cane, walking stick, hiking poles? anyone tried them?
 

Hello,

My neuro psychologist suggested trying a walking stick to help with my dizziness, drunken stumbling, when I walk. Have any of you tried this? I have access to a bunch of canes but no walking sticks.

I was thinking the hiking poles might me better in the long run if I can ever get back to hiking. As I'm sure a lot of you understand, money is tight on disability so I don't want to buy the wrong thing.

Is walking like a drunk/dizziness one of the symptoms that usually goes away because if so then I won't bother at all. I'm almost 6 months now and would like to be able to walk again.

Thanks for any comments! I hope you are all resting up for the busy days ahead!

CC

I walk up and down stairs and in public with a hiking pole.
It is all aluminum and very nice. It is not one of the expensive ones at all. I bought it from Dunham's for about $15.
It is adjustable too.

The originial tip wore out pretty fast on concrete, but most places like Moosejaw or Ebay sell new ones. I bought a Leki tip and it has lasted almost 3 yrs and still going strong.

I find the pole very handy, as I have PN in my feet and am unstable sometimes. But the pole will not take full weight like a crutch or cane. I find my pole much easier than a cane on my hand and shoulder as well.

You should check Amazon for ideas. "hiking pole"

I wouldn't categorize my gait as “drunken stumbling”, but I do have some occasional vertigo, and I also broke my pelvis in the accident so I’m not sure whether the unsteadiness is from that or from the TBI. Anyway I do use a cane part of the time, primarily outdoors or public areas like stores, or on uneven surfaces. I find I don't need it at home or the office where the surface is flat.

I also got a foldable cane through Amazon, I use that one when I travel by plane and just fold it up and tuck it in my carry-on bag once on board.

I defiantly have a "drunken" gait and when tired slurred speech as well :o

I use a stick with a "pistol" grip which serves several purposes ; helps me balance, corrects my walk and also provides a visual signal to others that I have mobility problems

I use a cane anytime I go out in public. It helps people keep their distance and not run into me.

My gait without the cane is a very wide stance, my daughter says like king kong or a zombie :o The wide stance is how I've "auto corrected" my balance issues and now my physio is trying to help me retrain it to be more normal.

With the cane, its way closer to normal, so that is useful. Around home, I don't use it in the house, I find it too tedious and when I'm doing chores, its just in the way, as I need my hands free for carrying buckets etc so I don't generally use it.

When I use the cane, I get less tired and I fall less... on the uneven ground outside with my hands full, I spend a good bit of time on the ground, but that's just the way things are right now.

Mine is an adjustable offset cane, I think it was $30 at Shoppers Home Health, Airgo is the brand name, I believe. Its held up well. I had an off brand cheaper one at first $20 and when I tumbled into the ditch at the front of our property while trying to retrieve a garbage can, I somehow snapped it, but didn't notice until I tried to use it to stand up and fell again, right next to the 80km/h road... cars swerved, horns honking... I was ok, but it was a scary scene.

I would say if you have access to canes, give one a try and see how it goes before you spend any money... just make sure it has a rubber grip end... and in this weather you might want to spend $5 and get an ice pick end for it! :)

Starr

drunken stumbling may be a bit strong...
 

Thanks for all your experiences!

I guess drunken stumbling might be a bit too strong... Let's see if I can describe it better... I shuffle with an awkward, very slow gait. (people used to tease me because my walk was practically a run)

When I've been walking for a few minutes or if I'm in a store (visually overwhelming) I start to weave a bit and both of my arms go out to the side to steady myself and to grab onto something (husband, shelf, display) for stability if needed.

My mother brought me one of her canes tonight to try and I didn't like it because I couldn't put my arms out and also I felt one sided with it. Maybe I just need to get used to it? I'll try it outside.

If I was going to try a 10 minute walk outside I think I would feel more balanced with two walking poles. Maybe I'll find a store that sells them and try some out.

I find I'm worse on a sidewalk then in a park or field unless the ground is totally uneven and of course I'm way worse indoors. Probably because I'm noticing that I'm weaving more then out in the open.

Thanks again for your stories!

CC

I have used Nordic walking poles. Excellent for fitness and it helps to retrain your brain a bit and it keeps your body balanced as you walk. Google it and you will get lots of tips!