Hi guys!

Since my cortisone shots, I've felt a lot better.. finally. All the blood tests say I'm in remission, even though I'm in a little pain still. They tell me it is structural and are sending me to physio. I'm going to start working out again, as I've had luck in walking a lot again.

I bought a cane. It 's funny, because I'm too young in my mind to use one, but you wouldn't believe how much help I find it in getting up and sitting down! When I'm in a little pain, it is a huge comfort, and when I don't need it it just waits for me :P Hehe

I recommend a cane for anyone. I wish I'd had one when I was inflamed. :)

Good luck to all!! Happy New Year!

Being able to put aside one's pride and or obsession with the fact that canes are only for the elderly can go a long way into easing your pain when getting around.

I refused to use a cane for years and got my first one at age 27.
I don't use it as much as I should, I still have a pride issue, but when days are bad I will, or I use it for posterity to shut up the incoming wise remarks from those who see me park in the handicapped spot looking completley normal. Pretty sad some have to resort to those means isn't it?
Add to that it's great for pulling those out of the way things closer to you or even pushing a door shut when you're having a hard time doing it without one.

Assistive devices are not only for the elderly, they are for anyone who needs that support or assistance. One thing to keep in mind, always use the cane on the opposite side of the affected area, which is the proper way to use one.

AAyla,

Hey there! If it makes you feel any better I am 28 years old and have been using a cane for 6 years. Sometimes we have to put our pride aside not to be in pain. I even used my cane the day of my wedding...I figured that all my family and friends knew about my arthritis...why not...I refused to be in pain for my wedding night ;) Hope things get better for you....I have just recently had a hip replacement...so things are looking up for me...good luck and happy new year!!!

Krissy

Started with a crutches after knee surgeries, moved to a cane for mobility issues and this past Aug was in hosp for a week under a "fall precaution" and now have a walker!!

Sometimes, when I need to use it, I sit and stare at it with sadness that I need it to walk, anger that I am too young to use a walker (44 years young!) and finally remorseful that my condition has brought me to this shuffling dance I do when I use/need the walker.

All I can do is say for all of us to hang in there, it may not get better but we'll adapt and overcome anything these diseases can throw at us! We all are stronger as individuals and certainly as a group than any damn disease!

Hooray for all of us! It's like I tell my daughters when they are attempting something new (i.e. diving off a diving board for the first time, riding a bike without training wheels, etc) "I'm big, I'm brave and I can do anything!"

Take care,
Joe

Hi there!
I am 38 and I use a walker.
I call it my buddy, almost my best friend, of course, my best friend is my hubby!!! It is a souped up one!! Only because I cannot use the one with the brakes where you push down on it because that one killed the bad back muscles. So, I have hand brakes and everything. I went shopping with my hubby today. Just to TArget. The best part is I sit down when I am tired. It really has become an extension of my body to me. I could NOT walk without it.
Laurie

OH now you have me jealous Laurie! I want a souped up walker too!
Actually I am considering a walker, primarily for at home as when I get out of bed in the morning I'm doubled over like a 90 year old woman and can't stand straight for about an hour. By the time evening comes I'm doubled over again...
Last time I used one was with my last hip replacement but I didn't keep the walker, I think my granny needed it so I gave it to her (or someone in the familiy).

Is yours one of the ones with wheels? I'm trying to decide what's best for me and the environment we live in.

Barbie