Has anyone had balance problems when standing in one spot but not when walking, my problem is as soon as I come to a full stop I am very unbalanced and have to lean against the first thing nearest to me such as a gate or wall, this has only happened in the last 2 years but is getting worse, I have fallen a couple of times, once having had a fractured arm from it, I must add I was a very active person before that ??
Balance issue's when standing : Has anyone had... - PMRGCAuk
Balance issue's when standing
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Dolly2018
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Yes. I had that problem at high doses off prednisone. It has slightly Improved as the dose got lower. Hang in there!
Hi Mikb a lot of the answers speak of ' Pred ' I don't know what they are referring to, I have a deg. Disc so I can't excersise as I would like as it gives me pain within mins of me starting, my legs are like jelly when I stand, I use lexapro it's an anti depressant 10mg and have to take tradol for the back pain would they cause my balance problem, just wondering 🤔??
What is Prednisone??
Do you take prednisolone? Prednisone is what prednisolone is called in Canada and the U.S.
No, I don't know what it is ???
Do you have GCA or PMR?
Sorry I don't know what the abbreviations stand for, I only take tradol for my back??
This is a forum for people who have Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. So all the below answers relate to that but there were still some very helpful tips such as a cane or Nordic walking sticks. Sift through the information again. The people on this forum are incredibly helpful!
Where are you with your Pred dose?
Don’t risk falling, better to think about a walking stick or even a rollator. I got a rollator early on in PMR because of dizziness and balance. I can now sit down very quickly if I feel either.
Yes, I have this problem particularly when I stop to cross a road which makes me feel very insecure. I'm now on 9mg pred and didn't have this problem at higher doses. I also get this when I'm walking if I have to slow down perhaps because of someone walking in front of me. I fell twice last year because I wasn't able to regain my balance quickly enough.
That's my problem too, when I slow down I get very insecure and have to hold on to the nearest thing to me or else fall, last week I was at a funeral and had to hold on to the man in front of me as I had to walk slow up the aisle, he did give me a funny look, it's as if u feel drunk but your not drinking, it's very embarrassing, I can't turn quickly I have to keep looking down, to watch my step, how is it I Can walk quickly no problem but can't stand up,?? 🤔 🤔
Yes, that's exactly what I feel. Also that turning one's head and moving feet at the same time is precarious. It has been a little better in last few cooler days so perhaps some of it is heat related. Also had the strange sensation yesterday of taking off a sweater over my head and feeling that I was falling forward and my feet would not support me. I did manage to regain my balance but all these symptoms are quite unnerving.
I have felt unbalanced since the beginning . Turning too quickly, uneven ground, having to step over things all cause problems. I usually take a stick when I go out not for walking but for stability and reassurance .
I have a similar problem - much less pronounced though. I'm alright walking and seem to be OK in general outside. Inside though I sometimes have to steady myself on a door post or similar when I stop. It's more of a slight sway than a wobble.
Is it possible to go to physical therapy to work on balance? I have osteoporosis and try exercises to help. I feel dizzy when I turn around quickly in Zumba classes so doing things in place works better. As others have suggested, get a fancy cane. I got one with butterflies for my mom.
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I had balance problems but they did improve over time.
If there is any chance of one, a nordic walking course for older participants might be helpful - some years ago a group of ladies in the NE did a course run by one of the charities and one no longer needer her zimmer frame after about 6 months and others found their balance improved. Using the two walking poles helps balance a lot - more than a single walking stick does. I know several ladies with PMR who have found it a great help - the poles help with the walking too so you get more exercise.
Have your ears checked out Dolly. I am sure my giddiness was ear related. I daren’t stand on a chair to do anything high up. This symptom has lessened over time.
I did go to hearing specialist I have now got a hearing aid in both ears?
So that was before this current dizziness?
Even though lots of us seem to get this symptom, I would still talk to your doctor just in case something else is causing it, like low blood pressure for instance
I too found that when I was on 60 mg preds, I was fairly OK when walking around slowly - but when I simply stood around, my legs started shaking uncontrollably. It was quite embarrassing. I still have it now that I am on 10 mg, but not so much as before. So there is hope - I hope
My sense of balance & dealing with heights has changed since GCA/Pred. Better walking at my own pace too! Never had a problem with heights but struggle with high views on the tele now! Feel sort of drawn into them! No more ladder work for me! Hope that helps.
I have had balance problems since I started with GCA, nearly 3 years ago. Sometimes I find I am walking as if I am drunk, very embarassing. I dare not close both my eyes at the same time unless there is something to hang on to. If I look up I nearly fall over. I started on 60 mgs of steroids and am now down to five and a half and am still the same. I hope it disappears when and if I go into remission.
Yes Dolly l have sometimes felt as though l could fall over, feeling l am losing my balance. I find it often happens when l try to reach out to trim shrubs and roses in my garden,l nearly fall backwards. I am sorry that you have really hurt yourself , it would help you if you had some support as mentioned by PMR pro. I usually have a shopping trolley with me when l walk anywhere locally ,this helps a lot ,l also feel very unsteady if l climb up onto a chair or just a two tread stepladder ,and it is worse if l am tilting my head backwards.
Hi Dolly,it certainly helps to have a trolley that can be pushed in front of you.l only have an ordinary shopping trolley that l just push in front of me instead of pulling it along,it does help to have something to hold onto,although my balance is not too bad when walking.The trolley that you mentioned would be much more stable for you to walk with.Good Luck. !
Mentioned this problem to my GP who checked my ears which were ok but said that blood pressure was borderline low and that if this got worse I should reduce my dose of beta blockers - taken for SVT - which I'd be rather anxious about doing so hope for an improvement
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