Blinking and ways to test your strength

[Geo]

Has anyone noticed your Blink speed hasnt changed ? And to test your leg strength . Stand at the Kitchen counter and grab the sink area, now squat down as far as you think you can come back up ,this will test your legs to see if they are weak . If you are strong there try one leg only ,still holding on ,normal folks can try this too . Next grab your wife or caregivers two fingers and squeeze them . See how much grip you have
Geo

 

[kevinw]

It appears with my legs that I can't go all the way down then come back up when I am doing them one at a time. It feels good when I go down with both of my feet on the floor, but when I try to come back up my "ankles tend to wobble", like they don't know if they have enough strength to lift the body up. I haven't noticed anything with the blinking, but I do have problems with the strength in my left hand. I know it's a terrible thing to say, but during my last visit with the specialist she pointed out that my left hand was weaker. My reply was "yea, I noticed it seems stiffer & weaker, I can't flick the ashes from my cigarette with my left hand anymore". I knew before I said it that it wasn't a good example, but it was the only thing I could think of at the time.

 

[olly]

i can't do it. i can get down slowly,just not back up .
anything involving my lower body going from a low to high position/ie low chair, off the floor, is not good for me due to the weak hip girdle muscles.
i can not get out of a chair unless i am holding onto something so i can lift myself up slowly and then i am stiff so it takes a minute before i can start moving.
take care
caroline

 

[CindyM]

I can get up some days, not others. LOL this is an embarrassing moment waiting to happen. I find that a toilet seat is just a tad too low so some days I'm off the potty with no effort. Others it takes a try or two.

I seem to remember a post by Al when he was at a party and could not raise himself AND the door was locked! Oh, dear! :-D

 

[Geo]

Thats why the Handicapped Toilets are 16" and a Standard Toilet is 14" from the floor to rim . Fortunately We have a counter next to our Toilets so i can grab it and try to help me get up . On the Counter Squat thing ,you dont have top go all the way down .And the one legger would be hard for normal folks . Got to remmember your lifting all your weight with one leg . If you get a rubber squeeze ball or one of those stress balls and squeeze it while your doing something on the computor or just curl your hand excersize . Geo

 

[sharonca]

On the lifting off the toilet issue. I have the higher toilet but still struggled to get up. I have heard that you should not grab and toilet paper holder or anything like that that is not really secure to the wall. So now I use one of the metal walkers. It rolls right up to the toilet and my arm strength is enough to pull myself up. Really eased my mind. I don't want help in the bathroom until I have to have it.

Sharonca

 

[Geo]

If your going to put Grab bars up Make really sure their in a stud with long screws not in a cabinet . I put hundreds of these up ,especially in tubs . Now im seeing the Suction Cup ones that lock onto a smooth surface . May work on a counter top ? Toilet paper Holder is a No No for a grab bar . I also have tried to put my feet way back along the Toilet bowl to get more center of gravity ,this seems to do OK ,but hard for some problably ? Help in Bathroom ,never I hope . Geo

 

[Kenny H]

Hard to get up

I can get up some days, not others. LOL this is an embarrassing moment waiting to happen. I find that a toilet seat is just a tad too low so some days I'm off the potty with no effort. Others it takes a try or two.

I seem to remember a post by Al when he was at a party and could not raise himself AND the door was locked! Oh, dear! :-D

One of my daughters in law is a PT. She suggests that when you want to stand up from a chair..you lean forward [bow to the queen as she says [good for all of you UK folks] and that should help. By all means, if you have to rock back and forth a few times...go for it!

 

[Whitsend]

When we had this house built, I specified the higher toilets. That worked ok for the first year we were here, but as I've become weaker, began having problems anyway. I used to use the countertop to help push off. That didn't work so well after a while. Then I twisted one arm all the way back to the tank and the other hand on the seat. That worked pretty well, except I eventually rocked the toilet out of place. Finally broke down and bought a toilet safety support. It works really well....for now. Hopefully, it will work well for a very long time.

As for the suction cup grab bars, I bought four of those also for the shower. They work well. However, they come with a warning not to use to pull yourself up. They're there to steady you and help you keep your balance. I've also had one that stays suctioned to the shower wall, but slides. I'm always very wary of that one. Also, these are to be placed on a tile, marble, etc. surface. Cannot be put on a regular wall or wood.

You'll find these products and more on sites such as Easy Comforts or Dr. Leonards. Don't know if they ship out of the U.S.

 

[Geo]

Whitsend . Good info on the rocking the toilet . shouldnt happen if done correctly . First of all get the toilet set good and level shims or whatever ,then use a good caulk (acrylic) I use Alex Plus just put enough int he joint to take a wet finger to wipe out excess and makes a nice smooth joint then get excess off with a wet sponge ,then run the finger over it again . It works well with water ,now dont use for 3 hrs. to let set up .This seals the toilet edge to the floor taking the rock out ,once you get a tiny rock that becomes a large one then it gets lose . Dont use the toilet tank for support ,i had one guy call and he busted the tank and it flooded the bathroom ,he leaned against the tank and snapped it . I felt so bad for the guy . Geo