feeling unsteady

[rosie]

Does anyone feel unsteady when they are walking?

[iraisin]

Hi Rosie,

I have the sensation that my hips are going to pop out of joint and that my knees are going to buckle backwards - but not too much anymore.

I have arthritis, and am taking Naproxen for it regularly, so it doesn't happen any more unless I'm flaring.

Is that what you mean? Or is it more of a dizzy thing?

[Luna]

I feel as if Im gonna fall. Im not steady on my feet. I defnatly have to be careful on stairs.. Is that what you mean? I also have the hip problems Iraisin says she has..

Luna

[rosie]

I don't feel dizzy I do feel as though my hips seem to want to buckle sideways if that makes any sense

[iraisin]

yes. It's similar to what I feel.

Go to a rheumy and tell them about it. That's right up their alley.

Good luck! I hope you get some relief.

[adinack74]

I have the hip thing too.  Especially going up and down stairs.

[Cdbhappy]

I have had the 'loose hip waddle' occasionally on stairs. It always worries me, but thankfully doesn't occur often.

Cdbhappy

[Piebird]

I have PN so I actually do fall.

I have been using a cane since I was 40.

[Joe S.]

I have been feeling very unsteady since the end of March. I was a little unsteady before my fall. Now stable is very slow to come back. I was so unsteady with my cane that I had to return to my crutches. I hope it improves when they add and inch to my shoe.

[eyeamdry]

Joe, sorry about your trouble walking and hope the shoe lift helps.  But, don't you feel that a walker is more help than a cane?  I certainly understand your wanting a cane rather than a walker, when I used my walker after my knee replacements, I always felt safe.

I'm getting rubber legged and am going to be having some tests in the next few weeks. I think it's neuropathy.  I am going to really try and get to my water class a couple of times a week.  Lucdy

[Joe S.]

I use my wife's walker occasionally. They do not have one for my height. I use it for uneven ground or when I have to carry something. The one point cane is not very stable and the four point cane feels like it is going to break.

That leaves me with my crutches. They are designed for my height. They are ergonomic. They fold when not in use. They are spring loaded to help with the weight I off load. I can use one or both. If I have to carry something in a handle bag, I just slip it on the handle. Search "millennial In-motion crutches" since they are an item for sale I will not post the link.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I have balance issues. I prefer to hold on to someone when I'm walking but that doesn't stop me going out alone. I've seen a neurologist and failed some balance test or other but thge reson was never pinned down. It's not bad enough for me to use a cane but I have been accused of drinking when I haven't been! I wouldn't pass a straight line test. I also wouldn't go up or down stairs without holding on to a rail.

I actually find standing in queues really difficult. It's the standing still. I seem to need to use a lot of energy to do it and end up with really aching calf muscles and sore feet. It's easier if I can prop myself up on something.

I'm also noticeably more off balance if I turn my head suddenly these days and I've given up joining in with some of the warm up exercises at a singing class I go to. "Just flop forward" said the tutor. Right! If I flopped forward I would land on the floor!

Take care - Scottie 

[Diane63]

I am unsteady, too.  Especially on stairs or turning a corner.   think it is ataxia left over from my big CNS happening in December.  I absolutely cannot deal with escalators - always have to use the elevators.  Rt leg is worse than lft.  Seems like without conscious attention my right leg kind of swings out and to the left with each step, so tripping myself happens a lot.  Just call me Grace!  Hip and knee are painful but Voltaren helps.  I believe my worse problem is the CNS thing.

I have a walker and used it for about three months last winter.  Sometimes I think I should use it again, but haven't done it.

I agree that standing still is SO HARD.  If I can't sit down after a couple of minutes really feel I'm going to fall.  I am so excited about a posting yesterday (forget from whom) about the new center opening in Dallas, specializing in SJS.  Not only will it be a great resource, it says to me that the medical community might be starting to take this thing seriously.  As I read the posts on this site it overwhelms me how much this thing effects peoples' lives, and how little most doctors know about it.

It's supposed to rain here in Ohio for the entire Labor Day weekend.  My kind of weather - not hot and no sun!  Hope all you sjoggies have a good holiday wherever you are.  For the international sjoggies, just chill and enjoy yours, too!

[slccom]

I have the habit when I have to stand reasonably still of triangulating my balance. I touch some body part against something still. I lean against the wall. I touch the back of my legs against the chair, or my fingertips on the chair in front of him. That is usually enough to keep me just swaying mildly.

Sharon

[eyeamdry]

I am supposed to use a cane, but I do when we go away and when I'll be walking.  I do not like to use it around  my city and home.  I guess I sound a little iffy and should not feel like that.  Most people I run into would not realize I am having trouble walking.  If my hubby is there, that helps and I try and take him most places. 

Joe, I undstand about height.  Or rather I understand about lack of same.  I have a child's walker and kids crutches from my knee replacements etc.  I have carefully made sure I've kept these because they may be hard to find when I really need them.  Lucy