Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group

What I do when balance is an issue. Mostly I fall.
Some days I fall more than others. One day I was opening a window and fell, putting my head thru the screen. Luckly I've learned to sit whenever I start to fall because I live on the 14th floor.

Unfortunately, balance seems to be a daily issue for me. I use my cane on days I feel especially bad. I also use walls or furniture to help me along. Mostly, though, I just fall. I always have bruises on my legs, hips, and arms. Like Mike, I try to sit when I feel that I am starting to fall. Thank goodness I'm not on the 14th floor, Mike. That's pretty scary.

i'm a newbie, but now listning and looking back.oh my gosh... why didn't i put that one together? thank you. and does it get worse with time? I take my cane to go shopping,ect. i tghought maybe it was the meds. and pleas don't fall out the window.
14th is a long way down.

I have had to resort to a cane for both balance and pain and weakness in the legs. Even when I'm walking with it, I tend to veer like a drunk. Note to Mike - glad your head went through a screen and not glass. Take care way up there!

Balane is my main symptom. I work for a school, and I know that unsteady, creeping down the hallway walls, scary feeling well. I gave in a started using a cane to keep my balance when it gets bad. I also saw something called the "able-tripod" that is a special rubber tip that goes on the cane to help you keep your balance. I'm looking into getting that. I am planning on getting a fold up model that will fit in my desk drawer for those times when it strikes midday. I also have what I call a lifetime supply bottle of antivert it heps some.

Yes antivert works for me.I also have meclizine for the spinning days.

Jim, aren't Ativert and meclizine the same thing, with meclizine being the generic form?

-Karen

hi folks-
there's a lot of good advice in here.
Myself, i did walk with a cautious gait: my legs were starting to fail. I would 'walk the walls' or the nearest fence. I had a short stint with a cane; moved on to a rollator; left job to a scooter.
Your descriptions are not unlike texts i have read. Kalli - there might be others effects coming. You adjust to adapting to the environment. You lean on things to avoid falling down. That's how you adapt.

I am using cane this is not a Vestibular issue for me been to audiologist and tested out to be mostly central issue I have like most of all the others started using a cane for some support I do daily exercises to try to disenssitize{SP?} myself for some of it but it comes and goes and with the rsiding heat here its going to be a challange for me to keep up I think...good luck my luv its hard but stay with it antivert and meclizine do nothing for me except make me drozy and perhaps even more of a danger for me to fall because of that.

I list to the starboard...My advice is use a cane a walker a whatever, just don't fall down. This is one symtom I really hate. It is the one that makes me bop me on the head and say"you have MS" right in the middle of a Hey they were all wrong about it day.