to: florida Mary – Thanks for your advice and encouragement. I don't know about 87 being a great age- will never quite get used to it!

Thanks Florida Mary – for confirmation because I am new at this- I see a difference but it helps when someone else is going through some of the same issues. Movement makes a difference – just incorporated into my daily life. I do not like gym,etc but I like being active.

Hey,ladies, this beats the alternative, if you get my drift. I like the fact that I worked hard all my life and am in better shape than some of my friends as a result. If I keep working a little each day, it gives me self respect and pride in my achievement, which I need. My deceased husband used to tell me he was going to outlive me because I had so many health problems. He has been gone 12 years now, and I inherited everything, although at the last minute he tried to give property to the children which would have left me with no income. His attorney didn't allow that to happen, thank God. My self respect has been restored and I can accept having a little help with the responsibilities now. That means a lot to me. Communicating with others keeps me cheerful. Dorisena

John, I forgot in include you in my message when I said "hey, ladies." I apologize. It is good to have you on the team and I appreciate your support. Dorisena

Here's one of my favorite short videos by Dr. Amit Sood – A Very Happy Brain. Had the opportunity to listen to him speak a few years ago and he is an amazing person.

Good for you girl

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website has a great article on Tai Chi for Peripheral Neuropathy which includes some videos on balance exercises with Tai Chi.
https://www.foundationforpn.org/living-well/integrative-therapies/tai-chi/

Thanks John. Much appreciated. Very timely for me both for balance and early stages of peripheral neuropathy.

Hi @dreamer38, thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer it in this discussion so that you could meet other members concerned about balance issues and falling.

Your question was you have had PMR since last Oct and been on Prednisone. You have fallen three times and have been told it’s the Prednisone. Nothing has broken but the bruises are awful and very painful! The grazings are nasty too. Do you have any helpful ideas?

I have no medical training but have had 2 occurrences of PMR and I stumble once in awhile. I also have osteopenia (thin bones) and have the same concern you do about bones breaking easily. I would first discuss it with your doctor to see if he has any suggestions or recommendations on supplements in case you have thin bones which makes falls worse for you. There are a lot of easy exercises you can do to help with the balance issues.

I'm tagging @becsbuddy @dorisena @helenr @lioness and @grandmar to see if they can offer some balance exercise suggestions for you.

Good Morning @dreamer38
I have been dealing with balance issues for a few years, now.
Over the last few, I have fallen a few times.
The last time, I fell in front of my 7 year old granddaughter.

I am fortunate to have strong bones and always wanted to have physical fitness but never worked on it until my forties. I drank lots of milk all my life and was determined to never get osteoporosis. I stretched my vertebrae to cure pinched nerves and a herniated disc and read books on sports. I learned to glide on one foot as a beginning ice skater in my forties and that is where I became proficient in balance. You must think of having a string in a straight line down your body and then you slowly shift the body in a straight line to the left or right, using the other foot close to the body as a rudder for the balance. I also stretched my leg up on the kitchen counter while waiting for supper to be ready in a spiral position like the fancy skaters do. I tightened my core muscles which is important for everything.
Skip sitting on the balls at the gym or standing on those flat, floppy discs because you will probably fall, as I did. You don't need much shift in the body to balance on one foot. Just a little bit, depending on how much extra fat you are carrying. Dorisena

@dorisena I love reading posts by women who adopt the same lifestyle attitude that I embrace. I have osteoporosis so I decided years ago that it was not going to “do me in” . I’m fortunate in inheriting “slim” genes and eat healthy bone foods. But, above all, I attend my 3x weekly gym classes where we concentrate on stretching and balance, some cardio and strength…it’s an active senior class. These are exercises I do everyday throughout the day in addition to core strength. Anyone can incorporate these exercises into their daily routine…it adds up…think about all the times you just stand around…waiting at the microwave…waiting in line….I’m doing step ups at the gas pump lol. If I didn’t go about life like this I would feel like a dried up rubber band that has no stretch left. No aches and pains for me. I am blessed not to have any organic problems or take prescription medicines. Each according to their own ability….raise those legs people even when sitting in a chair. Healthy body equals healthy mind. And no, I am not a fanatic and yes, I do binge watch Netflix on occasion…with pizza.👍🏻

Regards from Florida Mary

@dreamer38 Good morning I have had balance and dizzy problems This was coming from my ears I saw a ENT Dr in a separate incident I have fallen because of balance For this I did exercises to strengthen my core first just pull your stomach in while working Stand on 1foot CT 10 then other I also do some yoga,chi qong,orTai Chi I too have Osteopenia so strengthen your core and do these exercersis stand at chair to do them 🙂

the link is really good advice. Thank you.

I am not experiencing simple balance issues: I get sudden, unprovoked, unexpected static sensations accompanied by rigidity. I have to suddenly force my upper body forward, all the way to placing my hands on the ground or around my ankles, to prevent falling straight over backwards like a statue. This happens when I am standing still, talking to someone.