I would like to talk about/hear about how you deal with falling. I have fallen quite a few times recently. Mostly due to exhaustion and sometimes due to humidity. thank goodness no injuries but it is becoming an issue. Does this mean it's time to consider a wheel chair? Is this a preview of things to come? Or is there a way to improve balance and prevent this from becoming a frequent occurrence. I have only had surgery once; twice if you count a c-section. It must be very difficult to recuperate from an injury on top of MS if the fall leads to a serious injury. As it is now, drop foot and excess weight make it harder to exercise than ever. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, as always.
Fall: the verb not the noun: I would like... - My MSAA Community
Fall: the verb not the noun
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Sandydemop
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So sorry about the falls 🥺 Did u mention ur in PT? Are they working with u on balance? Sounds as if u can identify some of your triggers/situations for falls? Can u focus on those? Cooling things for humidity etc.
Sometimes balance exercises feel futile but I’ve recently been practicing them again and slowly but surely I’m noticing tiny improvements.
Though the improvements seem to be more with the balance exercises than in real world activities where I continue to have near falls many times /day. Hopefully the improvements will transfer from exercise to daily life 🤞
thanks erash i appreciate the hope you offer
Hope is everything! Hugs🤗
thanks for the hugs
I'd be interested to hear what everyone has to say on this too as it is a big issue in my life. Sorry I have no answers, only bad news - you are not immune from falls if you use a wheelchair because you still have to get in and out of it, in and out of bed, on and off toilets etc. and all those "stand aid"s and hoists are not 100% foolproof, as I know to my cost.
Physiotherapists ought IMHO to teach/practice techniques for getting up off the floor as a top priority but I've never met one who will.
I actually ended up on the floor last night trying to get into bed after a failure of a stand-aid (battery flat? hadn't been properly put on charge?) and had to wait 2 hours (that's quick for a Saturday night) for an ambulance crew to come and pick me up, and then they insist on taking your blood pressure and all that stuff before they'll do anything. Any amount of exercises are worth it if it avoids that carry-on.
Once the staff in a hospital managed to drop me on the floor with a different machine by not doing the belt tight enough when I was too tired to be bothered to argue. It is supposed to be impossible to fall the way I did.
And yes, you absolutely do not want a broken leg. Been there done that got the scars.
p.s. Is it me being fussy, or does anyone else object to the phrase "having a fall"? I reckon, I didn't "have a fall", I just fell. Or maybe I fell on my a*** (like the time I sat down in the vegetable patch while planting onions...), or I slid to the floor, but I don't think I HAD anything.
i get it. it's not a decision after weighing the pros and cons. it just happens. by the way, is it ok to say I fell on my ass here?
Or arse for our Brits 🤪Yup, no planned falls. All surprise!
I could be wrong but I think "arse" is ruder than "ass", which is why I typed a***, being a polite soul not wishing to accidentally cause offense..... 😇
(Deliberately causing offense, on the other hand ...😜)
hope i didn't offend
Thanks, I didn’t know that
know which ?
That ar** was more offensive than a**
this forum is so educational
Sorry to hear. Are these falls happening with your hands on the rollator or when you try to walk without it? Some days it seems my hands are glued to my rollator for fear of a fall. There are times I will not attempt the stairs, and even on a good day I know I am still taking a risk. My family wants to move the washer and dryer upstairs so I'll have no excuse to go down there. The house doesn't clean itself though, does it?😉
good question! usually when i'm furniture surfing or wall walking but i also feel wobbly on the rollater at times.
"Furniture surfing" - I like that.😀
Ever seen toddlers go from one to the other learning to walk? like that.
I do fall once in awhile & it's always a shock, always a surprise, even though I expect it will happen at some time.
Find a form of exercise you like, It will help.
I stopped for awhile and paid for it.Now I am trying to regain what I lost.
Walking, weights, yoga, swimming, anything will help.
There is a yoga for MS book out there that involves chair exercises.
As for a wheelchair? I use one when out & about with my husband if there will be a lot of walking. It is very helpful.
Good luck! 
thanks falalalala do you have any feelings about being wheeled around?
As of now, I like it a lot.
I'd much rather be walking about with no problems but when I use the chair , I don't feel wiped out.
At first I was a bit self conscious, but the end result is worth it.I still feel alive even in hot weather.
My husband is a lot of fun too so any time he's pushing me around is a guaranteed laugh.
that's so great. i see you appreciate him
I do. He's a good guy
Pt will definitely help. Also, if you have early foot drop, get an AFO. Without the AFO, that is my #1 reason for the chalk outlines on the pavement! One not when it comes to falling, if at all possible, avoid hitting the back of your head while falling. Falling and hitting the backside of your head often results in skull fractures or even internal decapitations.
Hey jorrell have you ever hit your head? do you wear the afo at home?
Hit the back of my head on concrete, yes, out cold, no serious trauma, hairline fracture, I still remember my name, but my wife uses another one to refer to me As far as the AFO, I wear it inside and outside, of course with the shoe it is in. The only time I take off the AFO is before dinner and just wear socks, they slide on the smooth wood floor (1 story home)
omg I'm glad you survived the concussion to talk about it.
A tolerable amount of dain bramage went away quickly
omg i had to do a double take! keep up that sense of humor!!
Please forgive my ignorance but what is an AFO?
holds the toes up from foot drop
better picture of ankle foot orthotic
Thank you
I've had many falls, and frequent falls and injuries were one indication something was going wrong before I was diagnosed with MS. I've had several fractures, and every injury does seem to take a long time to recover from. So avoiding falls should be a top priority for anyone with MS who is apt to fall, and that is probably most of us.
Losing weight if you're overweight is definitely a good idea. I recently dropped about 10 lbs. even though my weight was still within acceptable limits. I've noticed a big improvement in my balance since losing just those few pounds. Years ago I had to lose 100 lbs. when diabetes was diagnosed, and after losing that weight I had less fatigue, better balance, and better mobility. Losing the weight wasn't easy but I've always been very glad I did it. I kept most of that weight off for 35 years now.
Still I do have falls. I fell twice about 7 months ago but those were the first falls in about 5 years,
I' ve used a manual wheelchair since 1984 but I still manage to walk about 1600 steps/day. (I have a pedometer.) I'm sitting in that chair most of the time--and using a rollator to get around outside my apartment--and I have the impression that the wheelchair helps me to tire less. A standard manual wheelchair is made to brace every part of the body, and that may be the reason .
If going the wheelchair route sounds daunting, avoiding exhaustion will undoubtedly help you. If you can figure out what activities tend to tire you out and set strict limits on how and when you do those activities--and don't ignore any signs that you are getting too tired--you will surely feel better and be less inclined to fall.
You need to listen to what your body is telling you. Back when I was doing more serious cooking--dicing, peeling, slicing, stirring, pouring, etc., while standing at the kitchen counter--I would notice that my hands would start feeling more "fumbly" and I'd start dropping things. Or I might have a stiffening up of the shoulder and neck muscles. I learned that when those signs come along, it's time for a rest, even if it means putting off that job until a day or so later. Sometimes just 15 minutes resting in the wheelchair will be enough of a rest, for instance when I'm ironing.
There are ways of keeping MS in the background when you're really determined to keep it there, I think, though obviously that doesn't work for the less lucky ones. I've been one of the lucky ones who could pull this off a good bit of the time, and I hope you will be too.
thanks agate wise words. My body is always tell me to slow down. It hardly ever says Exercise! and dropping things is definitely a sign i am too tired. And you iron! I don't know anyone else who still irons. Good for you.
I iron! Usually saving up lots to do - watch tv, it’s exercise!
that's amazing Jesse. Now i know two people who iron. thanks for sharing. i went from ironing, to dry cleaning to try to hang it up before it wrinkles to so what if it's wrinkled.
I can relate with you. 😘 trust your body and find exercise that helps by experts. I have primary ms and I slowly saw the signs coming. I was driving and knew I needed to stop in 2015. I had to research drop foot,ms pain, Cbd for pain,spacisisty,soft boots for night. I also started falling and dropping things. Take small steps and realize too much can weight you down. Your body sends signals and we need faith and support to move forward.
thanks Irish. I probably shouldn't be driving long distances but i am not ready to give up local driving. (although i do say yes when friends offer to pick me up) And i know not to drive with the AFO. Damn MS (sorry if i offend anyone by cursing) Driving is a very big deal.
I gave up driving less because of the physical symptoms. Too many stimuli for me to process rapidly and be safe. Feel guilty I’m so dependent on hubby. Fortunately, he’s a good guy. Now my goal is to keep him healthy because without him I’d probably be ubering and have to relocate.
Yes! You are helping each other.
Hi Sandy, I am back for the moment, at least, and just in time to add my 2 cents worth. Since last August, when I fell and hurt my knee, I have fallen more times than I can count! I think there have been 5 or 6 trips to the ER, 3 to the Acute care Clinic and either 4 or 5 broken bones. Right now I have a broken bone in my left foot..been in this boot for 10 weeks now; saw the Orthopedic Dr. last week, more x-rays, etc., wear the boot for 6 more weeks and come back for more x-rays, check-up, etc. I asked the Dr. if we were going for a record, he laughed. Some days I can walk with my cane. I had to give up the Rollator, as it kept tripping me up. The day it threw me forward into the trash was the day I said ENOUGH and gave it to the cats to play with. My Neurologist has prescribed an electric scooter for me, and once I got used to the idea, I like it. I think it may give me mobility I haven't had it years. I'm in PT now where we are working on balance and something else I can't remember, I can eat whatever I want, as my weightis not an issue. I had my annual physical last week, my BP was 102/57, O was 99% and I weighed 96 pounds, boot and all! All the labs came back within good ranges . My body tells me to slow down from the moment I get up!Agate, I've dropped almost everything I pick up for years! I am so glad that you can keep MS in the background. I was able to do that for over 30 years, but I learned that SPMS is a very different disease. I could fight my way back from a relapse with exercise, a healthy diet, meditation, etc. But about 9 years ago, I started getting worse and not getting beter, and it keeps speeding up, and this MS doesn't care what I do, and she is kicking my ass. But, my dear Agate, I too, have to say, that my body never told me to iron, Have a wonderful day, all of you!
Dear leking1 you managed to make me LOL about ironing. if i roll on the floor laughing out loud ROFLOL it might take me a while to get up. And So sorry you are busted up! are you getting enough calcium, iron and other minerals? sending prayers and love
"Agate, I've dropped almost everything I pick up for years! I am so glad that you can keep MS in the background. I was able to do that for over 30 years, but I learned that SPMS is a very different disease. I could fight my way back from a relapse with exercise, a healthy diet, meditation, etc. But about 9 years ago, I started getting worse and not getting beter, and it keeps speeding up, and this MS doesn't care what I do, and she is kicking my ass. But, my dear Agate, I too, have to say, that my body never told me to iron, "
Just for the record, I didn't want to suggest that I'm successful at keeping MS in the background. It's been SPMS for me since 1980, and it's a very uphill battle each day just to find some "usable" time--time when it's possible to do a few limited things. The ironing I do amounts to a maximum of 20 minutes a week, with a couple of rest breaks so that it's more like 10 minutes followed by 5 minutes later, followed by 5 more minutes even later.
leking1, I'm so sorry you're having this unrelenting worsening. My MS is doing the same thing and I'm not happy about it either. My voice is going now, ever since one of those falls some months ago. There have been some voice issues for years but now they're here to stay. I can't think why that fall would have affected my voice but it did. MS makes itself known in so many goofy and extremely unwelcome ways. All we can do is roll with the punches, maybe...
I see that you are keeping track of the "triggers" to these falling issues. That in itself is the greatest indicators.
I would focus on those, don't extend yourself too far out, and stay out of the heavy humidity.
Plan your outings in mornings, when you have the most of your energy (if that is when you have the most), and it is cooler and the humidity is less.
I had falls, but with no rhyme nor reason. And then, they stopped.. MS is a very tricky thing..
Best wishes for your getting thru this..
thanks MsBoo glad your falls stopped and also curious. maybe you adapted in some way to prevent them going forward.
I dealt with it by using a rollator. Also, by doing some balance and leg exercises.
good to hear sasha. balance is probably key for me too. how do you work on that?
You can find these sorts of exercises online:
Single Leg T-Stancestand on one foot.
Extend both arms out to the side, and then extend your other leg out behind you - make sure you keep your back straight and your pelvis level.
Hold the T-stance position for 30 seconds,
and then return to the standing position.
One-Legged Balance
Start with this beginning move, keeping a stable chair or a wall within arms' reach.
With feet together, pick up one foot—knee facing forward or to the side.
Hold the position with eyes open, then closed.
Switch feet and repeat for four reps on each foot.
Leg swings are performed by:
Standing on one foot and
raising the opposite leg 3 to 6 inches, swinging it backwards and forwards repeatedly while touching the ground for balance.
squats
Stand with your hips and knees wide apart. Keep your arms out, abs tight, and your back straight.
Bend your knees and hips and slowly lower yourself until your thighs are parallel to the floor. If you're not used to doing squats, you may not be able to get your thighs quite parallel so just get as close as possible.
Slowly rise back up, contracting your glutes.
Try to do three sets of 10, with a one minute break after each set.
thANKS❣️
Speaking as one who is in a wheelchair, it does help in many ways. Not least, tiredness and ballots balance. But you do have to avoid and these are inevitable, transfers. To the bed to the chair to the commode etc. I fall less with the chair, but I still fall. Unfortunately.😀
hi Weaver9 so sorry you are falling but it sounds like you are doing everything you can to prevent it.
Failing is dangerous with MS and it's hard getting up once you get down there. I know from experience. i have to use a walker when I am inside the house but use a foldable mobile scooter when I am riding around the city. I don't have to depend on anyone, and my husband walks beside me sometimes. Must move around. . 🛵
hi Cutefreckles72 on a bad day I use the walker indoors. Maybe it's time to use it more regularly. what kind of scooter did you get? do you recommend it?
I purchased mine for Spinlife.com. I have a Travelpro . They have a variety of different scooters to choose from. I have PPMS and I know it's going to get worse over the years and I just want to be able to move around without help.
I'll check it out. thanks
Yes! It can be so very hard to get up once you're down there! I wear a button-pendant around my neck these days. It's costly ($37/month) but I feel better knowing I won't be stuck lying on the floor and unable to get up with no help available.
I've never had to use it (yet) but when I lived in another state, these systems were available free to clients on Medicaid. I had one for many years when in that state. This state I'm in now isn't quite so generous.
I understand. I have seen those buttons on TV. So far, I have been blessed. My falling has decreased in the last couple of months.
i use the apple watch for falls. it went off last week but i didn't need it to call 911 thank goodness.
There is a website that teaches a lot of exercises to improve strength and balance. Here is an example of one that may help you in avoiding falls: themsgym.mykajabi.com/thora.... You can sign up for emails and he is also on YouTube. Of course, we have to remember to do the things BEFORE we take off! Also, on Facebook, there is a group ‘MS fit challenge gym’ that gives you strengthening exercises for the month. (My therapist told me about this one.) I hope one or both of these can provide some guidance for you.
thanks Nana. much appreciated
Sandy,I'm so sorry you're falling. When I fell one year ago,
I received PT. It helped my balance and they gave me stretching exercises that I do
everyday. I hope that helps.
Leslie
thanks Leslie, what stretching are you doing?
They taught me stretches while I'm laying down on my bedand when I'm standing at my walker.
So sorry. I've had my share including one head to concrete, going down stairs, requiring a CT scan so I could sleep and not fear not ever waking up, as my friend's dad did years ago. BUT on the bright side, that's why I used a cane for so many years. Or walking sticks when a cane wasn't enough as in snow or ice. Snow or ice? Doesn't that sound refreshing now! Did get up before the sun rose today to get my walking in before the heat and humidity. But even so, still warm, humid, and weak and a bit wobbly. But, Much better than attempting it later. Keep this in Mind, a shopping cart in the grocery/produce market, is a perfect walker in disguise. So you can go forever...and if you're getting warm, a few dozen more freezer/refrigerated isles, and you'll be rejuvinated! I may not buy but the few healthy things on sale, but I do get a free workout! Today I splurged and bought Lychees! And got my 10,000 steps!
hi Mark, thanks for sharing. Glad you're ok. The grocery cart was my first walker way back.
when i was at the neuro this week, he asked me if i've fallen recently and my mum laughed bitterly... b/c i fall every other week or so. i'm on the youngish side now, but i worry about it. if i fall this much now, what is my future like? also about a month and a half ago i fell from the top of the staircase and that's dangerous for anyone. luckily i managed to only bruise a few places. i am extra careful when i turn as many of my falls occur then. i try to slide on hardwood and i am always near a wall so i can lean against it. outside the house i'm almost always in a chair, though on cooler (rare) days i can use my walker.
i'm sorry i don't have more to help.🤗
Hey BlanketTime1 that's ok. You're telling me I'm not alone which is already helpful. Glad you didn't get hurt. Watching out for turns is actually helpful. I think about the progression issue myself. feeling young at 59 but my body thinks i'm 86. Starting to use a chair on a bad day. Can't say I like it but if it's the only way to get around I'll use whatever it takes.
right! that's one of the things that's so great about this site. we can talk to drs, though neuros are generally cold fish, but it's powerful to know we're not alone.🤗 i used to half-joke i was the only 25 year old woman stuck in an 80 year old alcoholic man's body.😜
huh. I feel like i'm 35. alcoholic man? you have me curious
all the staggering, dizziness and weaving about.😜
oh and i'd only ever known alcoholic men, lmao.
Gotcha.
i had to get me a rollater, i have broken my feet 3 times and upper arm once from falls, i take it everywhere i have learned
oh Pam, so sorry you had those falls. i understand the reluctance. Now i have one in the trunk and one in the house.
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