It Hurts to Stand – Centralized Pain
Whether it’s standing in line in the checkout aisle, or standing while cooking, CSS can be more painful standing still than to on the go. In fact, moving, and I mean really moving, creates endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killers. So, if you’re walking at a brisk pace you can last longer than if you are walking slow or standing still.
For those with some types of CSS, standing still can result in major joint pain, muscle pain, feeling like you’re standing on hot coals, make your muscles twitch, pull, spasm, or even fatigue just enough to make it look like you have Parkinson’s due to the tremors. So what can you do? Well there’s two options that will have major effects.
One is to lose weight – less weight, less stress. Yeah, I know, it’s not that simple, especially considering you live a highly sedentary life, but it can be done. On a low calorie diet with some meat, but mainly veggies and fruit, and as much exercise as I could stand, I lost 65 pounds in 8 months. Granted, I was only 23, but it can be done.
The other option is to get a rollator. A walker on 4 wheels that you can help keep you stable while you walk and give you something to sit on while you wait. I recommend the Dive Medical Nitro Rollator, it’s the lightest, most compact rollator I could find online, easily folds up and fits in the backseat, front seat, or trunk. It’s also narrow enough to pass through small home doorways. It’s pricey, but worth it, and far less pricey then an electric cart.
The seat isn’t to grand though, so I have a Temper-Pedic Chair Cushion I use for it. I’ve only have the rollator for a a few months, but the cushion for many years ( I have 2, one for driving, one for the rollator). I use the cushion everywhere outside of the home, I cannot sit on anything not made of soft foam, period. It’s the cushion or nothing. In fact, the pain is so severe when sitting on hard surfaces, my body automatically jumps up in response and reflex to the pain.
Also, some stores have electric carts, like grocery stores. USE THEM. It will make you’re life much, much easier. I use them at stores like the grocery store where I have far to many items to carry than the rollator can handle. You don’t have to feel bad using them just because you may “look” able bodied. You’re CSS may be entirely invisible, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a handicap.
