Yes, I cannot close my eyes and stay balanced - it is worsening with time. I am having a real tough time in the shower. When I close my eyes, I do not know where I am standing in relation to my space. I hold on to the grab bar, but still loose my orientation. My neurologist thinks it is because my feet are numb.

Mere

I once asked a neuro why numb feet keep you off balance and he said it's because you cannot gauge your position in space. Geez, so if our feet weren't numb, we'd be able to navigate our world. That shouldn't be so hard to achieve. But dang, it is!

close my eyes? I simply and clearly state: YOU better be spotting ME! or I will fall. And I've scared them silly a couple of times... Nuff said... Other than BIG TIME TILT!
Thing IS..I can't suggest pt exercises that mite help anyone, I could only say what's helped me. BEST yet [but harder to get at], is to find a Therapist who IS REALLY FAMILIAR in dealing with balance issues, such as ours...the best sources are those who've worked w/MS patients as they to have demeyelination, but in the brain, not outside the brain such as we can experience. These days, especially since we 'can't' get around as we'd like? Going and interviewing therapists is not an easy or optional thing to do? It can and IS very frustrating to deal with therapists who are 'treating' you only half-way or worse half a**ed. At $100.-150. a pop-per 'session' to any insurance co? It behooves and benefits us to try and check things out, as best we can and go with that 'gut feeling'. It should be easy, yet at the same time? It can become soo hard! I hate the 'hard part' immensely. Interestingly? I've found that PTherapists who'd worked with 'war disabled' seem to be the most curious and best to help a body work around their problems and thus overcome some and beat others. I hope you find such a wise one and soon! Hugs and hope! - j

My balance has gotten worse over the past year,, of course the doctors differ,, but I know my body, and I know it wasent this bad two years ago,, I had a horrible neuro for a while,, he did two EMG;s on me and said you donthave any neuropathy,, of course I knew he was worng,, and eventually had a biopsy which showed it,, I sometimes wonder how much I lost while the first neuro messed around with his EMG (studys),,

LOL, no kidding! I am also "challenged" at navigating direction. Do you think they are related!? (Just kidding about it being related)...

Mere

I also have balance issues with mine. I've had two different physical therapists who have worked on balance exercises with me.

My home health therapist stood me at our corner kitchen counter, slightly forward, then would 'push' me from different angles and the goal was for me to maintain my balance (all while safely strapped to the gait belt, of course).

My current PT does something similar, using my walker. They are slight nudges at best, but like you, I've had many falls and they're just taking their time. I'm still confined to the wheelchair at this point, but getting there slowly.

PT for it, yoga can be helpful I think... I can concentrate and balance well during yoga.. but then another time I can just fall over due to balance ..what joy..hugss and good luck, sarah

i tried some mild yoga and kept falling over. It was very strenuous to try to stay balanced but not in a good way that was going to lead to better balance in my opinion but rather to injury.

My legs are so weak that I cannot raise myself from a lying down on the floor position EVER! Yoga would not be an option for me. I fell a few nights ago and if my daughter hadn't been on her way home, I would have had to call 911.
I was like that life alert woman who shouts "I've fallen and I can't get up."

I am seriously looking into getting one of those gizmos you wear around your neck...this imbalance stuff may well kill me even though I survived two bouts with cancer.

I admire your courage trying yoga. If I fall over one more time, I'm going to take to my bed for good.