Has anyone found a treatment that works for lack of balance?
Balance: Has anyone found a treatment that... - PSP Association
Balance
Written by
tasha1944
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20 Replies
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Hi Tasha
There is no tratment at all for that.
I'm sorry.
What happens is that the part of the brain which processes balance bcomes wasted. It no longer functions.
There is no way to treat that.
Just one of the sad realities of these illnesses.
Saddly
Kevin
A physical therapist might be able to give you coping strategies.
I don't think there is a treatment but as Jeff says, a PT may give you coping strategies. Be sure you have a cane, walker, or wheelchair as is appropriate. We were always running behind in this. Sandy used a cane at first, but we should have transferred to a walker much sooner than we did. Same with the wheelchair. He needed it long before we got him one. When you're in the midst of it, it's hard to see how serious the problem really is.
He had terrible falls, hitting his head, when some of those may have been avoided had we had him using the proper equipment. We were two people just bumbling along in this disease. With hindsight, though, I think our denial kept us in a better frame of mind.
People are incredibly helpful once you get a cane. Strangers open doors for you, carry things for you, etc. In the airport, I had several of the staff ask me if I needed a wheelchair (I didn't take it, not there yet) and the little shuttle drivers never failed to ask me if I need a ride (I didn't take that either).
You might also want to have a doctor check for extra wax buildup within the ear canal and if necessary get the wax flushed out. When my husband’s ears get clogged it can cause him to be off balance.
SewBears, are you saying that your husband isn't off balance from PSP? Balance was the first and most troubling thing we dealt with for my husband. If I didn't hold him up while he was still able to walk, he just toppled over. I know not everyone gets all of the symptoms, but I thought nearly everyone had balance issues.
Pat
That’s a good question. My husband falls because of fainting episodes. He falls because his gait is off, dragging one leg behind him. And I think he falls because his eyes have spacial issues and he trips because he doesn’t see what’s in front of him. He doesn’t fall backwards like most patients who have PSP. I take him to physical therapy to help with balance and to try to teach him, well basically... how to move his stiff body. He recently fell and complained of dizziness. Feeling dizzy was a new symptom so I took him to his GP and discovered that his left ear was completely clogged with wax buildup. Once his ears opened up he wasn’t dizzy and that helped with his balance. It didn’t cure him from falling, but it helped, he could hear better too, so that was a nice bonus. My husband wasn’t diagnosed with PSP. He has Lewy Body Dementia with CBD and Parkinson symptoms. I’m not sure if I answered your question but it couldn’t hurt to have their ears checked. Thank you for asking about this because I don’t really understand everything that hubby is going through. He doesn’t have typical symptoms that fall into “normal” categories of any of the dementias, which makes this even more complicated. All we can do is try to treat the symptoms. And we keep on keeping on.
❤️ from I SewBears
Sewbears,
Thanks for the reply. We were dealing with PSP and I've wondered many times what some of the differences are between CBD and PSP. This must be one of them. Very early on, my husband would tell people his balancer was broken or he was 'out of balance'. He couldn't take a step backwards without falling so he learned to make U-Turns instead of backing up. You are probably dealing with other problems that people with PSP don't experience.
Pat
Hi Tasha
Sadly there isn’t treatment as Kevin said
Like others I think it’s really a case of making sure they are safe and cane walker or chair are all at hand. It’s really fine like between wanting them to still rand walk etc but making sure it’s done safely. Like most we probably got dad into the frame walker and then chair too late in reality. But when you are ‘in the moment’ it’s difficult to see the overall picture.
Safety first would be my mantra every time
Keep being strong
Caz x
Like others have said, there is no treatment, but exercise does make a difference to their strength and keeping everything moving. Steve went to Exercise classes for people with Parkingsons for a while, then had private classes at home until the end. One thing I always felt was a must, was practicing getting up from the floor. We did this at least twice a week, more if we could fit it in. It helped both of us keep calm, when a fall happened and I could keep an eye on any changes I needed to make, to get him up, as things progressed.
Oh, and cover or remove any sharp edges, Steve always found them, no matter where he was in the house!!!
Sending big hug and much love
Lots of love
Anne
One thing you can stress is when walking do so heel-toe...heel-toe. It may help him keep a more natural gait longer and avoid the shuffling.
Good Luck.
Ron
Balance issues seem to vary though I thought they were primarily an issue for CBD and slightly less for PSP. MSA is much more likely to have falls from fainting due to blood pressure drops.
I'm amazed that anyone can get themselves up. Mum hasn't been able to do that from when she first started falling 18 months ago. Her gait and balance have almost completely gone in the last week - quite suddenly. My husband or I have had to stay overnight and pop in at intervals through the day for the few days between it deteriorating and being able to get an emergency nursing home place. I'm shocked to discover that most nursing homes seem not to have a duty manager over the weekend - I spent Saturday morning after three falls in one night, phoning round trying to find somewhere that could take her and the quickest that already has a space can't take her until Tuesday. I presume people who haven't got relatives who can drop everything to take over land up in hospital (fortunately it's the holidays!)
The physical therapist taught my husband to get up off the floor. He could do it completely by himself for her,but then later at home he needed coaching and help from me. Getting arms and legs into proper position,etc. It did not solve the problem but it did help.
It's probably the difference between PSP and CBD - my mum has CBD. Her left arm is contracted up against her chest and has no movement so that's probably what made it impossible from such an early stage as the arm problem started way before the balance problem - which is the usual pattern in CBD.
I’m on Madopar 100/25four times a day . Been on it for over a year , no nasty side effects as yet. I know when it is wearing off as my movement and balance becomes more impaired.I have CBD. Worth a try? Jayne x
Has anyone had good results with CBD? It is still difficult to get it prescribed in Australia. Tasha
Hi Tasha,
Some things we have found balance helpful:
- a really good chiropractor..xrays are important...not a cure, but why add challenge of misalignment to a body that is already struggling with balance
- keep an ongoing relationship with a PT that is passionate about topic...a vestibular PT and or Big/Pwr certified is great..let me know if you need the registry link to find one
- easy home exercises (with spotter):
- stand flush heels to head against a wall for 2 mins / 3x day with eyes closed..this reminds body which way is "up"
- free stand with eyes closed 2mins/3x day
- tall kneel on knees for postural stability for several mins
- stretching exercises
- participate yoga, tai chi, barre. classes
- vision exercises/therapy if you can locate in your area
I feel the best we can do are bits of improvement until the vision issues are fully addressed by research. Maybe 2020 will be the year!
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