Dizziness

[harleybsa]

My mothers main complaint is dizziness it is responsible for falls usually between her bed and the bathroom. Is there any way to reduce the feeling of dizziness?

[easterncedar]

It’s difficult to sort out the possible causes of dizziness. Drops in blood pressure on rising as well as eye problems are common causes, but PSP is characterized by uncontrollable falling, and I don’t know of anything that helps with that. Our neurologist tried to deal with the dizziness, but I think it was more to exhaust all possibilities. I am so sorry I don’t have anything but sympathy to offer.

[Kelmisty]

They haven’t been able to do anything for my Mums constant dizziness, it’s horrible.

[Wombatz]

If wife had regular falls moving between the bed and bathroom. We have installed handrails from the bed itself continuous to the bathroom. A couple are removable and are only fitted when she's in bed. Not decorative but she has not had a fall since.

[daddyt]

I've experienced dizziness when attempting to rise from a kneeling or sitting position. My MDS said it's caused by a drop in blood pressure aka orthostatic hypotension. She recommended adding more salt to my diet or added salt to my drinking water. This seemed to have helped, but has not made it go away completely.

Tim

[harleybsa]

The dizziness is more or less constant,we have done the handrails and it has helped , but she still has problems . Thank you all for the replies.

[Troubleandstrife]

An eye specialist may be able to help. My husband had terrible dizziness for years before being diagnosed. A vision specialist made him some glasses with prisms because it turned out he had double vision--a symptom of PSP. Alas, the falls didn't really improve because of his impulsive moves to get up from chairs and the toilet by himself.

[harleybsa in reply to Troubleandstrife]

She goes to an annual eye exam for her diabetes but no one has ever said anything about double vision,I know when she reaches for things she can miss,like when she washes her hands she will put her hand between the faucet handle and the spout instead of under the spout. Shes complained about dizziness for years , we always thought she was having mini strokes-- her speech and her handwriting have changed. The PSP diagnosis finally explained the symptoms.I'll ask about the double vision her and her doctor.

I have some cheap arm rest/ handles on the toilet ,they are only sturdy vertically and her iffiest move in the bathroom is making the 180 degree turn from the toilet to the sink. I was thinking maybe a rail system designed for wheelchair access would work better or maybe a swimming pool railing would be a good idea.We're not too concerned about aesthetics.