I don't know how to say this - I know many are worse and many better then me but this is driving me nuts. I've fallen over prob 800-1000 times since 1-31-08 but I was lucky. 3 took weeks to heal and while the last is still approx 1 1/2 foot long, swelled over 2 in. and hurts, I have just done it again. This time right side upper side, can't breath, pain.... No details - I just know this will go on - how do u deal with this and MS. I have stairs, 5 up. prob 20 down - do I have to move - I can't - 0 income - hence no bridge. I just need some thoughts - tired of getting hurt.

I'm really sorry you're having such a tough time of it, Sheena. Stairs can be scary - and your worst enemy especially if you are off balance or numb.

I don't have any stairs to deal with but I think if I did I might consider sitting down and "bumping" down the stairs until I got to the bottom. Might look silly and take you a little longer to make it down but at least you'd be safe.

I hope things get better for you - and consider letting a doctor look at your side it sounds like you might have a bruised or fractured rib if it's painful to breathe.

Take care.

I'm sorry, Sheena

Sheena, If your falling that much you really need to start using mobility aids (cane, walker, wheelchair, scooter).

You also need to talk to your doctor about Physical Therapy/exercise. Leg strength might help prevent some falls - sometimes with added leg strength your able to catch yourself before actually falling. However, even with leg strength your leg(s) can just give out for no apparent reason - that's the MS

I have been falling since I was a kid (never outgrew it) and by the time I was in my mid 20s I already had arthritis in my knees due to falls.

A cane be helpful going up and down stairs - one hand on the rail (always) and the other using the cane.

When I go to my dad's all of the bedrooms are upstairs. I use my cane and the handrails. I then take it very slowly. I'm sorry you are dealing with this on a daily basis and this can be a real issue. Please take care of yourself.

anyone know of charatiable groups that might be able to help with the a stair lift of some sort write oprah montel ms society your congressman getting close to election time use it against them what the heck its worth a try, i could never do stairs anymore, my heart goes out to you. even in my younger years i always fell up the stairs me peggy and anita the 3 of us god helpe us if we had food lol clumsiess 3 kids u ever did see

Use a cane and try to watch what your feet are doing - the last time I really hurt myself I tripped on an edge of the rug and landed on a wood chair - I think I cracked a rib as that was almost a year ago and that spot still hurts if I touch it - I fall pretty easily as I lose my balance - I should be using a cane in the house - I never go outside without it - I've gotten very used to saying - I'm okay (with a grimace) - used to fall fairly gracefully - now it's like a ton of bricks - take care Sheena and go slowly and hang on !!!

i know this may sound dumb hows your vision doing you are not walking with bi focals on are you that isnt a good thing to do it can mess up your judgement on distance, to the point where you think your foot is gonna step on the step but it actually misses, i am new to bifocals eye doc warned me of this, thought nothing of it, went to my cousins house dam near killed myself going up her stairs, just a thought

Oh, Sheena, I can so relate. My worst fall ended with a torn rotator cuff. I agree with Snoopy, it's time to build your arsenal of equipment to protect yourself.

My immediate reaction to the stairs is to add a second railing so that you have one on each side. Whenever possible, I throw whatever I'm transporting either up or down. When it can't be thrown, I do it in stages: move it up, put it down, move me up and stop, move it up some more, move me up some more...

I use a four-wheeled walker with a seat in the house, the seat is my hands for carrying things.

Slow down. That's the best advice my PT gave me. Just slow down, look around you, make decisions before you move, concentrate on the actual movement whenever you move your body from point A to point B.

Footwear is a huge matter. Wear shoes/slippers that stabilize your feet, I only wear shoes that have a "cupped" heelbed, they give me lateral stability. I cannot walk with bare feet anymore, my balance is terrible. Clogs, Birks, or lace-ups work best for me. New Balance has a cool "rollbar" in the heels of some of their shoes and it makes an amazing difference for me.

It is hard, but with a little care, you can protect yourself. I hope you'll heal and feel better soon.

Sheena, as cumbersome as utilizing mobility aids sounds . . . healing from falls is much worse.

I fell down a flight of stairs last November, and jarred my back. I was already trying to heal from back pain (doing PT and massages) and that set me back about 2 months.

I can't avoid stairs either, so I have installed a second railing (there was only one). I hold on for dear life and tread very carefully now. I have had to use walkers in the past too . . .

This may be just a short-term obstacle for you, so do what is necessary to protect your joints and limbs while you go through this phase.

Cherie

Oh Sheena, I'm so sorry! I agree with all of the advice you've received so far. You have to protect yourself from the falls somehow. I've fallen several times and have ceramic tile everywhere. Tile is not the best thing to land on.

I have a cane, a walker, and a wheelchair ready to go any time I might need them.

You can contact the NMSS to see if they can loan you these types of items if you can't buy them. You can keep them for as long as you need them.

I think you should probably see a doctor to assess your latest injury. It does sound like you could've broken a rib.

Take care, Sheena .