Loss of balance with ALS

[hope]

I was just wondering is falling down part of als?

Sandy.

 

[Al]

They told me that is is usually one of the first signs. I didn't do it so they thought maybe I had something else. Ha! Fooled them.

 

[ruby ben]

Hi - yes loosing your balance at times can cause you to fall.

I find that some times I have to take a few steps back to gain my balance.

My first sign was limping, second atrophy and third balance.

.....................ruby from vancouver (surrey)

 

[jess4t]

I have a friend w/ ALS & his affected his upper body first, but the falling is beginning so as everyone else answered: yes falling us (unfortunately). My friend uses a wheelchair when we go out. However, he will walk en his home (his mother moved to live w/ him), but he just needs you beside him. If he's very fatigue then I usually walk in front of him & hold his wrists for balance support. Also I help him out of the wheelchair & he will walk to the car & get in on his own but of course I stay right there w/ him. Of course the wheelchair is uncomfy! so if we go to a restaurant or movies he wants to get out & sit in a regular chair. I was at his house the other night & he fell. This has happened before & we both got him up but this time we could not! He is of course 6'2" & 200 lbs. so imagine that plus dead weight. We called the paramedics & the guy actually showed us a great technique. Good luck w/ everything & be careful.

Jess

 

[hwbissegg]

Yes!

I've tripped and fallen several times since my left foot started to drop. So I'd say that it is definately a part of ALS once the lower limbs are affected.
In my experience it happens for two reasons: one, if you get foot drop you can't flex your foot when walking so if you don't lift your leg high enough to clear your toes, then down you go! two: if your legs are weak and/or your balance is bad, even the slightest fumble in your steps will cause a tumble! I think most people would recover just fine from these minor missteps, but since you're weak, you don't have the strength to recover.
I have scars on my knees from falling while trying to get into a taxi in New York City. I also fell in the middle of Chinatown on the same visit! But the worst fall of all was when I fell in the cafeteria of the high school that I teach at! Worse than that was that I couldn't get up because my legs are so weak! :evil: The easiest thing to do, though, is to just laugh :mrgreen: it off...even when you feel like cryin'!

 

[rickmcmahan]

My right foot has some "drop" that has resulted in a few falls but not many. But I have found an item that has helped me walk with less problems. The calf muscle of my right leg has been soo stiff and tight for several months. If that muscle will not stretch easy it will be a strugle for the opposite muscle to pull your foot up during walking. So I started stretching my calf muscle every day and it has helped me a lot. First of all, my calf muscle feels more normal (not stiff and tight). And I have had almost no toe dragging since I started the stretching. So I feel like it has helped -no cured!

Here is how I stretch that calf muscle. I made a device which is a handle with an attatched 1" strap. I loop the strap around the area just behind my toes while sitting on the bed or in a recliner (keeping my leg straight and relaxed) and pull on the handle for a count of 1-10 mississippi counts. I repeat this 10 times. That has taken away the stiffness. I hope this can help reduce your foot drop IF calf muscle stiffness/tightness is a condition. Rick

 

[Al]

Thanks. Rick. That's just one of the little tips that some of of us may not have thought of trying. Probably not in the manuals but adapted by someone with the disease. That's the purpose of this forum. Trying to help each other. Thanks again. And welcome. AL.

 

[MaggyQ]

Hi Rick.

My PT gave me some stretchy long bands, which are nothing more than huge, flat plastic rubber bands, albeit with more give, that perform the same function. The PT also had me move my foot against the band being held from the opposite direction in order to work the range of motion on the ankle. Basically, you place the band around your foot from the side and have someone hold the ends of the band to provide the resistance.
Then you try to move your foot out and against the retraint. It's to be done in both directions.

My neuro also suggested ROM (range of motion) to give the joints lubricated. Rolling the ankle or simply having someone assist with passive ROM by holding the foot and moving it from side to side, pressing up on the sole, etc.

 

[rickmcmahan]

My PT suggested I use a sheet that you would just loop around your foot and pull on it. I thought that woud be kind of bulky. That is wiy I made my on custom designed device that is the correct length for my leg. The best thing is that that stiff calf muscle is almost history. Not gone, but much better. I honestly feel like that is allowing my weak muscle that lifts my foot have more freedom to do what it can do. No falls in almost two months! Hope you have a great day. Rick

 

[azevedoc]

Hi - yes loosing your balance at times can cause you to fall.

I find that some times I have to take a few steps back to gain my balance.

My first sign was limping, second atrophy and third balance.

.....................ruby from vancouver (surrey)

Hi, I am newly diagnosed with als and have some questions (some kinda gross ones), don't know where to ask them. I've been to the clinic in Vancouver, but don't feel I can ask them there. Any ideas?

 

[Mike27]

Hi, I am newly diagnosed with als and have some questions (some kinda gross ones), don't know where to ask them. I've been to the clinic in Vancouver, but don't feel I can ask them there. Any ideas?

Hi and welcome!

This is the place to ask questions of any sort..absolutely ANY sort! You won't gross anyone out here and you need answers so ask away.

Maybe do searches first to see if your questions have been asked already, you may find an answer. But if not then just start a new thread and ask, no problem!

This is a very good forum with great people. We're all in the same boat, just trying to figure this disease out and live life to the best of our abilities.

Also, if you don't want to ask on the open forum, feel free to PM me anytime.

Cheers!

 

[Countrycouple]

Mom was falling lots before she was diagnosed in 2005.. They said the ALS probaly started a few years ago before she was diagnosed.. She was falling when getting off the public transit.. or while out shopping.. So I belive falling is part of it.. yes..