I have neuropathy - I am only 38 years old. I stepped out of the house onto a concrete one step to my garage, twisted my ankle and took a nasty fall. This was Tuesday night. I am still very store. My 5 year old son was so scared - he was saying "Mom, you ok?". I said "I don't know honey, I just need to lay here and figure that out for a few minutes". I got up and felt ok. I hurt my ankle and foot - it swelled only a tiny bit - the back of my leg - the other knee and my arm. I was VERY LUCKY because the door on the Jeep was open that I didn't hit my head on that corner which is very sharp. I DO consider myself lucky this time. I am going to post a regular post on my update too, I havent' posted in a while.

For those having balance problems, I suggest taking at least the initial Tai Chi class . They are usually given in centers in most cities. I took the initial class and it did help my balance considerably. The class I took did not involve any physical exertion, only balance and slow movement.

A few years ago I took a tai chi class and fell and fell...I kept it up until it
was suggested i stop...We do what''t best,and it was best I stop falling
into everyone...Hey Joe 3 weeks ago I was in a fancy restaurant,got
up to walk just a short distance holding on to the table...A friend came
up and whispered in my ear where's your other shoe,what,I walked
right out of it and didn't know it. it was kinda funny..We are all different
a real bad drop foot can really through you off balance.. Sue

you have a good memory...ha....yeah im still doing that... a few days ago i was letting the dogs out in the rain and i was standing in a deep puddle with no shoe on that foot..ha....actually someone was just talking to me about tai chi, i said ill do a class if you agree to catch me when im falling...

I was just revisiting this thread and reading my own posts too and realized, I haven't tripped like that in some time now. I do find myself taking a corner at work too sharp and after the fact, reminding myself that I am being an idiot! When I go from my desk to the insurance desk, I have to walk to the left, around a corner, and then to the left again around another corner, and I realize sometimes that I do it too quickly and I feel myself going off balance and the shocks I receive off the wall is proof of it! I hate those metal strips on corners!

Last week, a patient walked out of her shoe, turned and came back to get it, she looked at me with this sad look. I said, "It happens to me too!", she smiled and walked away. Well, now that I have said it isn't happening to me, it probably will! For now, my feet are having other ailments, it seems to go in stages with mine!

Everyone keep warm--tis cold here on the island--15 this morning!

I think I've posted before about being fitted for inserts to brace my feet. I received them today and they were checked and cut down to fit my shoes. They increase the feeling of not making contact with the floor. They are molded to my foot then a heel is attached that is flat. The primary reason is to stabalize my heel and ankle which is deteriorating due to the osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and neuropathy. I only have one brand of shoes that fit the things. They have a schedule of wearing them in order to get all the muscles in the hip, back and leg area accustomed to them.

The doctor said this is critical to the health of my feet. Has anyone else had this done? And did it help the pain in your hip, back and leg areas?

Billye