So, I just got my first walker today...
 

I got my first walker today, well it is called a rollator (walker with a seat). I don't need it all the time, but there have been many times at home and when I was out that I really needed it. I hate that I am needing this, but should be thankful that I have it now.

Also today, I had two biopsies on my face...the same side as my RSD :eek: Those needles hurt big time!!

Been a tough day :(

Nanc

Aw Nanc, that is a blow to the ego for sure. When I got mine at age 36 I swear I felt like an 85 y/o woman. I got mine after my back surgery went horribly wrong (woke up w/ CRPS) and had to learn to walk again. Thank goodness I have been able to retire it for a while and get by with a cane, BUT I’m glad that I have it in my arsenal of things to use when necessary. Hang in there hon and hopefully this will ultimately, somehow make life easier for you. I also hope all goes well with the biopsies.

Hi Nanc - you really have had a crappy day if you've had two biopsies. That must've been really painful! Sending big hugs. :grouphug:

I've got an NHS freebie rollator. It's totally crap as it has no suspension at all and makes my hands go numb. I also have to lift it up kerbs which makes it impossible for me to use. I have been known to use it to go to the hospital appointments as I have my husband with me for them so he lifts it over obstacles, and the hospital is only a few minutes walk away. I'm moving on to a wheelchair this week - both to push as a rollator and to be used properly. Hoping that will work better.

I honestly don't understand why rollator manufacturer's haven't looked to the pram industry to make them more usable. You see all these lovely, soft-rolling, bouncy prams and most rollators are juddery and naff. Hope yours is better! :grouphug:

Thanks Kathy! My face is feeling much better today :)

With my insurance, I only had to pay $26. It seems to be a pretty decent one. It has a basket, smooth rolling wheels and good brakes. It is just big! My husband tried to put it in the trunk of our car and it was too big. Maybe we can get it in a different way...I hope since it takes up the entire backseat :eek:

Good luck with your wheelchair :hug:

This is the Walker I want, now how do I get the government to pay for it.

http://www.luckyrob.com/wp-content/u...0/08/At-At.jpg

Thanks Vrae and yes, it is definitely a blow to the ego. I am 46 and about cried at PT while trying this style rollator out. I thought, I am only 46 and this is not where I thought I would be at this age. I stopped working at the end of Dec, which has been a huge adjustment for me and now this walker....:(

Glad you were able to retire your walker and can use a cane. I can't use a cane because my RSD is in both of my hands, shoulders and left arm.

:hug:

That's awesome!! Good luck getting the govt to pay for that one!!

Oh my word, YES! Now those nasty people who think it's funny I have to use one wouldn't be laughing if I had one of those. Or a Sherpa tank. :p

Nanc - glad your face is feeling better. Sounds like you got a bargain on the walker, hope you find a way to fit it in the car easier for you! Got a pic of your walker? I did a review of mine on my blog:

http://riseabovepain.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/94/

I was going to pimp it up but I won't be using it once I get the chair. I can't pimp up a chair that's on loan though, what a bummer lol.


ETA: Kev - what I want out of a walker:

http://media.aintitcool.com/media/up...typhon_(1).jpg

What I'm more likely to end up with if I try and order above on the internet:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ngTrousers.jpg

I am not real sure how to attach a picture, we'll see if this works!

Mine is similar to yours Kathy, it is just heavy duty...bigger! I am tall, so this is what they gave me :)

Oh yeah! I think yours might have slightly better wheels than mine too. Good luck with it. :grouphug:

Okay that is totally awesome (& funny) and I bet you get great parking w/ that too!

I'm 44 now and my condition is deteriorating, what seems to be more rapid than ever. I am concerned that since my arms, hand, wrists are involved now and not just my legs, that if a walker is needed, not quite sure it will even work for reasons you motioned. I get by w/ a cane and snag an electric scooter when available at stores when shopping. This too was an exercise in getting over any vanity I might have had left.

I can totally related to feeling the need to cry as we progress to things we didn't think we'd need until MANY more years down the road. I remember the day I got my handicap plates. I wasn't even 40 yet and it was devastating to me. I cried all the way home. Don't get me wrong, I was grateful and all, but devastated just the same.

I THINK I'm getting better at just renouncing myself to whatever is needed to get through any given situation or day. But inevitably life has a way of smacking you down and putting reality square in your face.

Anywho, I don't mean to sound like a downer. I'm just having a hell of a day with the movement disorder part of my CRPS. Tremoring like CRAZY and muscle spasms galore. <sigh>

Glad your feeling better today and again I hope the tests come out favorable for you!

I got my rollator 2 years ago...so I was 27. I hate that I need it but it gives me freedom that I wouldn't have otherwise. I bought mine on amazon.com but needed one for shorties since I am only 5ft tall. Mine has the 8 inch wheels and it has a canvas basket so that it folds up easy to go in the trunk. Cost me a little over $100...totally worth it for me.

Helps to have a bit of a sense of humor. Every time I am at work and I see an elderly customer walking towards me with a walker I think, "BATTLE!" (like in the movie Michael with John Travolta playing an angel). Thank goodness it never comes out my mouth...but I can't help but smile and chuckle...lol!

I'm just grateful for all the things I can do because I have the walker...helps me to keep things in perspective. It does take some getting used to...but things really are so much easier with the walker for me. I hope yours helps you just as much.

I have it in my ankle (where it started) my RSD also spread to my hands, arms, and upper body. It doesn't take much strain on a regular basis to use the walker...I find it is a lot easier on my upper body than using a cane. This is because MOST of the time all I need is a light touch with both hands to push the walker but it helps with the balance. Even that light touch takes a lot of weight off the ankle too. When my ankle flares bad to the point that I can't hardly walk at all...then yeah...the walker is hard on my hands and arms. Also...walking on surfaces like cobblestones or anything that isn't smooth is also hard because the vibrations hurt my hands and arms. But 99% of the time I have no issues using the walker with RSD in my upper body.

Vrae, so sorry you are having a more difficult time here lately. Unfortunately, I can relate :( Seems like my condition is deteriorating rather quickly too.

I wasn't as upset when I got my handicap placards, I knew I really needed them and I had them off and on in the past with major knee surgeries. The only difference now is that they are not temporary.

I have RSD in my face, both hands, both shoulders, left arm, left leg, both feet, abdomen and head. I think I will be able to get by with the walker for now. Like Catra says, it just takes a light touch to move it. If I have to grip harder and lean on it more, then I may have a problem!

And thanks, I hope my tests come back ok too....I just hate waiting!

:hug:

Hi Catra! Thanks for your input and perspective. I am glad that your rollator helps you so much!!

That is so funny..."BATTLE" I saw that movie again recently...LOVE it!! Now when I come face-to-face with someone else using a walker, I will think of this :)