Anyone else on the CKD Olympic Klutz team?

[Sophiebun11]

I am seriously blaming my CKD for my recent klutzy episodes. Someone on another forum told me getting stuck in my compression socks reminded her of Ross on Friends getting stuck in his leather pants. So true.

Well, today I was mopping the floor, I was sure I thoroughly dried it. But I guess I missed a spot in the bathroom. I walked in to take my shower and sit on my shower chair, but before I reached the tub my right foot slid forward about 4 ft. while the left foot stayed put and I was doing a fencing lunge. LOL I still can't find a wet spot, I think it was the whacky gyroscope in my head spinning off kilter.

So naturally I hyperextended my kneecap forward. Now if I keep it straight it's not too sore, but if I bend it to sit yikes the nerve pain is awful. I'm icing and heating it. Hopefully it will feel better tomorrow.

Seriously, is anyone else stumbling around being so semi-dizzy and accident prone since their CKD. I did google and it does say that's a symptom.

Am I really the only one willing to admit this, or are you guys all a bunch of comedy Olympic Klutzes too? I don't think I've seen this on the forum.

This Ball State Univ. study says we're at higher risk of falling by up to 45%.

medicalxpress.com/news/2019...

Are you a member of the Klutz Team, you can even be my team Captain if you like? LOL

[jodaer]

Interesting study. I can admit I stumble around a bit once in a while. Falling not so much. I'm 78, almost 79 so it's probably more about age than CKD. I was having some trouble balancing while my legs and feet were swollen but once it went way down, I've not had much problem with it. n I've read that for older people who take more than 4 of certain kinds of meds are more at risk for falling too. Check out the Beers list.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to jodaer]

I'm 67 but I'm on 12 meds for various things. I'll check that list, thanks for the idea. Stay upright!!!!❄️🐇❄️

[nascar4433]

Here you go again! Geesh Sophiebun11, be careful please. I didn't know balance was related to CKD. I've been doing PT 3x/wk for over 1.5 yrs because of balance and major orthopedic issues. Ins. has thankfully paid it all cuz I'm considered a high fall risk still. But my balance is improving. Maybe you could give it a try if your ins. would cover it. I was getting to a point where I was not functioning well at all, and altho still high fall risk, am better. Feb/Mar 2020 was diagnosed by my conservative new orthopedic dr. as needing C3-4, 5-6 disk replacement/fusion, lumbar reconstructive fusion of my L4-5 previous fusion to include L1-S1, bi-lat hip replacements, bi-lat TKR revisions (my current replacements are 20yrs old...very fortunate they've lasted so long), a 4th Achilles repair w/ankle reconstruction, and CMC thumb joint replacement. PT has helped so much...it won't cure/fix the issues as only surgery will do that, but it has allowed me to function again as a semi-normal human being and been able to postpone imminent surgeries. Don't think I'd be mobile at this point without them. They can't take away the pain, but they help me manage it better. Anyway, not looking for sympathy points, but wanted to let you know that PT might help with your balance issues. It can't hurt to try. As I tell a friend that's going for hip and balance issues, it's a marathon, not a sprint, so you have to go regularly and also do the specific exercises at home as well. I believe we both live alone (well, except you have Henry!), so keeping our balance is really important. Give it some thought please? You have enough health problems without hurting yourself falling too! (We won't talk about the compression socks fiascos!!!). Be safe Sophiebun11.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to nascar4433]

Wow, nascar, do you have any original parts left? How are your teeth? LOL Actually, PT may be a good plan. I'll ask my Dr. Partly from my migraines I haven't been able to balance or walk a straight line since I was in my 20. My Neuro said migraineurs have that problem. I always figured I'd be in big trouble if I had to do a Sobriety Check for a cop even if I was stone sober. I'd need to do the blood test. I don't drink at all anymore since I was 25 due to migraines.

Well, you aren't up to date on my latest calamity. Yesterday I went to Trader Joes Market to get some groceries. I was asking the guy at the Customer Serv. Counter a question. The counter top is very high, up to my ear, I'm 5'5", so he showed me the produce I asked about on his computer screen and I leaned forward to see it and I caught my earring in their holiday display on the counter top!!!! ROFL They had artificial pine boughs stapled down across the counter and some little reindeer. My earring was tangled in the faux pine and I couldn't move my head. I told the guy "I'm stuck in your boughs of pine and holly" and I was laughing. He started laughing and came around off the booth to help me. We got it unhooked then he started laughing harder, I asked "don't tell me I have pine needles stuck to my earring". He's nodding yes and laughing. So he got them out. We were both laughing so hard we had tearing running. I said "I bet I'm the first customer to ever get their head stuck in your Christmas display" He was was dying laughing and said "yes, you are, I can't take you anywhere". Then he said we both got a great story out of it. I know all the Trader Joe employees will know about it by the time I go next week. I don't mind. They love me there for my crazy patterned socks.

I think that was one of my funniest mishaps. No one was harmed in the making of that fiasco!!!! Well, maybe my earlobe, but only for a minute or two!!!!

If you're ever feeling down you should hang out with me for a day, I'm sure to cheer you up. I'm like an old I Love Lucy episode.

🐇🎄🦌

[nascar4433 in reply to Sophiebun11]

NO!!! I'm sorry Sophiebun11, but that is just TOO HILARIOUS!! I'll never be able to shop in TJs again without holding back a good chuckle just thinking about that event, regardless of the season or decorations. I'm sure every employee went home with a food story to tell their families that day. I'm glad you're OK though, and not even your ego got bruised! You have such a great attitude...in spite of all of your health issues. That is just too poor funny...thanks for giving me a good chuckle at your expense. 🙃

[Confuseddiabetic]

I’ve been stumbling around and banging into things all my life, so I can’t blame CKD. I have bruises everywhere. I think I might start drawing pictures around them.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Confuseddiabetic]

That's too funny, drawing pictures around your bruises. Sorry you have them though. I seem to get a lot too. I had a humongous one on my knee a few months ago, and I said to myself "wow, that looks like it must have hurt a lot but I don't remember smacking into anything".

I know I do bruise easily, I think a lot of my bruises are from my kitty walking over me in bed.

I love your idea of decorating your bruises, you have a very creative flair!!!

[Darlenia]

Hi! Just slipping in a warning here that frequent falls are a red flag to transplant centers. So, if anyone is on the list or hopes to get on it, please be mindful that falls can take you off it or prevent an offer. Apparently immunosuppressants can slow down healing of infections that can result and more. I sense the centers might also be concerned that acute injury may happen to a new transplant. For sure, the transplant team will ask questions about any falls to see if a vascular, neurologic, or brain issue is at play. They'll be watching how you walk and move too. A transplant team will likely check every inch of one's body for cuts and scrapes before rolling one into the operating room. So, if possible, try to do the best you can to limit or prevent falls - exercise, mindfulness, etc. Seeking the very best outcomes for each and everyone of you!

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Darlenia]

That's a great PSA, Darlenia. Luckily I don't need to worry since I have my CKD from an autoimmune disease and wouldn't be a likely candidate anyway, plus blood cancer.

I'm just a disaster waiting to happen, but I'm enjoying my life as I stumble through it, both literally and figuratively : )

When I go to the hospital for test they always ask if I've fallen in the past 6 months. I say "no". I say a man say "yes" and he had to get in a wheelchair while he was there and he walked in fine and was young. He probably just tripped. You sure do need to be careful who you say what to, I don't think that statement was grammatically correct but hopefully you get my gist LOL

You made a great point at any rate. I will heed it for many things, not only related to my kidneys.

[FThomp]

I can’t say I am but ever since taking my new bp meds I get dizzy if I stand up too fast and I’ve fell twice haha.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to FThomp]

Oh no, it's hard to remember to get up slowly, and once you're up you are quickly reminded. I just sit back down immediately. I have too low of a BP so no meds for that. But I know the effect that you are referring to. Like a gyroscope in your head spinning around.

[Prayforall]

My husband tends to b off balance most days but on dialysis days whoa! I hold his hand tighttttt

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Prayforall]

He is so lucky to have you there to support him through everything including his being off balance.

I will be in big trouble if I ever get to the point of needing dialysis. My worse eGFR so far has been 28. So I'm probably years away from thinking about that.

I know my kitty Henry will be great emotional support but I may hurt us both if I fall on him!!!

🐈

[drmind]

Be careful, Sophie. Not sure what's going on but take care. Could it be something other than CKD? new meds, long term use of some meds, too little or too much of some meds, or another medical condition? Odd how things change as time passes. Balance problems seem to be an issue even for those without orthopedic problems. I n

[Sophiebun11 in reply to drmind]

Thanks, drmind. I have a call in to my Dr. but they were closed yesterday and he's always off on Tues.

I did start 2 different meds but they were ones of been on but they are lower doses of them. So who knows.

Maybe I need to slow down and be more careful. It is a balance issue from something, my body turns and the inside of my blonde brain spins around slower and when it catches up with where my body turned I get off balance.

I'll see what my Dr. thinks. I hope he doesn't want to run a bunch more tests. Can you believe the vascular dept. still hasn't read my arterial scans of my legs from my Dec. 7th test. Their delivery is slower than Fed Ex has been lately LOL

[lowraind]

What about your blood pressure? I know that times when mine is low, I get periods of dizzyness.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to lowraind]

Yes, I'm sure that's a factor. I do always have low BP. Usually around 90/55. Highest is when I have a migraine and then only 106/62.

Usually I take it after but by the time I feel steady to go take it, it's probably back to my normal. The day I had the shower fiasco and almost blacked out it was down to 80/40. Lowest I've ever been.

Thanks, lowraind, you be careful too.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Sophie, You make such joy in things that are not usually funny. I agree about being careful. Your story reminds me of how easy it is to find a spot to slip in. We have an old kitty who yarks all the time and how inevitably your bare feet find the deposit. And that stuff is slippery.

I did not know either that falls are an issue with the transplant process.

My silliness came from buying a pair of very expensive sneakers designed to help with walking. I call them my clown shoes. They have a very wide bottom to help keep you stable. The bottom extends at least a half inch or more on the sides and front from the top of the sneaker. When I first got them, I constantly was catching them and tripping. I never fell, but I did stumble a lot. I would not drive in them at first either because they were so wide. They also have a weird curve to the bottom to help rock your foot properly when walking. This would make me tip over if I was standing. But I am better with them now. They do make walking a lot easier and more comfortable.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Hi Bassetmommer, You made me laugh. I hadn't heard the term "yark" before!!! Your kitty must have flunked kitty classes. They are supposed to barf on carpet to make clean up as difficult as possible.

The mental image your shoes gave me was hilarious. Of course I'm sure I had magnified the "side bumpers" significantly!!! They might just be even more of a tripping hazard for me!!!

cat logic

[nascar4433 in reply to Bassetmommer]

I had to be careful with a new pair of Skechers, of all things. It's a pair of "loafer" style from their Punkrose collection...part of the top is kinda psychedelic rainbow swirl and the side/backs like a racing flag 🏁 🏁. I'm huge into NASCAR racing, so just HAD to have them. But the base is wider than other lines, and their slightly heavier, and not cloudlike at all. It took me a while to get used to them, and nearly tripped myself to the floor several times. It's a problem for me to get up off the floor, so was glad I didn't go down. Never expected to feel uncertain in a pair of Skechers...of course I still wear them cuz I love them, but I've learned to be careful when wearing them. Sophiebun11...please don't ever get them...I wouldn't want to be responsible for adding to your "adventures"!

[CatOnACloud in reply to Bassetmommer]

Sounds like Alegria shoes I could spot them anywhere look like a tug boat with tires on all sides...crazy!

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador]

Never heard of transplant centers "red-flagging" instability or balance issues. Ive had balance issues for 20 years, been on 2 separate transplant lists . They seemed unconcerned , no uninterested in that regard. Different centers different requirements I guess.Blessings

[CatOnACloud]

six weeks ago i tripped over the dog and flew across the kitchen, fell against some boxes, ended up on my right leg mostly. Because I'm on blood thinners, my entire leg ended up being purple i had no idea what was going on but yeah bled under skin. leg swelled up and part is very numb still. i have neuropathy in that leg anyway, but now it swells in areas, numb in areasm and has nerve pain. I am usually able to keep from falling but lately its been difficult. In the summer I swell much more. I think with the other knee having a torn ACL and two menisci, it's probably to be expected. I've had CKD for over 30 years though so I don't see a correlation for me, but the weakness...is prevalent. It's life changing. SO I can see it!