Have any of you ever considered using a scooter to get around?

[grendslori]

Sometimes when I have to go to the store, I try and walk through the parking lot and my legs ache SO BAD I can hardly walk and then I'm not left with the energy to get around the store. Does this happen to any of you? Do any of you used a walker or cane to help you get around? I was diagnosed with Fibro, 'out of the blue', by the rhuematologist at U of M a few years ago and it's gotten so much worse. I'm trying to help my husband renovate our 115 year old farm house and I can't hold anyhting up for more than a few minutes because I ache SO BAD just from that. Anyone else going through this? I don't seem to have strength left in my hands anymore and if it's dark outside, I have a hard time telling where my feet are when I'm walking, I tend to 'march'. I don't know if this is all part of the Fibro or not. I would sure appreciate ANY input from all of you!! I think this is a progressive disease and I told my doctor that the last time I saw her. Do any of you feel that way?

[SuseeQ52]

I have fibromyalgia and my husband has multiple sclerosis.  A few years back, a friend of ours arranged to donate a lark scooter to us that his deceased relative had and only used once in his life.  What a wonderful blessing to us!  We both use it regularly.  It goes 20 miles on one charge and we LOVE it.

I am so relieved that you are going to be evaluated by a neurologist to rule out any other medical issues.

Just a side note - since my hubby and I are in our fifty's and don't "look disabled",  people we roll by on our Lark will say things like:  "Aren't you cheating?"  "Shouldn't you be exercising instead of taking it easy?"  Can you believe the ignorance?
--Just a pet peeve of mine :)

Take care
SuseeQ52

[heart2heart]

I have fibro, have had it for about 30 years! I sometimes use a cane for distance walking. I have to use it when I first get up in the morning, I feel too wobbly.  I've thought about getting a scooter but I don't know where I'd put it my small apartment. Besides, I look so HEALTHY most people have no idea my legs feel like jello and hurt like someone is twisting them like a wet mop.

One thing I find that helps a bit is a warm water class. Not heart pounding aerobics but gentle water exercise like for arthritis type.  You get to stretch your leg muscles in the water and the exercise I believe adds extra blood flow and oxygen to the muscles.  The water has to be warm or you'll tense up the muscles.  I feel better for a few days after my water class and I suggest fibro sufferers to try it.

[luciden]

I must admit that I have thought about it on more than one occasion, but am ashamed to do so.  The pain in my legs is unbearable (I also have chronic venous insufficiency and RA besides Fibromyalgia) and I can not use a cane because my hands and wrists hurt too much.  Unfortunatly I opt many times to just stay home.  Most of the times walking close to an hour in the supermarket is too much for me.  I hope you get better.

[grendslori]

I wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all of you for your answers. It's nice knowing that this isn't all in my head!! For awhile i thought maybe I had MS. I'm seeing a neurologist next week , I've seen this doctor before for nerve damage that occured during surgery; he was really nice so I'm kind of looking forward to see what he says.

[ladygeegee]

I say yes to every thing you said. I don't make it through wally world either. I didn't think about the scooter.  I'm thinking I'm too young for this,,,,,lol  However as summer comes upon us I'm seriously considering a walker with wheels. I get very tired and angry that I can't make thru most big stores. As bad and sad as it sounds I'm afraid my husband won't want to be seen with me if I'm riding a scooter. He might not want to see me with a walker with wheels. I just don't know. I was so sick last summer I really couldn't do anything much. This summer I have plans for myself. I'm not going to let this fibro hold me back. So if that means a cane, walker with wheels or the scooter then that's what it will be...Wish me luck!!!! Take Care and feel better.

Gentle (((HUGS)))
Gee

[VaBreeze]

I also use a cane.  I have a walker and wheelchair as well, should I ever need them.

The first place I head for in a store is where they keep the scooters.  I can't possibly walk through so I don't even hesitate to grab one.  

I feel for you.  I, too, have days where I can't open a bottle of water, use a can opener or do the simplest of chores.  Our home has a second story and I can't remember the last time I have been up there.  Not only does it fatigue me trying to do steps, but I am terrified of falling again.  

Like kiddthekatt, I take my device everywhere I go.  Just a hint...if you do use a walker getting the wheels for it is a blessing.  I found while using mine, it took every ounce of energy that I had to use it by picking it up and moving my feet.  The wheels made movement so much easier on the arms.

So, next time you go to Wally World...grab that scooter and be comfortable.  You're body will thank you for it!

[kitonthemoon]

Ooooooooh, yeah!!!  Cannot go anywhere without me cane.  I'd weeble, wabble, then fall.
Scooter is great invention.  But, with my coordination, sometimes, the store shelves are not safe from my 'moving violations'.  Chuckles.  

I found yoga stretching helps relieving my pain at times.  If you ask whether I chant while doing it? Nope!!! Don't do that kind of yoga.  Just pure stretching.

Have a great week, and minus the pain.

[catwoman64]

I SAY YES TO ALL THE QUESTIONS TO!!  I FEEL THE SAME WAY EVERYDAY AND IT DOESNT GET ANY BETTER.  I CANT WALK THROUGH WAL MART EITHER IT JUST KILLS MY LEGS TO WALK THROUGH  THAT STORE.  THANK GOODNESS THEY HAVE SCOOTERS,  I RECENTLY QUIT USING ARTIFICIAL SWEETNERS AND I HAVENT BEEN AS TIRED ,  ACTUALLY IVE BEEN FEELING BETTER ........EXCEPT FOR THE PAIN.. IT HAS BEEN  REALLY BAD LATELY CAUSE I RAN OUT OF PAIN PILLS.  I WAS ALWAYS ACTIVE TO AND I DO BELIEVE THAT FIBRO GETS WORSE OVER TIME CAUSE MINE HAS... ITS BAD AT THIS TIME!!

[grendslori]

Thank you for your reply.....I was beginning to wonder if maybe I was going nuts here. It's gettin hard because I am pretty active with housework, gardening and raising and showing great pyrenees dogs. Just brushing them out at this point has become a real problem.

[kiddthekatt]

Good morning;
   Yes to all of your questions. I do use a scooter when I go to Walmart, I just can not walk through that store any longer. I use my cane all the time, and when I'm out in the yard, I use my walker. I have so many things that I want to do, but I never have the strength or the energy to do them. My kids got together and bought me a sparkling red scooter for Mother's Day and I have really enjoyed it.

   As for fibro being progressive, I agree with you. My symptoms and pain have gotten so much worse in the past year and a half, This disease has no pity on any of us, and I hate what it has done to me, my family and even my pet babies, it's just not fair to any of us.

gentle hugs
Angel