Tips for using crutches anyone?

[Buffy1970]

I have been having some on/off trouble with falling w/o reason... I suspect my left foot isn't quite staying in line but I'm not sure.  Anyway, Sunday I fell hard and broke my toe.  Now I'm trying to use crutches but my whole left side seems to still be weak and I can't hold the crutch well enough.

Any tips for a frustrated mom who needs to get to the bus stop with my adorable five year old?  It's a short distance, not 50 yards, but I can't do it so far.  I must be mobile and have no ther alternatives to crutches.

[Buffy1970]

Thanks everyone.  I hope I won't need permenant assistance walking just yet.  Jury is still out... after all, it may turn out to be FM or PMS (just kidding.  I don't know when but more and more I think MS is lurking in the background.).  I will, however, get the assistance started, and get my act together and apply for disability.  It's just that if I'm approved it will seem more real and not like some pesky bug that will just go away.

I was so healthy I would have never considered chronic illness.  Car accident, that was my worry.  Now I almost never drive.  Funny, I suppose.

Thanks all.  Your support and information, both for me and others, are great.

[maxthecat9196]

Hi, I agree with everyone here.  When I went through that, I used a knee scooter.  Your doctor just writes a prescription, and you can rent one from a local medical supplies place.  It was the only way I was able to get around.  Make sure you get one that turns, and has good brakes.  The old style, ones you had to lift to move are dangerous.  

Good luck, this is no fun!
-
Tammy

[LisaJF]

Are you from the US Buffy?  If so, apply for medicaid.  It seems that's my answer for everything when people say they have no insurance, but if you do apply, you will thank yourself for it.  If you have it already, then disregard my statement.  If you don't know where to start, then you can call your local hospital that you have visited before (if ever) and ask for their medicaid department. Then you can set up an appointment to see someone.  You would need your drivers license, social security, birth certificate and/or passport, utilities bill and two neighbors stating that you reside where you live for x amount of years.  

Honestly, if your PT can recommend you for a wheeled walker or other device that would be conducive to maintain good balance and not place you at risk to fall (as it seems that crutches would do so), then that doctor who she/he submits their reports to can write a script for it.  If you have medicaid they will cover it.  

Im sorry to hear that you were fired from your law firm that you worked at.  That must of been pretty hard to swallow....

Hope you feel better.

Lisa

[Buffy1970]

My neuro doesn't think much of what I'm experiencing.  It's either migraine or fibromyalgia (which I do have), or all in my head (I suspect he thinks this... not sure.).  I had foot drop for about a week about ten years ago and no obvious MS lesions on MRI so verdict is still out.

PT that specializes in neuro-PT urged me not to give up on testing for MS last year but if the evidence isn't there (MRI) there isn't much I can do.  I was fired from the lawfirm I worked at in 2010 when st-disability ran out, so I don't have insurance... no thinga.  I've been sllowly bled dry with non-effective drugs (except maybe the Kepra) so for now I'm just hanging on to my house.

Sorry you are having to wheel it now.  Do you have much of a break between flare-ups?  I think it shows a lot of strength to keep trying to walk when the risk is reduced.

[maestro1959]

Carol is describing a rollator.  They even can come with a small seat to allow you to sit when necessary.  I used on until I went to a wheelchair, which is pretty much full time, now.   Mine began with trip-and-falls like yours.  Then weakness and bilateral footdrop kicked in.  The weakness continued until the wheelchair becam necessary.  I still try to walk about the house as much as possible.  I still fall, though.

Insurance will pay for many, if not all of these contraptions with little or no co-pay.

It is very important for your doctor to know about these, though.

Beth

[Buffy1970]

I have to say that I really get a kick out of some of the member names!

OK.  No budget for anything right now so I'm hobbling w/o crutches as much as possible.  Fingers crossed it just doesn't take too long to heal!

Another question for those with trouble walking... can you describe how it started for you?  I don't seem to have dizziness or any other obvious warnings that I'm going to tilt.  Until recently I was always able to catch myself and so my neuro hasn't really been concerned when I've mentioned issues walking.  (May not even have MS.)  I suspect that my left foot is not staying in line, that my heel is turning out a bit.  I also seem to have trouble when standing still and suspect this may be b/c my ankle gives a little... ?    The reason MS is not suspected is b/c it is transient.

Any thoughts?

[grannyhotwheels]

I can't use crutches either... My balance is too poor... That's probably the same thing going on with you... Since you are having so much trouble with falls lately I would go ahead and invest in a good walker...

Mine has 4 wheels, hand brakes, and the most important thing a seat... Since I'm mostly in the wheel chair now I don't use mine much any more but sometimes I do around the house...

Also please make sure your doctor knows about all these falls you are having... That's very dangerous and needs to be brought to his/her attention...

If you do get a walker please use it whenever you are out and about... The last thing you need is a broken hip, leg, or arm... That would be horrible... Let us know what you decide to do and please be careful...

I'll be praying,
Carol

[essdipity]

Oops, this iPad is the pits sometimes. I meant WITH weight on your shin.

ess

[essdipity]

Can you rent a rollabout? That is a contraption that allows you to scoot without  one shin elevated on a padded 'seat.'

Hard to describe , but google it for pictures. The smaller ones are easier to manage. I've used them a couple of times after surgeries.

Personally, I can't do crutches. My balance is too bad and I'm afraid of falling. But if you can put some weight on your heel, that should help.

Let us know how you do, and best of luck with this.

ess

[Buffy1970]

You know I didn't even think of it being dangerous.  I'll check into a walker if toe/foot doesn't get better in next day or so.  

Thanks!  Now I just need to figure out how to sleep through the pain (cheers).

[jensequitur]

That's a toughie - maybe you should invest in a walker, instead?  I know you said you had no alternative to crutches, but if you're having weakness, then it's dangerous.