Falling over
 

Im sorry if this has been covered before, but I was just wondering if any of you have had this?

This morning I got out of bed, stood up and then immediately fell back onto the bed. I didn't feel weak or dizzy just a bit surprised. I got myself up again but noticed I was walking a bit like I was drunk.

I then went around the end of the bed and accidently stood on one of the dogs paws. Luckily just as I put my foot down I managed to pull it back so I literally just brushed the dog. However the action of doing this made me fall over again (luckily onto the bed).

I then proceeded to the bathroom, clinging onto the railing for support. When I rose from the toilet I fell back again.

I am feeling a bit swimmy headed, but not dizzy.

Has anyone else experienced this? Luckily hubby is home today so if I fall he will be around to catch me! LOL If I dont injure him by landing on him!

Love
Rach

Hello,
Your not alone in this feeling. I have been like this almost daily for the last week now. I think I am feeling okay until I get out of bed, then I walk like I am drunk and sometimes I even have that hung over feeling in my head like I was up partying all night. I have fallen over my 3 german shepherd too. It doesn't take much to throw me on balance when I am this weak. I fall into the walls at times too. My legs and arms have been really weak all week. I drop things all the time and I have to have my hubby wash my hair in the shower for me because my arms get to weak to hold up over my head. At least I manage to do the shower by myself with the help of a shower seat. I also just got a toilet seat riser, it was getting to hard to get off the toilet with my weak legs. It is much better now. Going up stairs is so very hard for me. If I get to tired, my breathing becomes an issue. It feels like a tight band around my lower rib cage,awful pressure and then I get gasping for air. It is only relieved by laying down on either one of my sides.This with the breathing all started on Thanksgiving morning. I had to go to ER and spent a week in the hospital getting all kinds of tests done. Still no answers. I am waiting to get in to a MG Neuro my regular Neuro managed to set up for me. These hospital just don't see enough MG to understand it.
Well good luck and take care and don't fall and get hurt, that is all we need as if we don't have enough problems. I reall feel what your going through and it isn't any fun at all. I tell my friends, I feel just like a rubberband, when my legs get tired, I say I HAVE to sit down before I fall down.:eek:

Yup, happens all the time, but silly me, I usually fall "up" the stairs. I did it bad yesterday and spent the evening in the E.R. thinking I broke my leg, thankfully no broken bones but think I tore my calf muscle {ouch}

We with MG have to be very careful! I often feel like an idiot because I look "drunk" at times and heck I don't even drink..LOL

Rach, I've done this as a result of MG AND as a result of my low BP (average 90/60). Have you been drinking enough -- eating some salting foods? Have you checked your blood pressure? (Everybody needs to have a blood pressure thingy -- not sure of the "scientific name" -- at home.) Low blood pressure is especially bad early in the morning -- when you haven't had anything to eat or drink all night long -- and then you raise your head too quickly. I've had to learn to move slowly to allow my body to adjust.

MG, of course, makes us very unstable, too. I have wobbled ALL over the place and have had to hold on to stuff. I look VERY drunk, sometimes -- hehehehe -- Joanmarie, I don't drink, either. I even carry a card in my purse AND in my car SAYING that although I look and sound drunk I am NOT. *sigh*

I have this problem of being unsteady on my feet. I think that it's a balance issue. My husband has commented that I am always tripping or falling and I always say that it is my balance. I don't know if it is that or weak limbs. I just kind of live with it now that it has been happening for so long. Falling into your hubbys arms could really be a good thing Rach. ;) Take care ~Mel

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...

hi
 

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.

Hi Xanadu
 

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:hug:

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.