From walker to cane
 

I am thinking about thinking about trying to graduate from the walker. Have anyone of you made that journey? Did it involve retraining of some kind? At times I feel brave and think like the little engine that could. At night it is different. Energy low and much weight being on the handles of the apparatus. I have already been down the Physical Therapy road and the legs simply do not cooperate. Any other therapies out there? Any and all thoughts appreciated. Just wanted to get some opinions as I fear falling. TIA Ken in Texas.

Falling is bad, I agree. Why not just start, with 1 hr a day, and see how you do?

I use my hiking pole in the house now, especially with stairs.
But not 100% of the time.

I get shakey if I am hungry or not feeling well, or there is a sudden low pressure weather system moving in. I always use my pole in the morning and late evening.

I don't have PN, but I have had serious problems with vertigo when walking. At one time I used a wheelchair to get things done outside the house and I tried a walker and I have a walking stick. My vertigo (residual post concussion) is much better these days so the chair and the walker days are done, but I still use a cane depending on how I'm feeling and what I'm needing to do.

Just a tip I would suggest regarding moving from the walker to the cane...

Many people seem to lean over their walkers. They put a lot of body weight on the handles. It would be a good idea to make sure that your walker handles are adjusted so that they're at the right height for stability but yet not taking a leaning upper body weight. It they're not adjusted correctly and you're moving to a cane, then that might make you feel a little unsteady.

John had good success with chiropractic care. Both his gait and balance returned to normal.

I used a walker from the onset of my poly neuropathy in 1996 until about 2004. I had done years on/off of physical therapy and water therapy for both the PN and post stroke before I graduated to the cane.

It can done for SOME people, but it all depends on your Dx and limitations. It is all about safety! A fall can be devastating. I have fallen numerous times while using my cane...and have had to consider going back to the walker on a few occasions. I do pretty well with just the cane and can even move about the house without it if I want. It really all depends on how I feel. I know that telltale feeling in my legs when I'm weak, so I always use my cane then...as well as outside the house.

If you decide to make this change, do so gradually...very gradually. Use the cane for a hour an day, then a couple hours, etc. See how you feel with your stability. I would not use the cane outside the house in open areas of stores or uneven surface of a yard until you have been using the cane for quite some time.

Time it slow and listen to your body...it will tell you whether you're doing the right thing.

You may want to try two canes or hiking poles, especially on uneven surfaces. I use one rubber tipped hiking pole on level surfaces, two with spikes if outdoors. I had trouble getting canes long enough, and my hands claw up after a while, the cork grips and wrist loops on the hiking poles are easier on my hands and they are infinitely adjustable.