Aching legs With balance problems?

[RogerCMerriman]

My balance walking while not dreadful ie I rarely fall, and just take my time, and avoid escalators/going down stairs etc. I tend to have a fine zombie walk and as the day progresses the muscles around my hips start to ache more and more, I am heavy and tall 6ft best part of 90kg /14stone, and at times fairly ungainly on foot. So in many ways it's not surprising I'm more gauging how normal it is? I do have a apointment to see the rehab folks in a few weeks

[Kirk5w7]

Hi Roger, my zombie walk is worst first thing in the morning and when I'm tired during the evening, I'm not bad during the day and although slow walk quite normally. We've just installed a treadmill so I can practice even on those bad weather days, first day yesterday and it was amazing got my peed up to 3km/hrand even inclined it, felt better walking round the house afterwards, not as dizzy/ unsteady, I'm hopeful this is going to help me.

I think it may be your posture, hopefully your appointment can pinpoint what it is. I was astounded what I had to remember to do when learning to walk again, but it soon came back, second nature. We don't remember when we first started walking, hopefully they can help you xxxx

[coetzeegisela in reply to Kirk5w7]

It is so good to know I am not alone in this curious and very nasty affliction after accident.

[cat3]

In my previous life I was always being asked to slow down. I walked to and from work every day ...........a distance of 5 miles each way (in heels) whereas now I feel an achievement having walked less than a mile or so to buy a paper. The pain for me is in my feet and toes which ache terribly since the SAH. Also, I find the extreme concentration needed to walk straight and without staggering pretty exhausting.

I've said it before but, on a lighter note, I often think we, as a group, would make very convincing 'Extras' in a zombie film ! ........................apart from all being too nice-looking obviously.

It's really hard for everyone who's found themselves disadvantaged in mobility terms and it's normal to lament our past freedom.............but when my mind switches to Geoff, my ex husband who is bed-ridden and without speech since his SAH, and others more seriously impaired than me I really do count my blessings.

Love Cat x

[RogerCMerriman]

In the squeem of things clearly it's fairly minor, thus far has always been other ways, busy road? Walk down to the zebra. Terrifying escalator/stairs? Take the lift and so on.

And to be honest being overtaken by little old ladies and so on is frankly amusing.

Since I'm fit and strong steep hills are fine my wife had to ask me to slow when we visited Lewes which is almost welsh valleys steep normally she has to slow to my pace. Not that day heh!

[cat3]

Actually Roger it's an occasional challenge of mine (on good days) to try to overtake as many other pedestrians as I can on my way into town. I'm sure I must look quite frantic at times and I'm always left breathless but the momentum means I'm much less likely to veer off into a hedge........or a person. Trouble is I'm done-in for the return walk home !

I suppose there's an element of protest involved in pushing ones self in such unnecessary ways.............a bit like 'raging against the dying if the light'. xx

[hayabusa]

Walking is a huge emotional drain to walk, maintain a straight line and not tumble into things.

With multiple injury and posture problems it's a mess trying to walk.

Holding onto inanimate objects or just light contact helps keep control a little.

But the most important thing is to stop and gather yourself together even if only leaning against a wall or a railing?

Best thing is to sit and rest frequently.

Watch the people go by.

[RogerCMerriman]

Well went today, they had a good look at my walk, and my balance or lack of it! They did manage to find some areas that they want to look at mainly issues with timing and the muscles around my hip, apparently in some areas my legs are imbalanced in terms of strength.

And I still can't balance if I can't see.

Given me some exersizes even if my walk is improved regardless of balance I'll be very happy.

[coetzeegisela in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Is it bpppv - damage to vestibular mechanisms? Do you have a prognosis?

[Kirk5w7 in reply to coetzeegisela]

I had vertigo fixed by the hospital, they did the Eply manouvre which cured the dizziness but I still stagger sometimes when walking and some days can't keep a straight line, basically it seems I have to live with it, no- one is interested.

Practice helps and if I'm on my own I carry a stick to steady me when turning.

[RogerCMerriman in reply to coetzeegisela]

I've not been given a prognosis the Vertigo is mild, only tending to occure if I change light bulbs or reach up high, or equally in Bed/Bath or Physo benches etc.

In terms of physo, come on leaps and bounds my walk if not fixed is now at the point that I only zombie if very tired.

And the full physo has been teaching me to work out how to cope with balance with out sight, which I have being using to compansate.

She suggests that looking at me, that i've taken damage to parts of the brain that control my left leg, hence the weakness/tiredness.

And much to my supprise she has got my walk, much better, little old ladies no longer zip past me carrying their shopping, and I am slowly learning how to manually balance, with out relying on sight so its far better than I'd hoped!