Can't stand up when cooking anymore, any ideas for how to manage?

[Boonlark]

I've had something happen to the right side of my body and can't stand up too long anymore. Just tried to make some babaganoush, which is really quick, and I couldn't last long enough.

I think maybe I need a stool or something? I've got a really tiny kitchen though and no breakfast bar, just worktops with cupboards underneath.

Have you a dining table? You could do all the chopping there.
I’ve cooked using a stool. You just have to sit sideways.

More to the point, have you sought medical attention? Your GP could request an occupational therapy assessment and they will provide you with what they call a perching seat.

@mdh2020

More to the point, have you sought medical attention? Your GP could request an occupational therapy assessment and they will provide you with what they call a perching seat.

I've seen A&E and have a fast tracked neurology appointment coming up. It's suspected MS. Didn't know I could get OH help. Is that free?

@4PawsGood

Have you a dining table? You could do all the chopping there. I’ve cooked using a stool. You just have to sit sideways.

The dining table is in another room. I could do some prep on there. I also need something for when I'm actually cooking

Agree with the poster who said an occupational therapy assessment would be helpful. They sometimes use perching stools to help people sit for activities like cooking

What about a shooting stick, you can buy ones for use on hard ground like a kitchen floor? They are adjustable for height and foldaway.

It should, if you get a referral, which you should also be offered as a matter of course.

I was referred for hypermobility syndrome. I declined a perching stool because it was likely to cause more problems than it solved for me. When I'm struggling, I take everything on a tray to a table to chop, or by pre-prepared veg if my hands aren't behaving, either.

A few years ago I was very ill and couldn’t stand up for any length of time and we bought a fold up tall bar stool to use in the kitchen , it was very useful . We got one with a back so more like a seat than a stool . Amazon have them for about £16 .

Agreed about a perching stool and about getting a referral to occupational therapy (not occupational health, that's different). OTs are awesome. Have a look at the big MS charity website for occupational therapy advice too? Are you in touch with a specialist nurse from the Neurology clinic - they can often get referrals moving for you and give you advice?

I have joint/spine problems and I do all prep sitting down and also try to spread it out.
So chop veg, have a break, chop meat, have a break then stand up to cook it.
I also make up spice mixes in advance in empty jars, so when cooking I just need the jar of mix rather than measuring out teaspoon of this, tablespoon of that.
I got a mini chopper also for veg, much quicker for me and can go in the dishwasher.
Another idea if you have a slow cooker or even an oven with a casserole dish is to prepare ingredients sitting down, freeze them and then put straight into the slow cooker/oven when cooking.
There are a lot of online recipe ideas for that as it's a thing.

You could look at buying yourself a perching stool (or sloping perching stool) and you can ask your GP to refer you to OT or even refer yourself (have a look at your local council website). If shouldn’t cost anything to see an OT but you may not qualify for free equipment.

Try a perching stool - most are quite ugly though. This one isnt too bad
www.argos.co.uk/product/9305627?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=ec80e37c-7084-4de4-acaa-75978d50b2af&istItemId=iatwatmiq&istBid=t&_$ja=tsid:72556%7cacid:B008ZAH6%7ccid:273141549%7cagid:1199567223953833%7ctid:pla-4578572576625835%7ccrid:74972956823102%7cnw:search%7cdvc:c%7cst:perching%20stool%20argos%7cmt:be%7cloc:&cmpid=BPLA01&utm_source=Microsoft_Ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=273141549&utm_term=default&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=1199567223953833&utm_custom2=B008ZAH6&msclkid=b10ea5d8c03a1a7a3bffc54e54dbd202&gclid=b10ea5d8c03a1a7a3bffc54e54dbd202&gclsrc=3p.ds

Not ideal but worth a go?

Thank you all. I'll look for a perching stool. I'm hyper mobile as well, so we'll see if that works for me. I'm also thinking about getting a rollator with a seat so I'm not scared about going to the shop.... I get worried that I won't be able to get back, or have to stand too long in the queue. I'd really like to find a stylish one, but I'm not sure they exist!

@Boonlark not sure of your budget, but the four wheeled Sholley trolleys do now come in some nice colours and have one in the range that you can sit on for a rest www.sholley.com/

I was given a perching stool for the kitchen by community physio during a flare-up. It's not a thing of beauty by any means but it's very useful. Even my DS perches on it!

OT also provided useful equipment, like a bath step and grab rail.

Community physio is NHS, and OT is Council, here. They both take self-referrals at the moment.

It’s maybe not what you are after but more to reduce hassle of preparation. I’ve got a problem with standing for longer periods but cook everything. Iceland got a lot of chopped vegs, herbs, etc which are very handy. I also blend everything with stick blender to make soups and sauces, in this case you can chop/ cut really roughly and it’s not noticeable. The stick blender is very compact and could be easily used while sitting, better to get stainless steel, the plastic ones are quite useless.

In the short term you could have a salon stool on wheels (about £25) but only if you are sure you won't lose control ( ie it could roll out from under you and you crash to the floor causing more injury!). And certainly get an occupational health assessment. I cannot stand anymore while cooking and it helps a lot.

I tend to cook dishes where you don't need to stand up and stir them eg recipes from The Roasting Tin book.

Also take short cuts like pre chopped frozen onions/butternut squash etc

I have three bar stools in my tiny kitchen. (Lightweight, four legs, back rest). I sit sideways and sometimes swap which way round I am. I get very sore tired legs so a perching stool would still be too much effort for me. Originally only one but got sick of dragging it from hob to sink. Yes they are in the way, but so helpful. I also have a portable two ring electric hob which I can move easily towards me for stirring pans etc. It could even be put on the dining table if necessary. Of course care is needed not to let pans boil over as you can't easily step back out of the way. But it works for me.

I tried a perching stool at a disability shop but it wasn't for me as my legs couldn't cope with it. I think I'm going to need a bar stool or tall stool that has a footrest.

I can't drive right now, so I'm not sure how to find one that is ok.

@Snog

I tend to cook dishes where you don't need to stand up and stir them eg recipes from The Roasting Tin book.

Also take short cuts like pre chopped frozen onions/butternut squash etc

. Ooh, I have that recipe book. What a great idea.

How are you getting along?

I'm much the same as before. I did get a kitchen stool with a little step built in. It's great and means I can do a bit of cooking. I have some brain fog as well though, so sticking to simple stuff for now.

I get an MRI this coming weekend, so might have some answers once that's all been analysed (2-4 weeks)

Hope you can get some answers OP, sounds tough.