I've always had a lot of confidence in my sense of balance, but lately, not so much. I feel 'tipsy' too often, even though I don't drink either. I find myself holding onto things around me more often, especially if there's a wire, or anything on the floor that I have to walk over, and especially with my left leg.

I think I know why you're falling up the stairs, Joan. Do you have a weak ankle? I find that my ankle is sorta weak, mainly my left one. It's kinda scary. Sorry you were in the hopsital, and I'm very glad that you didn't break your leg!

Rach- EDIT: Re-read your post and realized you said that you weren't dizzy...I've had the falling back into bed thing...It was when my chest or neck or something up there was really weak. I attempted to get up, and could not at all! I had to roll out of bed onto my side to get out. That was when I first started prednisone, and I was really weak then...When you say 'swimmy' do you mean foggy? It could be your BP, like what Jana said...Maybe you're having some weakness in the chest/neck area...This can throw off your balance too...

Thanks for all your replies.

A friend of mine suggested it could be blood pressure, I know my is on the low side. So I am wondering as it happened first thing if it was that. I also wondered if it could be catarrah in my ears due to the chest infection, but Ive not really had a cold.

The swimmy feeling- its hard to describe its like you aren't really all there, a little disorientated.

I haven't fallen over again yet....... but I have noticed when I turn my head quickly my eyes seem to be taking some time to catch up.

I am glad Im not the only one staggering around like a drunk LOL

Love
Rach

Hi Rach, I get these symptoms when my adrenal insufficiency is acting up ...if I have a infection and need more cortisone ( sick day rules). If you say you often have low BP then you should be checked. One type of AI is caused by autoimmune probs and once you have one a/immune disease you are more likely to have others. I know a person with Addisons Disease who has just been dx with MG. A GP can test electrolytes and 8am serum cortisol for you. Do you take steroids already for MG ? In the meantime try to have lots of salty soups and keep up the fluids. ( if you are having the blood test keep to a normal diet though) Try to see the Dr soon. AI can be very serious if not cared for. There is a great UK Assoc. I will send the link to you.

Im not currently taken steroids, Ive been off them for 11 months. The only medication I take other than the contraceptive pill is Mestinon and probanthine/

My blood pressure is on the low side (110/ 70, has been down to the 95/60 range when in hospital) but still considered normal. Usually I will know if its low as I feel spaced out and dizzy when I stand up. Today I didn't feel that. Maybe I was still asleep LOL!

I have read the links that you very kindly sent me. I dont think I fit the profile, but you never know so it maybe worth mentioning to my GP when I see him next. I certainly dont have any weightloss, which is the only symptom I really would have liked (LOL). I do however crave salty food, but its not a regular thing.

I will keep an eye on it though. I can be very unsteady on my feet due to MG. I am weak today, but it was first thing in the morning Im usually worse about an hour after getting out of bed.

Im wondering if Im having a bit of a flair up due to this lingering chest infection and the allergic reaction to penicillin. I will keep you all posted.

Thank you all again so much for your replies

Love
Rach

There are a few checks that can be done. The BP that drops rapidly when standing can be a diagnostic. I love my Florinef! I reduced recently as I thought it may help the weight gain I have and today have been so giddy that I am almost falling over everytime I move- so have gone back to normal tablet now!! Its magic ( if you need it). I was not underweight when dx - by the time you get to that stage you are a stretcher case and near crisis/death. I think having MG makes us less active and gain weight ... and I also have low thyroid. But shades of grey re the adrenal symptoms- its not always black and white. Just be on the lookout. Hope you feel better soon.

Rach, You are getting over an infection, right? I think it's worth going in to see your doc for a recheck x-ray. If you have aspiration pneumonia or a pneumonia that isn't getting better on the meds, that could cause dizziness. It could be the MG but don't assume that, ok?

You have to drink lots while on antibiotics. Dehydration can cause a low BP.

Do you have a BP cuff? If so, take your BP after lying down for a couple minutes. However long it takes for your BP cuff to inflate, subtract that from 60. Then, stand up and wait that amount of time (the time left over after subtracting the BP cuff inflation time) and then start your BP cuff. Complicated? Not really but I'm probably not saying it right. You want the amount of time standing to be 60 seconds until the BP reads.

If the systolic/upper amount drops 20 or more, you are probably dehydrated. There are other reasons for that too like orthostatic intolerance but it's the main one.

Xanadu, good catch. When I had pneumonia, my adrenals tanked. And then your BP can go down too.

Whatever is causing you to drop like a brick, I hope you will bring it up to one or another doctor!

Annie

Chest X-ray! You make me laugh this is the nhs we are talking about. You only get a chest x-ray if you still have an infection 6 weeks after your infection started! You get an x-ray if they suspect pnuemonia straight away. I know they should do a chest xray but they dont.

I dont have a temperature anymore and my cough is hardly anything now. At one point I could hardly breathe for coughing. I have a very slight ache in my right back bottom of my lung. Oxygen sats are ok.

I dont have a blood pressure cuff unfortunately so I can't tell you what its doing. A few years ago I was at the drs as I was dizzy and they did my blood pressure sitting down and then standing up and it plummeted but it was never followed up. It was just assumed it was doing this because I was sick.

With the weather as it is at the moment - snow and sub zero temperatures, Im just going to take it easy. Britain has basically come to a standstill so Im just going to wait until the craziness eases up!

Thanks again for all your replies

Love
Rach