Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Canes KickAS!

How do ya'll use canes? I mean, what do they relieve? Is it just helpful when you fuse and can't balance as well, or does it really help relieve soreness and pain? I've considered getting one in the future to help during a flare, but I'm not sure if it's right for me, or when it will be right for me.

Aly

Sounds like My wife. A 15 minute trip to Walmart turns into the quest for the Holy Grail. The cane might work, but like Benny, I would probably swat the wife with it and tell her to hurry up...

My alternative is drop her off at the door, find a place to park so that you can watch the gals...er people, yeah the folks going in and out of the store, crank up something good on the satellite radio, get the seat laid back a little and wait..and Wait..and wait..

Glad the cane is working out, I have one that my father in law made. It does help when I do have to venture into that place..Another quick tip for the Walmart trips..They usually put the sporting goods and man stuff over by the Auto Center. If you absolutely have to go in, park around there and go in through the shop...It saves going through the miles of women's clothes, card, houseware..etc...straight shot right to the Wallyworld Man Cave.

Keep Kickin'AS
Chris

Interesting, I'll have to scout out the local WallMart for this elusive Men Only Door...I'll have to ask my wife if I can use it though, she might need me to grab some bargain panties off the top shelf or something?

(honey, that was a joke)

(oh and I'm not calling you "honey", Chris...thought I'd clarify that one before the Navy jokes started up)

You know, I was wondering the same thing myself. I found that my "style" changes as I get used to carrying it around. For example, initially I used it like I would a walking stick out in the bush...sort of touches down every other step. Within a few days I noticed I would rely on it every time my left foot touched down - my arm was sore the first couple of days but the rest of me wasn't so I kept it up!
For me, the cane saves me a lot of energy. I could describe my condition as having "micro-flares" because my days go from bad to worse...there are no good days. Having said that, I might be able to walk effortlessly at one point in the day and be incapable of walking a few hours later? Go figure.
Having my cane when I need it is like nothing else I've experienced since I got sick. It takes less out of me to get around, climbing stairs is easier and far less painful, and I'm not as wiped out at the end of my day. Of course, it isn't somekind of magical cure or anything, but I find it helps me a great deal.
I get all kinds of strange looks and bizarre comments but the worst one yet was something I heard this afternoon. It was a guy at work who was being understanding and even empathic, I guess...but man, getting sympathy just pissed me off. I know that doesn't make sense and isn't fair, but it is true. I guess I'm more comfortable with people looking at me like I'm some sort of con-artist or something.

Even with the odd looks and such, I wouldn't dream of going anywhere without my cane. It's like my new, best friend.

The idyllic love affair has been tarnished already - there is a downside to having a cane too, I must admit...

I can't seem to get used to carrying stuff? My briefcase in one hand, a coffee in the other and my cane tucked under one arm...I limp worse than ever and spill the dang coffee everywhere!

As a low-ranking officer (really low...like as low as you can be) who works at headquarters, I have to salute just about every single person I pass on my long walk from the gate to the Admiral's building. I'm right-handed so my cane is in the hand I must salute with...that is a pain. I could get a chit from my doctor saying I don't have to salute but since I'm being released in January, I value every salute I give or return.

Crowds! Arrrrgh, people are stupid cattle when they bunch up. Trying to navigate through them with a cane is infuriating...I swear I nearly started growling and swinging my cane about me in an effort to knock dozens of them down...lol. At my daughter's Christmas concert, I was nearly knocked down by a hundred oblivious bovines but when I finally made it outside, I walked into the middle of a snowy field where no one would bother me....wrong. Some lady still managed to careen into me - how the hell is that possible?

On a good note, although hiking over snow and ice is treacherous, my cane actually helps me out. I move more carefully and have more support. A bonus.

I still love my cane but the blind, youthful crush has matured into a long-lasting, stable kind of love.

That is good advice Trudi...an ounce of prevention and all that.

Thanks a bunch and hope you and your clan have a marvelous Christmas!

Not a problem sweety..

You have to remember I was a firefighter/paramedic for far too long for that to bother me.. As we always said, "We Love Our Wives, But Sleep With Our Partners"

I can see where that cane would come in handy for knocking those hard to reach personal items down to a workable level..

One thing that helps...you have to learn that sick humor to get through a day..

Keep Kickin'AS
Chris

HA!! Last Christmas we went to mother-in-law's home in Northern MN and she wanted us to go to her community Christmas dinner... it is filled with old people with canes. And they were ALL fighting to get into the door first! I almost got knocked down by those nasty old bitties! I was SHOCKED at their behavior!

Funny, then they get inside and hardly use their cane for anything.... I think they have them as secret weapons....

What would life be without demented and twisted humour?

Fortunately, there are so many sweet people in here that I tend to check and re-check my posts (they would frequently be a long string of ********* interrupted with the odd conjunction). This place has aided me in effort to learn how to communicate without foul expletives - part of my transition into civie life.

...still looking for that man-door

Merry Christmas