has any one had their legs give way s... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

59,300 members66,355 posts

has any one had their legs give way so that you fall over while walking

sarah-d profile image
36 Replies

i was walking to a house i was working at the other night and my legs just gave way out of the blue has anyone else suffered this is it due to my fibro

Written by
sarah-d profile image
sarah-d
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
36 Replies
babebatista profile image
babebatista

This happened to my once when walking back from the park with my family, it was a couple of years before I was diagnosed. It happened again the year before I was diagnosed and it happens now all the time. I have to use a walking stick in the house and outside to get to the car ect, when doing that though I have to hold on to someone also, my balance is completely shot lol. But yes I have experienced what you have. Keep strong hun, much love :) xxxx

Ebony profile image
Ebony

I have had to use a walking stick for about 7 years, there are times when i feel as if i am going to fall but as yet I haven't, thank goodness but i guess its because of my stick that I haven't, I put it down to my FMS

Jessy profile image
Jessy

Yes I have a major problem with this, at first is was on and off but increased untill I could only walk a very short distance using a stick an with help as babebastista above and to go any distance I have to be in a wheelchair. Its really frustrating as know matter how determind you are you cant walk if your legs give way.

I really hope this dosent happen to you again or get any worse, try not to worry about it too much or let it get you down, really feel for you lots of soft hugs xxxx

sarah-d profile image
sarah-d in reply to Jessy

its happen a couple of times so far first time i didnt fall but this time i did do you have anything else or just fibro

Jessy profile image
Jessy in reply to sarah-d

Hi Sarah I do have some other probs but its def the fibro that makes my legs give way it stared gradualy like that with me, do be carefull please for a long time I didn't want to face the prob and kept on pushing myself which I think now could have made things worse. I use to fall alot before I finally adminted I needed a wheelchair had loads of cuts, bruises and mild concushion more than once from wacking my head. My husband use to come home from work to find me stuck on the floor!!

My Doc has said its very important that I don't keep going till my legs give out which means spending most of the day laying down or in my wheelchair now. Its not much fun but is safer.

As I said before I really hope this doesn't happen to you but if you find it happening again please don't ignore it as just pushing on may make it worse, go and see your Doc and get some advice, and always listen to your own body I think it generally knows best!! :o)

angied profile image
angied

sometimes but usually in the house although sometimes when im out as well so ive invested in a pair of crutches just in case but seems only on my right side that im weaker

jolee profile image
jolee

my legs haven't given way but i often pull muscles in my calf's, which ruins the walk x x

trisha64 profile image
trisha64

yeah my right leg frequently does that so at the grand old age of 48 i have to use a wheelie zimmer x

sarah-d profile image
sarah-d

do you all have fibro on its own or do you have other illnesses that could cause this to happen

jazher profile image
jazher

My ankles give way all the time, But i have hypermobility so could be that but who knows.

kel xxx

fibrofogbaby profile image
fibrofogbaby

Every single day indoors and outdoors whether I have flat shoes or heels on.

sarah-d profile image
sarah-d in reply to fibrofogbaby

do you have anything other than fibro hun and did it start off not to bad and get worse

trisha64 profile image
trisha64

i have an underactive thyroid and am having tests for lupus and diabetes

ennoyed1 profile image
ennoyed1 in reply to trisha64

what is an underactive thyroid, i was told by my doctor's that i have a tumor on my throid...don't know what is causing me to fall...but i'm very shakey and falling...my head is starting to hurt really bad

Spirit profile image
Spirit

I have nothing but Fibro (as far as I know) and have had my legs give way on a number of occasions. it feels as if the muscle at the front of the leg above the knee just doen't belong to me and if i don't sit down quick if I notice it, then I'm greeting the pavement.

jayjay profile image
jayjay

This has happened to me for the last 4+ years, my hips knee's ankels just go on me just out of the blue, and i go down, i use a stick and an arm, or need to hold on to somethink and my stick, i can only walk a few steps now, i have been in a wheelchair for the last 3 an half years i really had no choice i put mine down to my fibromyalgia, although i do have C.O.P.D aswell, dont think this would be anything to do do with that. I would just explain to your GP ................ Take care and soft hugs to you all xx :-)

Jessy profile image
Jessy in reply to jayjay

Hi jayjay your situation sounds similar to mine, it was nice to read that you also felt you had no choice about using the wheelchair, I find some think it was my choice and I just don't try hard enough!! But what can you do if your legs just give way, I hate my chair but its that or never go out!!

Great to know I'm not alone, thankyou xxx hugs xxx

VonnyM profile image
VonnyM

my legs give way often. I use a crutch when walking. I discovered last week whilst doing hydrotherapy that I have quite a problem with my balance. Which could be one reason for falling. I didnt know it was this bad, but it makes sense, also my spacial awareness is up the creek. Getting worse the longer I have fibro. I am only 58 so it not my age. I feel more like I am 88 though

kraftyk8 profile image
kraftyk8

My right knee gives out quite frequently and my leg just disappears from under me. It's as if someone has kicked me in the back of the knee. I had one Consultant tell me that it was a side effect of Gabapentin , but I know of plenty of other suffers who don't take Gabapentin and it happens to them too. Personally, I think is down to the disruption of the old neuro transmitters/receptors making them misfire, as in so many of the FM symptoms. I never go out of the house without my stick now, just in case :)

Nanasusie3 profile image
Nanasusie3 in reply to kraftyk8

I'm so glad you mentioned Gabapentin! My Neurologist just increased my dosage to 300 mg during the day! I'll just bet that is what's wrong with me!!! Thanks!

Claregilchrist profile image
Claregilchrist

That's interesting to see all the comments as my left leg frequently gives way - trouble is it does it without any warning. Apart from feeling a fool and being embarrassed you have the problem of getting up again. Last time it happened I damaged my neck badly and the back of my head and have had occipital neuralgia and whiplash ever since. Thank you all though as at least I know I'm not going mad as GP would have me believe. xxxx

sarah-d profile image
sarah-d in reply to Claregilchrist

i hate my gp she is always telling me to go back to psyco therapist which i didnt find worked last time she treats me like im making it up cos i dont want to work but i love my job

kavqc profile image
kavqc

Hi there this happens to me all the time with both legs giving out from under me and I have suffered some serious injuries through this I fell down the stairs after legs gaveway and pulled all the ligaments in my spine but the worst one was dislocating and small hairline fracture of the jaw after my legs gave way and I hit my face on the edge of a table. My doc has asked for an urgent appointment with the rhuematoid as with other factors he may think it could be lupus but this does not mean that you may have it get yourself checked out with the rhuemys x

jayjay profile image
jayjay

Hi jessy and all, it is nice to know that we are not alone doesent it, jessy i hated my wheelchair to but love it now because thats my only means of getting out and about, but i must say for the first 6months or so, every time i used my wheelchair i would sob my heart out, it's really just accepting the change and also that our illness is getting worse and that takes time,but i wouldent or couldent be with out it now, tack care all xx :-)

sarah-d profile image
sarah-d in reply to jayjay

so your saying your fibro has got worse because ive read that it doesnt get worse and my gp always makes me feel like im over reacting about it and she is suppose to be a specialist in it

Spirit profile image
Spirit in reply to sarah-d

Doesn't get worse? I've read it progressively increases (the rate varies from person to person) and have also had this told to me by a healthcare professional (not one of my own team however).

Certainly from my own experience it has got worse. I have gone over 10 or so years from what I thought was stiffness and lack of fitness, to feeling pain in those areas and stiffness elsewhere, and then pain again in the previously stiff areas etc until there is little of me that doesn't hurt, or ache (or generally both, though I can get it down to a dull roar!) and EVERYWHERE is stiff!

Also - I was told that the research into Substance P indicated that FM sufferers fail to excrete enough of it and it gradually builds up over time, meaning that symptoms worsen. This was annecdotal, although was from a fellow sufferer... Happy to be corrected on this point :)

Gentle hugs to all

Spirit x x x

marcy57 profile image
marcy57

sometimes when im walking my feel suddenly go odd and i start limping, then im normal.does fibro get worse?

sarah-d profile image
sarah-d in reply to marcy57

i feel mine has got worse hun yes as it was very far apart when i had each bout of it now its almost everyday

Rosamond profile image
Rosamond

I have had fibro for at least 10 years, the doctors all say it was brought on by stress after being a carer for 23 years to my step daughter who had muscular dystrophy she died aged 25. I was her 24/7 carer. Her father walked out on us saying he could not cope with his daughter any more, but then he never did anyway, never helped me look after her. Even though I had arthritis for several years before that. It was the stress before her death and after which set it all off. Because I have to take Warfarin everyday for the rest of my life, due to blood clots, I am only able to take Codipar pain killers nothing else, these tablets dull the pain but never take the pain away. Warfarin also limits many other medication and food which would help both Fibro and arthritis. My husband gave me a Wii fit plus and I try to do as much as I can . I steady myself with either my stick or dinning room chair. Yes I do find it helps, I walk as much as I am able to but some days can only manage a few steps. My knees has given out mostly at home some times on the stairs but have saved myself before hitting the floor a few times my husband has caught me. To relax I paint (not walls though) I do what I can when I can, but I will never give up or give in. I am very independent and hope to be for many years to come. Staying cheerful is good medicine. I have a wonderful family and friend who help. Yes I know I am lucky.

circuitrunner profile image
circuitrunner

Sarah take in mind the facts although there are fibro specialists. These have not been always around. Therefore they are still learning i.e.from us the people with fibro. So keep insisting.

Yes ihave had this quite a bit but mainly hen i get out of bed i go to put my feet on floor and next thing i am on the floor. i do laugh but its to cover up the frustration and the embarrasment etc. i also when i walk feel like i am going to fall and am often seen holding onto something in shops etc hope this helps you are not alone love to you diddle x

ennoyed1 profile image
ennoyed1

yes i have, last night i fell 4 times hit my head twice, hit my tailbone twice...having bad headaches now,also very shakey

Ginsing profile image
Ginsing in reply to ennoyed1

Your best bet is to see you doctor and in the mean time stay reasonably still and take care falling is often balance related so you doctor needs to check you out xgins

langing profile image
langing

Hi all,,my left leg give way on my vacation last year. it's really scared me because i also suffered a stroke a year before and also i have back injury. And it happened again 2weeks ago. Now that i read all your side of strory. I can watch my self. thanks everyone..

kerranky profile image
kerranky

It happens all the time, I think it is because I have artheritis on my right side. I was walking along a corridor when a women was coming towards me, my leg gave way, and she moved as if to save me. She told me it happens to her.

riecal profile image
riecal

My right leg has been buckling too and i have fibromyalgia Monday at the doctors lobby it have gave away without morning

You may also like...

Leaden, painful legs while walking.

been on a walk (I love walking) I’ve barely been able to make it back to the car. My legs, hips,...

chest pain thought it was a heart attack, has any one else had this

stairs and sat down , i could feel myself passing out, any way i called my hubby and he called 999,...

Legs giving way

any1 else legs give way a lot my legs give way without any symptoms Saturday my legs give way on...

Has any one been successful with there disability claim as I have had to give up work due to fibro and its very difficult on one wage!

the normal fibro misery, not good especially with a family and deaf dalmatian, does anyone else get...

has any one taken temazepam - if so have you done it 3 days on 3 days off?

the doc has asked me to take temazepam 3 days on and 3 days off. I am due to start taking htem...