When?
 

I ended up in the ER last night getting a Solumedrol IV after a bad day which actually started last week. Don't need to go into it all for you all know how I feel.

I fell getting out of the chair at the table yesterday morning flat on my face. Right leg just went right out from under me. Now, RW & AMN can vouch for me that I am usually pretty good and don't need any aids of any kind. But yesterday even in spots around the house I probably could of used a little support.

Going from my car to the hospital last night I KNOW I should of had something to hold me up!

The ER PA asked me where my cane was, I informed her I didn't have one. They felt the need when I went to the restroom they had to walk with me for they saw I was pretty unsteady.

So my "When" question is When do you break down and get something?". After 3 nurses I finally get one who knows something plus has a heart, was the one who walked me out to my car, the PA (who was a student) offered to find me a cane in their "loan" closet but I refused. :o Plus gave me quite a lecture of driving in myself in the condition I was in.

I hate the fact that it is taking my right side. I had a talk on my way in to the ER with my dearest friend about right vs left. I guess I would prefer my left for it is not only my dominant side by my driving side. That scares the crap out of me. I need to drive for so many reason. But, AMN gave me some good ideas (she is full of knowledge you know) which I suppose I should follow through on.

Ok, enough for me. Just curios to "when" you gave in?

This miserable disease is a thief. I don't think its about "giving in" so much as making necessary adjustments. ED visit are to be avoided at all costs and if a walk aid can do that I think it would be worth it. I'm sorry this happened.

:hug:

awww pumkin. Hang in there.

Hey, Lambchop, I used to think of these things as "giving in" or little "defeats" until I gave it some serous thought. If I wanted to build something specific, I had no issues with getting the necessary router bit or tool; when I want to try a new recipe, I think nothing of buying the necessary ingredients; when I did a lot of hiking, I automatically knew I needed the necessary boots; when I travel, I always get the necessary maps;...

See a theme here? Find a cool cane that fits your hand well, fits your body, and fits your style. Use it when you need it and ignore it when you don't. It's just a tool to keep you safe and going, not a sign of anything but determination. ;)

Now get some rest after your infusion, missy. :hug:

Ok, now you put it into that kind of text I understand. Thanks!

Don't think of it giving in, I think of it as being smart and planning ahead, otherwise it can look like stubbornness and not being smart. I had crutches ready, a walker ready and a manual wheelchair ready before needed. I had what I needed before I needed it, saved and spread cost out that insurance disn't cover. . Of course I hoped I'd never need, but I did. Would gladly eat cost not to need, but glad I had. Waited too long for power chair, regret that, think permanent damage done to sciatic nerve which could have been avoided, lost time and effort using walker to use bathroom, etc. I'm not crazy about being in a chair, but no longer fall or not make it on time as I awkwardly and S..l..O..W..L..Y walked to bathroom. Now I don't fall, zoom to bathroom, go places in house and property I hadn't been to in years! These are tools, who are you hurting besides yourself by not using? I can only decorate Christmas tree on bottom 2/3rds from Chair, but could not reach out with breakable/ delicate ornaments at all last year!!!!!

When I first got out of the Doctors office DH and I went to the medical supply store and bought a really pretty pink cane, a metallic blue rollator and later I got a prescription for a transport chair.

I wanted to get them right away for some reason. :confused:

I have used each of them at times and the rest of the time they are in the garage (out of my sight) in case anyone in the family or a friend needs to use one.

I don't use any aids now but you never know; I may tomorrow and they are there if I need them.

When? Well after after a few spills and DD18 begging me to use it so others didn't think they had a drunk mom.

I don't use it all the time now but it helps to have it for those times when I am not steady on my feet.

I hope you feel better soon, Char!:hug:

******

My MIL told my SIL she thought I had a drinking problem. SIL know better but knew MIL didn't know yet then. The chair doesn't make people think that now. They sometimes do talk louder like they think I'm deaf instead of just not being able to walk. I set them straight right away.

hey sweetie .. I know what you mean ... and there are times that I can take off and do my thing without a cane ... BUT, I found out the hard way that I can't do ALL the running anymore ... after 2 stores (maybe an hour or so) .. I'm pooped - and need to rest ...

I keep a cane in my car - walking around the apartment (it's small) is okay - and I can sit and rest (okay, chat with you and my online friends) .. then, I have to work on something else ...

don't think of it as a 'when' ... like Kicker said .. I'm working on painting mine purple with some glitz and lace ...

thinking of you!! ((HUGS)) :hug:

Yes, what Cindy said. :) :hug::hug:

Aw little Lambchop!!! :hug::hug:

I have a cane and keep it in the closet. I haven't needed it for a few years now (knock on wood.) But it's there if the need arises.

There have been times when I needed a chair too and I seriously thought of getting one to keep in the trunk (but haven't done that yet.)

Just think of it as a tool in your closet that you rarely need but it comes in handy on the rare occasion. If it happens that you need it more often, get a really snazzy looking one. How about one with little lambs in race cars?

I second the thought of you getting some rest after your infusion. :hug:

I found out a long time ago that people who don't know us believe we are dumb when we are walking like Frankenstein. Then we go into double dumb when we go into the chair.

I prefer the power chair because it seems to make me a little less dumb since it is patient operated which means I must have partial brain functioning in order to self propel myself.

gmi

I am so sorry you had that fall...:hug:
I did buy 2 canes...a cool blue one for the house that hangs near the door in the garage, and a fold up cane I keep in the car.
I have a great deal of stiffness when I first get out of the car after driving, so I do occasionally use it to get to the store, then fold it up and stick it in my purse or pocket when I feel I am stable enough to walk without it.

When I was getting prepped to go home after surgery last month, I had a really great nurse. She asked me if I use a cane. I told her my DH doesn't like me using one...he doesn't think I need it (he is the type of guy that never likes to give in to a challenge).
She berated him...told him her DH uses a cane, and that there's some really cool-looking ones out there. She asked him, "Would you rather she fall and end up in the hospital?" Been there, done that...:mad:

So I don't consider it giving in to MS...I am grateful that there are aids out there to help me function! Yahoo:rolleyes:...no really, I feel blessed that these aids are seen more in public and that we have accomodations that make it easier for us to get around and be like everyone else, which we are...everyone has challenges...it's just that ours are a bit more noticeable.;)

Take care, and drink lots of fluids now that the magic juice is flowing in your veins...:hug:

Say, Deb, not for nothin' but, any chance he uses Viagra or some sort? :p:rolleyes:;)

:hug: Char :hug: I hope you're feeling better now. I totally agree with everyone here who says that getting some sort of aid isn't giving in to this disease.....it's laughing in it's face!

I bought a pretty red cane with flowers all over it. I've had so many kind comments about it (mostly from women). It's a real conversation starter. And I don't use it all the time. But I know when I need it and I'm not afraid to use it. :)

My question for you, my dearest Yabbit is would you feel better falling or walking?

There is no shame in getting help when it's necessary. It's better than being a bruised leetle pile of yabbit meat!

Would you feel better if it were trekking poles? They have some on sale at OSJL. I just checked them out last week and was thinking that for the price, they might come in handy for those days when things aren't going well in the ol' balance department. They unscrew and collapse to around a foot long so they can be carried instead of used, easily fitting under the car seat. They're selling them singly so you can get only one if needed.

(I'm just offering suggestions here to get you thinking about alternatives that you might live with better!)

I think AMN is right! (imagine! :D)
It's a tool and will help to keep you safe and sound when it's needed!

Okay, :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO: :ROTFLMAO:

I have had to use a cane ever since I had my first flare due to the spasticity in my left leg. I do not always use it at home, but I do use it when I am out, at work, etc. I would much rather use a cane than fall down. I have bought three so far.

Nope...not needed;)

DH& I talked about this tonight.
He feels that if you use a walking aid before you need it, then the muscles will become over dependent on the aid. Good point, but he has never had the sensations that would make me want to use an aid.

In any case, you need to do what is right for you...

I have a cane.

I've had it for a couple of years. My dad bought it for me when I went with my parents to a local pharmacy for a shingles vaccine for my mom. That pharmacy has all the cool mobility aides and the fancy canes.

Mine is blue with a nice mahogany (I think) handle.

I think I got it in mid 2007. My dad bought it for me when I told him that I sometimes steal his canes (he collects canes, but not because he needs one...he just likes them)

I use my cane when I get bad vertigo. Or when I've had a vision problem, because people dont believe me that I have a vision problem when I bump into them in the store because I couldnt see them coming at me on the blind side unless I'm carrying a cane of some sort. Plus, if they give me any crap, I can use the cane to defend myself. (some lady wanted to start a fight with me once when I walked into her back in 2006 when I had my first attack of optic neuritis...scared the crap out of me...and we were in a crowded walmart at the time. Why are people like that?)

I should also add, that I've occasionally hauled out the cane (I keep it in the car) when I'm going shopping with my parents, not because of an MS thing, but because I've got arthritis in my left big toe and possibly some arthritis developing in my index toe on the same foot that's extremely painful at times.

It sometimes just feels better to have the cane when my foot is killing me...I may also have some arthritis developing in my right big toe too, so I'm willing to bet that arthritis will hamper my walking long before the MS does.

Reason I keep the cane in my car, is because it wont do me any good if I want to use it shopping if it's hanging in my closet at home. (I can borrow one of my dad's "walking sticks" anytime I want to...he's got a cool one with a brass cobra head. He used to have one that was an 8-ball)

I'm looking for a cane with a patriotic theme to it. Just havent found one that was affordable and with a design I liked. I may have to commision a friend who's artistic to paint me one.

Is the IVSM helping?

Inquiring minds wish to know! :hug:

Yes, I think it is, thanks for asking!

I am picking up a cane today to use. After another 20 minute lecture from the nurses at the Infusion Center I decided they and everyone else is right. I am thinking positive that I won't have to use it very long just need to get over this hurdle.

Get a red cane or a white one, and get red or white tape and make it look like a candy cane!!

The cane will make you safer, sweetie...and you only have to use it when you feel funky...