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.

[bednobs]

i don't mean to be rude, but getting DLA is quite tricky so when you fill out the form PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE fill it in as if it's your worst day. If you have found short cuts and ways round things, don't put them in. Also, do it soon, becaue it's changing in April and i have a feeling it'll be even harder to get. i also have a feeling of you can say you can walk for 10 minutes, you wont get it

[Eve]

Oof, just back after a long day (left the house at just before 6am). More steroid drops from the eye hospital as now in both eyes and now have my very own NHS walking stick!

Been having a practice and think I may need to rethink a few things like easier to carry bags and shopping in little Tesco was "interesting". Got to have a wander about the hospital first as an hour 15 mins wait for pharmacy (thank goodness had physio inbetween) before braving outside in the wet and a trial into town on the bus to get some food shopping and such but it does make a difference - apart from now having a bit of a sore arm haha!

The cat welcomed me home by leaving a trail of mucky little cat pawprints across the floor into the kitchen...cheers, love you too cat! :)

Thanks for all you advice, will definitely be looking into DLA and will chat to OT about that on Friday.

[EDDIE51]

As bednobs says it is tricky getting DLA so do what we did and get a CAB claims adviser to do it for you. The adviser we saw told us there was as 'art' to answering the questions in the correct way to ensure the maximum chance of success, they do not lie but the adviser thought of things about the way my wife had to cope with her problems that we would never have done and put them down on the form. Again as bednobs says you MUST put down how you are on the worst days ! People tend to overlook the worst days and just say how it is on the better days, that is a certain way to get the claim rejected.
Yes it is changing in April so get the claim in now before the new stricter rules come in.