Mobility Aids?

[Dolly84]

Do any of you use mobility aids when you are having a flare up? (Wheelchairs, crutches etc)

Do these help?

[aligator]

Hi, i have a stick & crutches which i use when needed. I have the use of wheelchair which i have used,although i use as a last resort! My pride gets in the way. My advice is use whatever to make life easier for you then the life you have can be the best possible. Hard to accept I know. Lots of love to you on this sunny day( hope it is with you) Alison xx

[Dolly84]

yes weather lovely. My knees are so bad this morning I was thinking of renting an electric wheelchair to get put and about but I don't think my pride would cope! I have crutches but I have a bad shoulder and both wrists so think it would make it worse?!

[Crazyjo]

I use a stick all the time, but also have a walker on wheels that has a sit so can rest when I need to when walking about, don't think I would get out much without it x

[farm123]

When my knees are really bad I have had to resort to crutches but these cause further problems then with shoulders, elbows and hands so only use around the house if absolutely necessary. Because I could not move a manual wheelchair by myself this felt wrong and not any help so after 18 months of this current problem I have a mobility scooter which has probably helped me mentally as much as physically as I can leave the sofa and house to go outside and 'wander around'. I can 'walk' to meet the kids off the bus, take them out (selected places) as they are big enough to help load and unload it from the car, go around the farm and garden to where the family are working/playing - watching is not the same as doing but at least it is out of the house and I can still manage to conserve energy to do the essentials. This decision took a long time to accept especially when out and about (I am late 40's and don't look ill until I try and move) but this has saved me mentally.

[Hidden]

Hello

Yes I use walking sticks and hydrotherapy with adaptations throughout the house. The bathroom is kitted out with a air lowering seat for the bath with handrails and long handled taps that can be controlled individually, The bathroom has hydro therapy bath and shower with plenty of rails.

My adaptations now are relating to our new bedroom as it has been designed for a wheelchair if required as is my new bathroom has direct access to bedroom. The bedroom takes in the standard size with just over a further fifty percent.of floor space. and can become a room with tv, table and chairs and comfortable seats while one seat has a recline and lift seat.

We have two semi detached bungalows that are being knocked in together both are two bedroom although now when the property is detached will still only consist of two bedrooms as disability needs space to get around. passageways are minimalised and we have again plenty room to move around. A passageway joins two cottages it is just over one and half metres wide sufficient to allow for wheelchair use

The house was architect drawn up so if required one side could be used for let by the addition of one door and a slight change would become a two bedroom bungalow. while the side I use would be able to become a one bedroom bungalow.

We have two kitchens that are very small, one now will become a kitchen and the other a utility room, both rooms can revert to two bungalows.a winding staircase can be added and will be installed through where the chimneys used to be. There is additional space in the loft for a further upwards four or three bedrooms with on suite batrooms

When we leave this mortal world both properties can revert with minimal work to a roomy 6 bedroom cottage, building into loft.

The original design of this property was a bungalow with two bedrooms for farm workers etc,

This whole project puts the fear of God into me and is expensive, much work I understand is VAT free although we understand a reversion is best to plan for for resale if need be.

The property is designed to be able to stay in the property when old and demented, my great fear so we should be able to end our days without going into a nursing home. Hazel has her hobby of a third of an acre garden and I have my new orchard, the garden has been designed for ease.

Hope this helps, disability is very very expensive and there is little help out there to assist

All the best

BOB

[Dolly84]

I'm 29 and don't look ill. Either but the last month has been awful. Don't know what to do and what is best? I'm new to this and only have first rhumy appoint on tues coming

[Hidden in reply to Dolly84]

Hello Dolly

All I can suggest is ask the Occupational Therapist via your GP to come around and give advice on what you require. Many problems can be sorted by adaptations that will be supplied and fitted free. Some adaptions can be prescribed through the hospital, shoes and splints can be supplied. My shoes have been prescribed for me and have build ups and inserts that can be worn. You will not really need to give up your shoe types. At this time ALDI shops are selling knee and ankle braces, My wife has just purchased several appliances as She has Osteo Arthritis in a knee and ankle and will need operations soon. They are very cheap and of good quality, although the OCC Therapist would prescribe if required.

As mentioned early disability can be very expensive so it is advisable to get as much assistance as possible. Life for the disabled and healthy need too live their lives and sometimes we are disadvantaged.

Use the system to get your adaptations where possible, many are not bricks and motar, VAT exemptions should be claimed in the stuff you need

BOB .

[Philip]

Yes for me lol but I use wheelchair and crutches 99% and the other 1% I use a stick! I do wonder some days because when I get angry and throw my stick away, some days it comes back so I'm thinking stick mmmm or boomerang lol but which ever it is I use it.

I am going to try for an electric chair for the wife oh silly me, I meant an electric wheelchair for me this week as the manual one is very difficult to use as my arms and shoulders are bad.

I was meant to go for aN MRI SCAN TO SEE IF I HAVE DEMENTIA BUT I FORGOT, LMAO, IT WAS CANCELLED so gotta wait a couple more weeks.

Any way I wish all a lovely and pain free day, I'm off to Martin Mere, Tata.

Philip

[nomoreheels in reply to Philip]

Hiya Philip. Always wanted to go to Martin Mere but not made it yet. Please report back on your day out if you've a mo. It's a balmy 25 degrees across the estuary today so hope it's as nice there.

[Philip in reply to nomoreheels]

A really good day was had by all down at Martin mere, weather was beautiful too, although very busy it was rather calm and relaxing.

Well worth a visit if you are ever in that neck of woods.

Philip

[nomoreheels in reply to Philip]

Thanks for that & pleased you had a good day. We must make the effort to go this summer.

[Beaches2]

Hi dolly

I can understand your frustration at being in this position when the weather is nice and you want to get out and enjoy it. I was at my worst in the winter when at least I could feel miserable indoors and I was really bad, could hardly get myself out of bed. But honestly once I'd seen rheumy and they gave me steroid shot, then things improved enormously, I was " up and about again" and have been since even though things are not yet under control. There's a good chance that by next weekend you will feel much better and be "up and about" yourself x

[Dolly84 in reply to Beaches2]

Thank you. I hope so! Going for a nap now as all this not doing anything has worn me out lol

Oh the joys! X

[cathie]

I've got walking sticks and try to use them round the house rather than furniture walking. Getting up from certain chairs is difficult - bad knees. We've just got a booster seat for the toilet and that has proved a great relief if you see what I mean.

[earthwitch]

two crutches, and a hired mobility scooter when I am in town.

[Sunflower62]

I use a wheel chair when out I can't use crutches or a stick as my wrists hurt too much. It took a lot for me to admitt that I need to use the chair but that life hey. Better use there chair than hobble about in pain

[Sunflower62]

Hippy Motors

hippymotors.co.uk/

Hippy Motors Cool flower peace love vinyl For The Free Spirited.

Take a look at these I have them on my wheelchair and elec bike great for a mobility scooter.

[jazie]

Hi Dolly

I use a stick indoors and a wheelchair or mobility scooter outside.

My wheelchair and scooter give me the independence to go out on my own, take my dog for a walk, go shopping for as long as I want, take my children for days out and when they were younger I used it to take them to school.

Without these items I would not go out much and if I did I would be in so much pain I wouldn't get very far before having to go home.

I have a grab rail in the bath and shower. I also have an electric bath seat that hoes up and down. It does the job but it doesn't allow me to lay back and enjoy my bath.

[Dolly84 in reply to jazie]

I find it hard to get in bath. But I manage. My flare up not so bad today, sods law as rhumy appoint tomorrow

[abednegomonkey]

Ask to be referred to the occupational therapy dept and the physio department when you have your appointment with the rheumatologist. They can then provide you with any aids you might need. I got my crutches from the physios for when I need them. My 25 yr old daughter with RA has had to use them sometimes too!! Where I live the occupational therapy dept supplies wrist splints etc - which are worth having even if you don't need them on the day of your appointment - you can ask for them for when things are flaring up. Also tap levers can be useful and an electric tin opener! If you've got family - they'll all like the electric tin opener!!

I haven't plucked up the courage to use shopmobility.... but my friend does - although I do ask for special assistance at airports .... as most are very long walks and standing around in queues!!

I would say - take every aid you can - and then use them when you need them, as they'll make your life much easier.

Anne

[Dolly84 in reply to abednegomonkey]

I think I will. Not gonna be fobbed off, the Last month has been hell. I do like the sound of mobility scooter to ride to pick up my girls from school haha

[pdp1134]

I've used crutches during flares, but, while the crutches did make it possible to get around, absolutely nothing touched the actual pain of the flare until it went away on its own. Just taking the weight off the bad leg did not reduce the pain.

[Jamie345]

I am in the process of looking for a mobility scooter as I just can't manage now, pride takes a fall I don't care anymore! I want a light weight scooter that folds to go into my car, if anyone has any ideas of which one I'd be grateful, I hope you feel better Dolly it is horrible xx

[badar in reply to Jamie345]

Hello Jamie, I suggest that you have a look at Quingo scooters. quingoscooters.com. I have one called Flyre, which as its own docking station, and drives tis self into the car. They do make a one that dismantles.

The best thing I have found about this company is that they do not sell through agents. The company covers everything including finance, insurance and warranty.

The only problem I have had over 3 years is a puncture.

I believe that they are now offering a system of contract hire, similar to Motability.

I hope that this is helpful to you.

Best wishes, David