Sooo I ate the dirt pretty bad last night...

I noticed when I woke up yesterday my gait was very poor, slammed into every doorway I walked thru.

My boyfriend and I were leaving his house last night to go pick up some nasty McDonald's.. he has a landing under the front door with two small steps that lead into a rocked walkway...

So I went to take a step down and my right leg gives out completely on me, couldn't catch myself, so I went tumbling down the stairs and onto the rock.

It hurt soooo bad and I was about to start bawling but started laughing instead. My poor bf came running over and picked me up, he could tell it really bothered me so he cracked a lil joke 'oops, now all my neighbors think I'm drugging you again'. It helped. But it really bothers me. and I am thinking that my body is not going to be able to keep handling all these falls.

And its ALWAYS the right side, so it's bruised up right now, leg, rib cage, elbow and arm. Im going to end up breaking a freaking bone.

So I am wondering if I should call my neuro and have him send a script for a cane? I really don't want to go that route as I am still rather young, but like I said I don't know how many more falls my body's gonna hold up for.

Does the cane help you out when your limb fails on you? or is it just to maintain balance?
Also, is there a different route I could take other than the cane?
I don't like RX drugs so the walking pill is out of the question for me.

Thanks a bunch!

never had a cane. My physical therapist evaluated me with a cane versus a rolling walker and despite me wanting a cane, he was adamant about the walker.

A cane looks cooler, not so geriatric.

But not falling is better than my vanity.

So, let your neurologist decide.

Thank you Aarcyn!!!

I'm kind of scared he will suggest the walker versus cane because it seems the walker will prevent a fall better than a cane.

I don't want to do any of them as I feel that will be enabling the disease. Like hey you win this battle MS because I'm walking with a cane now, and I just don't want to give my mobility up. But like you said not falling is better than vanity... ugh..

thanks again!

I use a cane on my tipsy days, but I must agree, the walker is way safer. Feel better!

Not falling is certainly better than falling. Anything that can help prevent a fall is worth it. I use whatever I need to and am now going to get a rollator so that I can go and shop at stores that do not have a shopping cart. It is just way too hard to try and amble around with a cane for that anymore. The rollator will be much better for that particular job.

And, I don't believe that you are enabling your disease. You are just trying to protect yourself. Do whatever it takes. And yes, it's hard to have to use a cane or a rollator at any age but I have to keep moving safely. Take care.

You can opt for the cane with three or four legs. Jim had that one and it worked better than a regular cane. Here's my tip to you. Get the cane or go buy a cheap one at Walgreen's to give it a try. Take some paint and paint it to your hearts desire. Make it cool for you. In no time people will be fascinated by your cane more so than the fact your using it. Jim also used Canadian crutches but let me just say, when you fall with those it's a tangled mess.

quad-leg-support-cane.jpg

Like MS thinks about the mayhem it creates. MS is a disease, it has no memory, do not personify it. (give it human attributes - can you tell I once taught this stuff?)

I've had my shares of falls - went from Canadian crutches to walker to chair, Had a PT who insisted on which brand, insisted I know how to use each before i needed and I had at the ready to use when need changed. Except chair, which was $$ and got when absolutely needed and it took too long really. Now I zoom in my chair, don't fall and can push heavy furniture with my chair. Would I rather walk? Of course. But the use of tools works for me. It gave me more freedom. When the falls happened too often, before I did permanent damge (I bled impressively twice, scared my kids a lot) used my tools.

Hi Anya!

I have falls like you described in the first post here. Like you, I'm learning to laugh when they happen. What else can you do anymore??? It is the best method to deal when they happen. It is hard at times and embarrassing too. Your boyfriend is a really sweet guy. You know he is definitely a keeper!!

Hang in there. Thinking of you!!

Hugs

Coffeegirl

I've never heard of a kneescooter before!! Thanks for posting Twink! Pretty cool if you're able to use one. My course of MS damaged my balance center right off the bat so have had to use more "sturdy" devices that held me up. I really hate that feeling, bleh.....kind of feel carsick with any movement.....in the car......YUCK!!!

Now I try to look at the assistive devices as a good thing. It was hard at first. I am in my mid 40's. I did resist getting a cane at first and when I did, so understand that its a hard thing for us to wrap our heads around and having this is no fun. But...

If someone was unable to see well, would they wonder if it were time for glassed or contacts?

I agree with the others that the doc should guide you with whatever will be the best for you.

I know that I resisted getting a wheelchair when traveling through airports, I was stubborn and gimped along with my cane, totally exhausting myself. Now its just a matter of course for me to use a chair in the airport.

good luck with your process!!