This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Marie,
That is great news, it is promising having your physiatrist / rehab doc giving positive feed back. I wish you the best, just remember that it is not like magic and will take time and dedication.
Jonna

Hi Jennifer!
Just thought I would "pop in" on the conversation. Your location is not identified by your thisisms profile, so I am unable to tell what part of the country you are from. While you are waiting for a PT appointment for the Biioness, why don't you try to get an appointment for the WalkAide? Look for Hangar Prosthetics in your local phone book (you can also check out locations on the Internet.) You might be able to try both devices within a short period of time.

Good luck to you - I do not think you will find that it is time wasted to try both devices. I just had my WalkAide readjusted after one year of use. My gait is just a bit faster and I needed to have it re-calibrated. FYI - either device is a tool to help you get stronger - you still need to do alot of work (exercise) to see ongoing, permanent results.
Sharon

Good news! So that's two people with the similar experience there.

You both talk about working at it; in my mind I envision putting the thing on and going --say--to the mall and shopping Macy's clearance sale or something like that (I've not done something like that for 5 years). that sounds like pretty fun PT to me vs what I am usually in for.

Hi Jennifer,
Have they told you the reason why it is so difficult getting an appointment? Depending where you are at there may be more than one facility in your area that has the L300. Have you went on the Bioness web site bioness.com and used their facility finder?
Jonna

Marie -

Actually, I think there are three of us - Chris noted in an earlier post that he has had his WalkAide re-calibrated (this was after his HY-C treatment)

I was able to strap my WalkAide on and go shopping my first day - the gait was not the smoothest but I really did not care ---I was out with my grandkids, holding their hands walking down the mall. I think what you will find is that your energy is not used up trying to keep yourself from tripping. Therefore, you will be walking more because you have the energy to do so. The exercise is in addition to your wearing either device.

Sharon

that's a sweet picture, It could easily be me cause I have little grandbabies, too!..........I'll let you know how it goes.

Jonna, since you are an insider, I assume Medicare is assessing the vaue of doing this for MS? Someone has submitted papers or whatever to ask for MC coverage haven't they? Is there any idea about that front? Have they refused it or still evaluating it or what is known there? Curious.

Marie -



I asked the Hangar specialist about the MC coverage for
WalkAide. The latest she has heard is that MC will probably cover the WalkAide for spinal cord injuries during 2009.

Sharon that's good news.

Since the Bioness is already covered for spinal cord injury that makes sense that the walk aide be covered too.

BTW how does it charge up? batteries? DOes you bionic leg ever quit on you when out?

As long as I charge it at night it is ready to go for the next day. I have been able to go longer than a day but it is recommended that it is charged each night. There is a battery that is like the size of a watch battery that will need to be replaced but when getting close to needing changed I get a sign on the hand control unit like a few weeks before it will need to be changed out.

I will ask one of my friends with Bioness about if they have any idea as to how long before Medicare will be on board to cover the expense for MS.
Jonna

Marie -

The WalkAide takes a AA battery - you do not need to charge. When the battery is low, there is a red visual indicatior light which flashes; then your second warning is an audible beeping alarm which will sound once per minute indicating that the battery should be replaced immediatly. I carry an extra battery in my purse, my car and my golf bag just in case I missed the red light in the morning when I placed the WalkAide on my leg. The batteries usually last about 3 to 4 weeks depending the hours of usage. A funny story - the first time I did not pay attention to the red light - I was out on the golf course and my foursome kept hearing this faint beeping sound - we could not figure out what it was - it kept following us. Well, it was not long and I figured it out - the WalkAide quit working. Luckily I had the extra battery in my golf bag - so I just replaced the old one and went on playing my round of golf.

Sharon

That is funny

A quick chime in. I organized a Walkaide presentation for our local group a few days ago and although I don't really need the device, I was amazed at it's effect on one of our members. Our group President has not taken a step without aid in years and often times is confined to a wheelchair. After an initial visit she demonstrated the device for the group. We watched her walk about 20 yards with tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her face, then we watched her repeat the 20 yard walk about 6 more times and she only stopped at her husbands insistence, we all had tears in our eyes!

Oh Lars!...... how hopeful

Why isn't this covered by MC? Who can we write to? Maybe we need to take it to the streets with pickets and stuff.

Lars - what a great story! It is nice to hear of some positive's in the fight against MS since so many times we hear only of the negative.

Marie - Yes, MC can be frustrating at times!! As I mentioned before, spinal cord injury will be the coverage that is first attained. My thought is most MS'rs have spinal cord "injury" - aren't the lesions in the spinal column an injury?

Sharon

I would like to contact the company to ask about their availability in Europe, but I am put off by all the private information they ask for and also that the form only allows for US of A addresses. Perhaps you could let them know how off putting that is.
Is there a future in Europe for Bioness? How far away is that future? Is it possible to buy a device and bring it back to Europe and be able to use it on your own?