Hi Jelly
Arthritis is very common with Lupus. Of course there are different types of arthritis but whatever the type - the pain, discomfort and lack of mobility can pretty much be the same.
I think you should definitely consider mobility aids if you are finding you can only manage about 15 minutes and you want to be able to be mobile for longer. I have a cane which I have to use sometimes and it does help get me that extra bit of journey. The cane helps with two things.
Firstly my hip gives out now and again and when its playing up I can use the cane for security which means I wont fall flat on my face if my hip decides to 'go'. Secondly I use it when my knees and ankles are bad because I can transfer some of my weight onto the cane. I wouldnt be able to do an olympic sprint with it, mind you, but it helps :hehe:
There are all sorts of mobility aids out there and having a chat with an occupational therapist can be very worthwhile. You might be able to get a referral to one through your physio?
I found it very awkward at first using the cane. I was a bit embarrassed about it but I learned to get over it. They are a bit of a nuisance because everytime I went into a shop and wanted to look at something I would put the cane down and it inevitably clattered onto the floor! After one funny scene where the cane was slipping and I was frantically (and fruitlessly) grabbing and grabbing at it to try stop it from falling, it eventually clattered to the floor and the shop assistant smiled and said - well at least it cant fall any further :lol:
The great thing is I dont need to use it all the time but when I do I know I can whip it out and I dont feel awkward about it anymore
Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:
Arthritis is very common with Lupus. Of course there are different types of arthritis but whatever the type - the pain, discomfort and lack of mobility can pretty much be the same.
I think you should definitely consider mobility aids if you are finding you can only manage about 15 minutes and you want to be able to be mobile for longer. I have a cane which I have to use sometimes and it does help get me that extra bit of journey. The cane helps with two things.
Firstly my hip gives out now and again and when its playing up I can use the cane for security which means I wont fall flat on my face if my hip decides to 'go'. Secondly I use it when my knees and ankles are bad because I can transfer some of my weight onto the cane. I wouldnt be able to do an olympic sprint with it, mind you, but it helps :hehe:
There are all sorts of mobility aids out there and having a chat with an occupational therapist can be very worthwhile. You might be able to get a referral to one through your physio?
I found it very awkward at first using the cane. I was a bit embarrassed about it but I learned to get over it. They are a bit of a nuisance because everytime I went into a shop and wanted to look at something I would put the cane down and it inevitably clattered onto the floor! After one funny scene where the cane was slipping and I was frantically (and fruitlessly) grabbing and grabbing at it to try stop it from falling, it eventually clattered to the floor and the shop assistant smiled and said - well at least it cant fall any further :lol:
The great thing is I dont need to use it all the time but when I do I know I can whip it out and I dont feel awkward about it anymore
Luv n stuff
Joan:rose: