Yeah, DO NOT Fall. That's a good one I forgot to say that my cane is adjustable, not one of the wooden kind, and it has foam type stuff on the handle so that makes it comfortable for my hand.

However, I do not like using a cane either. It is not great for me since by balance is not good due to muscle atrophy in some of the calf muscles and some of the muscles in the feet. That wouldn't be a problem for other people who still have all of their muscles working but just need something to help them along. I know it's hard for some people to understand the difference. They still have all of their muscles working even if some are a bit weak.

I originally started using the cane years ago just so that I had something to lean on if there wasn't something available like a counter, etc. when going to flea markets, etc. But then of course CMT progressed and so that is where I am at the present time.

Those poles sound really interesting and would be worth a try for sure. Thank you.

I have an adjustable aluminum one like you describe I keep in my car all the time. Years ago, someone left it in a shopping cart in our parking lot at work. I brought it into the store and we kept it for months, behind my counter, waiting for the person who lost it to come in looking for it. When that did not happen, I took it home.

There were times late at night when I came home from very long days standing that I had trouble getting up the outside stairs.
So I used the cane for that. When I think back on being in my 40's and keeping it for that back then, I don't feel too badly now!

When I fell last and had to have the 3 months of PT, I used a quad cane. I needed that to get up out of chairs, etc for about 6 weeks. As soon as the treatments started however, the quad cane was not necessary any more. I found walking with IT very difficult tho.

The hiking poles range in price from what I think is the lowest-- at Dunham's sporting goods for $15 up to over $100 each for the graphite high end ones hikers use for doing the Appalachian Trail and other mammoth events. Mine is aluminum, and while it got some poor reviews at Amazon.com, mine has lasted over 3 yrs, of heavy use! And is still going!

This is the one I have (it is a little bit more $$ at Amazon). You can see that serious hikers found it "flimsy", but I am far from being a serious hiker! LOL
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-802-25...3819138&sr=8-1

My biggest problem on vacation was forgetting where I left it!
Lots of trips to that outhouse you know!

Thanks very much for the information. It is appreciated.

I, too, had a very bad fall where I fell on my left foot. The foot was swollen, black and didn't look like a foot. It has never been the same of course, but not too bad considering. I used a manual walker for six weeks to keep the weight off of it. Thank goodness for upper body strength. I've had other falls too. Just part of this wonderful game. Thanks again.

For me the worst part of falling is the going down....and assessing the damages when down there. I used to bolt up, but that 'ain't' happening anymore. I lay down there until I feel I can get up....

Well, Hermes, I do hope you are OK now....for me, it was likely more of my pride injured....maybe my head, but every one knows I am crazy anyway, so what the heck.

I was knocked over....in early days, I would not have lost my balance.....can't seem to find where I put it these days.

Still sore but ok. I personally laid on the lawn after the fall and said some profound or maybe profane things. It was more of the shock of it then the actually fall. No one saw me or they would have come out to see if I was ok. I just need to be more careful now...it's just new to have to be careful walking.

I have fallen down stairs before, not fun, really sorry to hear about the weakness in your leg. If there is a silver lining it is that you didnt break a bone and now know that this is something to watch out for.

I use a cane for short trips, in and out of a convienence store, that sort of thing.
Otherwise I use a walker or forearm crutches. Personally I prefer the walker because I can sit on it or set stuff on it, crutches are just a hassle, but sometimes they work better.

At work I use a Wheelchair, but I have been trying to stand up and move around without it (with my walker) at least once a week.

Recently I put my third floor condo on the market and moved into a ground floor apartment, because of the fear of falls down the stairs, especially in the winter when the stairs are covered in snow or ice.

Sometimes even my rolling walker doesnt feel stable enough, I have a tendency to list to the sides of it if I am not careful and can feel it tipping.

I hope the fall doesnt cause any hidden problems, but I would definitely let a doc know ASAP, that this is an issue.

Yes, I'm sure that you have to be careful even with a rollator. It seems that no matter what one uses, they have to be on guard. Falls are awful

Unfortunately I live in a trilevel....ugh. And with the current housing market, I could not give it away....Oh, the joys of baby boomerhood with PN.

One other thing to have checked is your BP, to see if it is going to low making you presyncopal, and feeling very weak and like falling over.