I have all of the above I use the cane and wheel chair the most. I pretty much need my chair if I'm go an go to the mall but around the house I use my cane. I sure hope you get to feelin better its alwAys nice when we have days where we do t need any aids.

Hi R,
If your foor is dropping, maybe what you need is a brace to help hold it up. I have pretty severe nerve damage from a spinal injury, and I have almost no function in my left ankle- I can't flex my foot up and it drags when I walk. I had to have a custom brace made, but there are lots f ready made options for people who need less support. They're called ankle- foot orthotics, just try googling.

I do also walk with a cane, but that is really more for balance. It doesn't take much weight off of my ankles and feet. I also have a wheelchair, but not a regular one. I have a transport chair, which has four small wheels instead if two small and two large ones. It's really meant to be pushed by someone else, but I do sometimes use it to kick myself around my house. My hands and shoulders could not take the strain of a regular chair anyway, and the transport chair is extremely lightweight. I can put it in the car trunk by myself. It's made a couple of family vacations much more feasible for me. It's even kind of cute- I got one that is a Burberry plaid. And my cane is a nice spring green. I figure if I must deal with this stuff it's worth it to have tools that I don't hate looking at.

I'm thinking about using a cane or a walker to,help me. It's nice to talk to others and see what helps them. We all have the same disease but different symptoms and problems.

This is so confusing and overwhelming at times.

i think it is always better to use something like a cane to take off that extra pressure on your legs. and its even better to start using it before your legs could get worse. 3 days ago i was in the lawn and suddenly my right knee started to hurt very badly that i couldnt even take a step. i hardly stood on my left leg for about 2-3 mns each time i took a step. but after getting into the house, the pain is gone. then immediately i realized that it could happen again anytime and my left knee is not that good one too. so i decided to get a cane in case JUST TO AVOID THAT EXTRA PRESSURE ON MY KNEES. i ordered two of them. any how i am going to need them in the future. i am only 34. but my main intention to use a cane is PREVENT FALLS.
nothing harm in having one handy just in case if you need it.
good luck. take care. and the braces help too. you can try ace wraps on your ankles. they help.

Go to amazon for a cane, they have the prettiest canes. And very sturdy. I'm heavy and they work great. I use a single cane. I'm in love with Downton Abbey and anything English. I found a solid black cane under 25 bucks, that looks like the dowager duchess, cane. Has bling by the handle. They have really cool canes on amazon.
Linda

I've considered using a cane at times; I have a cyst on my L5 and between this and pain in my hips and knees and ankles from RA walking can be difficult; I haven't done it because I CAN walk, although it's painful, but there were times where I wasn't sure. My brother also has RA and he has to use a cane...he's only 24.

Glad to hear about Amazon....if I am going to have to use a cane, I want it to be a blingy one :)

rcross this is john I also have rhumatoid arthritis hands, feet, wrists and left knee. Also have a host of other problems. Just to many to mention. But I have tried all that you have mentioned and still use them from time to time. But if you can manage if you have any kind of insurance try giving the scooter store a call if they are avalible in your area. I did and they really helped me. I have a power chair and insurance helped pay for it. That was the best move i ever made. I don't use it all the time but when i need it i use it. Hope this little bit of advise helps. John

Thank you everyone for your feedback. A scooter is probably the way to go because of my shoulders, wrists and hands. Thanks for the information John! Around the house though I'm not sure what would be best.

I had made a pact with a dear net friend who had diabetes and RA , to never end up in a wheelchair. Sadly, she died 2 years ago from kidney failure and and pneumonia. She did need a wheelchair in the end. Childish pacts.

I didn't ever want to use outside visible aids such as a cane or walker either.

I did end up needing the aids not long ago. I was quite happy when my Hubby took me to a medical building with neat looking canes. Mine is light with a varnished wooden handle. The aluminum body is scrolled with silver, purple and black designs. I usually use it in front of me with both hands on the handle for support when I'm outside. It was only $26.(CD).

He also bought me a used light, silver walker with the seat and 4 wheels for $30(CD). New condition.

I was considering a scooter cuz they look cool and seem easy to use. We used to ride motorcycles, so this doesn't seem toooo far off. The only thing is my Hubby thinks that I would have trouble using the steering handle and brakes because I do have a lot of shoulder, neck, elbow, wrists, fingers, tendons and muscle pain and weakness often.

A friend of ours died of cancer a while back, so her Hubby offered me his wife's power chair. I liked her a lot, so I only feel her good spirit when near the wheelchair although I still can't bring myself to sit in it or drive it. My Hubby has it all ready to go. I do see 6 other people passing our home in scooters and power chairs getting along independantly. Hopefully, I will gain the courage to hop in the power chair when I want to go shopping or for my appointments, etc this summer.

Geez, I hate feeling like an invalid since I normally pushed myself whenever possible to maintain my independance for the most part through the years.

i never heard of platform crutches. i just saw images in google. i think they may help you when you are around the house. just take a look at some images and if you feel they are helpful then you may get one.

i always shop in amazon. i bought two foldable canes at good price. but make sure you go thru the reviews before you buy. the reviews help me a lot.

Using a cane or a walker would put too much pressure on my hands and wrists. I'd have to use an electric wheelchair or scooter.

One more thought- if you're thinking mostly about something inside your house,have you tried rolling around on a regular office chair? They're light, you can get a nice cushy model, and as long as you don't have plush carpet, they're pretty easy to maneuver. I have lots of days when I employ my trusty office chair, purchased at Goodwill for peanuts, to roll from my living room to bathroom and kitchen. I can cook from it and everything. It was wonderful when I broke my foot last yer and couldn't deal with the knee scooter my orthopedist wanted me to use (he was only concerned with my foot- I had to worry abut my knee too).