Trouble walking

[Chaelihol]

Hello does anyone else struggle to walk? I manage about 10 minutes before the pain kicks in, my back starts hurting and my legs. It feels like I'm wading through custard. It's really affecting my mental health not being able to walk, I'm only 31. How do you cope?

[Sue_64]

OMG, I've posted another reply to a member earlier today similar, basically about the same thing, as I said to me it's like trying to wade through quicksand. Hard to describe but I like the term custard, I will have to remember that. I can sympathise but I can't help too much with coping. I think part of it is certainly pain, I can ease mine with either rubbing in Voltorel gel, or Ibuprofen gel both of which you can buy easily over the counter, Chemist, Supermarket or Home Bargains (depending where you live). Ibuprofen gel is cheapest, it really helps me. I have found if I have a really bad flare and have to rest up, lack of moving around sets my leg pain off, so I try to keep having a stretch and a little wander around. With me the exhaustion and bone weariness is also what stops me in my tracks. I have stopped going in to town, because I came to a stop one day a fair way from my bus and panicked because my legs gave up and my back went in to spasm. I had to get my Hubby out of work not too far away to pick me up and get to the taxi rank, really worried me. I don't drive so I'm not doing that again. Not sure if I've helped but do try the gels, it's just not fun being like this. Take care and pace yourself. Sending healing hugs 🤗🤗Sue xx

[Hidden]

Hi

I'm just the same. I use a walking stick but I've recently bought a walker with a seat so I can sit down anywhere which has really helped. I'm seeing an orthapaedic consultant in Thursday as my Dr thinks I've got a few other things going on. I have many painful conditions like I'm sure you have too. If I know we are going to be out a while then we hire a wheelchair, it helps me so I don't hold anyone up and I'm not stopping anyone enjoying themselves. Please take care. Lynne

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

I get a lot of pain walking and need to stop for frequent rests. Some days I can walk more than others, and I try to keep walking as much as I can, even though I know it will be painful. I use a warming muscle rub when I've overdone it and I'm really painful xxx

[Dizzytwo]

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I have the same trouble walking and can only walk a very very short distance before the bottom of my back stiffens and this effects the inability to move my legs one in front of the other. I have to have a wheel chair for many years because of this. Saying that I do have OA impacting my lower back. Xx

Momo

[Songbird777]

Yes me too, very hard as only 40, single and live alone. Don’t have the option of a wheelchair or somebody’s arm and it’s very distressing! I use a stick, sometimes two. I might try the voltarol gel but at the moment docs are just increasing the gabapentin dose I’m on. I’m not sure what we can do 🤷🏼‍♀️ The hardest thing for me about Fibromyalgia is accepting its incurable and largely untreatable, Rheumatologist has in the nicest possible voice told me to get used to it! The thought of another 30-40 years like this makes me insane. I’m sorry if this is negative Chaelihol , I feel your pain and wish I had some answers too! Xx

[Midori]

Oh dear, I know that feeling! Depending upon how I feel on any given day, I will use a stick or two, a rollator with a seat, or a wheelchair. I also have some crutches. For pain I use Voltarol gel; Don't bother to go to Boots or it, it is much cheaper in places like Wilkinsons, (unless you can get it on prescription).

[PAULINE15]

Me to, then PIP assessor says I showed no problem with walking, that was in my home so I didn’t walk very far,from my front door to a chair, idiot 😢

[waylay]

Yes! My back pain includes sciatica and back spasms, which are often triggered by sitting, standing or walking too long (along with bending, etc.). It varies a lot, but it's usually 5-15 minutes for sitting/standing, and varies from not being able to stand by myself to very, very occasionally being able to walk 1/4 mile! Usually it's 50m or so before I have to rest. Sometimes I can do that a few times, sometimes only once. I basically rarely go out alone. :/ It happened when I was 33. 11 years now.

[robpw]

Yes totally - the pain is so bad it feels like the bones going to pop through my knees - that coupled with the sheer exhaustion - I have a stick but I find I’m having to use wheelchair more to even function- I get the wading through custard analogy as well