I don't know if this will help but whenever I get strange like this, I count or count backwards - anything to engage my brain so it cooperates. Seems to work. Hope you are doing well Paula.

Hi Paula, It is definitely not a dumb question!!!! I do the same thing except when I go UP the stairs. It is my left leg which is the side of my tremors. It is really scary going up the stairs with my right foot being broken and having to depend on my left leg to be the dominate ascending leg - it didn't want to move!!!! And I was using crutches to steady myself and push up with but the left leg didn't want to go. At home I crawled up and went down on my hindside but outside I had to tackle the stairs by climbing.

About 6 months before being diagnosed with PD I had 2 instances with what I know now to be freezing. I got up from the couch using my left leg and my right leg would not take the step to move. I actually had to turn to my right leg using my left leg to steady myself and then grope my right leg with my hands and pull it up and set it down. This type of freezing has not happened since - just the going up the stairs now.

Thanks Schells for your tip. Us PD's are definitely multitaskers. Going upstairs while counting backwards. How do we do it. I'm definitely going to use this technique and will let you know how it works. .

Have a good day!!!

thanks for the advice Schells will try it next time i get that feeling on the stairs... and Deb thanks for sharing it's sort of similar for me but it's going down the stairs when my left leg is planted (that's my knee replacement leg) and i start to go down with the right... i don't think it's fear but it just stops... anyway thanks for sharing and the advice!!! be well paula

HI PAULA,
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR. IT'S TO DO WITH SPACIAL AWARENESS, CONFINED AREAS TOGETHER WITH MULTI TASKING. RIGHT NOW ADDED TO THIS I HAVE DIFFICULTY IN WALKING BACKWARDS. IT'S PROBABLY BEST TO DO SOME RESEARCH YOURSELF ON THIS ISSUE AS IT IS A COMPLICATED SUBJECT.

Hi, I read an interesting article about dogs trained for people with PD. Apparently they know when you freeze, and they'll tap you with a paw. That will get you going again. My hand freezes on my mug when drinking coffee. Unfortunately my dog (wonderful and sweet) is young and not so bright....just a thought. If you have a trainable dog.

Hi Paula,
That happens to me too.
I found this link that might help. You've probably seen it before but I found it really helpful.

http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/PDF/FS63_FreezinginParkinsons.pdf

Cheers
Darlene :)

Thank you all so much for your input... Stewart i have started reading on spacial awareness and from what i've read particular places can trigger this like a stairway... i have more reading to do but thank you... Candyu, what a great idea about the dog... i should look into training him now, i have a big very smart rottweiler that is already learning if i say i need help ozzie he comes by my chair so i can lean on him to get up... we are also working on him finding my cell phone for me in case of an emergency... i really think he's smart enough to teach him the tapping thing thanks for the suggestion...Darls thanks for the article on freezing... very informative and helpful!!!! thanks again all I Love you guys!!!! paula

There are no silly questions pertaining to this subject. Thanks for the information. I'm not at this stage...yet.

Though i'm wondering when my first time will be "taking a ride" down the stairs at work. I'm wondering if stunt man training might come in handy for this. ND

Hi Paula,

To me, this is freezing. I've had several instances, on stairs so far, including my first real fall. I remember, as I fell and hit the door jab and floor head first, that it was just as others had described it: like watching a video of myself going down.

Kind of got my attention, as you might expect.

All the best,

Fred

I have had the Freezing on stairs, but have not had to negotiate many lately thank God. My Freezing issues now are after I stand up after sitting. it takesme a couple of moments to get that first step.
I don't mind the freezing as much as the difficulty in getting up from a chair or couch. I have to use a rocking motion and count to myself. Have really developed a good "tuck and roll" for those few times I have gone to far forward and ended up on the floor.

How is the golf swing? ND

Waiting for the driving range to open to give it a try this spring. I already know that my swing will be greatly diminished and I can work around that. My concern this year will be keeping my balance!
My wife told me I am not allowed to go alone this year. I tod her I will be ok, if I fall there is always a foursome comming up behind you..lol.
Golf is one thing I will fight to keep doing!!!!!

For me its holding the damn club. Golf is the only sport were drinking and driving is encouraged. Happy fairways! ND

Hi Paula,
Been a long time but finally made it back. Hope you
remember me. Things got really tough for awhile. Didn't know where to go or what to do , I was lost!! This PD ca really gets you sometimes.It's been tough and is getting tougher, so guess I best buck up and continue the battle. As to your question about freezing. What is happening to you is a form of freezing or maybe I should say the beginning of it. As it progresses the freezing lasts longer and it can be very frustrating. Then the falling starts because then upper body keeps moving forward but not the legs. Coming to a doorway or hallway or like you said stairs can cause you to have difficulty moving. I had fallen so much that my legs from the knees down were black and blue, so finally relented and went to using a walker. Hate it !!!!!!!! But gives me a lot more stability. Just one more mountain to climb. Hope this finds you doing good.Feels so good to be back with with frends. Hope I can be of some help.
Take care. Joanee

Joanie, i figured this is the beginning of it.. i just didn't want to begin on stairs... lol.. anyway to tie this in with the other topic of when to stop driving i would expect that when you start to freeze a lot that's when the driving stops huh?