Once a healthy, well-trained surgeon, now using a walker for daily activities

Article written by Emelie Högstedt

What was your life like before you became unwell?

“In my role as an orthopaedic casualty surgeon I worked with a hammer, saw and screwdriver. Every working day was a training session; I had to stay in shape in order to perform well in my role, so I did running, strength training and senior tennis.”

Seven years ago you suddenly started having difficulty with coordination and balance — what happened?

“My symptoms first appeared when I was training at an outdoor gym and my legs started moving on their own. It slowly but surely got worse and eventually I had difficulty walking. After several months of investigation by a neurologist, a change in the signals from the thoracic and cervical spine was detected, but everything else was normal. After this, I began suffering from exhaustion disorder. Only after two years of therapy and rehab was I able to walk with relative ease. I started working more, exercising less, and I got worse again. I fell and broke my ankle in 2021, worked my way back, and could jog with poles by 2022, but that same year I caught Covid-19. A year ago today, I could barely talk, couldn't walk, my breathing muscles stopped functioning, and I lost almost all the hair on my body. I didn't think I'd live to see this Christmas. When I was on the maximum dose for antidepressants, I finally turned a corner mentally. I had low folic acid levels in my blood and near-low B12 levels, yet my blood count was normal, which doesn't make sense. So I decided to try B12 and folic acid medication. After just a few days, everything changed. In fact, I read an article by associate professor Herman Nilsson-Ehle which supported this incredible effect. Overnight I gained the ability to stretch out my hand without shaking, and after a couple of weeks I could talk and walk with the aid of a walker.”

You are in great need of a walker — tell us.

“I wanted to build myself up again, get out into the woods and onto rough terrain, and in this way learn to walk better, maybe even run. Nature offers all the exercise one needs, but getting hold of an off-road walker turned out to be impossible. My region has procured walkers that are unstable laterally, have poor brakes, and where the wheels get stuck sideways. When I tested one off-road, I almost killed myself. Then I came across Trionic's walkers online.”

In what way has a walker change your everyday life?

“It's completely changed my life, and given me such freedom. I've had a Trionic Veloped for three weeks now and have started jogging a bit. I didn't think it would be possible, it is a joy to be able to go out into the forest. I often hear comments like “Nice work!” from passers-by, which also increases my self-esteem.”

There is a certain stigma around using a walker — what was your experience of this?

“A year ago, when I first had to use a walker to get to the doctor, I felt useless. I was rather vain before, you know. Now I don't care one bit and would rather take the walker than a trolley in the supermarket. Trionic's off-road Veloped is also tough — people can fantasize about what he was before he needed it.”

How do you see the future?

“I have responded extremely well to taking B12, so now I hope that muscle functions can be maintained and can be improved. I have brain fog, physical disability and don't know how many of my damaged nerves will regenerate, but I think of myself as healthy, and I'm living my second life now. In November, I will be speaking at a seniors' convention, and I hope more people will gain access to the assistive devices they need. Most importantly, walkers that work for everyday purposes and allow an active outdoor life. It doesn't have to involve going off-road. It may be simply to get over a doorstep.”