Flat on my face or meeting the sidewalk head first

[Pooh]

Hi Lucy,
I've been using my cane for quite a while now.  Mostly for support on my right side, but it also steadies me.  The best support I have is my rollator.  It sort of balances out my body from both sides and it has a great seat for when my legs tire out real bad. 

You can try the cane and see if it helps with your balance.  Either that or watch where you place feet when you are walking.  I must warn you though, I've run into lots of people and poles that way.

Please take care and let us know how your head and face are.  Sounds like you really "kissed" that cement hard. 

Hugs, Pooh

[Patze]

Hi Lucy,

My, my, my.  What in the world have you been into lately?  And the worst thing, you didn't even share!!!   I've heard of tough love, but dang girl!

I'm really glad that nothing was broken, but I'm sorry about the bruising, and the cuts on your face - triple ouch!!!! 

Oh, please tell me that you're going to look for a new doctor, this one, well, not good.  This doctor reminds me of the GP I fired, same kind of thing - a master of the obvious they're not!!!

I sure hope that you feel better soon!

Please take care -

Patze

[eyeamdry]

Hi Patze-

I did see the DR and he told me he thinks it's neuropathy that I have.  (no kidding)  He said my brain doesn't know where my foot (or feet) is/are.  I said "refer me to a neurologist."    So, I'm being referred.  They will probably just find out I have neuropathy, but with Sjogrens so close to MS in many ways, let's rule this out for starters.

I went to WalMart today and bought some big, sunglasses to wear to cover the black eyes.  I need glasses, so I won't be doing too much like that, but along with hubby.  If I drive somewhere, I'll wear my glasses and then put on the sunglasses when I get to the destination. 

My sister and I enjoyed the concert very much.  Good old country music.  I like R&R better though.  Lucy

[pudmott]

Hi Lucy,

Neuropathy huh? Gee didnt see that conclusion coming!!

i thought maybe a twisted bowel...................oopps sorry sarcasm.

glad you got a referral. Lets hope this doc knows his a**** from his elbow..


Pud

[Patze]

Hi Lucy,

Sorry about being a smart alack, it seems that my mouth has transfered it's self to the fingers now!  

I'm glad that your regular doctor is referring you to a neuro, and I so hope that he is a great doctor for you (I'm on the second one so far)!  My memory is crap, but have you ever been checked for neuropathy before?   

I'm glad that you did enjoy the concert, I grew up with C&W, but I prefer R&B myself!

Take care and I sure hope that you feel better soon -

Patze

[Linda196]

Proprioception (basically the sense of your brain knowing what your body is doing) is something more than neuropathy, but can be classed as that in order to find a name for it. There can be many causes, and in some cases, even healthy conditions (delivering a baby, weight loss or body building) can cause it temporarily.

I think the most important concern for me is the fact that increases in the problems I have with it are often because I get out of balance with my meds! Temporary impairment of proprioception can occur from an overdose of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine and pyridoxamine). Most of the impaired function returns to normal (or for me, a tolerable state of abnormal) shortly after the intake of vitamins returns to normal. I occasionally used to increase my Vitamin B complex when I had a sore mouth, now I add separate B12, and leave the other B's alone! Impairment can also be caused by cytotoxic factors such as chemotherapy, and Methotrexate is included in that class of drugs.

I found it interesting that it has been proposed that even common tinnitus and the attendant hearing frequency-gaps masked by the perceived sounds may cause erroneous proprioceptive information to the balance and comprehension centers of the brain, precipitating mild confusion. I wonder if this could in any way be a cause for our "brain fog".

[pudmott]

very interesting thought Linda

Pud

[eyeamdry]

I'm going to try and put my bruised mug shot in here.  My hubby had my daughter take a pic of me because I have a shot of him with a shiner.  He got it when a 2x4 fell on him.  For our next big anniversary, we can make an anniversary pic by putting our two pictures together. 
Scary thoughts if this works.

This link does work now.


http://s461.photobucket.com/albums/qq336/phyknapp/?action=tags&current=slipandfall

                               

[Scottietottie]

It's not working for me! 

[eyeamdry]

Hold your horses, Scottie, it ain't working for me either, YET.  I'll keep trying for a bit. 

[Linda196]

That appears to be a link to your personal documents in your computer...you'll need to work through photobucket, like you did for your pink ribbon.

[eyeamdry]

It's rough with a lot of junk around the picture, but there I am.  The link works--finally. 

[genko_b]

Those are some shiners, Lucy.

The cane is a very useful tool to have with you. Mine has saved me from a number of nasty falls over the last couple of years. Especially in the dark and the rain, when I don't have as much assistance from my eyes.

Your balance is made up of three factors - the vestibular system, eyesight, and proprioception. My vestibular system is non-functional, apparently, but I have good eyesight (corrected) and very good proprioception, which helps a lot. But being tired or sick, being in a dark, unfamiliar place or on uneven ground with no walls to lean on, or any of a number of factors can interfere with my ability to stay upright. It takes real effort, even in the best of circumstances.

Even if your sense of proprioception is good, neuropathy can interfere with it, since you can't feel the edges of your limbs well. Seeing the neurologist is a good idea. They or an otologist (ear doctor) who specializes in balance issues can test you to see which of the various balance factors are affected in you.

And I highly recommend bringing your cane with you.

Genko

[salsen]

Genko what a great explanation for balance.  My son recently explained to me how confusion of your place in space can really knock you for a loop.  In the past couple of months I went face first into the floor walking into the house.  One minute I was up and the next I was kissing the floor.  I also had a near miss in a parking lot but was fortunate enough to have a SUV near to break the fall. 

I mentioned all of this to my neuro last week and of course it is the neuropathy rearing its head. Some days it is like someone has put glue to my feet and I feel like I am stumbling every step of the way.  Of course I have been told to be very conscious of where I step and how I step.   I am sure I look like a bumbling drunk all the time since I seem to trip over my own feet a lot. 

Still even though your doctor seems to know the source it is advisable for a neuro to keep tabs on the progression of the numbness and balance issues.  There are exercises you can do that will help with your balance. 

Good luck.  I have always been a fairly clumsy person but these new balance issues are strange even to me.  And don't even mention trying to stand still in one spot with the eyes closed!

[Katybarstool]

Lucy

Those shiners are really impressive!  I just hope you are not feeling too sore.

Gentle hugs.

Kathyx