RA and balance

[saued]

Just wondering if anyone else with RA has ever experienced a feeling of being slightly off balance .

[Nickijk73]

Hi,I'm constantly bumping into things and bouncing off walls - I used to have a great core strength and balance,but I've found that since I've been on the roundabout of meds since diagnosis,I'm constantly covered in bruises and more often than not,I can't even remember how I got them. My partner often just stares in disbelief as I'll be standing talking to him and all of a sudden I'll just fall sideways as if I've been pushed😝 As funny as it can be at times,it also leaves me fearful that I'm losing even more control over my body!! At one point I couldn't even put one foot in front of the other so I had to have a head MRI done - it all came back clear,and I think they changed my meds somewhere along the line. It's not quite as bad as it used to be,but if ever I'm on my own at home,I've always got my Carecall alarm on my wrist,just incase i have another fall down the stairs or something. You're not alone,it's definitely the meds in my opinion.

Nicki

[nomoreheels]

Yes though not feeling off balance actually off balance & I know the cause, it's down to my feet. I've lost so much balance because of 2 years of disease activity doing it's best. My right foot is the major problem, it's unstable & each Podiatrist I've seen, including the lady who sorted my orthotics (Orthotist?), has said that I will always be thrown off balance because the arch has completely collapsed which in itself causes problems further up my leg & (I think anyway) my lower back. I have other damage in both feet which doesn't help but it's this which is considered makes balance an issue for me. I've been advised to not wear flat shoes but wedges or, & this is recent, a heel but it must be a block heel to give more stability.

Have you mentioned this to your Rheumy? Do you think it's med related? Does he examine your feet, that's if it's your feet you think are causing you to be off balance? Or maybe he'll be able to refer you to the appropriate department to help, if necessary. Sorry for the questions!

[beauty96 in reply to nomoreheels]

I have shoes made for me with inserts as to where the arch etc should be. Wonderful. They came from the hospital.

[Kb5417]

I too am off balance and noticed it when all my symptoms started. I've read something somewhere that it can be a symptom of ra and this would ring true as it came before medication started.

It's bloody annoying at times cause folk think I'm just clumsy 😠👊

[sylvi]

Oh yes,i fell in my lounge a few weeks ago and there was nothing on the floor to cause me to fall.xxxxx

[Jollygoodglyn]

This happened to me when on sulphasalazine. (Excuse spelling). I'd also had some other side effects. I'd reacted to the drug and immediately came off it. (On medical advice). White blood cell count had also been reduced. Flag it up asap.

[Bookworm55]

I find walking down slopes or steps a bit unnerving and I think this may be due to not feeling in complete control of my body now. Not sure how much of this is 'in my mind' and how much is real fear that if I stumble I'll be unable to put a hand out to save myself. My knees also feel weak.

[Matalow]

I agree to all previous post ,l feel very unsure on slopes and steps .

So bad in fact I've had to give up the love of my life Sailing! Well maybe the 2nd love of my life,just in case my wife reads this.

Regards Mike

[MickeyJoints]

Yeap, even my wife has said I've become clumsy. It's got worse since my feet joined the RA party and I think it's due to the change in balance I'm used to. And I've noticed my leg muscles have been hurting as - I guess - other parts of the muscles get unexpected more use and strain.

Most annoying. Going to restart Tai Chi for this.

[Nickijk73 in reply to MickeyJoints]

Hi

Please let me know how you get on with rejoining tai chi - it's something I used to do many years ago before my work schedule became too much and clashed with the classes. I've also been thinking about taking it up again,but as my balance is so bad at the min,I'm reluctant to give it a go incase I fall and can't get back home. I'd love to know how you find it again now that you're in the same club as it were

Thanks

Nicki

[MickeyJoints in reply to Nickijk73]

Hi Nicki,

Will do - I might see you on Thursday perhaps? I know of two Tai Chi classes and one might be more suitable as it's focused on the health aspects for people with joint issues. The teacher is also my nutritionist.

[Nickijk73 in reply to MickeyJoints]

Hi Mickey

Many thanks for that - unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to make the group this week as I woke up this morning with what could only be described as bread cobs where my knees were when I went to bed last night.... oh,the joys,eh? 😝 Fingers crossed I'll be able to make it next time - I've mailed the NRAS group so they can send me reminders nearer the time,as now I know it's there,I definitely want to go.

Cheers

Nicki

[MickeyJoints in reply to Nickijk73]

It sure does suck! Misery. I hope it gets better soon.

[Susiebee31]

I have terrible balance problems and have fallen a lot. RA has affected my feet and with multiple surgeries and 7 fractures plus myforefoot shortened it doesn't help. Sometimes I get a drifting feeling and veer off to the right a lot. Other times my feet just aren't in the right place, slopes are a nightmare as well as steps both going up and down. Luckily my bone density is good and I've only broken a toe bone going over. More disconcerting is going over on my right ankle for no ther reason than standing. So you're not alone, I think it's much more common than we realise, it's just that we tend to accept all this rubbish as part of the disease.

[Kariss]

Hi, what an interesting question. I feel unbalanced often, especially when walking in crowds or having to turn suddenly but I'd put it down to my awkward feet which are so stiff and painful. I've tried doing the things recommended like joining a tai chi class but found it very difficult to remember the sequence of movements and kept losing my balence! Same goes for Pilates (too strong) and yoga which I used to love but puts too much pressure on wrists and ankles now not to mention feet! Dance classes are a total no no!

How do we keep fit and get a strong core with this disease? I am now trying stretch exercises with resistance bands in the safety of my own home and take my walking stick with me when I go out! The saddest thing is giving up what we like and mine is probably never being brave enough to risk horse riding again. My daughter loaned a little pony last year and I was too afraid to even sit on him in case I lost my balence and he was a very safe little chap! Sad times indeed

[Matilda_1922]

At times I have felt off balance and I felt like this on Friday while at work. I was walking along a corridor and went all strange. I will start taking note when I have these symptoms

[Susan55]

I'm unbalanced most of the time I'm taking sulfazaline but put it down to RA affecting my feet which are so painful and stiff. I find sketcher shoes help a lot but they're not pretty shoes 😔. I've only been diagnosed for just under 2 years Some days are worse than others but I can feel the symptoms from this disease starting to impact on my life. I used to do Pilates but found it to much for my feet, wrists, hand and chest also used to enjoy jogging and brisk walking but struggling to walk downstairs most days, one thing I enjoy is swimming, I find this helps a lot with both mind and body.

[Nickijk73 in reply to Susan55]

Hi susan55,

I had trouble with finding shoes to fit,as I used to live and die in my reeboks,(was only 40 when the 'fun' started three years ago) but as soon as the inflammation started that was it,I couldn't find a decent pair of shoes or trainers that I actually liked,and that were also comfy. I now only wear vans,as they're nice and round at the front,and curly laces,as even the slip on shoes can be tight,but the curly laces have been a real lifesaver - you don't have to constantly do them up,and if you're having a bad day with your feet,it's so easy to loosen them to be comfy enough. I found them by pure chance,and now every pair of my shoes has them in 😊

Only a small tip,but it's made a huge difference in making me feel comfortable about my choice of footwear,even with my orthotic insoles in.

[attatel in reply to Susan55]

My daughter told me to get skechers and I must say they've been a revelation. Sooo comfortable! But why can't they make them look nicer? I would definitely recommend them though. I just bought a brown 'leather' slip-on pair and they look fine with jeans.

[beauty96]

Had all the above including falling up slopes. In fact back in the sixties had to walk up St James Street in London and could not do so cos I got giddy etc. Now I do Tai chi as most of you know on this site and it has settled a lot. I still get dizzy if I cross roads. OK in my Mobility Scooter and this limits my outings quite a lot. OK I cannot walk far and nowhere without pains etc.

[latebird]

Yes,I feel this all the time.I am not sure if it is because my feet are inflexible but I am in constant fear of falling.A sudden movement can destabilise me so I am careful and measured in my movements.This can have a pretty dramatic effect on lifestyle choices!No windsurfing for me sadly!

[raggedy3]

I'm glad to see someone posting about this. About two years before my diagnosis, I found myself weaving and staggering about. I didn't feel lightheaded - just that my legs and feet weren't working. My GP did all the tests, including my ears but never figured it out. I think that loss of balance should be recognised as a possible symptom of the disease; it certainly was the first hint of my RA.

Some tips: do Pilates to strengthen your core muscles. When you walk, use your entire foot, pushing off from heel to toe, incorporating a small bounce. Excercise to loosen your hips. Don't necessarily blame it on the meds.

Rant over. Good luck.

[saued]

Thanks for all the replies.Never would have thought this could be another symptom of RA.

[jane1976 in reply to saued]

Wow, it's not just me!!! How strange so many of us with RA have balance issues! Every time I lose my balance, my husband always jokes, I never touched you! It really would be interesting to know if it was the RA or the meds? Xx

[RA22345]

Oh my, all these things that I have put down to age or possible mental issues that you guys are all experiencing too. I find I cannot change direction quickly (i.e. to avoid mad cyclists in London) so whilst it doesn't change anything, it's nice to know it isn't only me.

[Joy_1]

A friend of mine who like me has RA in hands and feet has found Tai Chi really helpful.

She has fallen a couple of times and thus decided to give Tai Chi a go. She has been doing it for about 6 weeks now and said it is beginning to help with her balance. She also finds it very relaxing.

I don't have balance issues but I go to aqua classes 3 times a week and work my socks off in the pool. After 20 mins my feet feel about 80% better and I then get relief for the rest of the day.

[beeckey]

Me too i just dont feel this i am doing it feel dizzy and know i am walking to one side i feel just another symptom we have to put up with or maybe not x

[Fra22-57]

Yes I am very bad.feel like my body is going to snap in two when it over corrects itself.I must look daft .I would fail the drunk test walking a straight line for definite

[bevie]

Hi yes I too have balance problems. This has been going on for about ten years. I am sporting two great bruises on my arm at the moment. I overbalanced in the changing room at the swimming pool and banged myself on the cubicle door frame!

Its all coming from my feet and I now have one leg longer than the other!

[mary4444]

hi just see your post and yes have experienced that off balance feeling mine was due to my blood pressure doc put my pills up so not to bad now but ra does also causes it anyway i find it affects feet and hands the worse i have a friend with ra and it hasnt affected her feet at all its the luck of the game and it certaintly a horrible thing to have hope u get sorted out soon wish u well x

[CloudTreeDrive13]

Yes. Hospital shoes are a must. Fits like a glove and as comfy as a pair of slippers with arch supports built in. You used to be allowed 2 pairs a year but not sure if this has changed. Get a referral from your consultant and you won't look back. Take care xxxx