Walking Aids

[Eve]

. Loathe to post this but I've been having increasing problems with joint pain and stiffness and am only able to walk short distances (10 mins or so) before my hips, right one is worse, feel like they are being ripped out their sockets ans get a horrible pain lower back over the top of them and down my thigh and getting a lot of pain in my bum. My knees are really bad too. They are uncomfortable anyway (getting comfortable to sit/sleep) so upping codydramol (been told I can't take antiinflammatories while on methotrexate, sorry sqad, no 600mg ibuprofen for me ;)).

Ended up looking in Argos yesterday (in grumpy moment trying to get about town) at walking aids and they have collapsible aluminium sticks but thought I'd ask people to see if they have any suggestions before I have physio tomorrow and occupational therapy Friday.

Not sure if they do collapsible stuff on NHS (want to walk unassisted when I can and not become reliant) and I can have a crossover bag or could get a rucksack to carry stuff (live alone so got to carry food and stuff and reliant on public transport though avoid rush hour as much as poss) and two buses either way to work, more if at hospital, docs etc... Going to see if I can do home delivery food to warrant the cost.

My other concern is with my shoulders being very stiff and wrists painful as to how that will impact on walking aids.

Am hoping my methotrexate will kick in soon (5 weeks now) and things will settle. Hoping to get "swimming" (not sure I can with stiff/hurry bits) to at least see if I can move a bit easier in water but eyes inflamed and painful due to arthritis so waiting for that to settle, back at eye hospital tomorrow.

If anyone has any tips they would be gratefully received so I can be prepared before physio tomorrow.

Sorry so long, think I needed a bit of an arghhhh too, feel like 34 going on 94 at the moment.

[shaneystar2]

You can get the collapsible walking sticks at mobility shops Jenna .
They tend to have a good selection .Pretty patterned ones too .
Amazon have some as well
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Patterned-Adjustable-Folding-Walking-Storage/dp/B005F9UQFK
I know the feeling with the walking and I'm very much older than you .
I do use a stick from time when my hips and back are in scream mode and have a folding one ..
Look into online groceries .They do cheaper rates of an evening .
You don't need to be lugging heavy shopping around and putting more pressure on your joints .

[Nibble]

Jenna, I know it's a big step, but both my MIL and my mum swear by their collapsible walkers - the lightweight triangular ones with 3 wheels. Mum's has a detachable shopping basked on the front. Both found their mobility was so much improved when they had something to hold on to - and the three wheels means you can fold it and lift it into the car or on the bus. You could still use a backpack for the shopping.

[Aquagility]

Jenna, I had exactly your symptoms before having my back operated on a year ago (now have a load of titanium scaffolding in there!).
I could only walk for a few minutes before I had to sit down. But after only five minutes or so I could go on again.
The perfect walking aid, for me, was a lightweight tripod which folded up into a sort of stick, and which incorporated a little seat - like a small cycle seat.
I'm afraid I don't know where you can buy these, but your physio should know.
I hope you get sorted.

[Nibble]

something like this http://www.discountmobilitydirect.co.uk/walking-aids/tri-walkers/drive-ultra-lightweight-tri-walker.aspx?gclid=CMqupcC06rMCFe_MtAodHCQAUQ

[furrypusscat]

I have an elbow crutch and collapsible stick, but like you I suffer from neck and upper limb problems including OA and repetative strain injury in my wrist so I find it difficult using any walking aids. I also have lumbar spondylosis, OA in both hips and knees although right side is worst. I am having hydrotherapy at the moment and have recently been assessed by Social services for home aids, raised toilet seat, easy lift bed rail, shower stool and grab rails for toilet and shower. You want to ask the occupational therapist to see if you can get any useful equipment.

[sara3]

hey sis.. slightly off topic.. have you looked into whether you're entitled to DLA?

[paddywak]

I've had to use a stick as a walking aid since I had a stroke nearly 11 years ago and though I keep a collapsible stick in the car for emergencies
I prefer the adjustable aluminium one I got from the Motobility shop. I've also got a light weight shooting stick I used to use when walking Max so I could have a sit down when I needed.

[daffy654]

I use a collapsible walking stick and it isn't really very good in all honesty. Have you looked into a walking stick umbrella? They are much more discrete if you don't necessarily want people knowing you use a stick.

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

This is the sort of thing I mean (you can get ladies ones).

[Eve]

Ooh I love the umbrella idea! Part of me thinks it might help people realise i'm not so mobile etc...

Just had a nightmare trying to get round a shop with a heavy basket, finally got to put it down at the till then someone dropped a bottle of wine in front and had to pick it up and took ages for a cleaner and they wouldn't let us move til cleared so had to abandon andgo go elsewhere, get less, pay more and just missed my bus by seconds...rahhh.

Will look into links when home and DLA sis. Would be great to have some extra for help with housework at least.

[furrypusscat]

Re swimming. I try to swim twice a week. It is the only exercise that I feel able to do. You don't have to be a strong swimmer, just go and do what you feel is alright for you. Exercise in water is good for painful and restricted joints as you are not weight bearing and the buoyancy of the water helps reduce the stress on painful joints.
Re DLA, look up the criteria. It is best to ask either a welfare rights officer (councils usually have one) or citizens advice bureau to help fill in the necessary forms. Your OT may also be able to help and even supply you with a medical report. It is quite a long, complex form and your answers need to be answered fully. Dependent on how you answer can make a difference between success and failure in getting the award. Hope this helps.

[Eve]

Thanks for that :) I'll ask my OT about it on Friday and go from there, can print some of the forms off in the meantime to have a look through.

I'm not a good swimmer at all but could do a slow front crawl up and down. I hadn't been in ages then my brother and SIL bought me a spa day and I was in the pool loads, so nice to feel so floaty :) I managed a lot better than I thought though I wasn't as stiff then but I'm hoping it'll help.

I'll ask physio about hydrotherapy too, I'm sure they have a pool in the rehab unit I go to. They wanted to get me into a chronic conditions class for exercise but it's in the middle of the day so just not feasible with work.

[plautus]

I don't know what they're called, but they look like zimmer frames on wheels. They seem very uncomfortable to me as everyone I see with one seems to be hunched over it almost at right angles.

[EDDIE51]

From what you say you should definitely be eligible for DLA, but get the CAB adviser to do the form filling for you, they know exactly how to phase the answers so as to be successful. My wife applied twice and was turned down , but then we got the CAB to do it and she got full DLA within 5 days!

[bednobs]

hello jenna - oyu sound like me a few years ago. The physio will be able to advise you best, I have had all manner of walking aids and tbh the best one for me was an elbow crutch.
i have had the ones that splay your hands in order to put l ess pressure on the wrist but i didn't like them I have had a collapsible one that was rubbish, ive had a stick that turns into a seat, but you can't adjust the height on them and i'm a short arse so no good. Your best bet is to go to a mobility type shop and try them out. Also, try out your local shop mobility for shopping (fabulous) you don't have to have a disabled badge for that. I also always put my basket in a trolley, then i don't have to carry it and can lean on the trolley, and when you get to the end, you cAN GET in the basket queue. for a few years, e only ate things that were near the front of the shop!!!

[boxtops]

No zimmers on wheels, plautus, they are quite difficult to negotiate. The wheeled ones nibble mentions are much easier to manage and to walk with.

[starone]

I use a square shopping trolley on four wheels. It has a brake and you can alter the wheels to your situation. You can also alter the height of the handle. I could not walk very far without it and I can put my shopping into it as well. Unfortunately I do not think it would go well on public transport, but I have never tried it. Would need someone else to help you with it I would think. I have noticed while walking through the shopping precinct with it that a lot of other older people are also using them so I think they must be very popular.

[boxtops]

starby, that's why our relatives use the triangular ones - they fold up to get on the bus or in the car - really useful.

[bednobs]

jenna, i used the three wheel type that boxy is decribing for a few years when i needed a hip and knee replacement for work because the problem with iing crutches i that you cant carry anything at the same time which made going to the printer a bit pointless

[Eve]

Thank you so much for all your answers, so appreciated and given me a lot to think about and feeling a bit more positive about it than before :)

Been looking up some different walking aids and seeing where any mobility shops are round my way. Will have a good chat with physio and OT and see what they say and back to rhumatology in a few weeks. Hopefully if I can get my eyes to clear up I can give swimming a try too (though bending to shave my legs could be the first challenge haha, think it'll have to be a contortionist bath job!).

I love the basket in trolley idea! Never thought of that :) I might revise where I shop and what for as I tend to get quite a bit of stuff at discount places and little bits at a time and tend to go for quick easy to make stuff so I can get on the sofa quicker so the last few weeks it's been ham salad wraps pretty much every night (they are nice though!). A bit of money would definitely be a godsend in terms of getting some extra help with things like shopping delivery and house stuff.

[EDDIE51]

Jenna if you claim DLA and get the higher rate ( which from what you tell us you should get) you also automatically can nominate someone , a friend or relative to get carers allowance for helping to look after you.
The DLA at the higher rate is over £110 a week and the carers allowance is £54 a week so well worth having. It is not means tested so you can be a millionaire and still get it.
Also if you want to you can give up the mobility part of DLA and have a free car instead under the Motability scheme. Even if you get the car you still get the 'care component' of DLA and the carers allowance is still paid.
My wife gets DLA at the high rate and we have just changed it and got a car , I get carers allowance for her.