Using a walking stick

I use a shooting stick.  A stick with a foldable leather seat at the top.  My main reason is so that I have something to sit on if I need to stop.  I don't use it as a conventional stick, and don't use it to lean on, but I find it useful if I am feeling unbalanced.

I am no expert, but I have been told by others that using a stick will stop you walking properly.    It might be that your leg muscles are still very weak from 4 months of not using them , so even if you can walk only for a minute it is good to give them some excercise, even if you have to rely on the stick sometimes.  Try taking a few steps without it and slowly build on it.   Another option which I am about to try is walking poles.     

Dear elenamango,

Please don't worry about what the doctor told you.  Walking sticks are used for various reasons, some of which may not seem obvious.  In my experience as a physiotherapist, only once have I encountered a medical student/doctor asking to work shadow a physiotherapist to find out what we do and only after breaking his leg did a consultant start to appreciate the difficulty in walking using aids, after such an injury.  

 Walking aids have nothing to do with age but everything to do with need.

If you feel you need the additional support of your arms (the stick is an extension of these), you feel your balance is slightly off, or more importantly, your movements are slow and you need more time to move and change direction, then use the stick.  It's a sign to others to give you more time and space when in public. If one leg is stronger than the other, hold the stick on the side of the strongest leg and put the stick forward at the same time as the weakest leg.  If both have the same strength then it doesn't matter.  

I'm guessing your doctor thinks you will become psycologically dependent on using the stick and take on the 'sick' role.  Just think of it as helping you now but you may not need it later.  And remember finding something useful is not the same as needing it.  Also, I used a stick briefly a week ago as my thighs were very painful from doing too much.  I rest on the sofa, drive if I need anything and then recover but it has to be my priority, otherwise I wouldn't be able to work. ( PS. no one at work knows I have cfs)

Hope that helps 

Oh my. It makes me so sad to hear about stuff like this, meaning such a young person getting ME/CFS and such an ignorant, insensitive doctor. Of course you should use the walking stick if it helps you. Please know that doctors very commonly do not know more about this illness than us. They are woefully uninformed and often arrogant, which can lead them to hurt, rather than help us. So you'll have to learn to stand up for yourself (no pun intended). Listen to your body, read what you can about ME/CFS on the Internet, and above all, don't push yourself.

Hi Pat & Jackie,

It's not true that a walking stick will stop you walking properly but often they are used incorrectly, ie on the wrong side, so instead of distributing weight bearing, it is concentrated on the side of the stick.  Also the height of the stick needs to be correct for the individual to allow you to put weight through it. Aim for a 15' bend at the elbow when holding the stick and standing upright, then the arm will be straight as you put the stick forward.

I agree with you Jackie.  After my diagnosis I struggled with the idea of being an unfit physio (I used to run and weight train) and even complete a counselling course in case I needed to find a sitting down job.  I work with older people now in the hope I can keep up!  Anyway I researched all the studies, PACE Trials and NICE Guidlines.  I have two science degrees, so I don't think I missunderstood what I was reading but it didn't make sense with what I knew about physiology. My point Is, I bet that is a lot more reasearch than most doctors in a practice put together do.  My life and livelihood was at stake and I was bloody sure it wasn't a few 'bad thoughts' holding me back!!!  Most earlier research is sponsored by psychological bodies, therefore they always identify some psychological element to cfs even if the cause remains a mystery.

Hi, I have had CfS/ME for 7 years now.  In the mild form I did not need a stick.  However, after a bad relapse in 2013, I have had to use a crutch, and folding stick.  I now have pains in legs, and have fallen.  I would use the stick as long as you need to.  If you fall you will have to regain confidence as well.  You know your own body and needs, so listen to yourself.

Good luck.

Wishing you well

Tx

hi elenamnago. sorry to hear you've been so knocked out by ME/CFS. i think you should use whatever helps you to keep mobile. Docs., generally speaking. have just a conceptual understanding of ME/CFS fatigue, so won't understand the benfits you get from using a stick.

Caitlin.

I agree with everyone above, at the end of the day only you know how you feel and exactly what helps.  Dr's can be funny creatures, i know someone who had a hip replacement when she was either late teens or early twenties, no Dr would dream of telling her she shouldn't have the op cause she is too young and most people her age don't need it!  but of course they can see that on an xray so they are comfortable with it, they can see it and can fix it.  I used to get cross with my doctors but now to be honest i feel a bit sorry for them, they are so blinkered to doing tests and reading results on light screens or pieces of paper and don't seem to know how to deal with it when they can't see or fix the problem.  

My other half tells me dr's (male or female) are like men in that they see a problem and they want to be able fix things and when they can't they don't know how to handle it and say stupid things or act out.  Whilst this doesn't solve the issue i have to admit it helped me understand my Dr's a whole lot better.  I know you are a lot younger than me but if it helps at all, I am only 38 and my next purchase may well be a shopping trolley, i don't know many people my age that use one, but unless my Dr is going to come out with me and carry my shopping i'm sure as darn it gonna use one

Tell the doctor to stick it.  Pun intended.