wheelchair and use it as a walker?

[SpiritedHaunts]

Just thought we might get some nice helpful answers here. We are leaving on a trip in late September. I have all new medical issues that I hope are sorted out by then.

Basically, possible fibromyalgia, where I get muscle tremors, spasms, and the joys of random sever pains all over. This also seems to magnify the old issus of temperature intolerance and adds to the HFA overwhelmedness.

I will be traveling with my mother. We are planning on day on day of touring with possible every day for a bit trips to parks. We just have no idea how I will fair.

I have a hard time walking both distance and speed wise. We will have my cane, but are thinking of using a wheelchair for a place to stop and sit in and as a walker to push.

Mom can't push me. My joints often lock if seated for a while so we think an ecv is out. We are thinking of going it sans help one day to see if it is doable.

So, my questions are has anybody done this? Does it sounds good? Should we try a day without first? Should we try for a DAS pass as well to avoid the maddening crowds? Any advice on something to take this time would be great as well.
Thanks

 

[carley]

i have fibro and arthritis in all my joints. its the everyday challenges that are different every day. no two days are alike

id try pushing a wheelchair around home or the mall first. pending on how tall u are would u have to bend a little to push the chair, even the smallest bend in any one position causes a burning sensation for me. my sister was in a wheelchair when she was ill, pushing it around caused my upper back and shoulders to burn like crazy and throb.

just remember, slow and steady wins the race. park benches are great for a break and people watching. stay within your limits, dont overdue it. what you do today you pay for tomorrow. most of all, enjoy your vacation!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

If your only issues are what you described using the wheelchair for, then you most likely will not qualify for a DAS, as your needs can be met by a mobility device. However, with Fibro there might be other reasons you need a DAS. I'm not going to try to speculate on that part.

You might try a rollator instead of a wheelchair. Small, lighter, but still gives you a seat if needed.

 

[SueM in MN]

I was also going to suggest a rollator. They are meant for what you are thinking of doing. Besides the issue already mentioned with pushing a wheelchair and height, pushing a wheelchair takes more space and since the brakes are on the front wheels where you can't reach easily while pushing, a wheelchair can get away from you.

Rollators are basically high tech walkers with wheels, hand brakes and a fold down seat.
Unlike a wheelchair, they are adjustable in height do you can put it at a good height for you to use. You can walk with it like a walker, sit still on it or sit on it and propel it with your feet.

You will see A LOT of them in the parks. Even if you do get DAS, a rollator would still help you with getting around.

 

[SpiritedHaunts]

Thanks for the info. I have mostly decided against an ecv, to nervous(with the HFA) and with hand tremors it may not be a good idea. Plus I need to walk some or my joints freeze up.

I have also decided against just a cane, needed mostly for balance due to the possibility of others knocking me over. Accidentally of course.

So that leaves us with a wheelchair or rollator. My grandmother has a rollator so I know a bit about them. We don't have a true diagnosis yet and I did alright in WDW in December, so hopefully I can do well now. We have ordered a rollator and it should arrive this week. We will try it out at home.

Since my main trouble is having a place to rest one of these options should work.

I will try to deal with the HFA issues, as I have mainly have on all my other trips, without a DAS. We can try to get one if the need arises.

Thanks for the advise. I'll feel better when/if I get a diagnosis this Wednesday.