Yeah, Iām stuck with one until I need a wheelchair. I use a plain old aluminum cane I inherited from my mother when she passed. I also have a folding one like George98. I also have a very nice sassafras walking stick, but much to my sadness, itās not shaped right to be able to use it as real, full time support. Pity, itās beautiful.
Iāve considered getting a sword cane, but the laws concerning them are pretty shitty, so Iāll not get one. Honestly, Iām not really picky, as long as the thing can support my weight without putting my wrist at a dangerous angle, Iām golden.
I kinda watch for nice ones, but since C-19, I donāt really go anywhere that would have better than what Iāve got.
Iāve been living with this since the damage to my spine was done in 1991. The last 10 years or so prior to winning my disability were hell. My issue canāt really be āfixedā, although I could have steel rods inserted along my spine, as well has whatever they could do about the badly damaged nerves and nerve channels. Iāve actually known 2 people that had this surgery, and both said what they thought was agony before surgery was nothing compared to what came after. So, yeah, no. Hard pass on that.
Once I finally won my disability case, I was able to get medical help. I do take what Iāve been told is a pretty stiff dose of opioids for the pain. Took the doctor (GP) and I about 9 months to find the sweet spot - it doesnāt make the pain go away, but reduces it to where I can function. We went into the process with me stating, āAs low a dose as we can possibly get that lets me function.ā If I have to leave the house, go to store, doctor, or eye surgeon, for example, I time it so Iām 6 hours past the last pill (take every 4 hours) as the specific medication I take clears in 5 or 6 hours.
Iāve been at the same dosage for about 4 years now. I donāt crave it, and have no desire to increase the dosage, and while the pain gets pretty bad if Iām too long at the store or docās office, I can bear it until I get home. Bringing in and putting the groceries away sucks though. Prior to getting actual medical help, I could barely stand, and it took 2 canes to walk, and I fell a LOT. I took massive amounts of Aspirin and Ibuprofen, to the point I couldnāt even keep food down very often. Iām glad I knew about Acetaminophen or Iād probably be dead from liver failure.
Chronic, life-long essentially uncurable pain is no joke. The part that scares me the most is that some people have it worse than I do. The pills I take scare me as well. I need them, so I take them, but Iām careful. I donāt take extra. I donāt and wonāt abuse them.
This is carved in stone. While I know Iām physically dependent, that is, if I stop taking them (not considering the pain Iād be in), I will have withdrawal, Iām not addicted. I donāt and wonāt have the mental anguish that an addicted drug abuser has, which can be far worse than just the withdrawal.
Be careful with your body, folks. If your boss tells you, āWork your ass off!ā, maybe donāt. Your 60+ year old self will thank you.
(Edited for readability)