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Canes

Posted , 6 users are following.

Ravenwood
Ravenwood

Has anyone ever used a cane?  I am trying to reduce my total energy expenditure, and a friend suggested a cane.  But does a cane help reduce energy output or is it something else you just drag around with you as it eats up your energy for the day?  Suggestions?

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • caitlin39841
    caitlin39841 Ravenwood

    Posted

    the best thing to do is to try one out and see if it helps conserve or expend energy?

    Caitlin.

  • GeorgiaS
    GeorgiaS Ravenwood

    Posted

    Yes! My friend makes walking sticks from dead/fallen wood in the woods he walks around in when he's putting up bird boxes that he makes and checking on the birds. He made one for me and I'd be quite lost without it.

    I don't get out much and the little shop in my village isn't far but it's up a steep hill so I have to keep stopping, gasping for breath and with my legs hurting. The stick is quite tall, a bit like Gandalf's staff, well not that tall, and it enables me to stop and support myself rather than having to sit on someone's garden wall.

    I don't think they'd appreciate it if I kept doing that! eek

  • JulieBadger
    JulieBadger Ravenwood

    Posted

    I have 2 walking sticks (1 when I can manage it) and a mobility scooter.  I keep ones in the car and the house so close by.  I have a red one, a black one, a silver one and two matching black which silver engraved pattern down them. I'm a 37yrs old woman so I've got to have a bit of style.  My mobility scooter is red! 

    I know another M.E. sufferer who uses crutches instead of walking sticks.

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS JulieBadger

      Posted

      I agree with the style thing Julie! My stick is made of hazel and it's so beautiful someone asked me if they could hold it the other day and a guy who helps to run our village shop asked if Roy could sell some of the sticks he makes in there.

      When I first got my mobility wheelchair I had a real problem with going out in it, I still do. I'm so stubborn and stupid that I use the stick instead mostly. A young woman who has ME said pimp it up!

      Well it's black and looks ominous so when I get enough energy I'm thinking of making it more colourful with stickers, feathers, I don't know yet, because people will be looking at the chair rather than at me and it could be a conversation point. I'd rather talk about that than the horrible question 'How are you?'.

    • JulieBadger
      JulieBadger GeorgiaS

      Posted

      I just smile alot when I'm on my mobility scooter.  People look at my smile rather than the scooter.

      As my heart rate keeps doing stupid things I've got to use the scooter alot to be medically safe.  It was hard to be seen on it at first, especially in the school playground where those same people had seen me compete in the Mums sports day races and even win only a year before.

      People get used to it very quickly and so do the kids.  Smiling is the key for me.  My kids who are 6 & 9 aren't embarresed by it ether. They think it's fun and love it when I am well enough so they get to use it instead.

      In fact my 6yr old son asked Father Christmas last Christmas for a Mobility Scooter.  He was told he was too young and got a remote control granny on an electric scooter instead.

      If people ask me how are you who know me, I just answer same, or getting worse. Then change the subject by asking them something different. It's nice that they care enough to ask, but I don't want to dwell on it.

      Here's to new fashionable mobility scooters to the hip hop young ladies and gents we are.

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS JulieBadger

      Posted

      Yay cool mobility scooters and wheelchairs, Everyone will want one. lol

      The smile is hard to do but you've inspired me to try.

  • olivetree
    olivetree Ravenwood

    Posted

    Hi. I injured my leg last year and needed to use crutches for a few weeks and I really found them hard work for my arms. As soon as the injury pain became comparable to the 'normal' leg pain I ditched them.  Also I find gripping with my hands is tiresome so for me I don't think a cane would be any better but if your hands/arms work well then give it a go, worth a try.
  • Ravenwood
    Ravenwood

    Posted

    Thank you all for the advice.  I think I will give a cane a try and see if it helps.  You guys are great!
    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS Ravenwood

      Posted

      You're great too Ravenwood! Love the screen name. razz
  • dragontest
    dragontest Ravenwood

    Posted

    I use a cane perhaps 70% of the time, and a wheel chair perhaps 5%... both are very useful. When I get tired I tend to fall over more so the cane helps.

    • Ravenwood
      Ravenwood dragontest

      Posted

      I did buy the cane and have noticed that I it helps keep me from losing my balance and bumping into everything.  I'm not sure it keeps me from being tired, except that I don't do random half gainers with a twist down the hallways.  I don't miss the bruises.
  • Flowerlady
    Flowerlady Ravenwood

    Posted

    Hello Ravenwood

    I had bought me years ago a stick that walkers use, it has a spring in it. I have started using that now only around the house and garden. As I do feel embarrased using it, but then I think walkers use them so why not me..

    • GeorgiaS
      GeorgiaS Flowerlady

      Posted

      I felt embarassed at first but I don't even think about it now and my cane looks like a long wizzard's staff so it's cool anyway. cool
    • dragontest
      dragontest GeorgiaS

      Posted

      I too felt embarassed by having to use a Cane at first, but just like you said you don't think about it after a while. (Public transport can still be an issue even with a cane.)
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