zimmer frame maybe?

suzster

well, now sarah is 3 i can see that soon she won't want to go in her pushchair any more so i'm starting to think again about what i'm going to use instead to help me walk? i've tried using my walking sticks recently but even with special arthritis type handles they really hurt my hands and i cannot get very far at all, so will i have to get some kind of walking frame? at age 35 (nearly 36!) i'm going to feel slightly self conscious i think. but it's really starting to worry me.
i know some of you use crutches but as my hands are very weak a my grip is rubbish i'm not sure thats an option. i know i've asked this before, but what do you lot use?
any help is much appreciated!
sue (please shout your answers because i still have an ear infection so my hearing is rubbish!)

angel1

Don`t laugh, but would you use an upmarket shopping trolley Sue? I had a spell before my TKR, when I couldn`t use the clutch on the car, so my son bought me a "Sholley", marketed as the Rolls Royce of trolleys. Really solid, but not heavy, has brakes, and is pushed in front of you like a buggy........Ange.

bertyboy

hi sue have you thought about a four wheel shopping trolly they are quite sturdy , HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME XX hope your ears are soon better xx

elnafinn

Hi Sue

Why can't you still use the pushchair even though your little one is walking well? I remember that I used our one for a long time, after the kiddies no longer used it, to put shopping in. I found it sooooo useful. If you push that along, it does not matter whether a child is sitting in it or not, does it? AND it is nobody's business anyway

Love
Elna x()

suzster

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Sue

Why can't you still use the pushchair even though your little one is walking well? I remember that I used our one for a long time, after the kiddies no longer used it, to put shopping in. I found it sooooo useful. If you push that along, it does not matter whether a child is sitting in it or not, does it? AND it is nobody's business anyway

Love
Elna x()

elna,
when i drop sarah off at pre school i have to use the pushchair to get home and pick her up again, people do look at me funny and i've lost count of how many people have said to me "you've lost your baby" funny the 1st few times, then not so! i have a rucksack in the shape of the purple teletubbie, sad i know but it always makes me smile! i've have actually put it in the pushchair a few times, just to make me smile! maybe i could put a babygrow and a hat on a doll, or my cat lol!

i'll have a look for the shopping trolleys, they sound like a really good idea. will i find them easily on google? i'll have a look in a bit.
i just keep having mini panic atacks, daft i know, but when sarah was younger i didn't have to think about this, but now i know the day when she wants to walk is going to come soon!
thanks for the replies, i just couldn't think of any options except for walking frames and i know one day i'll maybe have no choice but i also know my eldest (10yr old) worries about me now and i'm sure if she knew i needed one now she get protective, she already does, mini mum that she is lol, but i kind off need her to not worry, does that make any sense?
sue

angel1

suzster wrote:

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Sue

Why can't you still use the pushchair even though your little one is walking well? I remember that I used our one for a long time, after the kiddies no longer used it, to put shopping in. I found it sooooo useful. If you push that along, it does not matter whether a child is sitting in it or not, does it? AND it is nobody's business anyway

Love
Elna x()

elna,
when i drop sarah off at pre school i have to use the pushchair to get home and pick her up again, people do look at me funny and i've lost count of how many people have said to me "you've lost your baby" funny the 1st few times, then not so! i have a rucksack in the shape of the purple teletubbie, sad i know but it always makes me smile! i've have actually put it in the pushchair a few times, just to make me smile! maybe i could put a babygrow and a hat on a doll, or my cat lol!

i'll have a look for the shopping trolleys, they sound like a really good idea. will i find them easily on google? i'll have a look in a bit.
i just keep having mini panic atacks, daft i know, but when sarah was younger i didn't have to think about this, but now i know the day when she wants to walk is going to come soon!
thanks for the replies, i just couldn't think of any options except for walking frames and i know one day i'll maybe have no choice but i also know my eldest (10yr old) worries about me now and i'm sure if she knew i needed one now she get protective, she already does, mini mum that she is lol, but i kind off need her to not worry, does that make any sense?
sue

Look at www.sholley.com Sue. They actually state that they are excellent for arthritis sufferers. The most expensive, but the best......Ange.

Wonkylegs

HI,

just thought I'd add to this thread as I use a sholley shopping trolley and I couldnt' really do without it now!

I did have a trolley that you pull behind you ... but my shoulders and back couldn't take the twisting and the pulling. Carrying things for me is really tough, and like you using a traditional stick is too painful on my wrists and hands.

at first I felt very self-conscious using my trolley, and the neighbours all thought it was a pram from a distance :shock: which made me cross as well as embarrassed, but we got over that!

Now I think ..... well, I need it and so what if I am 42 and everyone else I see using them is a lot older. They do some amazing funky designs I believe (cost a bit more I suppose :roll: ) but I certainly never regretted getting it.

Before I got it I used to take the car the short distance into town and then have to pay to park, and make several journeys to and from the car with little bags of shopping. After I got the trolley I started to walk into town and that was less stressful and in the first year I had saved more parking money than the trolley cost :shock: :shock:

If you do go for one I would usuggest you get the one with the swivvely (is that even a word?!!) front wheels as they are juch easier to steer ...... ange mentioned brakes ... mine hasn't got any but they would be a good idea.

hoep that helps - feel free to PM me if you want to know any more.
hugs
wonky

lindalegs

Hi Sue,

I have some Arthritic Elbow Crutches. These aren't like the standard crutches they're different in that you rest your forearm on a cushioned trough and you gently hold a handle at the front. Your weight is spread through you forearm and there is no pressure put on your hands and fingers at all.

If you Google 'Arthritic Elbow Crutch Images' you'll see what they look like. Mine were supplied by my OT so you could make enquiries through your GP as they look quite expensive to buy.

I don't think they'd be alot of use if you have Sarah with you because you wouldn't be able to hold her haand but they could be useful for getting out on your own.

Luv Legs

suzster

the sholley looks good, i had a look last night and it does seem like a option for me, it's like the pushchair, the handle is the same as sarahs pushchair, the swivel wheels are much easier than fixed one. the only downside, which is a small one! is sarahs pushchair is bouncy! it has blow up type tyres and good suspension, which i have found really saves my joints from jolts, but i know i can't have everything.
so thank you all! it's so nice to be able to ask advice from people who understand, my hubby just doesn't see why i'm worrying!
sue

maud48

I have the same problem as grandson is now 4 and no way is he going in a pushchair. I kept taking it with us for a long time after he wanted to walk with the excuse that he might get tired. It doesn't look silly pushing an empty pushchair if you have a child with you so you can keep on doing that for some time,
maudx

tkachev

I see lots of people walking about with empty pushchairs , coming back from school/nursery etc.I dont think it looks silly.
I had walking sticks which I hated. They made me feel old.When I got crutches after my THR I left the sticks in hospital and now use the crutches.They make you look injured rather than ill.People definately help me when out and about and I am sure it is because of the crutches.The problems I have are in the cold weather I cant grip with my gloves on.And when it rains they can be slippery.I do get hand aches from gripping but that does wear off because generally my hands arent badly affected by the arthritis.
Hope things go well for you.
Best wishes
Elizabeth

jennyanydots

What about the rolators they are very good although I bet at your age you wouldn’t want to use it .. having said that, they are good because you stand straight and this helps with your back also better than dragging crutches around too .... I have one and it is so useful to use indoors and out , around the garden you can get one with a seat on ( that’s the one I have ) ... I have heart condition too and need to sit on it at times …..

jenny

suzster

now this would be perfect,
http://www.funkyarthur.co.uk/blog/2009/06/product-review-trionic-all-terrain-rollator/
it's very similar in design to sarah's pushchair, so i know it would really help, but at well over £500, NO CHANCE OF ME GETTING ONE, BUT IT WOULD BE PERFECT!
sorry i didn't mean to shout, hubby bought a new ergonomic keyboard, but i;m struggling to get used to it!
sue

frogmorton

Hi Sue
That DOES look rather nice doesn't it?
Don't know what to suggest but my kitten Daisy said she will come in the pushchair if you'd like? :!: She has no shame!
Zimmers are a bit ageing and you're just not that old at all
Are you goiing to go for the shopping trolley?
If it's any consolation - I stopped doing the school run this year because even Lucy is at big school and last year she practsied walking some of the way home and I waited in the car. i know it's a little while for you yet( )
Oh Daisy has her coat on and is waiting for a ride (Jasper can come too)
Toni x

suzster

frogmorton wrote:

Hi Sue
That DOES look rather nice doesn't it?
Don't know what to suggest but my kitten Daisy said she will come in the pushchair if you'd like? :!: She has no shame!
Zimmers are a bit ageing and you're just not that old at all
Are you goiing to go for the shopping trolley?
If it's any consolation - I stopped doing the school run this year because even Lucy is at big school and last year she practsied walking some of the way home and I waited in the car. i know it's a little while for you yet( )
Oh Daisy has her coat on and is waiting for a ride (Jasper can come too)
Toni x

daisy would be very welcome to ride in the pushchair, she'll need a scarf though because it's cold over here!
sue

frogmorton

Ok sue

I will borrow Cris'
for her


she's having anap just now, but will be awake by three

Toni xx

suzster

collywobble wrote:

Hi Sue

Wow - that's expensive!!! It does have the fancy wheels and suspension etc, but from the photo, it looks a lot like a pushchair, don't you think??? If you already have the nice bouncy suspension etc on your pushchair, why not keep using that? As others have said, lots of people are seen wheeling empty pushchairs around - anyway, you could have lots of fun telling people (if they ask), you simply can't remember where you left your baby, it happens all the time!!!!! (if you've got a slightly wicked sense of humour)

Love Lynn (who does have a wicked sense of humour :oops: )

love the idea of saying i've lost the baby!!
it does look like a pushchair, but it would be perfect although i could never afford it, i have looked at walkers and stuff but they all have 2 handles, something that i cannot get on with and so that one has the right type of handle and suspension which really saves my joints. i can dream!!
y'm still looking at the trolley's as they might be the cheaper option, after all they only have a single bar type handle to.
sue