My theory on why people with Parkinson's have falls.

[Bailey_Texas]

I have not had any problems with my balance until about 6 months ago. I have not had any falls yet but i tend to stumble over things a lot lately. If there is a extension cord on the floor i will get my feet tangle in more often than i use to but i will still not fall i will stumble a little and just go on my way.

Now for my theory. I have noticed that when i am on a ladder or like when i was standing on the kitchen island to install our new light i almost fell. I did not trip on any thing i just started to fall i caught my self before i did. As i think back on it i was already falling before i realized it. What i am saying i did not realized i was falling until i was almost to the point of no return. So i think that pwp have bad balance it is we are slow to realize that we are falling until it is too late.

The image is our only closet we have in our barndominium it is 6 feet wide by 21 feet long.

[jeffreyn]

Your theory makes sense to me. I have a tendency to lean to the left. I often don't notice it until I am leaning a huge amount.

[Kevin51]

Yup; standing on two feet is the most complicated thing we do. Think how long it takes a young child to learn how to walk and of course they don't have so far to fall. My sense of balance is fine - I can stand with my eyes closed - but I am often surprised to find I am beginning to fall over and need to correct it when before dx my reactions would kick in so quickly that I took them for granted.

[Enidah]

I’ve noticed also that if I am standing on a ladder or a low piece of furniture to hang a picture and looking up I feel like I’m falling backwards. I try not to do these things anymore without extreme care as it is pretty scary. I’ve always done so many home projects but now I find it best to stay off ladders and stools.

[enjoysalud]

Hi Bailey, thanks for the photo.

I know you are getting exercise putting up this new house, but I remember when you AVIDLY did Crossfit which I think (fantasized) required use of more muscles than the house. Also many years have gone by since you first started sharing on this site...........do you think that those two variables has anything to do with the near fall?

[Bailey_Texas in reply to enjoysalud]

Yes they are most likely why it was a near fall and not a complete one.

[ddmagee1]

Actually, your theory holds up. That's what it's like for me. I start falling, before I realize it, and then I sometimes reach the point of no return, and can't stop my fall, for the life of me. That has gotten me in big trouble several times. Like blunt force trauma to the head, hematoma, concussion, falling out of bed - things like that. Not fun! I'm very careful, nowadays, and have good, non slip walking boots, am more aware of where I'm walking, and if I'm having an off balance day, I use a three prong cane, where the prong part is moveable. It goes along with the terrain, and is very helpful to me. Up North here, this winter is challenging! Between Sub zero temperatures, which bother my neuropathy, in my hands,especially, and having several feet of snow on the ground, that I've had to snow blower thru and shovel, it's been tough. If this keeps up, I may have to move South or West. We'll see how things go.