How is your balance?

[Ronni]

I work on my balance, do balance exercises and challenge myself to do things like walking along the rail ties that border our front garden, low walls, like that.

I’ve noticed recently that sometimes in the shower, only when my eyes are closed (washing my hair, face) I feel slightly unsteady. Not every time and it’s very mild, I usually just reach out my elbow to make contact with the wall or shower curtain and that’s enough to ground me and then I’m fine.

I checked in with my doc and she assures me it’s normal. I’m due for my yearly checkup in a couple months and she says we’ll revisit it then.

Does anyone have that issue?

 

[IrishEyes]

 

[outlander]

I'm always working on balance and agility to stay mobile and avoid falls. Sprinting, stretching, strength training as well as dumb little obstacle challenges (they're fun).

But yes, occasionally and at random I can get some minor light headedness and feel a bit dizzy.
Nothing to cause a fall, but something to be aware of.

 

[Babs2u]

So far that is one issue I don't have. I do have to be careful pivoting with my cane.

 

[jujube]

My balance is pretty bad at times, especially first thing in the morning.

After falling down 3 times in 2 weeks last year, I always take my trekking pole with me on walks. I haven't fallen down since.

 

[Jules]

I test myself by standing on one foot with a solid support nearby, using the kitchen counter. It’s getting a little better, though I’ll never be a ballerina.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I’ve noticed it in the winter on the snow and ice.

I’m losing the ability to slip, slide, and catch myself that was more or less a built in reflex years ago.

 

[hollydolly]

I work on my balance, do balance exercises and challenge myself to do things like walking along the rail ties that border our front garden, low walls, like that.

I’ve noticed recently that sometimes in the shower, only when my eyes are closed (washing my hair, face) I feel slightly unsteady. Not every time and it’s very mild, I usually just reach out my elbow to make contact with the wall or shower curtain and that’s enough to ground me and then I’m fine.

I checked in with my doc and she assures me it’s normal. I’m due for my yearly checkup in a couple months and she says we’ll revisit it then.

Does anyone have that issue?

I work on my balance like you Ronni..I can stand on one leg for much longer than the experts say most people my age can.... and yes I sometimes get a slight feeling of unsteadiness now and again for no reason.. and I think..''what the heck was that ''? but it's only a few seconds...

However just last night after I stepped out of the shower.. I didn't feel dizzy beforehand but with no warning at all.. I staggered backwards.. fortunately there's a wall right there and so I didn't fall.. but it did have me a little concerned because it came from nowhere and it was a real stagger back that if I'd been anywhere more spacious I would have likely fallen and perhaps knocked my head...

 

[spedini]

Timely post.
My balance is not good.

 

[debodun]

 

[Ronni]

I work on my balance like you Ronni..I can stand on one leg for much longer than the expert say most people my age can.... and yes I sometimes get a slight feeling of unsteadiness now and again for no reason.. and I think..''what the heck was that ''? but it's only a few seconds...

However jusstlast night after I setpped out of the shower.. I didn't feel dizzy beforehand but with no warning at all.. I staggered backwards.. fortunately there's a wall right there so and so I didn't fall.. but it did have me a little concerned because it came from nowhere and it was a real stagger back that if I'd been anywhere more spacious I would have likely fallen and perhaps knocked my head...

@hollydolly Oh wow that’s scary Hol!! Yeah if it had been anywhere else where there was nothing to lean against you could have sustained a serious injury!

Do you think it has anything to do with your accident?

 

[hollydolly]

@hollydolly Oh wow that’s scary Hol!! Yeah if it had been anywhere else where there was nothing to lean against you could have sustained a serious injury!

Do you think it has anything to do with your accident?

I don't know, Ronni... I did think that first but then I thought,there's no reason for that to be connected to the car crash. because I didn't sustain any head injuries.. and the accident was 6 weeks ago..now ! ....so, it's a bit of a puzzle tbh..

 

[hawkdon]

I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY BALANCED CHECKED, FALL DOWN ABOUT EVERY OTHER MONTH.......

 

[Nathan]

My balance with both feet on the ground: good.
Balance on one foot: spotty, OK to poor.

 

[hearlady]

So far so good. I do some balance exercises but I should do like you do @Ronni and practice balancing along low walls, etc. That's a good idea!

 

[Ted01]

My sanity is (barely) maintaining balance on the head of a pin...
the rest of me is doing okay as well... so far.

 

[Quackers]

Ear problems can cause balance issues - are your ears ok Ronni?.

I've never done balance exercises TBH.
I get dizzy and balance goes off sometimes when turning my head too quickly, but that's after effects of a head injury in late 80s

I suffer with dizzy spells aside from that and passed out. Bit lackadaisical about food and go too long without a good belly full. Mornings especially worst time. My BP's on the low side anyway, might be that.

Passed out once in the GP waiting room where I'd gone for routine bloods. Put me on the heart monitor at the surgery, where it goes through phone line or something which leads through to wherever in real time for results. Cue hospital appts where ECG, stress test, done - wore heart monitor for a few days, diagnosed with AF, offered meds, which I refused.
I know thyroid meds can be a possible cause, which I have to take as I had my thyroid removed so what's the point of taking meds for AF anyway (is my view).

Now don't laugh at this but when a bobby, part of our training was marching, which BTW I really loved doing. When I feel myself going dizzy and sway, to ground myself steady to counteract the feeling I'm going to fall, I seem to go into automatic pilot which is as if I'm getting ready to 'stand at ease', or positioning myself as if to turn while marching.

(Edited twice to try and put the last paragraph to make sense).

 

[VaughanJB]

I work on my balance, do balance exercises and challenge myself to do things like walking along the rail ties that border our front garden, low walls, like that.

My balance is great.

My left knee is not. I do sometimes stumble, but it's down to my left knee. Getting up stairs is a problem now, and it's only getting more difficult. That's because I can "push off" with my right leg, but my left knee won't allow it. I feel as though my body is a whole lot older than my mind is.