Balance...anything that might help?

[michelleric]

Hi all,

So I am having real troubles with my balance these days.  Lots of falls.  I fell out my sliding door today, letting my dogs out.  I fell really hard on my tailbone and hit the back of my head on the grill.  I don't even know how I did that.  Fell backwards out the door.  

So, think there is anything I can do to improve my balance?  Does this just come with MS?  Does this mean I am worsening?  Just sux.

any ideas welcome.  This is getting rediculous already,

Michelle

[michelleric]

Thank you ladies.

Ren, don't yell...but...I was wearing flip flops :(. I did have a cat scan after my last fall about 2 weeks ago.  All good.

Sounds like I could really benefit from some physical therapy.  Lots of good suggestions, thx.

I want to ask primary care to refer me.  I will call him tomorrow.  If I call Neuro, I am not sure what she will suggest.  Probably nothing more than primary care, and I will tell her at my next visit about my continuing to fall.

I go see her in about a month.

I am so sore from today.  My arm is so bruised and swollen.  I didn't even realize until one of my kids told me.  My tailbone pain is taking away the focus of everything else.  I think I broke my a$$ .  What a day...

[doublevision1]

  I recently started PT to work on my balance.There are lots of exercises that can help you if you can do them consistently.  At PT, I  use a couple of different balance boards.  The first day I could barely stay upright on them.  now I can go for several minutes.  I do the ball exercise Tammy does.  Also side to side step ups, and squats.  Stand on one leg and try to gradually increase how long you do this. I try many of these with my eyes closed for a few seconds which is difficult but slowly getting easier.  I'd suggest seeing a PT for an assessment and some recommendations for a exercise routine.

[maxthecat43]

My physical therapist has me sit in a chair facing a corner (sounds funny doesn't it...).  Then she has me get up with my eyes open, trying to maintain my balance.  If I do well with that, I am supposed to close my eyes- only after standing up.  The idea is that with the chair behind me, and facing into a corner, if I lose my balance- there is something there to keep me from falling.  I also use an exercise ball.  First exercise involves simply not falling off the ball- maintaining my balance.  The second exercise on the ball is to bounce a little, while I am sitting on it.  I know it all sounds silly, but it's supposed to reduce your fall risk.  *She also says to do exercises to strengthen your core muscles, as these help to hold you up.  

For walking around, perhaps a walker w/ a seat and brakes would be a good idea.  That's what I have been using around the house.  

I hope this is helpful to you.  
Tammy

[rendean]

From the Fall Queen herself,are you using your walker still? Head banging went out with grunge music I think and I know a coumadin patient should take extra care against headbbanging.

What are you wearing on your feet? If your propioception is off then you need to wear shoes with a good grip on the bottom.

Did PT ever teach you how to step out of a fall to stop hitting the ground? If not, I would request PT for gait assessment and fall prevention. Was the best RX I ever had!

You could be having issues with vertigo and not realizing it as well. My suggestion ,call your MS doc/nurse and report it. it's serious with coumandin!!! Did you have a scan after hitting your head again?

Sorry to be such a "Debbie Downer" but a fall can be serious and result in death if the conditions are right. Ask Natasha Richardson.

My everyday protection is a cane or walker and good grip shoes not just socks . Still I have reinjured my sprained knee and it is now pumped full of steroids. That little tiny bone that broke in my hand left tenditionits.

They did run an EEG on me to make sure I wasn't having small seizures.Yet another reason to  call your doc.

sorry I didn't have any magic solution because there isn't one. The falling could be part of your current relapse NOT over all worsening. I have long stretches with no falls but a fall for me usually signals a relapse.

Be careful my friend!

Hugs,
Ren