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Am I the only one that has to walk with a cane?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 1/7/2011 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
 Hi everyone, its been a while since Ive been here......the holidays are finally over. My question is.... when Im in a flare up I get a horrible stabing pain in my lower back, I cant walk without a cane. I have a walker too for the really bad days. I only know one person thats in a wheel chair full time. Could this be my future? Is there anyone eles that has Fibro this bad? Is it the stabbing pain or is it the stiffness that criples you?
Posted 1/7/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using a cane for over 2 yrs now. I have OA very badly from my neck down to my feet. My legs and hips lock on me. I also have balance issues. I feel more secure w/ my cane when I am walking. It is a four-pronged cane, so it is a bit steadier on most surfaces. I will probably use a walker at some point, but right now the cane keeps me mobile.

The biggest problem I have w/ the cane is that my arm gets weak on me. I know I need to sit down then before I take a header.

My back is my worse constant pain, I also get terrible burning in my mid back (bra line area). When my back says we are done, We Are Done! Not even a cane will help then.

I hope you are feeling well now, and no flare in your future. Hope today is a good day for you.

God bless.  Alice.

 

Posted 1/7/2011 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I use a cane when I get up in the middle of the night.  I'm very stiff and quite unsteady on my feet so the cane gives me the stability I need.

 

I would get pain in my mid back  and didn't know what to do for it.  My massage therapist told me to stand up, bend at the waist so I'm looking at the floor and let my arms hang loose.  Then she said to start swinging my arms in different directions.  I could feel it stretching that group of muscles and I felt better after doing it!  Might give that a try!

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/7/2011 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for responding......Yes, those stretches felt GREAT!
Posted 1/8/2011 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I also walk with a cane, and I use walking sticks when at the beach or hiking.  (Not that I can do that much hiking!)

My problem is the quick tiring and the sudden and unpredictable changes in how I feel.  By using a cane when walking more than a short distance, I can go further and with less pain.  This helps build up strength.  It also helps with static standing. 

It actually takes me about 7-10 minutes to walk from car to office (partly cuz it is far and partly cuz I am slow).  I use the disable spot to keep from having to climb up and down stairs at the end of a day when that would be nearly impossible.  The extra walking - even that little, has really helped. 

Sue

Posted 1/8/2011 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Sill working on the idea of a cane here. If I want to go to the museums and amusement parks with my boy, there is no other way but to have a cane. That seat cane Sherrine mentioned a while ago is probably the one for me. I can use it to rest during those long day-trips we are used to taking, and the cane itself can help me balance when walking. It sounds much better than the way I bump into people sometimes. They usually don't mind once I apologize, but it still is a problem.
Posted 1/8/2011 8:57 AM (GMT 0)
I use a vae, forearm crutches and a wheelchair. Out of all three the wheelchair wins hands down. All I have to do is move a joystick.

The chair gets me out of the house>use whatever works for you.

Donnaeil
Posted 1/8/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have been using a cane everywhere outside of my house for about a year now. I'm to the point where I need to start considering a wheelchair for longer distances as I get so tired so quickly. I have major issues with my right hip in addition to Fibro, and I have Chronic Pelvic Pain that my doctors suspect may partly be because of the hip as well.

All I know is that I'm often unsteady when walking so a cane gives me better balance and eases mobility. I made sure to get a brightly coloured one (with butterflies on it) - if I have to use one, then it's at least going to be pretty! I also have a "dress black" one for "formal" occasions!

Don't be afraid to use one if you need it...don't let pride get in the way of comfort. I find people are kinder and more helpful when I have mine when I'm out...and often get comments on how pretty the cane is as well.

Good luck,
Pam
Posted 1/8/2011 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
For those of you that don't know about the seat cane, I bought one to use when I know I'll have to stand in lines.  I took it with me to vote!  This looks like the one I bought.  (I got mine at a medical supply store.)

 

http://www.amazon.com/Tri-Seat-Adjustable-Seat-Cane-Color/dp/B000C4RRWS/ref=pd_sim_dbs_hpc_1

 

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/8/2011 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Donna, what is a vae? Bunky, I have a bright green cane with roses. I haven't used it in awhile, but am going to get it out and use it now. I think I will also get a nice black one. Sherrine posted a ye olde cane shoppe website awhile ago. Maybe it was Sherrine. Is your black one pretty or plain? I was going to get one, but haven't yet. So you are right. If we need one, it might as well be pretty.

Also, you are right - people are more helpful when I have a cane. Sometimes that is really needed and appreciated.
Sue
Posted 1/8/2011 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
I have a folding cane so I can take it with me whenever I travel.  Here is a site with really pretty folding canes.

 

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/Designer_Folding_Canes.html

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/8/2011 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
I use a cane from time to time. I have Fibro, but I also have Osteoarthritis, DDD, and Inflammatory Osteoarthritis. Between the three conditions, I do have to use a cane and wear a boot from time to time.
Posted 1/11/2011 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
 thanx for all of your replies. I was giving great advise!
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