Balance.

[Sukirose3]

Hi,I am anew member to the group and have found many of your suggestions so helpful.

I have Copd and bronchectasis ,I am finding I have trouble with balance when walking on a lot of occasions,so it's affecting my confidence,I don't know if this is due to my lung problems or somethings else,thought I would ask if any one else had the same problem .Looking forward to your thoughts ,thank you

[stone-UK]

Hi

The risk of falling can be a characteristic of later stage COPD.

A walking aid will give you back your confidence, consider walking stick, try-walker, or rollator.

A visit to your GP could be in order, any problems with the inner ear can cause you to lose balance , worth checking out.

[Sukirose3 in reply to stone-UK]

Thankyou for your suggestion,a visit to the Dr. Sounds sensible .

[Magpuss]

I have the same problem but I've no idea what causes it and my doctor doesn't seem to be much wiser either. I have mild copd and until recently I didn't have an inhaler but after discussing my 'dizziness' with another doctor in the practice Seretide was prescribed for me. It's since been changed for Salbutamol, but there's been no explanation of what causes these bouts of feeling light headed and off balance. It's been described as dizziness but I very seldom 'feel' dizzy - it's more like feeling 'spaced out', and although my vision seems to be ok, my eyes don't feel right. I feel fine when I'm at home but after walking a fairly short distance outdoors I sometimes find I have to really concentrate to avoid drifting or staggering sideways. The Seretide helped, after using it for just a few days it made a big difference but I started getting very severe bouts of cramp in my feet, calves, thighs and hands followed by a numb sensation in my fingers. The doc didn't think Seretide was causing it but prescribed Salbutamol instead, 'just in case'. The cramps have gone now but the bouts of 'sometimes feeling off balance' are back. So I'll have to go back to the doc's - again! I'm getting rather fed up with it to be honest.

[Sukirose3 in reply to Magpuss]

Thanks for your reply,I feel as you do fed up with trying to work out what is wrong !!!

[peege]

Hi. There are other reasons for dodgy balance - some simply resolved so do please see your GP. All the best, Peege

[Sukirose3 in reply to peege]

Thank you ,this is the next step,it's because they are so busy I don't like to bother them but I will .

[Carnival567]

I was once told by a doctor that it is people like us who should go to the doctor, not most of the people who are regulars! I am just like you, don't want to bother the doctor because he is so busy, but I shall try to do so after the nurse told me firmly that I should, and so should you.

[casper99]

Hello and welcome Suki.

Our ears are a big cause of dizziness and loss of balance.

My son was suffering severe dizziness and balance issues and was told it was to due to a little bone, in his ear, moving about. The Dr has twice done a type of manoeuvre, on him.

My older brother has bouts of Vertigo and a friend has the same symptoms and she has labrynitis, (Can't spell it.)

So, as suggested by other posters, you need to see your Docter.

I hope you get it sorted soon, dizziness is a horrible feeling.xx

[MoyB]

I have Meniere's Disease causing me to have attacks of disabling vertigo so my confidence for going out is low too!

I think all bouts of dizziness should be investigated by a doctor as there are so many different possible reasons for it. Maybe there is a connection with COPD and bronchiectasis (I have both, plus asthma) in which case I'll be interested to know, Certainly some medications can cause or exaccerbate balance issues, but so can low blood pressure or inner ear problems.

Go to the doctor and let him/her give there opinion - it will help you to manage it when you know what you're dealing with.

x Moy

[Sukirose3 in reply to MoyB]

Thank you for your input,the Dr is the next step.