The past couple of days I’ll suddenly lose my balance and fall. I’ve read it could be connected to fibro, but was wondering if any of you have experienced this and what you do to prevent falling? I’m only 29 and am concerned about my clumsiness lately. My blood pressure has been normal so I know it’s not that.
I’ve been on Cymbalta and Gabapentin for about a year now, Mirapex for 5 months (Restless Legs), Ziac for a month (Blood Pressure).
Hello smalltowngirl,
I am sorry, I can't help you with this, I am hoping that others on here may weigh in. Really, if this is a new thing for you, best to consult Doc. Good luck
Take care, Anne
A lot of fibromyalgia medications affect balance, especailly Gabapentin. That might be your problem.
Always best to consult your doctor on this smalltowngirl. When I was falling it turned out to be very low on vit. B12. Never new how dangerous this could be. Worth checking it out. Hope its nothing.
Yes hun im recently diagnosed and always clumsy and feel unsteady on my feet x
I experienced the falling suddenly around 3 yrs. ago. I was wearing high heals at the time, I thought that had something to do with it. But have experienced it since then also. You just have to be more careful on how your legs move and feet falls. Walking slower. I see your only 29 so you probably don’t want to use a cane. I hope this helps some. You are not alone.
Donna, I may only be 29, but I thought about buying a cane today. If it would help me not fall so much I think I’d be open to it.
I found a great solution yesterday…I slept most of the day and didn’t fall at all. Lol
Hello Smalltowngirl and welcome! Yes, I have a real problem with balance and falling, as well as dropping things repetitively. All three seem to be cyclical for me. But I can't tell you how many times I've fallen down stairs since I got fibro, even a few easy steps down. And yes, it's always when I am going downstairs!!!
My recommendation, and you probably won't like it- is to get and use a cane. There, I got out the horror if the suggestion! But seriously, yes, a cane has prevented me from taking falls many, many times. And you can find some really cool ones on eBay if you dig aound a bit. I have a basketful of them in all different colors and designs. I use them like an accessory, which takes away the stigma of using one, and have gotten some nice comments on them.
Your medicines could also be making you tipsy. I know when I first got on Lyrica I felt like the entire world was on a tilt for the first month or so. I think your absolutely best plan is to address this again with your physician to make sure it's not your meds.
Good luck with this and I'm sorry that you have fibro at such an early age.
Hugs to you,
Petunia Girl
I’ve pretty well decided I’m going to get a cane. I have never really cared what others thought or how I look, which had been nice since I’ve been diagnosed with fibro. I looked at a few places while I was out today and checke their canes…I’ve also been looking for a shower chair. I hate it but I get so dizzy sometimes (have for years) that I don’t feel safe standing in the shower. It’s sad to think of someone my age needing these items but if it helps that’s all that matters. Thanks for the support, suggestions, and kind words!
HI
If you go to a medical supply store they can help you get the right size cane and show you the proper way to use it. The shower chairs that have legs outside the tub are nice then you can just sit down and put your legs in the tub.
You're welcome, Smalltowngirl.
As for getting a cane, be sure that it can hold your weight and you can find out how to set its height by checking online. I have mine so that I walk erect instead of hunching over like an older woman.
Getting a seat for for the shower is a great idea. The bathroom is probably the least safe room in the house so if you can make it safer, then good for you. I might get there too.
Maybe you could put some waterproof stickers on a shower chair to cheer it up? I know that's not a great suggestion but I think that anything that makes it look less like medical equipment is good.
Take care and have a good night.
Petunia
Hi smalltowngirl, you have been given excellent advice here, I think it is great you are doing what you need to do for yourself by getting a cane. I also will fall and drop things (it is very annoying), the one thing I have noticed is both of these things are much more likely to occur when I am overly tired or haven't had enough rest for a few days. I take extra precautions during those times and I hold on to things to steady myself. Please keep us updated on how you are doing.
Hi Smalltowngirl,
I know what you mean about the shower. I have the hardest time keeping my balance in the shower. I almost fell today in the shower, but was able to catch my self by grabbing hold of the faucet. When I am walking around the house, especially when I am cleaning, I get dizzy and have trouble with my balance.
I hope you find a good cane for yourself.
Hugs, Shelly
smalltowngirl said:
I've pretty well decided I'm going to get a cane. I have never really cared what others thought or how I look, which had been nice since I've been diagnosed with fibro. I looked at a few places while I was out today and checke their canes....I've also been looking for a shower chair. I hate it but I get so dizzy sometimes (have for years) that I don't feel safe standing in the shower. It's sad to think of someone my age needing these items but if it helps that's all that matters. Thanks for the support, suggestions, and kind words!
Just found a brand new (October 25, 2021) “JAMA Internal Medicine Patient Page” with explanations and recommendations and think it fits better to an old thread than to put a new one under studies.
First, here are the most relevant other old threads: Falls?, Falling down!, Falling Down, Falling with Fibromyalgia, Losing balance, fell down stairs, Fibromyalgia and your Balance, Dizzy and Off Balance, Keeping your balance and trouble with depth perception, When you wake up each morning, do you feel like you have been beaten?, Walking Aids, Tripping ALL over the place. So Embarrassing!, Problems with legs, Has anyone gotten dizziness with Fibro?, Dizziness, Clumsiness!,