Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to buy a mobility scooter?

41 replies

mrshess · 27/02/2012 18:39

Long story short i have very painful psorisis arthiritis in my feet making it very hard to walk. I am very, very overweight but this isnt the cause of my arthiritis (although it doesnt help i know)
I find it very hard to walk short distances and was considering getting a scooter but husband says people will give me grief as im so overweight and presume im using because im lazy.
I must admit i would dread going to the school gates picking up my son on one (although he would love it) as people would be staring but im running out of options as i cant stand for long

OP posts:
QuintessentialyHollow · 27/02/2012 18:41

Will it not be better to try to lose weight rather than opt out of the only exercise you are getting?

Original poster
mrshess · 27/02/2012 18:42

I am trying to lose weight but it is very hard when i cant do much exercise

OP posts:
LilacWaltz · 27/02/2012 18:43

Walking is good though.

QuintessentialyHollow · 27/02/2012 18:43

Exercise bike?

LilacWaltz · 27/02/2012 18:44

And sorry, but I think if you buy the scooter you will start to rely on it more and more. It will soon become your only way of getting around.

thenightsky · 27/02/2012 18:45

I was once told by a doctor that the best thing for arthritis is to keep the joint mobile as it will get more painful the less you use it. I've certainly found that my knees get more stiff and painful if I am less active for a few days (had arthritic knees since my 20s).

I would fear my condition would become worse faster if I did what you are considering. A sort of short term solution for long term detriment if you see what I mean.

Have you been to a good physiotherapist or other professional along those lines?

lesley33 · 27/02/2012 18:49

I don't know enough about your condition to comment. But I know a lack of mobility can make many conditions much worse. Why don't you get your GP or Consultants advice first before doing anything.

TheLightPassenger · 27/02/2012 18:52

I agree with Lesley, get physio/medical advice about this. It's possible to do chair based exercise workouts if doing it on your feet is too painful.

ComposHat · 27/02/2012 18:55

What Lesley says.

That said I've bombed round my Gran's street on her mobility scooter, surprisingly nippy and you can get them on two wheels if you stand up and lean into the corner a bit.

littlemisssarcastic · 27/02/2012 18:59

What does your GP/Consultant advise OP?

How old are you OP?

sodapops · 27/02/2012 18:59

"I am trying to lose weight but it is very hard when i cant do much exercise"

I am disabled and need sticks to walk around the house and very small distances, the rest of the time I am in a wheelchair.I usually weigh about 8 stone 4, but I put on 12lbs over November/December due to eating too much crap. I cut back on what I eat just after Christmas and have lost all the weight I put on.

If you are not very mobile you really do need to watch what you eat sadly, otherwise the weight creeps on. I have got back into knitting, it gives me something to do with my hands, relieves the boredom, so stops me reaching for the biscuit tin.

lesley33 · 27/02/2012 19:03

Should have said - I wouldn't let the fcat that you are overweight stop you buying a mobility scooter if this is the best thing for you. But I would be very careful about a lack of mobility whatever your weight. Friend is tetraplegic and it is only through her I found out that for tetraplegics life expectancy is 57 - becxause being confined to a chair and never walking is very bad for you.

Original poster
mrshess · 27/02/2012 19:22

Im 32 and undergoing regular physio, arthiritis specialist and a podiatrist as i have spurs on my feet and also walk leaning to one side.

Thank you everyone i know im going to have to bear the pain and walk little distances as its the only exercise i get

OP posts:
littlemisssarcastic · 27/02/2012 19:26

mrshess I am sorry to hear you have this arthritis at only 32. Sad

Is it only in your feet?

Original poster
mrshess · 27/02/2012 19:30

No its in my shoulder and knees but not as bad as my feet

OP posts:
QuintessentialyHollow · 27/02/2012 19:31

Can you try and get some more exercise? Light walking? Use of exercise bike?
I know you did not post for exercise or diet advice, though.

Sposh · 27/02/2012 19:31

If you do, could you please not drive it down a main road, including having to overtake parked cars, during rush hour please?

Thanks Grin

GrownUp2012 · 27/02/2012 19:34

If you can afford one, then I would say get it, but at the same time find a form of exercise you can manage and focus on doing it a few times a week to make up for the decrease in the amount of walking you are doing. Also get a referral for the physio for exercises to keep the joints from seizing up.

There are days when I could really go a mobility scooter to do the school run, alas I can't afford one. OT have been very helpful and given me a granny walker, with a seat to rest on when I get tired, but I don't see myself being brave enough to deal with the stares at the school.

Original poster
mrshess · 27/02/2012 19:37

I think im going to give the exercise bike a go, i do have one already i just keep putting it off
Thanks everyone i am going to use this thread as a boost to get me to do more as i feel so down at the minute as im becoming more housebound

OP posts:
Chubfuddler · 27/02/2012 19:40

My aunt has multiple sclerosis and was confined to a wheelchair. She was also very overweight. She lost four stone through sliming world a couple of years ago despite not being able to exercise at all. She has a little more mobility fur to her weight loss and feels much better too. It is hard to lose weight when you can't exercise but not impossible.

mummysfunny · 27/02/2012 19:49

Hiya, I am 27 and have a mobility scooter. I got it second hand for about £200 from gumtree. It allows me to take my son out for walk s and freinds houses without having to rely one hundred percent on my husband which was a big plus for me. Do be careful though not to over rely on it. I use two sticks in the house and sometimes a wheelchair but I live on a steep hill so no way I can go out independantly.

I go swimming early in the summer months on it and I will be using it to get back and for to school. I intend to sell it on if and when my mobility improves, but as it is I am pleased I have it as I have a little independance and I can go out for walk with my son.

Dont rule it out completely, but do think carefully as you dont want it to be detrimental to your health.

Oh yes, I was nervous taking it out to begin with but really dont care now as the benefits weigh out the occassional odd look I get!

mummysfunny · 27/02/2012 19:50

also, I have fond slimming world excellent and very supportive and understanding of my condition, give them a go ! :)

LiamsMummyJaz · 27/02/2012 19:59

I have arthritis and I have had steroid injections into my ankles and feet on numerous occasions. Gentle exercise is the best way to keep the joints mobile. If you stop using them not only are you going to loose mobility but put much more weight on...

mummysfunny · 27/02/2012 20:03

liams mummy, ouch steroid injections hurt :(

QOD · 27/02/2012 20:11

How much do you weigh? And if you have medical condition or conditions that make it very very hard to lose weight, have you thought about discussing bariatric surgery? (gastric band, sleeve or bypass) . . . . Just a thought

Swipe left for the next trending thread