r/mobilityaids

Hello! Looking for advice to see if a cane or rollator would fit me better. I have POTS. Currently in the first couple days of trying out a (properly fitted) cane that folds down into a seat when needed.

Running into a few issues though. I feel like the cane takes more energy to swing forwards than it saves me honestly. I also feel lopsided using it. It limits the length of my natural stride which seems to have a negative effect on blood pooling. It doesn't feel like it will provide the support I'll need when I have a presyncope or vestibular episode or am gasping for breath from tachycardia with my legs red and burning- it only takes a bit of the weight off one of my sides. The main thing I get out of it is the seat, but if I used the seat as often as I'd need, outings would take all day. Otherwise, the cane seems to do nothing at best. My standing HR is 120-140 for context and I experience presyncope (never actual fainting) and hypotension often when standing unless having a good day. Also dealing with some vestibular stuff, poor vision (fine with glasses but they make me dizzy), and am prone to sudden hypoglycemia contributing to overall shakiness when I stand.

I feel like returning the cane for a rollator could potentially solve some of these issues but I have never used one so I really need some insight! I feel like it could take more weight off my legs if I need to lean and not give me the lopsided 3 leg feeling that makes me even more dizzy.

My use-case is for bad days, long days out like the zoo or events, and for stores or anything where there is a risk of having to stand still. I manage moving around my home fine, and often can handle brief outings with no standing still on good days. Something that isn't a hassle to get out of the car and set up is a plus as that would discourage me from using it.

I'm 21 and suffer from lifelong major fatigue and "low battery". I am also trying to recondition and get out more since COVID hit me in November and made my lifelong mild symptoms much more debilitating.

Would love to hear experiences with both canes and rollators as well as suggestions for my use case personally. Thank you.

I usually hold my cane in my left hand to help out my right leg that usually has the most problems, but sometimes my left leg feels worse than my right leg. Am I supposed to alternate which hand I hold my cane with based on what leg needs it the most in the moment?

Hello guys. I apologize if this is kind of rant-y but I need some advice on where to go next. I have had difficulty with walking for long distances, climbing & descending stairs, squatting, and bending down to tie my shoes. It’s gotten progressively worse. I am waiting for my nerve conduction study appointment, but it’s in November. I need to find out for sure if I have myositis. I did a few physical therapy sessions, and they helped a bit, but after physical therapy, my legs would be pinch-y and sore for over a week. I know it’s bad, but as my leg instability got worse, I started avoiding showering every day because of the pain and feeling like I was going to fall. I started to worry once I felt like I was going to collapse randomly standing in place or something. During my dual enrollment bio 2 class I took earlier this spring, I noticed it most during labs and when I first walk out of my car and into class. I haven’t fully collapsed, but I’ve definitely had to lean my forearms on the table or grip the table for stability. I’m in college now, and it involves a lot of walking. There are elevators and stuff which is good, but other times you have to walk further to an accessible entrance, or the elevator on the opposite side of the building.

I don’t want to lose the ability to walk up and down staircases completely. I don’t want to have to only take the elevator places. I thought about bringing up hard braces of some sort to my physical therapist, but I can’t now since I’m switching to a different physical therapist close to my campus. Soft braces just limit my movement and get sweaty and itchy. Compression gear has yet to give me any relief. I considered getting forearm crutches, but I’m kinda uncertain about how I’m going to deal with my inability to hold any cup, wallet, or AirPods case in my hands while walking. I also feel like forearm crutches are a much more noticeable mobility aid, and i really don’t want to be the center of attention, and for people to not want to be friends with me because they’ll think hanging out with me is too much of a hassle to accommodate to, or that I’d be holding the group back. That’s what happened to me in high school. I went months without hanging out with anyone. Eventually I realized that I was the only one asking to hang out, and that they weren’t reciprocating interest.

I just finally want a new start where I can do well. I spent my 12 grade year almost failing my classes due to many tests and doctors appointments and being in too much pain to walk. I can’t let this carry on into my college life. It’s going to ruin my entire college experience.

Any advice y’all?

I’m handicapped and mostly confined to my bedroom because the bathroom is only a few feet away. When I leave the house, I use a walker for short distances (about 100’-200’) and otherwise use a wheelchair. I have severe balance problems because of Ataxia. It also causes me to walk wobbly and sometimes have tremors.

I want to start building up my walking endurance by gradually increasing my steps a little each day inside the house. Because of the wobbliness, I’ve never had good luck with pedometers being accurate. And since I need to hold onto the walls, furniture, etc. it doesn’t work well for me to try carrying my phone. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with pedometers that can be worn around the ankle or a fitness watch that are very accurate with the steps?

Hey guys! USA based, questions at bottom lol

First: I am beyond excited to share that after ten years of pain, i am finally being assessed for a mobility aid! My doctor is concerned with my spinal issues and the fact i can no longer function in public without severe pain.

I am honestly super super excited about this! I have already been a mobility aid user for about 2 years now. I was a cane user, switched to forearm crutches and then a rollator!

Unfortunately all 3 aids have started to hurt. I can no longer use my crutches for long periods of time. Standing is a lot of effort for me, so the rollator helped by letting me sit, but unfortunately the position i take using it causes my pain to flare.

I guess my question is, do i go in telling the OT / PT this? I do not want to seem like i am seeking a specific aid, but honestly i am. I want a wheelchair. I have used rentals in stores and events, and oh my god it was a fucking godsend 😭

I really want to push for a wheelchair but i do not want to seem attention seeking or “wanting to be sick” i just want the pain to stop.

What does a mobility aid assessment look like? What should i expect? Again, ahould i tell my PT / OT that i have used aids before and experience pain, or will that seem like i am just seeking what i want rather than need?

My Jazzy Air 2 Wheelchair changes speeds without my telling it to when I go up and then come back down again. It doesn’t do it every time so you never know when it’s going to suddenly be going faster when you come back down. As a result, I got injured when I got slammed into some hard metal because the speed had grown up. Am I the only person that this has happened to there have to be others please let me know.

I started using a cane when I was 16 because of balance issues, lower back, and hip pain. Im
Now 23 and my health issues have gotten worse in some ways and better in others, but I haven’t used my cane in a few years, mainly because my shoulders and wrists hurt so bad most days.

And partially because im ashamed, I very much come from a “if you can do without help, no matter how hard it is, you have to do without it” but that’s an issue for another thread.

Im just curious if I ever get to the point where I feel comfortable using a mobility aid again, is there an alternative that won’t hurt my shoulders that isn’t a wheelchair?

Hi, I need to get my first walker and I’m quite overwhelmed… and nervous & sad.
But also excited as I desperately want some confidence back.
I would love one that allows me to walk outside safely on the path etc, not restricted to indoors.
Any advice on what to look for or models/ brands? I know larger wheels but that’s about it.
Thank you

Adding- know anything about k-care? One on marketplace $50 aud brand new and might be ok for short term?

Hi all!

Sometime in the upcoming months we will be taking our first flight while using mobility aids. Since the crutches are made of metal we worry about getting through security and were wondering how we can best go about this.

We are European and will be staying within europe.

Thank you!

I just acquired a walker for my POTS. but i also have/use a can for small spaces or easier days is clip that can attach my can to my walker any good?

would it work or is better to just go without

Hi all. I'm 22 and have had joint pain for a long time. It was brushed off as growing pain and then autism and then I got inner souls because one leg is slightly longer. But my hips still hurt. I went out to town with my partner and carried a heavy bag on my left side and nearly a week later my hip still aches.

They keep telling me maybe I should use a cane. But I have no diagnosis and no clue what's wrong. It's very unlikely to be eds before I get recommended that I'm extremely unflexible, not hypermobile and don't dislocate. But I'm scared my parents will judge me or say I spend too much time in bed (I'm getting looked at for chronic fatigue) but I know what triggered it.

Should I get one? Is it okay for me to have one? I can just push through it as it's just an ache, I just limp a little bit sometimes but it's fine as it happens a bit. I just want advice.

Absolutely livid at this disgusting attempt at journalism. I am seething that this sort of tripe is allowed to be published in a national newspaper - such irresponsible and damaging reporting. I’ve written to The Times with an official complaint. Someone needs to remove this vile ‘journalist’.

Edit: petition