u/KaleidoscopeOrnery86

I am sure this has been discussed many times, and before someone tells me to just search it up, my situation is a bit unique.

We adopted a German shepherd/lab mix at 6 months. She is now a bit over a year so still very much a puppy. She is extremely bright and very food oriented so quick to learn and picks up on new things very quickly.

We walk with a prong collar and she does pretty good. However, she still pulls a bit. Not a lot as in, I’m not walking with my arm out in front of me.

Here is the issue though, I am disabled and walk with forearm crutches. The slightest pull at all can throw me off balance and does. She does not walk in a heel position as I’d step on her with my crutch so she’s a bit in front of me.

I cannot correct her by turning the other direction as my balance is horrible. Stopping and giving a quick snap, not a painful one, is impossible as well.

She really does very well overall, especially with the amount of squirrels in our area! But the slightest pull is throwing me off.

We tried the halter that the leash attaches at the chest and that didn’t work. I am hesitant to give up the prong collar for my own safety. Being a puppy, I know she will won’t run( so far) and take me with her.

Thoughts?

I wish there was a website where I could put a brief intro and what I was looking for and therapist could bid for me. They could give me their pitch and what they offer and I could make my decisions based on that. Instead of me shopping around and keeping my fingers crossed.

I have been through I think 15 therapists now. Some have been absolute assholes, some just couldn't help me. One, even was telehealth and had her toddler sitting next to her. Like wtf??

My last shrink was ridiculous. Kept making ridiculous suggestions for me to try. Luckily I didn't waste too much of my time.

I am super complicated. Alphabet Soup. Lots of abbreviations that are my diagnosis. But now I get to add recent stroke survivor to the list. It has messed up my brain is so many ways. Coping skill. Dont have any because I can't. I have lost the life I had. I am grieving dying but still being alive. Find me a therapist that can help me with that. My life is over, but here I sit. My future is dead.

I dont there there are any therapist that can help me deal with the grief of losing my life. So it would be nice to be able to put this out there and have therapist in my area bid for my time instead of the other way around. That way I am not wasting my time.

Backstory, acute brainstem stroke 2 years ago. I look fantastic, brain not so much. Vestibular issues, hearing, aphasia, ataxia, cognitive, yadda yadda.

Two or three days ago, I felt great and did a bunch of things including mowed the front and back yard and I dont remember what else. I should write things down so I can remember. Physically, I am ok. other than minor left side weakness, very minor.

So, yesterday, I felt very off. I had to be very careful turning my head, my body because if I moved to quickly, I felt very, not quite dizzy but for lack of a better word, dizzy.

I tried to make dinner last night but was unable to. Had to turn everything off and go sit down. It felt like my brain was lagging? or my vision was lagging? I dont know. I just had to move my head very slowly because it felt like my vision wasn't catching up or something? Either way, I knew if I moved to fast, I would fall.

I am feeling better today, but still not up to taking the dog for a walk better.

This has happened before. I think. I have memory issues. But not this bad?. Of course it was after hours, so I didn't call my doc, of course which doc do I call. My Nuero Opthalmologist, my Neurologist? We all know they wont find anything wrong. This is so frustrating.

How can I continue to strive towards getting my life back on track when stuff like this happens.

I’ve posted before so here’s the quick version of me

2024 acute brainstem stroke

Full use of limbs, cognitive delays, aphasia, ataxia, vestibular damage, vision issues with left eye, hyperacusis, tinnitus, hearing loss, minor weakness left side, balance issues which I use crutches. Lately I have been having extreme pain in my hip flexors when walking. I think that’s all of it.

Unrelated, Since the stroke, my knees have developed crippling arthritis, although lately they are ok and I also have golfers elbow from being on my computer too much. I think it should be called mousers elbow. I’ve done all kinds of shots to avoid surgery’s on both areas.

I’ve noticed that my walking is getting worse. I actually had a stress fracture in my right foot last month due to my gait. I have no idea what to do about it. I asked my foot doctor if a type of orthotic or afo would help, he had me walk two feet, literally because that is how big his office space was, and say yes, I was dragging my right foot. He gave me a referral for an afo and pt. Pt won’t help my foot, it’s my vestibular that is messed up and how can he tell an insert will help by seeing me walk two damn steps.

I contacted Hanger clinic to see if they accept my insurance and they do. But they wanted to know if I have a prescription from my doctor. Which one?? This is obviously more than a foot problem. I honestly don’t know where to turn or who to ask.

My last bout of vestibular therapy was done by a pt with no knowledge of vestibular therapy. She googled. I would email my doctor about this but which one? My primary care? My Neurologist who I fired when he said the visual distortions I was seeing was due to anxiety!!! My neurology PA? My Neuro ophthalmologist?

How about the rehab place I spent 3 months in day rehab? Wish I could go back there but I’m not that bad anymore.

I wish someone could tell me what I am supposed to do