when/why do u use a wheelchair

[Zacksmomi]

I searched this topic and it is obviously a scarce and avoided topic (understandably, but I am just curious.  I am in a flare and I can use and feel my legs but it hurts soooo bad to walk.  I find myself sitting in my rollator and pulling myself around the house with my arms n feet. This is great and all but the turning capabilities of a rollator leave me thinking I could do less work if i had a chair.

I have prob the best ins I could ask for so if any one would cover it, mine will.  I was thinking about getting forearm crutches for "nonflare" life and just haven't done it.  Those might help me not be in this much pain at night if I would take some stress off my legs during the day.

I am waiting to hear back from UCSF neuro.  My tysabri was administered 3 weeks and 6 days ago and tomorrow is my treatment.  Maybe this is my norm as the tysabri wears off...oh I hope not  since I haven't heard back from UCSF at this point in the evening, I am not driving 45 miin the fog and have the tysabri administrator tell me they have to talk to the Dr before they can treat me.
Went to my (until today) regular neuro who sent me to UCSF for the tysabri. He has pretty much washed his hands of me. Sad too I thought I liked him.  Anyway...off topic sorry!  He thinks I am in a flare but says I have to talk to UCSF as they are my primary neuro now.  

So back to my question... when u have had to use a chair, what was ur reason? Was is because u lost use of one or both legs? Can u describe ur idea of "lost"?,Have some of you sat down because of pain?  I am sure balance will come up here.

I would just like to hear if I am being a woose or if I am putting myself into a next step that could lead to a place I don't want to be. Or if I have a valid reason to go to the Dr and say "hey I need to sit down for a while"  

[addicted2harleys]

Beautiful post, amo!!  I did forget all the uses we people have with our chairs (purse holder, ect). Lol

And the heels!!  That was definitely a perk for me.  I could wear my boots again!  :)

Thanks for reminding me...

Addi

[AMO]

p.s...
and i can wear heelss again...hubby says "go for iit...not like your walking in 'um anyways"

[AMO]

it is sometimes hard to vividly  rememeber the other life i led. the independant me who    could go somewhere alone. the me who could run in the p.o. to mail a package or not have to look for an elevator to get to a second floor or map out a stratagy getting through tight store displays.

And rememebr the feelings I had going out the first times in my chair.I rememebr thinking , my secret was out, no hidding anymore. It has been almost seven years now and It is my life and anyone  that knows me now knows my chair is my legs.  
And when someone bumps into  my wheels whithout so much as an acknowlegemnt, i tactfully let them know they just stepped on my foot:)

i do rememebr the first outings, not that i was emabrassed , but hhaving to explain over and over.
IT WAS SO FREEING! No more struggling to make my legs move, no more white knuckles holding onto to the shopping cart praying i could just make it without passing out or falling.

It does have it's perks....anyone taking me out knows they will have 'redcarpet' treatment...doors helld open, front row seats, someone to hold their bags, and a place to hang their purse:)
Don't get me wrong, I often long for those good ol days.

to answer your q.uestion..for me ii do not have strenght to stand alone,  I havee no balance (i can fall over just sitting so armrest are a must,) I have  orthostatic hypotension (o.h.  blood pressure plumits when standing), i am not coordinated enough to walk and sometimes freezing of gait (legs 'stick' and can't  get um started. sensory (pain, numbness etc.)thankfull is not an issue for me.

I am so glad for todays tecnology and chairs available with their cushy comfy seats! I would have dreaded being in a chair all those eons ago that were just a chair with wheels.

It is sad we have to look for  rsome type of validation   to make it seem alright.
I believe anyone struggling inside with this very difficult issue, wether it be a cane, cruthes,walker or w/c, probaaly already knows in their heart their answer whetherr it is their 'time' yet.

be gentle on yourrself, amo

[Guitar_grrrl]

Cool topic!  I occasionally think about it because my legs are sooo weak and tired soooo often!  I'm not using a cane or any other assistive devise on a regular basis.  I do use a hiking staff when I know I will be on unstable terrain.  I keep it collapsed in my car.

Julie S. has a similar blog/thread on ms.about.  There are a number of insights on this very topic (if you need more opinions).  Most of the feedback is positive.

I personally think I would find a w/c more freeing than defeating.

[maestro1959]

I do not mean to sound cavalier about this.  I struggled with the idea of using a chair.  I just knew I was suffering more without it than I was embarrassed with it.

Mine is a manual.  I am not having much trouble above the waist, so I want to continue to use my arms as much as I can.  I use a scooter when I am at WalMart, etc.

I bought my first one that is used off of Craig's list.  It turned out to be a God-thing, as it fit me almost as if it had been made for me.  I just loved it for comfort, and ease.  Unfortunately, a Delta Airlines baggage handler wrecked it when I flew to family over Christmas.  The blessing for me is that in about an hour I will be picking up a brand new one fitted exactly to me.  The chair sustained so much damage from the mis-handler it was cheaper for Delta to replace it.  My original one has a great deal of custon work on it, right down to the tires.  So, they have to replace it to match it exactly, even the bright red.

I do not think about the feminine vs. unfeminine thing.  People really do not look at the chair, they look at you.  If I want to get all girly and dress that way I can not think of any of my friends who would say, "Nice dress Beth, but WOW look at the color of that chair."  Please let that go.  The people in your life love you whether you are standing or seated.

Be brave,

Beth

[addicted2harleys]

Wobbly - for me, I have weak arms with my right being worse than the other.  I have found that the fatigue I get in my arms is easier to deal with than the fatigue and weakness in my legs.  And it is like almost never that I go anywhere alone (eye probs stop me from driving) so if my arms get too tired I either take a little break or have someone push me for a while.

I don't know if it would be the same for you or not...but you could try it out and see, maybe?

Addi