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Falling
I was told “use it or lose it” with regards to staying ambulant, and this seems like good advice.
The only problem is that I keep falling in the house and bruising myself, sometimes badly. I just wish I knew whether surrendering to a chair is the way to go, or try and tough it out a few years longer?
Is it not almost a crime to consider wheels when you can still mostly walk around with care? I live alone and have started to fear bruises turning into broken bones.
Reply To: FallingRanald, the bottom line is why do you keep falling. is it because you are very ewak and can no longer stand, or is it because of co ordination of the legs whilst walking, or is it because of dizziness. I agree that the “use it or lose it” is a maxim to live by but not at the expense of your health? Have you had any advice from the neurologist? I an many others struggle with this advice almost daily and I notice the difference when I do submit to using a chair. I do that around every fifteen minutes as my back tells me I cannot go on. I think it is nothing to be ashamed of nor worried about. Do you for example get any sitting down exercise’s with you legs, like using a pedal device?
Do please tell us more, this is an interesting question.Mike
So many love songs, so little love.
Reply To: FallingWell Mike, I fall as though the “puppeteer” has just let go of the strings, you get the picture. I don’t know why, but logically it must be weak leg muscles, my quadriceps being my weakest muscles. This happens without any warning and mostly when i have been sitting any length of time.
I have no contact with anyone, medical professionals or otherwise and just wish I was either ambulant or sat in a wheelchair; this not knowing which I am is just getting painful. Presumably you don’t have to wait until the day you physically can’t get up to make the transition to full time seated?
My daily outing with my dog is my only exercise. I never bother with any exercises I have ever been given in the past. A lack the motivation quite frankly.
Reply To: FallingI imagine a good many adaptions will be required at home if I become a wheelchair user. For example, the height of wash hand basin, sink, kitchen windows with bunker in the way etc.
A lone wheelchair using woman ( same age but not with MD) across the road from me, she seems to have a never ending caravan of council carers in and out her front door. That doesn’t appeal to me to be honest, being virtually handless for everyday tasks that a lone person can’t do from the seated position.
Reply To: FallingHave to disagree. having a wheelchair can enhance a persons life in many ways. Prior to wheelchair I couldnt carry a cup of tea for many years from one place to another. having a chair rather than unsteady walking can make some tasks much safer.
If its a case of being stuck on a recliner or sofa waiting for care support if you cant sit to stand yourself V using a powerchair to get about your own home surly that’s a positive?
Reply To: FallingRanald I suspect that the key to your falling down lies not with MD but with another cause. I am sure you will appreciate that if it were the leg muscles that would be a gradual change rather than getting uo and then falling over. It suggests a more rapid cause of the problem. Do a BP test sitting down and standing up would be the first step. The second, a trip to your GP armed with your description and the BP information may well help. Mean while start getting up from wherever you are down, slowly. Not turning you head, whilst doing so. That will certainly help.
MikeSo many love songs, so little love.
Reply To: FallingInteresting Mike, thanks for that. Thank you too, Cat, for giving me a positive thought!
I have Becker MD and know pretty much that it is to do with wasting leg muscles; the falling that is.
I used a basic NHS rollator when I first get up, and am at my most unstable after prolonged rest, such as sleeping or sat in a chair reading. My pelvis seems to be showing more recently and my thighs look very thin compared to the rest of my legs. The main symptoms of Becker is a wasting of the limb muscles.
Obviously it is possible, but I am getting hung up on things like – :How to reach windows to open them.
:Transferring from a wheelchair to the toilet.
:Getting stuff out of cupboards.It is just a wee bit frightening contemplating all these future changes on my own. I never bother my daughters with this sort of stuff, they have busy lives to live, and anyway, they don’t live locally to me. My mum would do anything to help but being the “wrong” side of 70 tells me she needs to consider her own health first.
I have a really good rollator ( ByAcre Overland) and it fits easily in the car. I am pretty much using it all the time now instead of my walking pole.
Reply To: FallingHi Ranald. You say you don’t have any contact with medical professionals about your condition. Do you mind if I ask why that is?
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