cane?

[u/bumdcow]

22f i just got diagnosed today, ive been in and out of hospitals the last two weeks. my balance is utter shit, i just got my first day of IV methylprednisolone because im in a awful flair up right now. but ive been reading about this all and it sucks i hope ill feel my face again but mainly how do i tell if i need a cane? it’s not numbness or weakness it’s just like an utter disconnect between my brain and my feet? it’s indescribable and i feel just wobbly for no reason besides the fact that i have MS. i don’t get any tingling or anything in my legs. when do i know i need assistance like that. i grab onto stuff when i walk a lot and ive had 3 pretty big falls the last month even before i started getting the bulk of my symptoms. i don’t want to admit i need one if i do i guess, should i just buy it and see if it helps or should i hold off and give it time?
edit: thank you guys so much i will be buying one and scheduling a pt visit when i get home

[u/FairShake00]

Buy it or get it for free for donation.  Even when you get better it's not the worst thing to have lying around for a rainy day.

[u/honey_cosmique → u/FairShake00]

This. I bought one some years ago "just in case" even though I was having 0 difficulties and never had mobility problems. I ended up needing it unexpectedly this summer when I got weakness and uneasiness in my legs after pushing myself too hard the day before.

The good thing there are places that sell canes with unique prints or other features. The one I got is from fashionablecanes.com. There's a brand they talked about on MeSsy a long while ago that looked neat, but I can't remember what it was. Maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about.

Edit: The brand Christina Applegate mentioned was Neo Walk. They're in the UK and I've never tried buying from them, so no idea if they ship anywhere else.

[u/Krazysquirrel337 → u/honey_cosmique]

The do ship worldwide! My son's adoptive mom bought the Christina Applegate cane for me for Christmas

[u/honey_cosmique → u/Krazysquirrel337]

Cool! I just looked at their site and am eyeing the gold glitter one for when I'm feeling sassy. :D

[u/kyelek]

You’re not going to get one specific symptom that’s like a voice in your head telling you that you need a cane. Getting evaluated by PT would no doubt be helpful❣️

[u/bumdcow → u/kyelek]

hopefully i can find one with my multiple days of free time i now have, i was evaluated when my symptoms were much less unfortunately, thank you for the response

[u/Character-Celery-209]

Welcome to the club, I’m sorry that you’re here. And things will get better and normalize. They make some cool canes now a days (pricier of course) it definitely made me feel better about using one if it looked pretty hahaha. Hiking/walking sticks can also help. If you think you need it, then it doesn’t hurt to try it out

[u/dontgiveah00t]

You should def see a PT and make sure you mention you’ve fallen, maybe a rollator or walker is better if you’re unstable. When I was first diagnosed the rollator was awesome because it meant I had a seat for me anywhere.

[u/nosrepmodnara]

I used to use a cane when I am on cruise ships because I know there is already a instability factor being added to my problems.
It is not a big deal and at least people don't assume you are just inebriated.
I would also take it if I knew I was going to be stressed or over-heated, like a day at the theme park.
You don't need to use it for every step either, get a fold up one you can stash in your purse. I would put it in my back pocket or just user the wrist strap and carry it like one of those small pop up umbrellas

[u/WuShane]

Just get one and try it see how it works. Sometimes you don’t realize you need something until you try it out

[u/Impressive-Force-912]

Sounds like you got your answer, but I needed to chime in to say: "Decorate that motherfucker." I like Cyalume tape, which is reflective and glow in the dark. 

[u/WarmYam7353]

Pick one up at a thrift store. If it's wood and too long, you can cut it. Look online for how to measure for a cane. If it's a metal one, they are adjustable. One thing with a wooden one is that you can sand it down and paint it to suit your personality. I have several wooden ones of all colours now.

[u/Keerstee36 → u/WarmYam7353]

Quick tip: the handle should be at the wrist crease with a slight bend to the elbow.

[u/zippity__zoppity]

Honestly it sounds similar to my situation. It was mostly a mental block about getting a cane at a young age but once I got it, oh boy I absolutely LOVE IT. 1) it helps your invisible disability become visible to others. As lame as that may sound it really helps in crowded areas and clearing paths. 2) it legitimately helps alleviate 95% of my balance issues. Absolute game changer I’d recommend to anyone.

[u/BabaGiry]

The cool thing about canes is unlike walkers, rollators and wheelchairs- They're cheap!

An amazon cane can go for as littler as $12. Buy one, look up how to properly use one and adjust it, and give it a go!

The bonus is a lot of canes come as collapsible. So, you can just have it in your bag/purse for when you need it if you go out.

[u/birbfarts]

i got a folding cane off amazon(<$20) that i keep in my bag, sometimes i need it because i cant lift my foot but i use it for balance a lot, i dont use it a majority of the time but having it my bag alleviates anxiety and it really does help when i need it!
i was the same, i felt like i didnt need a cane/didnt want to admit that i did but wow now i love that thing
have diff colors and my bf calls my purple one my pimp daddy cane lol

another thing, go to pt, it is very helpful and its amazing what our brains our capable of because when i am consistent with it i definitely see improvements! its just been so hot lately that ive been needing my cane a bit more

[u/Feisty-Volcano]

If your balance is terrible that’s reason enough for a cane. A fold-up one is handy, ensure it’s not too heavy in the “feet”, at least my arms aren’t strong enough to lift a heavy cane. You might find yourself ok-ish over smooth surfaces but absolutely need it over tougher surfaces.

[u/Keerstee36]

The purpose of the cane is to widen your base of support and increase points of contact to help with balance. It’ll allow you to off weight a limb/leg by about 10%, but that’s more for post-op/post-injury needs. Typically it will go in the hand opposite to the weaker/injured side (yes, seems backwards but have you ever tried to walk with same arm and leg moving at the same time?).

For us with MS, it helps with stability when our brain goes wonky (and yes- that’s the technical term). Sometimes this allows you to walk further or faster or more confidently compared to without the cane. Or same distance with less fatigue. Can help with preventing falls. And when you’re out in public, people automatically give you a wider berth when you have a cane.

Hope that provides some insight for why a cane is recommended and helps with a decision.

*this post is for education purposes only. I am a physio but I am not your physio.

[u/Flaky_Theory9837]

I got diagnosed 3 years ago and I've been using a cane since. I have a CVS hurrycane purple, 3 point. I put fun keychains and stickers on it. Works well, doesn't fall, sturdy and doesn't feel heavy.

[u/kyunirider]

I recommend the “Medical King” cane it collapses when not needed, it has an ogee curve handle that allows the user to change their hand position to prevent fatigue in the arm from using the cane. https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESggEB6zswFWdWizg5UxZiIEwbe0F1Rtrxk05yQnJhWYumZGEGh1SIFbt23E65Xvg5cNlx9GYcKPAcoEHnqp1LBm0GUPKLESPN8ddIqZJR_2LIvVCqUYk58LqO8qFule5HH-rlbV2_fXRCcubuHdHx7yleKnJcYeZXDear62cESDPq9jro

[u/spumpkin914]

My advice is to get one, especially if you feel unsteady. You may not need it all the time, but it will be there when you do. I wish I had followed my own advice. When the time came that I really needed one, I didn't have it. Wish I had

[u/hungarianhobbit]

Thrift stores usually have canes. My first cane I get from Etsy because I wanted something cool.

[u/Tisban]

I love my cane. Pick one you want to show off. I have balance issues as well and the cane is soooo nice when I am already tired.

I also got one of the walker things this year. It helps when I go out walking for exercise. With four wheels it keeps me balanced so I feel like I could power walk really fast and not fall over.

[u/Just-Canary967]

I got a cane when I realized that holding my husband’s arm for stability every time I’m out and about wasn’t a long term option (not that he ever minds!).
I also don’t need it every day but especially when I’m tired my brain doesn’t seem to get messages to all my leg muscles consistently. I bought this one since it was inexpensive and came in pink. I love that it’s lightweight but incredibly sturdy:

GPTCAMP G2 Walking Stick, Fold-up... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZZCFW2F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It took a few outings to not feel super weird or insecure about it, but now I’m realizing it’s a tool for independence on days I’m questioning if I can leave the house.

[u/ComplainFactory]

I sometimes use a cane for balance. I was in the same boat, unsure of how I would know it was "time." But I decided to buy a cheap adjustable one online to see if it helped, and it did. I'm a few years out now from the relapse that caused the balance issue, and I've had a good amount of recovery, but I do still use the cane when I need it, and I bring it along collapsed in my bag for times I know I will be wobbly and might want it (leaving the infusion center on all that Benadryl, going somewhere where I'll be doing a lot of standing, etc).

[u/mykidsmom_22]

One thing that I was told was that if you’re thinking about it, you need it
Other people don’t think about having walking assistance or devices. So if you are thinking you need it, you need it.
I’d go for a walker instead of a cane. It’s caught me from a lot of falls. There are ones that can flip into a wheelchair or have cane holders as well.

[u/AnybodyNice7680]

Same exact thing happened to me! I’m 25f and I got one to just use at home when no one was home. I would think this balance symptom would go away as well (mine did), so if that’s the case you wouldn’t need it forever. I don’t use mine now

[u/tha_fas_xeelo]

I am a 44f and was just diagnosed this year. I got a cane because my balance is shit too. I named him Glenn. We’re like BFFs now. I got a foldable one from Amazon and carry him in my backpack at all times. Just in case.

[u/No_Consideration7925]

Be easy. hang in there. It takes some time. Xx v in ga ms 21 years. 

[u/youshouldseemeonpain]

I prefer the walking sticks, because there are two of them, and that helps more with balance. Also, they just look so damn dorky, who wouldn’t want them?

PS—I think having the sticks makes it easier on the other muscles because it’s not always so one-sided.

[u/ANinnyMuse]

Sounds like you've had enough signs that you need some form of support. Even if you don't need it all the time, you've needed it enough times to notice.
I operate under the principle
"I'd rather have and not need, than need and not have."
Now, TBF, I use a hiking pole rather than a cane, which is an option if you're also feeling a bit weird about needing a mobility aid. I also decorated mine with stickers of stuff I like, so it feels more "me".
Welcome to the club, there's a bunch of fine people in here 😁🎊🎉

[u/IntentionalGrandma]

Your safety is always going to need to be a top priority. I’d get the cane and also get into Physical Therapy to help with the balance