Walking stick

[claralove]

Hiya everyone.. I'm thinking of using a walking stick on my bad days or if I'm going out and about for any length of time..does anybody find them helpful...is there any negative side to it... X

[Lou1064]

I use crutches to stay mobile the only downside is I cant carry anything as it throws my balance so I look around the shops then order what I want, I do like to see things properly before I buy. Although walking is painful I do cover quite a distance just to keep going, many cant so I count myself lucky really xx

[Sniffer8]

Hi claralove

A walking stick is the most simple, straightforward and portable mobility aid. Mine folds into 4 pieces. The only negative side is temporary. I felt very self conscious about using one and what it symbolised, it evidenced my deterioration. I first used mine whilst on annual leave and realised immediately how beneficial it was. Essentially it steadies me. As you get used to using it you feel more comfortable. It took me a while to use it at work, that is I kept it in my care and only used when out and about. Eventually I walked into work with it and that was that. I also find that to an extent it is a visual cue for those around you to see that you have some difficulty and hopefully factor that in. Now it's a necessity and I couldn't walk safely outside for any appreciable distance without it. I should also add that I walk my dog and so both hands are full, but you get used to this.

Now I've bought a 4 wheeled rollator as I'm getting worse and this will allow me to stop and sit down. Of course I feel self conscious anew now and it'll take time to get used to using this, a transition. At the end of the day the NEED for mobility aids eventually overcomes any reservations. Hope that helps. 👍🏻

[Shadows-walker in reply to Sniffer8]

Hi just thought for you with your dog walking I use a dog training lead wrapped around my body and a lead attached to that so my hands are free and I did have a lab and a beagle attached you could possibly do this with a couple of belt or webbing ,I know attach them to a scooter and it's fun,

thought this make things a bit easer for you especially when cleaning up the brown stuff 😖

From one dog lover to another shadow is a Labrador and Murphy is my crazy beagle

Shadows walker (hence my name )

Fluffies

Chris

[Sniffer8 in reply to Shadows-walker]

Thanks Chris, from one dog lover to another.

[korakes in reply to Shadows-walker]

That sounds like a brilliant idea with the dog lead I can't have animals as I live in rental accommodation but used to dog walk and had to give up as my wrists were so painful with the dogs pulling

[Regnofibro1]

Very helpful to me!

[Sniffer8 in reply to Regnofibro1]

You are most welcome.

[Hartleyhare2]

I am 47 and use one sometimes to help workin with the other use is just to rest on. Only down size is it can transfer pain up arm into shoulder and neck.

Patrick

[Lesley61 in reply to Hartleyhare2]

Yes I use a crutch but only when I am on my own walking I have two dogs I take them out but can not use my crutch but hate been out with it and yes it dose hurt my hand and shoulder but tried sticke can not use them x

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi there

I use a stick occasionally. The big plus for me is that most people (the nice ones 😊) give me a wide berth so I don't get bashed into by people's handbags and shopping. As my balance, or lack of it, is so bad it is very helpful when I feel a wobble coming on.

The negative for me is when I drop it! I'm still getting used to using one. I can get down to retrieve it. It's the getting back up I struggle with.

As has been said the folding ones are great. I was very self conscious the first few times I used it. Then I realised that people weren't looking at me any differently.

I don't know if I'm just getting old, but it seems to me that walking sticks are much more common place than they used to be. Then again Police Officers are looking extremely young 😄

Hugs Lu xx

[Shadows-walker]

Hi I started with a walking stick,a year ago and it helped a lot but don't do what I did and go for a pretty one with a small handle ,you need to remember you'll be leaning on it and your hands will hurt and wrist ,try a self referral to your local physio dept for advise or check out British Red Cross ,gets some advise ,I have moved on to a forearm crutch when I am on bad days ,and I now have palm shaped hand stick on short expeditions .it was hard useing a stick at first getting my head round the fact that I was excepting my limitation ,I also have a scooter which needs a new battery now so it hastnt been used in a while but ,it is going to have to be used again ,

Take care good luck .

Shadow 😊

[claralove in reply to Shadows-walker]

Thanks.. I think I'll look into the crutch thing as well.. X

[Shadows-walker in reply to claralove]

Good luck x

[Hidden]

I have been using crutches for over 6 years now and I am very unsteady without them. They are my legs now. My Dad is in his 80s and has to agree that using a stick is helping him along when he walks. He was very reluctant to start using a stick and used to take it out in his bag and not use it but he does now. Gentle hugs Joolz.x

[TheAuthor]

I personally use a Tri-Walker if I am going out anywhere as my legs tend to give way and therefore is walking stick is not much use to me. However, I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck with yours.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Lucyhobbit]

I couldn't manage without my walking stick on tough days. The only problem is if I have to carry things with 2 hands - that becomes tricky! I used to have a plain black one because I was ashamed to be seen with it (for about 15 years) Now I have a brightly coloured floral one and couldn't care less about what people may think of me using it.

[Xaixai29]

Get one. Really helpful. I have one and I bought the type that folds up and fits into a little pouch. So it can fit in your bag and is on hand when needed. It gives that extra bit of support when feeling really grotty and unable to get far. Take care, soft hugs. xx

[korakes]

I have one for each car in our household so I always have one for when I go out both are nice flowery ones that fold up

[Sniffer8]

Hi all

Participating in this post has got me wondering about the reasons we might need to use a walking aid? For my part, I have paraparesis which means partial paralysis in my legs which unfortunately is progressive. So my stick is about maintaining my balance. My legs are so weak that the muscles tire and am getting slower and stopping more frequently. It feels as though I've just got enough strength to propel myself. If somehow, handrails were erected outdoors I would use those.

So I'm curious as to why others need to use a stick, crutches or whatever?

[claralove in reply to Sniffer8]

I've got arthritis in lower back which affecting my legs /feet..they are sore and just give way.. I also have discs out in neck which affect my balance especially when in full spasm..I also I just feel physically exhausted when I'm out now.x

[Lou1064 in reply to Sniffer8]

I have severe nerve damage and often little or no feeling in my feet, and my balance is off xx

[Shadows-walker]

I have fibro ,reactive arthritis,raynauld ,sjorgrens ,SLE (as the cons put it floating in background ) get extreamly fatigued when walking and breathless ,and tremble painful hands arms and shoulders . And other bits and pieces going on ,

[claralove in reply to Shadows-walker]

I also have thoses.. With a question mark over lupus..is very interesting how a lot of conditions overlap

[Shadows-walker in reply to claralove]

Yes it is ,I don't worry about it anymore there's nothing I can do about it ,they would use the same drugs I couldn't tollarate the earlier drugs they put me on ,and fretting just makes it worse the pain and fatigue clinic taught me a lot and helped me to except , and pacing myself ,I was doing really well then met someone who talked about how he would be there etc but he made me poorly because of stress he caused and I have had a lot more health issues recently because I trusted someone to soon ,so I have learned to keep my stress levels to a minimum as much as I can ,and friends keep an eye on me after that episode in my life .

It's Not nice for you but it's nice to talk to someone with similar to me ,went on the lupus site for a bit but felt I could contribute and to be honest they were a bit to serious and I need laughter ,

[Crackers1]

I find I can walk longer with my stick. I have recently bought one with a little seat attached that I take if I think I will need to stand/queue. I am wondering, though if I would be better with a crutch as I hurts my wrist and thumb. Anyone any thoughts on that, please?