hi,
back when I needed a chair, I found that most clubs: Moose, Elks, American Legions, etc, all have wheelchairs that they will let you use for free, I'd give them all a call as you cant beat the price.

I cant say whether or not using a chair is a good thing or not, I mean yes I did and it did help but then again I became so reliant on it that after I did get a treatment that worked, it took me over a year to relearn to walk again. I guess there are pros and cons with everything and I do wish you the best.

take care

I'm so sorry to hear of your daughters struggle with RSD ! I really hope things get better for her soon!

I have had RSD since I was 12 years old and i'm now 16. It initially started in my left foot after ankle sprain but has since spread to include both arms and possibly my back.

I spent 13 months in a wheelchair after a nerve block caused me to lose all my coordination. It really affected my outlook on life and made me extremely depressed. I just wanted to be 'normal' and be able to do most things my friends did. I had to rely on my mum to take me everywhere, including the toilet which wasn't very nice!

To learn how to walk again, I had to undergo a 5 week intense PT course where they had me do lots of exercises with weights etc. Eventually, my muscles built up the strength they needed and I am now able to work short distances unaided !

I agree with what the others said, use the wheelchair if absolutely needed but don't make it a crutch! Many times, I want to get my wheelchair out because walking even small amounts hurts like h*ll but I know I really need to keep mobile as much as possible! I do use it when I am in a severe pain flare but try to keep the useage to a minimum. I think like me, your daughter will probable not like the wheelchair, BUT if it's a way of making her able to get out more, i'm sure it'd help in the long run!

Talk to your daughters doctor and see what they think. RSD's a 'use it or lose it' condition and it's really important that you find the balance between doing too much and doing too little.

If you want to talk, i'm here!

Alison

Thank you everyone. I didn't get on the computer for a while and when I return there is so much support here! Thank you.

Just wanted to let you all know our insurance did cover 80% of a chair because of course we have already met our deductable. So, she has one! It definitely made her happier. She has used it to go shopping with me and we went to a concert/event the other night and she was able to go, so that is good. We are not taking it everywhere, just when we know she has a longer distance to walk. She's not using it in the house much.

Thank you all so much for your support, for a stranger!

Hi ddd15,

Please know that there are no strangers here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would really talk to the doctors she is working with. I know for me the doctors did not want me to use any assistance in terms of a cane etc. When I went to Cleveland Clinic I was in bed full days crying from pain. The pain doctor said that I had to find a way to get moving because if I atrophied things would become even worse. That is why they wanted to implant a catheter to give me meds and numbing agent to do PT. I did not do that procedure but did start to slowly get moving. It was a very long and painful process. Everyone is different though and I know some do use assistance. I am just stating my experience but who knows what is correct.
I did a similar program to that Dr Sherry though my pain was too high. They have one at CC for teens too I think.
Hope your daughter feels better and can get some direction for what she needs to do.

I am so sorry your daughter has to go through this starting so young. It is horrible at any age, but is robbing her youth I imagine. I am 40 and recently dx and am still trying to comprehend the changes it has and will bring to my life. I am not sure of any great places to go but I have heard that water therapy (in heated pool of course) is helpful in the sense that it is weightless exercise. Maybe it is something you could ask one of the Dr.'s or PT's or specialist's? Maybe that would help keep her limbs from atrophy.

Prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family~