Falling after recovery from stroke

Posted by couldusehelp @couldusehelp, May 11, 2019

I am curious to know if others have experienced unexplained falls after a good recovery from a stroke in a 70 year old.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

Bright Wings checking in.
No falls, my balance can go off as I am walking but use ballerina like moves to counteract my being off balance. I go up on my big toe instead of swinging my foot forward. I will poss there as a ballerina as long as I need to. It saves me so many times. I realized I have been developing this for years.
I also throw my arms out to give me more stability as needed.
It takes practice. Keep going.

Now, please excuse me, this is no joke. I am going to go join the circus.
The fire Circus. I have acting in my blood.
I will share the gift of laughter, and also sneak some healing in.
It’s who I am.
Bright Wings
Loving life

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@brightwings

Bright Wings checking in.
No falls, my balance can go off as I am walking but use ballerina like moves to counteract my being off balance. I go up on my big toe instead of swinging my foot forward. I will poss there as a ballerina as long as I need to. It saves me so many times. I realized I have been developing this for years.
I also throw my arms out to give me more stability as needed.
It takes practice. Keep going.

Now, please excuse me, this is no joke. I am going to go join the circus.
The fire Circus. I have acting in my blood.
I will share the gift of laughter, and also sneak some healing in.
It’s who I am.
Bright Wings
Loving life

Jump to this post

The circus! What fun, @brightwings! I hope you keep us in the loop with this new fun activity. Maybe post some pictures?
By the way, I'm really interested in learning more about the ballet and going up on your toes to keep your balance. Do you do this all the time or just when you feel off-balance? Swinging the arms is a great idea. (I've never had a stroke but have a Parkinson's type disorder that results in balance problems)

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@hopeful33250
Laughing out loud! My ballerina moves are so I don’t fall down, never thought anyone would like to hear about it.

I do not feel the bottom of my feet. I can only feel the rim of my feet. If I am going to go off balance, it is from either shoulder. Meaning that is the way I will pitch to either side.
Ok, so do this exercise with me. Stand up and take a small step, you will notice you still have both feet flat on the ground Now with your back foot, allow you heel to raise and leave your big toe mashed down.
So now you are standing flat with one foot and balancing on the big toe of the second foot.
If I am feeling stable, I lift my toe and allow the second foot to naturally move forward. If I feel any thing off balance I simply pause with that very important back toe keeping me balanced. Sometimes the toe is mashed with my heel raised, oftentimes I only notice I am off balance as I have only the tip of the big toe touching the ground. So I simply pause, often with only the tip of my toe touching.
Remember the hesitation step some folks use to walk down the isle of the church at a wedding??
So it’s like that, take a step and hesitate before you lift your second foot.
Any more signs of imbalance, I start to move my arms out from my sides. This gives me added balance.

I think I have been developing this for years. I hope this works for you. It certainly works for me. Bright Wings

If you go to Facebook, search for Cirque Du Flame. This is my circus.
The ringmaster is Phillip Swafford.
Message me, I will share my name so you can find me on FB. I have tried to post pics here but couldn’t do it.
Smiling so big.
The ringmaster told me, he would love me to join the Circus. I will bring the gift of laughter to the stage!! That’s who I am also. You guys just don’t get to see it. Cuz this is where I am serious!!
Sometimes, Grin.
Bright Wings

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@lisalucier

Several of you have talked about falling and balance issues following a stroke. Wanted to check in with you and see how you are doing lately. I think that others in the discussion will be interested in and benefit from your responses.

@bille - how have things been with the dizzy spells you talked about?

@brightwings - have you experienced any falls lately?

@jmjlove - have you had any recent balance/tripping situations?

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No falls recently. My progress has been good. I have learned that some movements will get me dizzy. One such movement is looking down while I get up from a chair. This always makes me dizzy for some reason. It lasts only seconds so I hold till it is over then continue.

I also still am very careful on stairs. I do not feel totally confident going down them. So I use handrails and take my time. Someone here said their body had forgotten how to counteract a misstep. I think that sums it up well for me. I think this is one area that is improving but it is slow to retrain the brain.

One outcome from all the testing that was done on me after the stroke was discovered was a diagnosis of depression. I started taking Wellbutrin XL for this a couple of months ago and I can see a real difference in my outlook. I have started to pick up projects that I just didn't have the energy to do before. My Doctor is working with me to ascertain the appropriate dose.

I don't think the depression was from the stroke. I can look back and see this has been going on for a long time. However, I think the stroke worsened it. I talked to my doctor about it months before I knew I had the stroke.

So my bottom line is I see great progress. It is going slow, but that is partly me. I want to tackle one thing at a time.

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Billie, Good for you.
No one ever wants to have a stroke, I see you trying to take your life back, just like I am.
Bright Wings

REPLY
@brightwings

@hopeful33250
Laughing out loud! My ballerina moves are so I don’t fall down, never thought anyone would like to hear about it.

I do not feel the bottom of my feet. I can only feel the rim of my feet. If I am going to go off balance, it is from either shoulder. Meaning that is the way I will pitch to either side.
Ok, so do this exercise with me. Stand up and take a small step, you will notice you still have both feet flat on the ground Now with your back foot, allow you heel to raise and leave your big toe mashed down.
So now you are standing flat with one foot and balancing on the big toe of the second foot.
If I am feeling stable, I lift my toe and allow the second foot to naturally move forward. If I feel any thing off balance I simply pause with that very important back toe keeping me balanced. Sometimes the toe is mashed with my heel raised, oftentimes I only notice I am off balance as I have only the tip of the big toe touching the ground. So I simply pause, often with only the tip of my toe touching.
Remember the hesitation step some folks use to walk down the isle of the church at a wedding??
So it’s like that, take a step and hesitate before you lift your second foot.
Any more signs of imbalance, I start to move my arms out from my sides. This gives me added balance.

I think I have been developing this for years. I hope this works for you. It certainly works for me. Bright Wings

If you go to Facebook, search for Cirque Du Flame. This is my circus.
The ringmaster is Phillip Swafford.
Message me, I will share my name so you can find me on FB. I have tried to post pics here but couldn’t do it.
Smiling so big.
The ringmaster told me, he would love me to join the Circus. I will bring the gift of laughter to the stage!! That’s who I am also. You guys just don’t get to see it. Cuz this is where I am serious!!
Sometimes, Grin.
Bright Wings

Jump to this post

Thanks for the FB page for your new circus, @brightwings! How delightful. I'm sure you will have a great time and bring joy and brightness to others!

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