My Dr keeps trying to further isolate my balance issues. I just had an MRI of my lower back prior to my referral to a spine dr in LA. Workers comp dr recommended Pilates . One ankle and two knee and two shoulder surgeries latter I am not sure Pilates will help. Oh well . The reflexes are slowly beginning to return but not fast enough . Lol
Are you on Lyrica/Nurontinn?
Ask your Doc if it's OK to try:
Chair Yoga https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkl88Nq3BiU
Balance exercises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjAGb9HSrGI
I too have balance issues and have broken several bones because of this. I started Pilates about three months ago and think it helps. It's important that the instructor understands your proprioception issues. I had to educate mine and try not to push too hard to prevent further injuries.
Was able to join the location where I previously had physical therapy as a gym. This has been most helpful since all staff there totally understand CIDP and they have all the balance equipment I need.
The combination of pilates, gym and ivig have proven successful in stopping progression and vastly improving balance issues. I would recommend giving pilates a try.
I learned that there are hundreds of little muscles that are constantly working to keep you in balance. Every little movement you make, those muscles are constantly compensating to keep you in balance. When those muscles don't work properly, they don't respond to slight changes in position or posture, so you get off balance. If I am not careful, I have trouble walking in a straight line - tend to bump into doorways and other people. Also, I have to be careful standing up quickly, or making any quick movement, for that matter.
There is physical therapy (PT) that can help with balance issues. I had several weeks of PT, and that was part of what they did. Today my balance is not great, and I have to be careful, but it is manageable. I think just general conditioning is also helpful.
I do tai chi. And my physical therapist suggested I try it in addition to my walking up and down my bedroom hallway. Heel toe, heel toe It is slow movements encouraging balance. I cannot do everything, but it’s fun to try and the leader knows of my challenges and so is understanding when I sometimes move really fast to catch my balance.
I must admit I do too much wall walking when I'm at home, then when I'm at the Farmers Market my balance or lack there of, takes total concentration and a lot of effort. I have to stop, take a deep breath, and concentrate on using my core for stability. I try to not get embarrassed because that makes going out all the more difficult. My physical therapist is also a yoga instructor, she has helped more than any other treatment. I have found that stretching and flexibility helps with my balance and knowing when to call it a day before total exhaustion sets in. Peace
I have been ask about joining a yoga class but wasn’t sure if it would help or hurt.
Last week I started chair yoga. I was denied IVIG for 6 months. Now that I have it back, I hope I start going forward instead of backwards.
Don’t be ashamed to use a cane when you feel wobbly. It’s a lot better than falling.
I’m a firm believer that the more exercise you do, the better you’ll feel- up to a point.
PT, swimming, walking, aerobics, weight lifting, yoga , etc seem to help a lot of us here.
I completely agree with you Jeff. Being active as one can tolerate is important physically and mentally! And you said, “up to a point!” If we overdo we risk injury and even if not injured, Fatigue can overtake us which may take days for full recovery. So everything in moderation. Keep moving, but rest when your body tells you, just not for too long! ; > ))
I use my cane and when I have to walk long distances I walk behind my wheelchair. I am a real big guy.
I ride a foot forward bicycle around the neighborhood as long as I can. I try to mow my own yard although it takes a couple of days . When I try to do physical therapy for two knee surgeries and two shoulder surgeries I am fatigue the entire next day. I am stumbling when I walk. I bump into wall and half to have help from my wife.
Robert, Maybe you are pushing a bit too hard. Try listening closer to your body. Watching for those first signs of fatigue. Take a short rest and go on or take a break until the next day. As much as we all want to quickly get back to “normal” it takes time. We don’t learn to ride a bike quickly nor do we quickly increase our times in foot races. It takes time and that includes gradually increasing distance and or speed. Slowly add more effort whether it be longer walks or more frequent ones, but be alert for those first indicators of fatigue. Don’t give up, but dial back a little and you’ll likely be more successful. I hope this helps.
I have heard a couple of neurologists say that I should "exercise to tolerance." When I asked what that meant, one said, "If you feel bad the next day, you are overdoing it."
I then asked if I would be doing myself harm by overdoing it, or just making myself very tired. He hemmed and hawed a bit, but then said that he thought it might actually be doing harm. So, now I am more careful in what I do. I sometimes miss it, and feel rotten for a couple of days, but generally I have learned my limits, and stick to them.
Bill
Capt001Mike said:
Robert, Maybe you are pushing a bit too hard. Try listening closer to your body. Watching for those first signs of fatigue. Take a short rest and go on or take a break until the next day. As much as we all want to quickly get back to "normal" it takes time. We don't learn to ride a bike quickly nor do we quickly increase our times in foot races. It takes time and that includes gradually increasing distance and or speed. Slowly add more effort whether it be longer walks or more frequent ones, but be alert for those first indicators of fatigue. Don't give up, but dial back a little and you'll likely be more successful. I hope this helps.