I have had PMR almost 1 year now. Knees and hips are still stiff but not as bad. I find that I get unbalanced when moving around and if I do trip up I cant regain my balance like I normally could do. I have fallen twice outdoors in the past 2 weeks. Is this part of the journey?
Thought I would include picture of latest hobby while in lockdown. Making paper roses from coffee filters.
Wow ,they’re beautiful!
Read this, then contact your GP
link.springer.com/article/1...
This research outcome on 8th Cranial Nerve (Your Ears) was only last year so make sure you tell your GP.
Patients on this site helped with this research, without them and the NHS it would not have been done.
Lots of people complain of poor balance with PMR - one lady was stopped by the police while walking up the road because Plod thought she was under the influence ...
My balance was poor - a physio commented about it at a stage when PMR hadn't been even thought about. I think it is mostly impaired muscle function but it is possible that you could be verging on to GCA and that can affect the 8th cranial nerve which is key in ear function - including balance.
PS - that related to jinasc's post above.
Hi, increased clumsiness is a part of my PMR. I had a few indoor slips and falls. Your muscles could be suffering from weakness from PMR and pred. My advice is to invest in a rollator for outdoors. I know some people refuse to get that support. But it's better than sticks and if you get one with a good seat it means that, once we can get out (!), you can start to tackle weakness by building up walks and will be able to rest when you need to. They are mobility aids, not age related aids. I seem to be able to manage with a crutch but if I get worse from other issues I have with my back, I will be investing and I am 59 now.
Keeping up hobbies is good for mind and spirits! 🌻
Don't leave buying that rollator until you break something.
I know you're young but loads here in the spar gardens are on them - even in their fifties. You can always tell the young, relatively fit ones because they walk with back straight (the correct way - which I copied), the older ones hang like mad on the things with often very bad posture. Not good!
No I intend to get one before I feel.i need one. My fried is 85yr old and has one after a fall. She is usually very fit and she is an upright walker rather than hanging on. Hated the thought but loves it now. I get jealous she has a portable seat.
That's the beauty of them - a seat! You NEVER hit the 'brick wall'.
Or when you do, you don't HAVE to fall down ...
Hmmmm. Something to think about.
Before diagnosis of PMR and in the early days I could trip over nothing. Had some falls that I can’t believe happened! Was too “proud” to use a stick or another aid. In retrospect would have been sensible to do so. 5 years on and my balance is so much better.
I love your roses-beautiful. All good wishes x
When you say poor balance do you mean dizzy in the head (the world moves) or loss of strength or ability of your legs to do the right thing?
Not dizzy. Just in my legs. I guess they got weaker over the year. I guess we dont move as fast either. Ill be 71 in June but see myself as 50 now. I worked in a garden center for7 years and was in good shape lifting heavy stuff until I got stiff and in pain.
It can be a double problem in that Pred makes one lose muscle mass and if there is less activity on top things go down hill quite a lot. An often overlooked problem is the small muscles that we don’t see that play a huge role in balance. Once we reduce our activity to smaller movements in one plane on flat ground only, both types of muscle reduce in strength. These small muscles are called upon in a big way when one starts to fall because our centre of gravity is not over the centre any more. Core muscles are so important here too and your previous lifting would have been good for this providing you weren’t just caning your back. Is there any chance you can speak to a physio or a gym for appropriate rehab exercises? This may be accessed by the GP if they think your falls are simple slip/trip causes from weakness.
Sounds similar to me. It seems to be my thigh muscles that don't seem to be connected to my brain anymore. It takes concentration to make them go. I am mostly ok round my small house but when I go for a walk, (short), usually uphill and down dale from my house, I am very slow and wobbly, definitely need a stick to steady me. I was fit as a fiddle before PMR hit.
Thay are really beautiful I thought thay where real
Your paper roses are simply stunning. In normal times, this balance issue would need to be checked out thoroughly. It could be an inner ear problem for instance, or a medication side effect. I think this warrants a phone call to your GP because of the falls. Take great care.
Lovely roses.
Your roses are a delight and cheered me up no end. Thank you.
Walking on, walking on broken glass…
Dental work- loosing a tooth 
Balance problems - connected?
Balance &/or strength issues
Update on my leg/hip pain & walking difficulties
