walking aides for fibro !

[joed]

hi ive had fibro for over 10 years and im finding it more and more difficult to walk im only 45 but just wanted to know how i go about getting a walking aide either a crutch or walking stick does your gp have to refer you to appliances or do you have to buy your own,its so sad feel like i have been robbed of my life just started aking my hubby if i get to bad one day would he give up work to care for me and if needed would he push me in a wheel chair the thought of this makes me cry he just smiles and says yes i while but i dont think he really believes that one day he may have to do this would love some info on walking aides thankyou take care joanne x

[Betty67]

Hello Joanne

I think whether you have to buy your own is related to where you live. So ask your GP first. Just wanted to say that a walking stick is not for life. i had one all the time a few years ago but with careful management of my condition have not used one for months.

You sound a little down so perhaps you should ask for help with that as well. Your husband sounds a keeper. Lots of gentle hugs.

[jillylin]

Hi,

I just went to a mobility store and bought myself a cane. My physic showed me how to use it effectively.

Hugs

Jillyxx

[Lruk]

Hi Joanne, I would first ask your GP to refer to you to a physiotherapist and an occupation therapist. The physio dept are normally the ones who would advise you re walking aids and the occupational health service will see if there are other aids that might make things easier, such as a perching stool or grab rails.

I initially bought myself a walking stick as I was too unsteady without anything but it made me hand swell really badly. My physio gave me a fischer walking stick which sits under the palm of my hand and does not make my hand swell. I was lucky enough to get that and a rollator as well as some other handy things for the house all for free, though I do have to return them if I no longer need them. The thought of one day not needing them enough to be able to return them is what keeps me going, though sadly I seem to be just getting worse and worse. Good luck, Linda.

[Shazzzy]

Hi Joed. I got walking stick from physiotherspist a few years ago and I am 50, i also didnt expect this but you have to do whats best for you. I have problems using it though as it cause my wrists, arms and should3rs pain which leads to headaches, but everyone is different, so fo try it and see if it helps.

[rosewine]

The Disabled Living Foundation dlf.org.uk/factsheets/walki... have a good factsheet on Walking Aids which you might find useful. Best of luck with whatever you decidex

[Tinkerjack1912]

Hi Joanne,

I brought my own crutches I was lucky (if you can say that) and picked them up second hand for £1. They are my lifeline and I'm glad I got them. X

[hamble99b]

I was assessed and given elbow crutches with ergonomic handles and they adjusted the height of the crutch and the top part - handle to elbow.

I got things to help in the house from the ot.

why not try the scooters in supermarkets and shopping centres?

I find them invaluable.

regards,

hamble

[TheAuthor]

Hi joed

I am so sorry to read that you are struggling so badly, and I hope that things turned around for you soon. As many others have said to you, a physiotherapist or a occupational therapist can recommend / acquire these for you. Also if your GP would refer to Rehabilitation, at your local hospital, they can also get things for you.

I use a tri-walker, as I cannot walk without something to hold me up these days! I find it a lot better than sticks.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken x

[Hidden]

Morning Joed.

So sorry to hear how low you are. I also have severe walking difficulty and use a stick or rollator most of the time. I'm sure you could get help to get either of these but I bought both of mine. The folding stick I bought through an eBay shop and was £3.85 and the rollator through Sue Ryder for £39 (VAT exempt). I wouldn't be without either so they were well worth the money. See what you think but I can highly recommend the rollator to give you more independence. Good luck and take care xx

[Hidden]

Morning Joed.

So sorry to hear how low you are. I also have severe walking difficulty and use a stick or rollator most of the time. I'm sure you could get help to get either of these but I bought both of mine. The folding stick I bought through an eBay shop and was £3.85 and the rollator through Sue Ryder for £39 (VAT exempt). I wouldn't be without either so they were well worth the money. See what you think but I can highly recommend the rollator to give you more independence. Good luck and take care xx

[gracesgrandma]

Hi joed I am 48 and I also felt like you when I realised I had to seek further help for my walking. Approximately 5 years ago the Dr referred me to the Occupational Therapist and the Physical Therapist who both made recommendations. It is well worth having them both come in because they are both able to advise you in different ways. I have grab rails now and had my path widened up to my front door. For me though the biggest life line was the chair raisers and my gutter crutches. These I could not do without. Don't be to proud just to get small things that can help you get through the day. Good Luck x

[ladytelita]

Hey Joed. Sounds like you're having a rough time. I also recently bit the proverbial bullet and found out about walking aids. I had tried using a normal stick but my hand cramped up so badly it just made things worse.

I asked my GP about it and she told me that I could self refer to the local physio team. I rang them, and had an appointment a little over a month later. The physio was quick and efficient and the upshot was that he issued to elbow crutches to me with the ergonomic hand things. Sadly that still hurts my hands but have bought a pair of gel wheelchair gloves which help disperse the weight on my hand.

I'm only 40 myself and it is hard to come to terms with this illness at times. If you are having serious problems emotionally adjusting, speak to your GP. They should be able to offer some councelling or a referral to the pain management team.

Hope you feel better soon.

P.

[Midori]

You can refer yourself to the Occupational Therapist Service. They can get you all kinds of aids. I have wheelchair, 4 wheeled Rollator, Stair rails, grab rails, toilet frames, perching stool,and bath seat. These are all on Medical Loan, which means they go back when you no longer need them. They also measure them up for you, which is important, as many folk buy their own and if they aren't the right height for you can be dangerous. Ask your GP

[Hidden]

It's best to go to your doctor as others have said, any walking aide had to be set at the correct height for you, I only just had my crutch adjusted as physio said I wasn't walking correctly. I originally got mine from Occupational health that was many years ago, originally had sticks but found because I physically had to grip them it made the pain in my hands constant and got too much, now have crutches but can only use 1 due to shoulder problems but feel more supported as it goes round ur arm & can't drop it & fall over which I did a lot of with the walking stick. Also I would ask for the left & right hand shsped ones, these are shaped so they fit the appropriate hand and are much more comfy than the straight handled ones. The fold up sticks are great for taking out if you get pain etc coming on after walking, can throw it in your bag and use if necessary. I had the latest accessment by I think it was disabled living adviser, also through hospital and got some aids to help atound home too, good luck with whatever you choose. As I've had knee pains since I was 15 & 7 operations I can really sympathise with the thought of not wanting to use walking aids etc, I did definitly when I used to have to use my wheelchair, people looking etc. But in the end I thought if I don't use it my quality of life suffers because I couldn't go out & do some of the things I loved because it was too painful & exhausting to walk. Ignore anyone else & do what is best for you, anyone who you pass in the street who looks or stares will be gone from your life in a second, your health & well being is something that effects the rest of hour life x

[sue32]

I self referred to my local OT and they supplied my walking sticks. Mine have sort of hand shaped handles as I couldn't grip the 'normal' ones, but even these make my hands and shoulders ache terribly! XX

[Twinkle26]

Hi I’m in London and once you ask Gp for Occupational health referral they then come and see what is needed, that said if it’s not over £50 you buy it and don’t need OT it’s only if you need other household aids to help. But I’m sure it could be different in other parts of the country. You can buy any aids you need from magazines for mobility sids and try Amazon they do many different aids and your local chemist.