Falling or Tripping

Before I was diagnosed I was tripping all the time. Couldn’t figure out why. Now I know it was just another symptom. I still will occasionally drag my toe. Right side only. Especially if I’m tired.

I'm not sure it's exactly the same thing but many members have commented about foot drop and falling. Foot orthotics have helped some members. Here's a link that shows the discussions and comments if you want to read through some of them - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=foot+drop

Foot drop is a bit different from toe drag. But both very important to understand.

Toe drag is more like you just don’t have the energy to pick your foot up high enough to not trip.

Foot drop is a mechanical function of part of the leg not working.

I can relate to what you’re mentioning about tripping and falling. I still haven’t found a medication that helps me for my PMR as most of them do not work so well for me! I really can never figure out why I’m doing so much tripping and falling and then I realized that I have to learn to teach myself how to make sure I pick my foot up high enough so I don’t trip and fall which is not so easy to do for me. It’s kind of like thinking about when I’m walking to make sure I don’t slide my foot I lift it slightlynot easy!!! when I’m going up and down the stairs I try to use stairs that have two banisters so I can hold onto both of them and make sure I hold on really tightly and never hurry on the steps always go slowly!!! I hope some of this information can help you and I wish you the very best moving forward!!!

Thank you. It does. When I discussed my tripping and falling with my doctors they were trying to equate it with “foot drop.” Foot drop is a specific paralysis of the muscles of the foot.

My toe drag is from weakness in the muscles of my thigh and hip. I lead with my right foot so it makes sense that if I am going too fast I may not lift the front of my foot high enough.

It was terrifying. My arms were too weak to break my fall. I was very lucky I didn’t break my cheekbone.

I am so sorry about your fall. Your description of your toe drag is exactly what I am experiencing. I believe my 15 months on prednisone has caused overall muscle weakness. I use a walking stick and go slowly, but I do try to walk regularly even if only for a half hour.

Yes! We have to keep moving somehow or we will end up wheelchair bound.

I am doing better now that I was finally diagnosed.

Have a great walk!

@lindaadele

If adequate doses of “standard” PMR meds are not helping, hoping your docs have considered the possibility that you have something else that should be treated differently.
Hope this link helps. Good luck.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/diseases-that-mimic-polymyalgia-rheumatica

Before my diagnosis, it was a running joke in my family that mom falls down, it's just what she does. I fell at least a couple times a week. Sometimes I got hurt, most times I wouldn't tell my husband. He would get angry and tell me he thinks I need to go to assisted living. (It was his way to get through his fear). I just stopped telling him. I have broken my right leg, left ankle, and torn my right shoulder up twice. My last one was very extensive and surgery was Feb. 2024. I was SO unsteady on my feet! I've been to physical therapy dozens of times over the last 10 years before diagnosis to work on my poor balance. I couldn't walk down the street without tripping.
Amazingly, once I started Prednisone, my balance is 98% better! I have noticed as I taper, I get wobblier (is that a word?). Even my iPhone told me yesterday that it appeared I am unsteady on my feet.

I just started prednisone and am fine now. I am going to start to taper and start methotrexate I am kind of worried about that.

I am glad to know that I am not the only one with the problem.

My other doctor didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. Very disappointing.