does anyone with fibro use crutches?if you do,at what point did you `give in` and use them?

[Amanda]

[Hidden]

Hello

I don't use crutches, I just wondered how long it took

To get to the stage you needed to use them,

Is it just for fibro or another illness

Love viv

[Amanda in reply to Hidden]

Hi Viv, I also have Hypothyroidism and high blood pressure.It's been creeping up on me for a couple of years now.I recently had to close my childminding business down as I couldn't cope.I use a mobility scooter when I'm out but I am unsteady when I get off it or walk short distances.I want to keep going as long as I can without help but it`s starting to be painful.

[tess10 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Viv, I have been using a crutch on and off for several years, however about a month ago my walking has gotten bad enough that I have to use it all the time outside the house. Spirit is on the right line though I have ligamentitus in my hand/wrist so have to strape it up, its a little bit of catch 22 xx

[Spirit]

I use one when I need, but the problem is that if my legs are bad enough to need my stick(s) then usually my wrists and hands are too bad to lean on lmao!!!

Hope you're okay x x x

Spirit

[coco68]

I use one all the time now, I gave in after about 6 years of fibro, now on year 12 and have just got a wheelchair for when I'm really bad. I do have other conditions as well

[emadavies]

i have been using my nans walkingstick to help balance me! but as i struggle with pain in my arms, im at a loss of what i can do

[hamble99b]

I use arm crutches but have to rely mainly on the right as my left arm is constantly swollen and painful. I have to ignore the probs & pain in right arm or not go out. I began using them to help keep me straight, I don't think using them has worsened things - the opposite in fact. It's only now that things have progressed that I've bought my scooter.

regards, sandra

p.s. I can't take my weight on my arms so they don't stop falls, but they do give some support.

[Hidden]

I have a walking stick which I used more in the first year because my balance made me nervous. I didn't get on with it at all, so I stopped using it. I only went out of the house when I felt stable on the pavements etc. In the last three years or so I haven't used it at all and have managed ok, thankfully I am more stable now.

[Amanda]

Thanks for the posts.Yes I had thought about my hands being too weak/sore to hold the crutches.Guess I'll have to wobble!

[FionaP]

Hi

I startes to use a stick as my blood pressure drops rapidly after being out for more than half hour! I found a trolley on the internet that did not look too "granny" around 5 years back and used it for 2 years. It gave good balance and was not obvious that I had support.

I also have bad arthritis and nerve damage in my arm and found I was not able to go out unless I hired a buggy.

In the end I contacted my District Nurse and had a wheelchair, upgraded to an electric chair a couple of years back. I walk outside so very little but do not use the chair at home as I am in a flat now.

The real answer is. What quality of life do you have? If you cannot go out and support would give you that freedom again then that is the time to get whatever you need. If you do end up having to use a chair more often you need to also ensure your leg muscles are excersised enough to stop them wasting. Good luck Fi x

[bbfreak]

I use a stick, mainly for balance symptoms, sometimes I think it is all in the mind as to whether it helps or not, but if it enables me to go out then so be it. Not used crutches as my wrists and hands can't cope with them. Use anything hun to help and support you to get out and socialise more, it is a good medicine in itself! X

[LindseyMid]

Using a cane or canes that you can swap from hand to hand would probably be a better idea. As Fibro is a central condition, not a leg problem, crutches could cause more problems than they solve.

[Meme1965]

I started yousing crutches soons my ballace became very poor but i m starting to struggle yousing them as i have to now walk with both cruches pocking outwors to actuly hold me up so i dont no longer youse them