Four or Three?

Hi

I’ve had MS for 12 years now and have used these forums for information over the years, always found them very useful, many thanks!

Having just returned from a very sobering visit to my nuro and the hard truth that my walking ability is deteriorating rapidly he has suggested using a walker, just to try and keep me walking for a while longer ( I have secondary progressive)

Just looking for any recommendations? Looks like a mine field out there from £30 to £300, I’m in my 50’s, female, not large, not that that matters!

Any help I’d be grateful

Thanks

Jo

Hi Jo.

Can you not be referred to your physio for an assessment? I was and came away with a 3 wheels walker. I gave it back after a week as I found it “ran away” ahead of me and wasn’t what I felt comfortable with. I use a crutch and a wheelchair for longer distances instead, to conserve energy.

I am in a similar position to Joanie. I am fifty and was diagnosed 15 years ago. I can walk with two sticks but often use a walker in the house, particularly on days when my walking is worse or when I need to carry stuff from room to room.

I have two very cheap walkers, one upstairs and one downstairs. They are both four-wheeled - I tried a three-wheeler but I felt very unstable when using it.

There are only two reasons I can see for spending a bit more than the minimum on a walker. One is to get a walker that you can fold up, so that you can take it in a car with you. The other is that most walker don’t go with the decor in my house at all (golds, creams, reds and browns, in different rooms). I would pay more for a walker that wasn’t black or silver, but my husband thinks this is weird (and I haven’t found one).

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Four-wheeled walkers are inherently more stable than three-wheeled ones. There is no question about this.

Roughly, your choice is between ones that fold like a wheelchair - so the two sides come together, or one s where the wheels fold up toward the handle.
Look at:
http://www.active-walker.co.uk/ for the second sort - and note that there is an adjustable friction device to stop the “running away”.
Easy compact rollator – Parkinson's shop for the side-to-side type.

In either device, you will tend to walk more inside the wheels, rather than behind them. There is some discussion on the Parkinsons front about the desirability of this, and one walker is being promoted especially for Parkinsons patients. You can see an expensive walker by Googling “U-Step”. It has some nice features, but the price …

Geoff

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Hi Joanie

I use a Topro Troja for the little bit so walking I do. I’ve tried 3 wheeled walkers but found them to be more unstable. Also, the brakes aren’t as good. A 3 wheeler also won’t have a seat, which is a useful addition for many people. I mostly use the seat for putting my feet on rather than my bottom though. Topro are a bit more expensive than many others, but in my experience are worth it. This is a link to the main Topro site, but look around for the cheapest mobility shop if you decide to go for one: http://www.topro.no/English/Mobilityaids.aspx

Sue

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For many years now my best friend is a Topro Olympus. Keeps me safe and sound - easily folds to go in the back of the car - and l can do lots of things l could not before. lt holds the washing basket - so l can get out and hang the washing on the line - and l can get down the garden - pick raspberries/beans/spinach etc. Fill the bag part with logs for the wood-burner. All things l could not do before.

l can balance my dinner plate on the seat - carry my phone and remote control for tv in the bag part.

Tried several 3 wheel and 4 wheeled rollators beforehand. The ones the social services supplied were not stable - you need to be safe and feel confident. Topro do come ready assembled for use. And they are so well made. l can get about so much better and faster with it.

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Jo get in touch with your Neuro Physio to see if they can supply one, it will be the bog standard rollator but will at least give you an idea of the benefits of using one. You can then decide if you want to go to the expense of buying one.

I think you will be surprised how much easier life is when using one.

Jan x

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Jo,

I have one of the Active Walker rollator mentioned by Dr Geoff. It cost me about £220 with the seat adaptor.

I find it very sturdy and the seat is a godsend. All the cables are inside the frame. The large wheels make it comfortable to push and it manoeuvres very easily. It is large but relatively light.

As the others have said, you may wish to see your physio first and try one of standard models.

Best wishes

Alun

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Jo,

I would echo what Sssue said (the poxy auto correct did not like her name!) Topro are really good, mine is a Troja and cost just under 200 quid, worth every penny. For me 4 wheels stable, 3 wheels much less so. I have also bought a Topro add on of linked brakes so that I can put both brakes on using only one hand. This reduced the instances of me trying to spin when I needed to slow down. I love having a seat with me when I get tired and it is light and foldable one handed which has proved invaluable.

I hope you find something that works well for you.

All the best Mick

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Just been to my ‘exercise class’ - and my trusty Topro Olympus comes with me - lts the only way l can manage - as l cannot stand or walk unaided. lts brilliant. l have had mine for several years - and it has had a lot of good use. l decided on the Olympus because it has wheels that can manage uneven difficult terrain. lt is still as good as when l first bought it - the brakes have never even had to be adjusted.

And it gets me to the loo in record time!!!

l have often thought about getting a Veloped - but l think l have left it too late - l would need to be stronger on my legs to get the best out of one of these. They look amazing piece of kit. Would love to try one. Have seen lots of youtube vids.

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hi sewingchick +joannie - here’s a red one v like I used earlier :slight_smile:

Would definitely say 4 wheels as 3 need better balance than I’ve got and tips me over with it too easily.

Having the seat was great for me because I can’t stand long even when I was using the rollater. Also trays of stuff or shopping can be carted around on the seat . I put a bicycle horn on mine - very useful.

Now for occasional walking on v good day I use Nordic walking sticks ! So folk ask me " are you off skiing?"

My poles have rubber booties on the bottom not spikes, but mainly I’m in wheelchair or scooter outdoors now. I must try to improve with some exercises

Cheers S xxx

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I found the Amazon range as well, yesterday. Interesting!
Now I am looking at the construction and the position of the handles relative to the rear wheels.
It is the ergonomist in me coming out.

Geoff

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