becoming the undisputed queen of falls

[Godiv]

It’s scary, but I’ve been falling lately. With most of the falls, them I understand, happened. But there were two of them lately that I have no idea what happened. I found myself dramatically crashing down before I even realized I was falling practically.

I know I need to work more on balance with physical therapy and muscle strength, of course. And walking.

But I’m getting a little tired of hearing myself smack down on the floor. I did manage to correct out of one, yay. But I knew it was happening. I guess my balance is bad and I don’t realize. I don’t mean to whine.. I know it’s not unique to me. But if you know of anything that helps a bit, please let me know. Thanks!

[Juliegrace]

I say falling is my superpower. For me, it happens when I’m on my meds. I wear knee pads when I go out. For the most part there is no rhyme or reason for when I fall, it just happens.

[Godiv in reply to Juliegrace]

OK, thank you. It is smart to wear kneepads. That’s a good idea!

[Juliegrace in reply to Godiv]

Hopefully your bone density is good.

[Godiv in reply to Juliegrace]

I meant to say it’s your superpower for sure ha ha. I don’t know probably not.

[marnegro in reply to Juliegrace]

I’m falling a lot and thus I wear knee pads all the time from wake-up to bed time too 🙂

[Godiv in reply to marnegro]

that is a good idea. But the last time, I would’ve needed a cushion on my tailbone.😳

[park_bear]

Orthostatic hypotension - loss of blood pressure upon standing - can cause fainting, which means loss of consciousness and uncontrolled fall. Do you ever feel lightheaded upon standing?

[Godiv in reply to park_bear]

I have that sometimes. And it’s a good point because this last time I was standing at the kitchen counter and probably was there too long.

I’m thinking maybe blood pressure and blood pooling in my legs. But I didn’t feel it but it’s makes sense. Good point thank you!

[park_bear in reply to Godiv]

If you do not already have a blood pressure cuff I recommend that you get one. Compare your blood pressure sitting versus standing. If it falls 20 points or more upon standing, that meets the medical definition of orthostatic hypotension. Treating this should reduce your frequency of falling. Orthostatic hypotension can result from Parkinson's or use of dopamine agonist medications.

[LeharLover62 in reply to park_bear]

I agree, please check this! You can check your seated pressure, then stand preferably near a chair or bed) and check your standing pressure 1 minute or 2 minutes later.

My husband faints all the time and I don’t think he knows it….it could be happening to you.

[Godiv in reply to LeharLover62]

Wow. That’s scary about not knowing like your poor husband. I hope that’s not happening but it could be. But I am sorry he’s going through that but I’ll definitely try that .

Like I was mentioning to park bear, it may be a very subtle thing, but the results are definitely not good and are scary. Thank you!

[Reetpetitio]

I'm also having falls where I don't understand why and am grateful I haven't broken anything, which I'm putting down to my Vitamin D3 /K2 combo (I recommend British Supplements for 'clean' versions of these). I know my balance is poor and I'm upping my balance exercises. I've also trouble shooted my footwear; I have painful muscles around my ankles and lower legs and I think my footwear needs to be snugly supportive; I have a long history of turning my ankles. I also realised my socks can slide around in my shoes if they're not thick enough and am going to look for 'slipper socks' that have more traction. I was also wearing far less supportive shoes during the warm weather. Since the weather's got worse my falls have stopped - probably my change in footwear! My housemate suggested buying one of those walking poles, which I haven't done yet but which is a good idea. Good luck.

[Godiv in reply to Reetpetitio]

I’ll try the clean version of D. A friend recommended sketchers with arch support as a good stable shoe. A lot of times at home I wear these cheap water shoes. They are also called water socks. But they seem to have a decent tread and you don’t have to buy the cheap version. They allow you to flex your feet more, just for something different. I do have a walking pole. It’s very helpful but I don’t think it would help a fall inside necessarily but it’s great for walking. There are also walking poles with a tip so you can stick it in the ground.

Good luck to you too! And thank you.

[Juliegrace in reply to Reetpetitio]

I recommend either smartwool or Bombas for socks. They are expensive but worth it as they stay in place and don’t bunch up or fall off.

[radpooz]

Being dizzy, experiencing freezing, falling hard...not so much fun huh? So sorry you are experiencing all that! I was diagnosed with PD in 2016 @ age 65. 3 yrs ago I was experiencing all of the same things as you.At the time, I discovered I wasn't absorbing the oral supplements I was taking daily & my Naturopath also found a a better pharmacy that provided a better quality of B-12, which I self-inject once a week. My movement specialist, neurologist increased my Sinemet dosages to 1 1/2 tablets & up'ed my frequency from 4x to 6x per day. I

alternated between walking with

1-walking stick & using a 4-wheel walker.Im so much better for last 3 yrs. No more dizziness! No more falling! No more walker! I stay on a Mediterranean food plan, mostly vegetarian, very limited sweets, no alcohol & NO soft drinks. Best wishes to you!

[Godiv in reply to radpooz]

well that’s cool! Good for you. That sounds great and I’m glad you found a good naturopath. I guess I’ll have to give up the last of the sweets. But that means that you can self inject I have to look into that . Good ideas! Well, better than good ideas because they work.

[Godiv in reply to radpooz]

Wonder if your naturopath takes online patients…

[beehive23]

a walker...hang tough...

[Godiv in reply to beehive23]

Hey you. I thought of that. I was a little worried I would pull one over but it would probably just give me more stability. Much needed stability. You hang tough too and thank you. Good idea.

[Juliegrace in reply to Godiv]

I have tried one and it doesn’t work for me, but I absolutely would use it if it would.

[Astrojupiter]

it is worth looking at all your medications. My mother was on celexa and coming off that her falls decreased 90 percent. You could post them and let the group see if there are any frequent offenders. Her doctor did not know celexa was causing the falls. I got that through my own research.

[Godiv in reply to Astrojupiter]

That’s a good point. I can check into that for sure because the doctors do kind of hand over the dizzying meds. And of course, often don’t warn you. Will do, thank you!

[LeharLover62 in reply to Godiv]

Yes, this also happened to hubby several years ago…one of his new urology meds caused hypotension.

[Godiv in reply to LeharLover62]

OK thank you. I didn’t think about that until folks started mentioning it. I should know better.🫤

[LindaP50]

Stable, good supporting shoes, socks with the grips when you aren't wearing shoes, a walker, stay hydrated. As mentioned falls could be your blood pressure, review your medicines and side affects but also do some strength training and balance exercises. Just a little each day. Even getting up and down from a chair (with arms) a few times to build strength. Some leg chair exercises.

I've posted many a time, to try Don Fiore's chair Tai Chi for seniors, elderly and PWP.

youtube.com/watch?v=qpswzOd...(Not working as expected?)

Chair Exercises - for Elderly, Parkinson & Seniors

[Godiv in reply to LindaP50]

That’s great advice. And thank you for the video. I’m trying to come up with a list of my daily things to do for this and I can incorporate the chair exercises is that and of course work on chair squats and the other things that help. My balance is definitely a problem. Thank you!

[Evvo]

Pt for balance 3x a week!

[Godiv in reply to Evvo]

Yep!!! I really need it. I just started physical therapy, so I’ll talk to them. Thank you!