[MelodyL]

Alan went to the neuro yesterday and she said (after examining him), she said "I'm stopping the IVIG", (for the next 4 months), and she asked him questions about his balance. He told me he told her that sometimes he's a bit wobbly (I asked him what this means and he said: "sometimes I'm walking straight and then I'll lean to the side". I asked him "does this happen often? and he said "on occasion".

In fact we just came back from a shopping trip and I just asked him "did you wobble?" and he said "No, but I always concentrate when I walk just to make it NOT happen" (I had no clue this was happening by the way), I've never noticed him wobbling or anything to that effect.

So she said "Let's see what happens in the next 4 months" He also said "My right food has a worse case of neuropathy than my left foot"

And she did tell you "you definitely do not have CIDP".

Now all I know is that 4 or so years ago, when he began going to Dr. Theirl, the chiro-neurologist, this man became a different person. He went to the gym, (lifting weights, but no treadmill), and he seemed to be much more lively. I just asked him this question: 'Alan, when you went to the gym, and lost 20 lbs, did it have any affect on your neuropathy?" and he said "not really, I always had the pain"

So exercising does not increase nor does it decrease the neuropathy pain in his feet. He says the IVIG did help his balance. So I guess we will see what happens when he does not have it for 4 months.

So here's my question to you people who have had IVIG and then stopped.

Is there anything he can do to help his balance? Like doing balance exercises?? He hasn't fallen in quite a while, thank goodness for that.

I don't know of any supplements that are good for balance problems. (Honestly, I've never seen any balance problems, so it's not like he walks around drunk or anything like that). But he notices it.

So while I know we'll never know why he has neuropathy, I want to learn if there is anything a person can do to improve one's balance.

Thanks much

Melody

[lefthanded]

I am looking into getting back into Tai Chi. I did tai chi ages ago, before I became ill, to help me with balance for mountaineering and rock climbing. And I recall my first instructor was an older gentleman (and master at tai chi) who himself suffered diabetic neuropathy, and amazed us as he moved gracefully and in perfect balance on completely numb feet. Unlike yoga, tai chi does not require assuming difficult positions or getting up and down from the floor, as I am unable to do those things at all. Tai chi also takes little space, no special equipment, and actually very little time commitment. And yes, it can be a decent workout once you get the form down.

You can watch tai chi demos and even see some lessons on YouTube.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by lefthanded

I am looking into getting back into Tai Chi. I did tai chi ages ago, before I became ill, to help me with balance for mountaineering and rock climbing. And I recall my first instructor was an older gentleman (and master at tai chi) who himself suffered diabetic neuropathy, and amazed us as he moved gracefully and in perfect balance on completely numb feet. Unlike yoga, tai chi does not require assuming difficult positions or getting up and down from the floor, as I am unable to do those things at all. Tai chi also takes little space, no special equipment, and actually very little time commitment. And yes, it can be a decent workout once you get the form down.

You can watch tai chi demos and even see some lessons on YouTube.

Hi. AND THANKS VERY MUCH.

I just went and viewed some of the videos about Tai Chi on Youtube.

And interestingly, there is a park near my home that all the asians go (very early in the a.m.) and they do this routine.

And the other day around the corner from my home, as I left to go out to Breakfast, I saw this asian man (this was 9 a.m), doing his Tai Chi routine.

So I'm all for it. Now Alan?? that's a whole other can of potatoes.

I'm trying to get him to stop eating everything in sight long after I go to bed at night. I can't have anything in the house. He will eat it.

He's going back to his old habits and I don't know what to do. It's not like I buy the stuff and keep it here. He will go out and buy it. He buys sugar free and diet stuff but that's all processed and too much is no good.

I've tried to speak to him.

He gets mad. And I don't push, believe me.

This is going to take some doing.

I'll get back to you.

Melody

[antonina]

I'm recovering from a wrist fracture right now, caused by my messed up balance. Thanks for the info on tai chi since I too cannot lie on the floor or get up without holding onto very stable grab bars and the like.

[MelodyL]

Originally Posted by lefthanded

I am looking into getting back into Tai Chi. I did tai chi ages ago, before I became ill, to help me with balance for mountaineering and rock climbing. And I recall my first instructor was an older gentleman (and master at tai chi) who himself suffered diabetic neuropathy, and amazed us as he moved gracefully and in perfect balance on completely numb feet. Unlike yoga, tai chi does not require assuming difficult positions or getting up and down from the floor, as I am unable to do those things at all. Tai chi also takes little space, no special equipment, and actually very little time commitment. And yes, it can be a decent workout once you get the form down.

You can watch tai chi demos and even see some lessons on YouTube.

Well, GUESS WHAT HAPPENED? First he pooh poohed the idea of doing Tai-Chi.

Then I brought over a leaflet from our local senior citizen's center (5 blocks from our house). Seems every Thursday morning there is a Tai Chi Class!!

SO GUESS WHERE ALAN AND MELODY ARE GOING ON THURSDAY MORNING? Then we'll stay for their lunch.

How cool!!!

Thanks VERY much

melody

[JoanB]

Hi Melody, glad that you guys found something to try. I know exactly what Alan is talking about with veering off to the side when walking--the same thing happens to me. It's nothing that would cause me to fall, but I'm self-conscious about it. I'm sure it looks like I've tipped a few too many.