Hi all,
I'm having trouble walking because of my flare in ankles and toes. I have orthotics because of prior damage which help a lot, but I am pretty unsteady even though I am walking very slowly. About 8 years ago my feet were causing me to fall - flat on my behind - and I ended up with a crush fracture in one vertebrae, with bulging disks both sides. My RA is not under control because my system hasn't recovered from chemo and I'm only on a half dose of Arava.
I don't want to do more damage and am wondering if I'm 'bad' enough to need a wheel walker, until my next remission. I've got damage in my shoulders and hands so think that leaning on a walker may inflame those joints, but that would be better than causing more spinal damage. I have put my name down on a waiting list for a government physio assessment, which may take a few weeks. I think they mainly deal with the elderly and may not know a lot about the complications of RA, so want to arm myself with the experience of other RA sufferers if I can.
What do you think? Are walking aides more trouble than they're worth, or have you found them helpful? Hi Jana, I got myself one of these on my GP's advice as I had rapid energy loss and intense pain when shopping, it is great for being able to sit down for a while, great for carrying things and very supportive to my spinal and hip, knee, ankle problems - definitely try one, you can borrow them from some hospitals before you buy one or rent one from a chemist shop, good luck Janie.I alternate between that, a cane and a mobility scooter depending on how I am on any given day.
Thanx Janie, I thought you may have used one. I was at Carindale today and realised that I am pretty unstable. Funny how we can be unaware that our body has changed until we're with a big crowd of active people.Yes Jana that is so true, I have one with wheels and I bought it online for 5, it has a basket under the seat, I have jazzed it up with stickers and horns, ha ha - it really doescut down on the energy loss, and its great if you are queueing somewhere as you always have a seat with you, the bit my hubby doesn't like is that it can hold so much shopping!!!!!!!!
ha ha - I always take it inot the city (Brisbane with me) as I usually end up walking a fair bit. It does hurt my elbows, wrists /shoulders sometimes but you can adapt your hold in most cases, if my wrists are too bad then I wear my splints too. You too can look like me if you follow my lead, lol have fun! You will find yourself missing it when you don't have it!I like the sound of your hot wheels, and I also rather like the idea of becoming an obstacle in a crowd.
I think I need one without a seat, because sitting causes back pain for me. I saw a 3 wheeler with a basket that looked practical; but the physio might have other ideas. Wonder if they make them in metallic purple ... Thanks for your advice Jane, I'll remember to use the splints, and keep my sense of humor.Jana