Walking in a straight-ish line

[turtledovemom]

Is there anyone else who has difficulty walking in a straight-ish line? I'm talking about going up and down grocery aisles, or even walking up for Communion at Mass. Personally, I feel as if I have no balance, and find myself holding on to things to steady myself. Thoughts on this? Thank you.

[Hidden]

oh yes i do when my meds wear off . i feel embarresed walking down grocery aisles as i think people think im drunk .and it actually feels like being drunk its awfull . one day i was carrying out a few cans of beer out of the supermarket for my husband under my arm trying to get back to the car to him when i met a few friends i said to them its not what it looks like luckly they knew me and that my meds had worn off , they said it will be around the town tomoro that i was seen drunk coming out of the supermarket at 5pm with more under my arm .teee hee ... there can b a funny side to it but it can bring me to tears at timesalso that even taking my meds 8 times a day every 2 and half hrs i still can gets off times .x

[jillannf6 in reply to Hidden]

hi i have been thought to be drunk too

(outside my own flat)

but generally peopel are so quick to hel;p em up when i fall

lol JIll

[jillannf6]

yes

balance is a major pronlem I tend dto veer one way when walking and have great difficulty turnign right wihtout fallign (htrowing myself fwd)

but an arm can help if it si a steadying one-- other that that does it matter?

lol jill

[turtledovemom]

Thanks,everyone! Jill, I've got the same issue with turning towards the left...epic fail and a big fall risk. God bless my husband...he's a keeper. Very patient, and totally gets the fact that this straight line walking is no longer a pretty thing. Since this is becoming more obvious and the meds I'm on haven't helped in this area, people are starting to ask "what's up?" I want to tell them that this is my new normal...get used to it.

Thanks,again for your comments

[Kat00]

I recall when I was in the Police Academy , they were teaching us how to spot a drunk driver and how to administer "field tests" to determine whether someone was under the influence. One of the things they taught us is that people with Parkinsons or Diabetes can sometimes appear drunk when they are not. I wish that the general public would be given this information!

Oh and that test where you have to say the alphabet backwards and walk a straight line? I struggle to say the alphabet backwards without ever taking a drink!

[PatV]

Carry the card in cAse you're stopped. "I am not intoxicated, I have Parkinsons" etc. Otherwise smile if you can and say I have PD. I know some of my classmates have frozen faces or are inaudible. And as they say in NY f'em if they can't take a joke. (I know not funny but my attitude on bad days!). I'm pimping out my walker so people don't mess with me. Any suggestions?

[alllowercase in reply to PatV]

Depends on where you live, but how about an AK47 on each side in place of handles.

[Precious44]

PatV, where do you get that card? Turtledove Mom, I hadn't even related the two, because I have been really off kilter and didn't even think why. My grandson asked me on Sunday, just being funny " are you drunk grandma". So, thank you all so very much, I now know what has been happening.I am so glad I found this site. I really look forward to learning more about my disease from all of you. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago, but had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 15 years ago. The Neurologist I now see said it was probably the start of the Parkinson's. Have a Great Day, everyone.

Precious44

[MGirardi]

I always walk with a wheeled cart even if I just have 1 thing to put init. The cart gives me stability to hang onto.

[shetawk]

I use a shopping cart whenever I can.

Amantadine has helped my balance. Would be housebound if not.

If I'm going to a park or other walking outside, I use my walker with a seat. That way I can sit when I tire because the fatigue comes on so suddenly.

Have put door handles around the house: near toilets, bathtub, stairways and next to my computer. They're handy to grab when going from sitting to standing and reverse or to steady myself when I lurch and...they don't take up as much space as a grab bar.

Lynn

[JennyR]

I use a cane or walking stick. the Lord doesn't care HOW you get there, just that you

ARE there

[PatV]

I got the card at my neuro's office. Also available from Natl Parkinson Foundation 1-800-473-4636 or parkinson.org. It folds & has space for ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts & meds to avoid!

[debbie66]

My husband tends to wander off to the right,when we go out ,we hold hands,I am on his right so that I can try to help him walk in a straightish line.He never goes out by himself and I enjoy it when we go out together.Getting in and out of the car can be an ordeal if he goes off as he becomes very stiff and almost unable to move.His balance on his right side is very bad now and in the house he tends to fall backwards and to the right.He says he can run faster backwards now than he can going forward.

[abbey]

I get looks all the time when i go to pay for something and i am shaking they look at me like i am drunk or high and i am neither. Not to mention i am 41 so they dont think anything is wrong with me. I wish people would understand you can not just look at someone and know that. I have been ask are you cold, are you sick. I mean my friends and family know why should i have to yell it out just because it may take me a few to hand someone money or because my head shakes pretty bad so they assume i am on drugs or drunk.

[tmhiggs]

yes, i get like that every day when meds wear off. i literally am bouncing off walls and stumbling around. i do use a seated walker and/or cane. if i have neither well then i just hang onto my husband for support...by holding hands, or grabbing ahold to his shirt tale or walk with arms around each other. when grocery shopping i also ask hubby for the shopping cart it helps me to be stable, if i am real bad off i just drive on of their scooter's. i got my card that i carry that says "i am not intoxicated I have Parkinson's...." from my ins. company.