the bus. I finally decided to look into getting a wheelchair that reclines and tilts enough for me to be comfortable. I have been taking my zero gravity recliner (aka fancy lawnchair) to medical appointments so I can wait without increasing my pain for weeks, but people just don't understand. They don't realize it is a medical necessity. They think it's funny, and make remarks like, "Don't you look comfortable. All you need now is a cold drink in your hand." Ha Ha.

My doctor gave me a note for the wheelchair, and the medical supply store arranged for an OT assessment/report for my insurance. The store is sending in all the paperwork for pre-approval, but it will take 3 to 4 weeks.

I am hoping that I will be able to go to the movies, and other places, with the wheelchair.

Has anyone else tried a tilting/reclining chair? Any tips or advice?

[Lernica]

Welcome to HOPE, White Falcon. You're the fifth Canadian member on the forum at the moment; four of us are from Ontario (three in Toronto). I'm sorry to hear about your pain. I have never considered a wheelchair -- tilting, reclining, or otherwise -- as sitting in any position is too painful for me. I have lain down on the floor at movie theatres in the past. Some forum members lie down on theatre chairs with removable arm supports, but I haven't come across any such theatres myself.

Would you care to tell us about yourself? How did you develop your symptoms, what treatments have you pursued, and what kind of doctor diagnosed you with PN? Who is treating you in British Columbia? So far the only Canadian doctor listed on this website Dr. Gordon in Toronto who is treating PaulSa, PelvisStressly, and me. If there is another PN doctor it would be good to include his or her name on the website.

I'm glad you found HOPE. You have joined a community that is very supportive and well informed about treatment options. Please ask us questions at any time.

Warm regards,

Lernica

[White Falcon]

Hi Lernica,

I posted an intro in the Welcome Center. Will look for you there.

As for the wheelchair, I can't sit properly either, not even for a minute. I find that any sitting not only hurts while I'm sitting, but it continues to hurt for quite some time afterwards. Sometimes, it's actually worse later than it was at the time. A brief sit can increase my pain for days or even weeks.

It took me a bit longer to realize that standing does the same. I was still working part-time, and took to standing or kneeling in an effort to keep going. Then I realized that I was just as sore after four hours of standing as I was from sitting. So now I limit my standing time, too.

The term "chair" in my wheelchair is misleading. It will recline to about 160 degrees, so almost flat. I won't be able to wheel myself anywhere as I won't be able to see where I'm going, and my fibromyalgia would make that much physical work too painful for my shoulders and neck. Basically, it will allow me to lay around in public and go places with someone pushing me. I have extended health coverage through my own employer as well as my husband's plan, so the "chair" will be paid 100% (I hope). The wheelchair is just more acceptable and places will have to accommodate me with it, unlike my portable recliner which is not taken seriously as a medical necessity. I was unable to see a urologist recently because they refused to allow me to use my recliner while I waited for the doctor who is known to keep patients waiting for up to 2 hours. I figured he was probably going to be useless anyhow, so I just dropped it. But they said that they would accommodate a wheelchair, just not my recliner. Can you imagine how it would look if I made a human rights complaint that a specialist doctor would not accommodate my disability in his waiting room? Especially when the disability is the reason for the visit?! I just can't be bothered to waste my time on it. It shows how totally clueless people are about this condition, even people working in health care, in a urologist's office, of all places.

[GraceUnderFire]

Hi there,

I haven't been able to find a tilting/reclining wheelchair. Does anyone have a link to it?

Thank you,
Grace

[Violet M]

Here's one Grace. http://www.phc-online.com/Tilt_Recline_ ... r_5500.htm -- plus it has a padded seat!

[polarbear]

Hi Everyone,

I gave up sitting in 2004 after coccyx removed. I can relate to no driving, restaurants, movies etc.. I lay/lean on my side all day. As of 3 weeks ago I purchased the iPad 2, and have connected to the world. I love it, this is why/how I found this site.

I love the idea of a reclining wheelchair. I can lay on my side in a recliner chair, so why not a wheelchair. I want to be a part of life again and not confined to my house 95% of the time.

Thanks for the idea!!! I will call a few medical supply stores. Also, thank- you Violet for the website.

Gail

[White Falcon]

I have my new wheelchair now. First, the good news: it's great! Now the bad news if you have no insurance coverage: it cost over $8000.00. My extended health insurance (Pacific Blue Cross) has pre-approved the entire cost.

I went to see the Harry Potter movie on the weekend, and it was really great to be able to watch it on the big screen. It worked out great. We have a mini-van and removed the two individual seats from the middle to make space for the "chair" - we still have the bench seat in the back. My husband has had no problem getting it in and out of the vehicle. I need to see about getting a handicapped parking pass, as we have to be parked with enough room to get it out the sliding door. I am registered with HandiDart, but haven't used the service yet.

My insurance req'd a doctor's note and an Occupational Therapist's assessment. The note was just one sentence saying I need a tilting wheelchair on a permanent basis. The medical supplier who sold me the chair arranged for an OT assessment at their store. The OT was excellent. The medical supplier was also very knowledgeable. The resulting chair is custom-built to suit my exact measurements. The chair is an Orion made by Future Mobility. It has power tilt and also reclines - very important - you need a chair that does both tilt and recline, or you won't be flat enough. Power tilt lets you get in and out by yourself, also very important. The seat cushion is a Vicair Adjustor 10. It retails for $725 Cdn. I liked it better than the Roho. It's very comfortable and I can also use it in the car or van as a passenger reclining in the front seat. (Unfortunately, even that cushion is not enough to allow me to sit properly at a dinner table.)

[Lernica]

Thanks for the info, WF. I saw someone in of these wheelchairs the other day and thought "Yes, that's just what I need!". We were at an outdoor theatre watching a play. I was lying on my back on a very uncomfortable park cement bench and she was lying very comfortably at the front of the theatre in her wheelchair. I left after the first act whereas I'm sure she was so comfy that she stayed the whole time. But what a bulky thing the chair would be to move around! I live in a big city and like the ease of being able to jump in a taxi to get to places. But I will certainly dream about that chair the next time I go to a theatre and leave after the first act!

[helenlegs 11]

I have trouble standing and sitting but use the millennial crutch if I go out (which I hardly ever do) I find them great to 'hang' off as they tuck under armpits.'
They could not be used for 'walking' for any great length of time, well I can't. It's more of an out of the car, into venue and 'hang'!
Here is the link if anyone is interested.
http://www.overstock.com/Health-Beauty/ ... oduct.html they are a good price at the moment.