Falling over and sceloderma

[Sylviaherring]

Does anyone else suddenly and randomly fall over or stumble? I have fallen over 4 times in the last 7 weeks

[GGhere]

What a coincidence you should ask that question. Just recently I've not actually fallen down but these days I quite often have a bit of wobble and feel like I'm going to fall for no apparent reason - it's like losing my balance. I put it down to getting old but maybe it's something else. I try to shove it out of my mind and hope it will just go away.

[Flouzet]

Yes, I do! I thought it was just me...I start to fall and cannot seem to stop myself - I just plummet! I always have a crutch now to help with my balance, and to ensure that people don't accidently bump into me, causing me to fall, but it doesn't always stop me falling. I have no idea what causes it, though.

[Sylviaherring in reply to Flouzet]

Thank you. For me it's mainly when I run

[Kingfisherblue2009]

Hello, Sylia I will try again and reply. It would not let me post before.

Yes, I have been going through the same thing. I have fallen three times since July. I ended up breaking my right wrist in three places about 6 weeks ago. I am going to the local hospital for treatment. But I am in that much pain. Being right-handed doesn't help.

But lately, I am always wobbly and worried that this would happen. I had gone a while since the last fall. But then three falls on my right wrist within weeks. I walk with a pole which has saved me quite a few times.

I dread winter coming and slipping on the ice and snow. My shoes have a good grip. I just go light headed too sometimes and stop walking for a few minutes, rather than falling over.

I am really going through a tough time with my illness and in so much pain everywhere else. You just dread getting out of bed. You know that you are going to be in so much pain.

take care, everyone.

[Sylviaherring in reply to Kingfisherblue2009]

I am often light headed in the mornings but find that it's gets better after I eat. I seem to only fall when running !!

[Mylreaclairelee in reply to Sylviaherring]

Running what's that?

[Sylviaherring in reply to Mylreaclairelee]

Haha 7.5 miles today done.... it was a struggle today though

[Cole57]

Omg I thought it was just me having this problem and it was just me being clumsy. I’ve fallen 4/5 times in the space of a couple of months and I’ve fallen hard. To make it worse due to the Myostitis and severe inflammation throughout my body if I fall with nothing to lever myself up with, I need help getting up. Just the other day I was out with my 3 youngest children and that’s exactly what happened my eldest child had to call someone over to help me get up. I was so embarrassed and upset that I found myself in that situation. My family and I have now decided that if going out far I need to have someone with me. I’ve mentioned problem to my Rheumatologist at The Royal Free but it’s just deemed as one of those things that happens especially if the joints are inflamed and you don’t lift you feet as high as you should. It’s just horrible feeling having to watch every step you take. I’m just so glad that it’s not a problem that’s in my head only😔

[Sylviaherring in reply to Cole57]

That sounds terrible x x x

[Cole57 in reply to Sylviaherring]

It was but you live and you learn and I no longer take certain things for granted. Even the simple things🤗

[Emfrenette]

I actually have this happening all the time my family doctor threw at me that I had vertigo and went off talking about my.reynauds so I'm always confused if I have vertigo why do doctors not inform you what to expect . But possibly check that out it is very common with auto immune disorders

[Bingo21]

This has also happened to me - I fell about 18 months ago when I was in the shower and managed to break my ankle! I have fallen about three times since and I thought I was just clumsy. I’m not so sure now.

[Duttie]

Yes, I always feel frail as though I am about to fall, am very careful about picking things up from the floor, often use a grabber. I note that Cole57 said that she was told about not picking her feet up properly when walking, which I know is also a problem for me. I have just bought some Ugg boots, which are wonderful for keeping the feet warm, but I keep doing a small trip catching the end of the shoe, I know I shall have to be very careful. I don't know where you live, but here in East Cheshire I have been attending a Falls Prevention class. It is all about strengthening the legs and balance work. It has certainly helped me feel more positive about walking.

[elprof7557]

I'm convinced that your problem depends on Scleroderma.I'm a 61 year old male and have had it in a mild form for 7 years.Scleroderma affects our joints.Every now and then one of my knees tends to buckle and I have the feeling that I'm about to fall.Mind you I walk a great deal in my workplace.Something in the range of 5 km per 8 hour shift.What Duttie says could well be very useful.Many specialists claim that exercise is very important for us.Keep well.

[Sylviaherring in reply to elprof7557]

Exercise is defiantly important and I am still running approx 15 to 20 miles per week, although it's harder now than it was with the stiffness in my hips and ankle pain.

[Joan59]

Like so many others on here I though it was just me. I have had a few falls and I stumble all the time.

[SarahJane926]

I've never actually thought about this until your post but yes, I've become incredibly clumsy and a bit off balance since my diagnosis, I've just tried to get on with it best I can without thinking about it

[Sylviaherring in reply to SarahJane926]

Me too. I think it was the frequency in a short time that made me think about it

[PJSammy]

That happened when I was first diagnosed with Systemic Scleroderma (18 years ago). I'd be walking down the street and suddenly fall, not trip. Then it stopped, around the time I had a kidney transplant.

Now I have Parkinson's and am very aware of tripping, losing balance, but I haven't fallen. I find Tai Chi the most helpful in learning how to move so your weight is always supported.

Important to NOT pivot but to take several steps to turn around.

[Sylviaherring in reply to PJSammy]

Thanks x x

[tall-tim]

Yes, I had this muscle weakness in 2015, and it was alarming. I was also losing weight. I went to my rheumatology consultant who referred me quickly for a range of tests. The diagnosis was inflammatory myositis, which is one of the possible problems with Scleroderma. I went on a course of Prednisolone (60 mg initially) tapering down in monthly or bimonthly stages and the problem was solved. I am very thankful.

[Sylviaherring in reply to tall-tim]

Thank you tall tim. I see my gp on 20th so I will ask

[tall-tim in reply to Sylviaherring]

How did you get on with your GP?

[Sylviaherring in reply to tall-tim]

Hi tall tim. I saw him and he did some tests. Turns out I'm anemic so my muscles are not getting enough oxygen when I exercise, meaning my muscles are tired and receiving the info properly. I start a course of medication next week, which will apparently take a few weeks to work so we will see. Thank you for asking

[tall-tim in reply to Sylviaherring]

Glad to hear it's unlikely to be Scleroderma-related.

[Bonniebo]

I All so fall quite a bit my hospital made some trainer boot am quite steady wen i wear them xx

[Dynamiteeee21]

So funny all these answers/comments I think we all are suffering a bit of what each of us are! I too lose my balance & topple over & I'm of the mind it's my pain killers just making me lose my senses as my head always seem to be in a ‘fog’🤯 these days and like Duttie & Cole57 I think how Ssc affects our joints can also be a factor. I have arthritis in both feet & ankles have had 3 knee replacements & have to wear surgical boots which are like moon boots😂 & so not a good look & I still can’t walk properly! I have so many pairs of Uggs going to waste in my cupboard because I simply can’t wear ‘normal’ footwear anymore. I also use a stick for balance but because I am ‘kipper footed’ & ‘clumsy’ as my dear old mum & dad used to say to me since I was a kid I even kick & trip over the stick so sometimes it can be easier just to take my time without it but can never just stroll & look ahead I always have to look at the floor & walking is painful at the best of times but I feel I have to be ‘mindful’ of just putting one foot in front of the other just to actually walk a few steps! Also think perhaps my falling over/clumsiness could also be because I have to keep my head down to watch my step. Is this perhaps the case for others?? Can I ask Emfrenette did your doctor put u on medication for the vertigo & does anyone suffer with light-headiness & nausea accompanying falling over?

[Green60]

Hi there yes a seem to stumble slot it's so annoying x