Have You Fallen?
 

I have been having the hardest time this weekend with my balance. :mad:

I have almost fallen several times and have the pulled muscles to prove it! If I could just fall without desperately trying not to or to catch ahold of something I would probably be less injured! :rolleyes:

I was standing in my closet putting a small box up on the top shelf and I just started falling backwards. There were clothes hangin behind me and also a row of boxes and other stuff so I wouldn't have fallen to the floor....just into whatever was behind me. But I tried to catch myself and have a sore upper back to show for it.

The other time I almost fell was in the living room.....standing on a perfectly flat floor (no carpet). I could feel myself leaning to the right and before I knew it I was tipping right over! I looked like the Flying Nun with both my arms outstretched trying to regain my balance.....weaving all around! :o I didn't fall but it probably would have hurt less than me contorting myself into all sorts of shapes to keep from going down!

I guess it's just human nature to try and prevent yourself from falling. It's inevitable......I will fall but the question is when and where? :rolleyes:

Oh heck! I have been falling since I was a kid. I never out grew that awkward stage :rolleyes:

My balance sucks.

My current problems is (almost) falling forward numerous times. I have learned to stay back from mountain edges/overhangs :thud: that does not have a barrier. I was trying to sit on a rock when I (almost) went forward :thud: down a mountain :icon_eek:

Showers are (sometimes) interesting. I (almost) go forward :thud:

Losing balance forward is new for me.

I had a follow up appointment with my Neurologist a couple of weeks ago and decided to mention my forward balance problem.

His answer was yes, that is the MS (no! really!? :icon_eek:) As far as what to do? His answer: Be careful. Ummm, ya think :ROTFLMAO:

:thud::thud::thud:

Kitty, be careful out there :hug:

Snoopy I have an issue with falling forward but it's only when I am (trying to) walk. It almost feels like I'm being pushed.

So I try walking slower but that doesn't help. My DIL said that she thinks I'm walking better lately but I think it's just because I'm being so careful.....and slow.

I tried to explain it to her.....it feels like a giant rubber band around my knees trying to keep me from taking normal steps. I finally just said "I can feel it more than you can see it" and I think that worked.

Kitty,

Your problem with falling forward is different than mine. It has been determined mine is based on changing positions (sitting to standing, standing to bending, bending to standing, ect). I can feel light headed sometimes but it's not vertigo :Dunno:

Spasticity? :Dunno:

Snoopy, do you use any mobility aids?

I use a rollator/walker around the house and if I go anywhere that I have to walk any distance.

The exception is the grocery store and I use the cart as my walker.

I do have a cane but I carry it when I can't take my walker so people won't think I'm drunk! :o

I do have Trekking Poles that are used as a mobility aid. I do not use them all the time and never in the house.

I have never cared what others thought of my walking. Assumptions are made regardless and if the person doesn't know me it doesn't matter :p

I guess I need to be less self-conscience.......:o. People can be so mean, though.

My dad with PD has had some bad forward falls, managed to hit his head in the same side 3 times.
Lately we've got the falling under control with med changes and some home PT and having a bit of a protein drink first thing in the morning.
He usually fell right after breakfast after getting up from the table..


He has also started to slump down vs reach out and trying to stay upright now when he starts to feel light headed or weak legged, bending his knees so it is more of a slow collapse than a straight out fall forward..

Might be worth practicing the collapse technique or something like it..

I'm going to ask my neuro about PT. I think I can get it here at home.....that's the only way I can do it. Maybe there are some exercises I could do to help improve my balance.

Once I'm up and walking I'm doing fairly well. It's just once I've been sitting for any length of time and stand up. I have to sort of just stand there and let my legs get the message that I want to walk.

First thing in the morning is the worst. But, true to MS style, there are some days when it feels almost normal to walk. Wish those days were more frequent. :rolleyes:

Its scary...sometimes it helps to really consciously think of your body's position, and movement. But we "feel" normal, and go about doing things as everyone does, when MS reaches out and says, 'Uh-no...you forgot about me..."

it's difficult to slow down and do things consciously, slowly. But it might be better since you're having these issues to do just that.

PT may help you...but mindfulness will also help.

Sorry your having these issues Kel...:hug:

I have had many sudden falls, but never really losing balance (that I can tell) and nothing (sensation or object) preventing my steps. It's just kind of a "hello ground we meet again" thing as I do a face plant, or rather palm plant as I always seem to be catching myself even before I realize I'm going down. Not lightheaded, no loss of consciousness, just :thud: ... :mfr_wha: . Luckily I haven't seriously injured myself with the sudden pwning from gravity.

I will say the few times I have felt myself going down, generally from tripping on something I have learned that it truly is best to just go with it. Don't fight gravity once it decides to put up a fight, you'll lose, even if you come out on top. So unless the fall will likely land you in fire, sharps or just ewwww, just go with it, let the body fall. It took me quite a few self hugs to get it down but I'm practically a pro at falling now :D

And really that's about all you can do, is try to make the conscious effort to wrap your arms around yourself and let your knees bend. Forwards, backwards or sideways, hugging yourself will be your best bet at protecting yourself in a fall. Tuck and roll, but it only works for me if I feel myself starting to fall, hoping one day I'll have it firmly locked in the subconscious for those random falls too.

(((((Kelly))))):circlelove:

Yes I have fallen..lol. I've gotten pretty good at the falling part. :rolleyes:
It's the getting back up that's hard to do now. Keep as much strength,
as you can, because as you age, it's a lot harder to get back up. And
it's true, fold your legs and drop in place. You will most likely do less
damage that way.:grouphug:

I have not fallen in quite awhile but when I do it is when I'm pushing myself too hard and not pacing myself. I have learned to slow down over the years and listen to my body, but I still have a rare occasion when I nearly fall. Be careful and don't overdo it! :hug:

I don’t often fall, but I sure do almost fall. I guess I’m at the stage where I am unbalanced enough that I have frequent “near misses,” but I am still just barely coordinated enough to catch myself from going all the way down. Excuse me now. I’ve got to find some wood to knock.

Oh yes, I have fallen. My latest nearly broke my foot by bending it backwards (forwards?:confused:). Had to go to urgent care for xrays - nothing more than badly stretched tendons on the top of my foot. Nice bruise several days later. Down 6 stairs I went. Funny things that go through one's brain in emergencies - I remember thinking I've got to yell really loud so Rocky (my BF) will hear me. Think the decibels actually did go up the further I went down.

I've fallen several times trying to clean black walnuts out of the yard. Bending over, uneven ground, walking on piles of walnuts that move under my feet. Yep, several falls but there have all been gentle.

Rocky got to witness one of the worst falls a few months back. We were working in the yard, I stepped one foot on a pitchfork and WHAM! pitched flat forward on my face. Rocky wanted to roll me over and I said NO IT HURTS IT HURTS. Laid there for a few moments, taking stock. What hurt was that my hands were on the handle and that's what my chest bones landed on. Nice bruise!

Lately my falls are from my bad knee giving out. Getting an MRI soon to see what's going on in there.


That human nature effect is what broke my arm years ago. Falling down a hill, I flailed my arms for balance and one of them hit a tree. Never broke a bone before, but somehow I KNEW it'd broken.

I do okay around the house usually. It's shoes and unfamiliar terrain that "trip me up". When I almost fell while in my closet I was on carpeted floor and it made me even more unsteady.

Around the house I usually have socks on. The flooring is wood so it's flat and even. The bedrooms all have carpet and I don't do well on carpet.

If I could go out in just my socks (no shoes) I think I'd be much steadier. Probably get a few strange looks but at least I'd be upright!

I got a pair of very lightweight slip on shoes (Skectchers Go Walk) thinking that would help but they're just like any of the other shoes I've tried.... anything on my feet (other than socks) just messes up my balance. :rolleyes:

I've fallen all too many times. Backwards, forwards, sideways, off of stepstools, on ice, indoors, outdoors, on stairs. It's one reason I use a wheelchair even though I "can" walk (I can't walk very far and there are times when can I hardly walk at all).

I try very hard not to fall. I've had too many broken bones and don't want any more.

A surface can suddenly get "slippery" on me. Actually its a sudden loss of muscle control on my part but for a long time I blamed the floor or whatever it was I fell on. I usually go down so fast that there's no time to grab hold of anything.

Shoes that provide enough support are essential.

Staying rested and not allowing myself to think about too many things at once--those are important too.

Making sure I can see and hear as well as possible is also a big help.

I try not to go out when it's icy out or too cold or too hot, and if I do have to go out at those times, I am very very careful.

Hey there

I like to think that I have learned to 'fall with style' :p

I have landed in gardens, from the top to the base of a marble staircase, on my knees in the main street of my country town, in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in Sydney, in front of my students and colleagues at work....but, I didn't cry, I didn't flash my knickers and I was lucky enough to be able to pull myself up - sometimes with the help of others, laugh (to avoid crying from twisted muscles and skinned knees) and continue on my merry way.

As others have said - I have learned to 'fold up' and go with it, or the outcome could have been much worse.

Topamax worked for me - although I stopped taking it a couple of months ago.

I hope this improves for you - I know I have done enough damage twisting my pelvis and putting my shoulder out - I hope you re ok and remain that way

Good luck and love

I am a "certified floor inspector" :o I fall about once a day, at minimum. Some days I fall so often my husband orders me to stay put, as he tired or sore from helping me up.

Inform your doctor since this is new. {if you have a PT} Have your PT person teach how to fall safely (yes, there a technique). Sort of tuck and roll maneuver.

and... hope this is something minor like allergy causing some inner ear goofy-ness and it all goes away fast. :hug:

LOL...me? Fall???
 

Nice to see you again Jewels. Happy you are doing better. Love to see a picture of that wonderful doggie of yours!!:hug:

I'm Paul, I fall! :D Probably the biggest adjustment I had to make, my brain, regardless of what the MRIs may show doesn't seem to have the problems that the legs have receiving the signals.

Couple that with bouts of vertigo and dizziness? It's not a combination conducive to remaining upright.

Hi all. I fall when I turn or pivot especially in the kitchen: turning from the fridge to the stove or stove to the sink. It is a small kitchen so the counters save me.

The other repetitive falls occur when I am going up the steps. Yes, I fall going up the stairs and end up face down on the edges and then start sliding down on my chest or side- depends on how I have tried to save myself what position I am in and how much damage is done.

I'm back in PT again. Doing 45 minute sessions twice a week.

ANN

Does the PT seem to help any? I do the same thing in the kitchen and depend on the counters to save me! I'm considering asking the neuro to write a prescription for PT.

I have a very hard time with stairs, too. I avoid them all I can. I just can't seem to coordinate my legs to do what my mind is telling them. Thank goodness I don't have any stairs here at home.

Kitty- I just lost a detailed post.;-(

I had a much more thorough exam from my PT than the MS Specialist. He found weakness in many muscle groups and some muscle wasting.

We are strengthening these muscles and trying to build back some muscle.

Re: pivots, my R ankle is weak. When I am standing on one foot, as in taking a step, I lean to the L or fall if I am just on the L (as in a pivot). In my wedding DVD, I am leaning L the whole way down the aisle. Thanks to my brother, I did not fall.;-)

I am building a PT program to continue at home after my sessions are used up.

If PT is available to you, I would definitely do it.
ANN

Oh yes, I have fallen quite a few times. All times but one I've been walking and tripped (I can't pick up my right foot enough). I also fell once standing at the computer. I had a leg spasm (which is normal for me) and my knee buckled... I tried to catch myself but couldn't and fell right backwards. Hurt my hand and had to take the next day off work because I need my hands for my job.

I now use a cane to walk, it took a whole bunch of falls before I finally did it though. I had a hard time becoming visibly disabled. But let me tell you, a month or so in to using a cane, I at least have confidence when walking! Prior to the cane I felt so unbalanced and scared to fall. Falling on pavement is really not cool, and heaven forbid I hit my head or something! A cane is now a necessary part of getting around.

It's strange but a cane really doesn't help me with walking. My rolling walker is what I depend on most.

If I have to go somewhere that I can't easily take my walker (a restaurant or other close quarters) I use my cane mostly as a visual so others won't think I'm drunk. My walking is so bad and my balance is so affected that I just cannot walk two steps without tipping over!

Especially when I have to be in unfamiliar territory.....or walk on carpeted floors.......my balance is nil. Wearing shoes also affects my balance. I do so much better at home on wood floors and wearing socks. I've said several times that I wish someone would make socks that look like shoes and I'd be thrilled! :o

Kitty, I live in socks!!! I have shoes that I walk ok in and other that aren't good.

Re: the cane. It definitely helps me, but a rolling walker would be 100x better. I just started with the cane though and am not even used to the visibility of it... definitely not ready for a rolling walker yet. Baby steps, right?

If I start falling with my cane, that would be the next step.

Hi MSbelle and Kitty.:)

I go barefoot or non skid slippers and I have all wood floors now. I don't like socks,
because my feet have a tendency to slip and slide in socks.:eek:

I started with a cane, then walker, now scooter. After my DH died in 2004, there
was no one to help me up after falls, so I chose, for safety sake, the scooter.
If you don't use it you lose it, so now am pretty dependent on it. I have little
problem transferring from scooter to chair, potty, whatever, and so, hopefully,
will not have to go to a permanent Powerchair.

I hope that you have as easy a time with your MS progression as I have.:hug:

Shoes trip me up. I don't lift my feet up all the way when I walk and shoes get in the way.

I purchased my Rollator online and had it delivered. Here's a link with some different models. I would be lost without mine.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_6utlde1jwv_b

PT and OT just gave me a "lightbulb moment":

Balance is your body getting the proper feedback of where it is in space (actually called proprioception, which gets hammered in neuro disorders). The more parts of your body that are getting sensory feedback (ie touching & seeing something) the easier it is to stay upright.

For example I have a heck of a time at the washer & dryer, shower and in the kitchen. I tend to prop my crutches against a wall so I can use both my hands. They taught me to stand with my hip against the machine and my belly or fanny against the counter top. When I turn around I need to use my hand to rest or hold onto something (the counter or dryer, the shower wall). She also broke down turning- plant feet, rest hand or hip against something and look in one place, then turn body slowly. Awkward at first but now second nature and almost normal speed.

By golly, it works!!! It isn't 100% foolproof but it really makes a big difference to me. She said that's why they always do the eyes open/closed standing test at the neuros office. Takes away majority of the proprioceptive feedback. That's why a lot of us can ditch canes in the house and become "wall walkers".

BTW- you may not need to necessarily 'grip' something (like a handle) but simple lay your palm, etc on the wall or counter. Amazing :D

Yes! It's astonishing how often this helps. One finger on a countertop will often "stabilize" me.

Shoes trip me up too. I insist on finding out the weight of any shoes I'm thinking of getting. Very few of them are light enough. It's the weight of many shoes that seems to make me trip.

Canes just make things more complicated and they're one more thing to trip over. Or maybe I never learned how to use one the right way.

I have a hard time with shoes, too. I finally found a pair that's light enough for me. Only about 5 ounces! Here's a link.......http://www.shoebuy.com/skechers-gowalk/506473/1064406

I never use my cane anymore. When it was just my gait I had problems with it helped me keep my balance but now that my balance is so bad the cane is more of a hinderance than a help. :rolleyes: I might take it with me into a restaurant but it's only so people won't think I'm drunk! :o

OMG I LOL'd at "wall walkers"!!! That's SO me!!! If there isn't a wall, railing or counter, there better be a person with me or I'll have to use my cane!