Does anyone else with RA lose their balance?

@charlene62, I have Fibromyalgia. DDD, Osteoarthritis, SpinalStenosis, and Diabetic Neuropathy. My balance is awful. Supposed to go for PT for it. In too much pain to go now. The best of luck finding out what is bothering you. This is a good place to be.
Mamacita Jane

Hello @charlene62, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @mamacita. There is another discussion where you can meet others with RA and learn what helps them.
> Groups > Autoimmune Diseases > Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rheumatoid-arthritis-ra-introduce-yourself-and-meet-others/

@charlene62 have you tried any exercises to help improve your balance? There is another discussion that may give you some ideas that may help with your balance.

> Groups > Healthy Living > Having trouble keeping your balance?
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/having-trouble-keeping-your-balance/

@charlene62 Welcome from me, too! I, too, have a balance problem from another autoimmune disease that affects my brain. I’ve found some classes at the local recreation center that focus on strength and balance and I think they’re helping. National Balance Awareness Day is coming in a week or so. Your local hospital may be doing some things to help improve balance. https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/balance-awareness-week-2019/a. Check your local YMCA/YWCA, recreation centers, senior centers, etc and/or ask your doctor for a referral for physical therapy. Let us know if you find something!

I'd like to invite fellow members @tigerlilly @boomerexpert @candrgonzalez and @kozlo52, who also live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to share their experiences with dealing with balance.

@charlene62, what do you do to help improve your balance?

how long have you had RA? Is there xrays to prove joint damage? what is your latest sed rate from the bloodwork?.... i never really had a balance problem with my RA . Ar one point i used to go to the steeler games on crutches. (20 years ago). today at age 67 , my RA is still active and my left knee relacement is worn out after 15 years; my left hip replacement is worn out after 16 years . both will need replaced. my 1st right knee replacement broke at 12 years, due to a defect in the plastic piece between the upper /lower metal parts of the joint and had to be replaced. the right 2nd knee is 4 years old and working fine. the reason i say all this is if you still have your original knees and hips try to keep them as long as you can. nothing is like your original joints. if you are having a balance problem, it could be due to wear in the hips and knees and possible feet. i currently have a balance problem due to the above wear. i also lack cartilidge in the soles of my feet making walking difficult and at times balance problems. if you need to use cane or walker. this is no shame in this..... god bless and good luck.....kozlo52

I have osteo/inflammatory & neuropathy has set in causing me to feel unstable & unsure with every step. Hopefully some physical therapy will soon help.

Since some of my balance issues seem to be related to a "dizziness" or "vertigo" feeling I find that taking Dramamine helps! Give it a try!

Hi all, I'd like to bring your attention to a discussion happening in the Hearing Loss group.
- Balance issues and hearing loss https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/balance-issues-and-hearing-loss/

In particular, see the second message in the discussion that @joyces posted about proprioception and VRT (Vestibular Rehab Therapy). It is an amazing post that anyone with balance issues can learn from.