Is it time for a cane?
 

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. :eek:

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! :hug:

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

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.

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.

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I remember when I was too young for a cane, but used it one day shopping, when this darling child nudged his Momma and wispered loudly, "My Gramma has one just like that":eek:
I was so imbarrassed, I put it away and kept on stumbling for awhile longer. :D:p:D

Then I got a superduper rollator with a seat and a basket. I flew around shopping and loved it. Everywhere I went, everyone of all ages wanted one.:cool:

I have a cane I haven't had to use in several years (knock on wood) but when I needed assistance, a walker with a seat would have helped me out so much more.

If I get to that point again, I'll likely get a motorized scooter because when I do need assistance, I need it in a really bad way.

I used to be envious of those with power chairs when my walking was bad because walking took so much out of me, and I felt like I would have been better off if I could have sat down and saved energy for all of my other tasks.

I hope this will be temporary but if not, you know that there's a wide variety of tools to help you out there. :hug:

Hi there I have used a hiking stick for years they are cheap light and help a lot.No one seems to notice ...I call it a stagger stick that gets a laugh.I have fallen hard and thats not fun..The last hard fall I had was in the house I broke three teeth..I don't go anywhere without it.A fall can seem minor at the time but the damage can be severe..So protect yourself it isn't as bad as you think.A stick can really get people to behave if they make a silly comment...Have some fun and get respect at the same time.Take care!:hug:

Isn't falling the worst feeling???? You know you're going, seems like in slow motion, but you can't do anything about it. :( I have three different canes -- all stuck away in the closet now -- but I wish I had put my vanity aside back then and used a rollator instead, especially one with a seat! As others have said, a cane helps somewhat with balance, but if it gets worse and like you mentioned, your leg just gives out, I don't think a cane would help very much.

I remember meeting the blacktop in a Sears parking lot, up close and personal -- tripping up a step (foot drop) to Radio Shack, landing on my knees, stomach. :( After thinking a walker/rollator would be too embarrassing, it wasn't too cool lying on the ground either with holes in the knees of the pants and blood oozing out. :( Also as time went on and my balance got worse, trying to walk through a big "open" section of the mall, brought on the vertigo. Walking with a bunch of packages while trying to hang on a cane for dear life isn't very much fun either. What I would have done for a place to sit (rollator).

So.....my advice.....for what it's worth.....would be try a cheap cane and see how it goes, but keep that rollator in mind. You'll be able to use it longer. In the big box stores, use a scooter they keep there. It's hard at first, but fun once you get used to it. My grands always wanted to sit on my lap and "drive" if they were with me. I took out a couple end displays before I perfected my "driving skills". Use whatever you have to in order to remain mobile....it's really the pitts staying home all the time now.:(

Take care and be careful!:)

I have three canes. One is a very pretty flower covered cane that is more of a "fashion" statement than it is a real help. It does the job if I need to steady myself but I need the heavy-duty one if I'm going to be doing alot of walking.

If I'm going out to dinner or somewhere I'll be sitting for any length of time I take it with me. After sitting for a while my legs are stiff and don't always do what my brain tells them to. And......I don't want people to think I've had too much wine with dinner (even though I don't drink!).

I rarely take my cane to the grocery store because I use the shopping cart for balance.

I've also found it's very hard to maneuver with a purse and a cane. :rolleyes: Guess I should just leave the purse at home and just carry my ID in my pocket. But I'm a "purse" girl....love my purses!

I use purses with long straps so I do not have to worry about holding it or it sliding off my shoulder. I have never liked holding purses. I use a cane whenever I go out and sometimes in the evening at home. I do love stores that have shopping carts.;) Then the cane goes in the cart.

I can see where a rollator would come in handy at a mall. I generally avoid malls anymore. If there are a few stores that I want to go to, I just park by them and go to those stores.

And......thank goodness for online shopping! :cool:

Thanks everyone!
 

Wow! Those were awesome replies!
Thanks everybody!:hug:

I loved hearing your stories and suggestions.

I think I will go out today and get a cheap cane from walgreens (and I'll definitely dress her up Sandy! :]) and try it for a couple of days to see how that goes.

I totally know what you all are saying about the shopping carts! It seems I can move easier pushing that thing, instead of wobbling around for an hour then get the zombie walk going on, lol.

And I have been thinking about how I said that I feel it would be enabling the disease getting a cane... If I am constantly trying to shake off the wobbles, correcting my balance and what not when I am out and about, that's enabling the disease. right? So I'm definitely going to check the cane out, don't have to use it on good days, just my 'drunkard days' (I don't drink at all,lol), then I am thinking maybe I'll have more days without the cane with comfort because for my bad days I don't enable the disease anymore.. I dunno it's just what I was thinking.. lol (I'm a lil out there today.. can ya tell?) haha!

Anywhooo... Thanks again for sharing your personal stories/experience/advice!!! You all truly rock my socks off! :):grouphug::D

i second the walking stick. looks like you are just going for a hike or you can pretend you are just carrying it if you're shy about it. :winky:

As I have been following this thread, I say both. Definitely use the cane but also get a rollator. Both Sams Club and Costco carry them. You can use each as the task at hand differs.

I don't need to use a cane just yet.

Butttt...

When I broke my ankle about 3 years ago, I used a knee scooter to get around in stores. It gave me stability and speed. Also it came with brakes, cuz you really can move fast!

Instead of screaming "I have a disease," it quietly says, "this very cool person has a temporary problem with one leg." (Well, I'm not sure it said that about ME, but when I see other folks use them, I think it is very cool.)

Not sure if this is something that would work for your needs, but thought I'd toss it into the pool of ideas. Good luck to you!

Here is a picture:
http://kneescooter.com/

That's cool, Twink..:cool:

very cool indeed Twink! It reminds me of what I have done on occasion with my right leg at the store, throw it up on the bottom rack and push off with the left leg! lol and thanks to the others for your suggestions!
:grouphug:
my papa has a really nifty walking stick, I think I'm going to go dig thru the mess and try to find it. lol.
:D

good advice. I got mine at Costco. It is a Hugo. I did not even realize there were rollators with plastic wheels. Costco sells a different brand now but DH said he saw the Hugo brand at Sam's Club.

Then again, I do not know if either Costco or Sam's Club is in your area.

I like the padded seat and compartment under the seat. It allows me to put my purse and bottled water inside.

My Hugo is pretty beat up now. I am looking to go to a medical supply store for one to use exclusively inside the house to keep the dirt level at a minimum on the carpeted bedroom.

Plus, skinnier is better in the house.

But Kitt, good advice.:)

i feel that the most important goal is for you to be safe.
if that means using a cane then that's what you should do. and i'd encourage you to tell your dr. he should know about your falls.

i once asked my dad, "when should i buy tires". his response was "when you need them". your situation kind of reminds me of that.

you can go into a medical supply store and try out the various canes. plus there's a particular way to use a cane depending on which leg is bad. i mainly use mine for balance. but i also use a rollator (a walker with a seat) if i were to go into a store (like walgreens). if i'm going into a real store like macy's i would need to take my scooter.

it's not giving in to MS when you decide to use any assistive device. i felt that way too at first. then i realized that anything that conserved my energy so i could do other things was just...necessary. like when i first got a handicapped sticker. i also use a scooter in the grocery store. that way i have enuf energy to come home and put things away.

as you learn to listen to your body you'll figure out what things you need that can help you. and ps...on the rocks. i'd try to fix anything that is a falling risk. perhaps on a small spot you could do just dirt. start thinking about any risk to fall scenario in your home, like rugs. sorry this turned out to be long.

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??? :o 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!!!

Do what ever you need to do to remain safe. Rehab from an injury can be difficult for a healthy person, it can be even more challenging for a person with MS.

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!!