I don't know why, but my legs have deteriorated considerably over the last few months. Six months ago, although I tired pretty easily, I could walk as well as most. Now I am staggering around like a feeble old man - well, to be fair, I am a feeble old man, but you you know what I mean - final straw was a couple of falls this week. Thankfully, in each case I was able to grab onto something on the way down, but that was luck. This morning, up until early lunch time I was very wobbly indeed, so I have accepted the seemingly inevitable and ordered a tri-walker.
Can't believe it - Veronica had such a device as she became more and more disabled. After she died, through a mutual friend, I passed it on to a lady on the village who had need need of such a device. Never in my worst nightmare did I imagine that I would need one myself
Sorry to hear that Mike. You certainly need to apply for a Blue card which should make things a little easier for you.
Oh Mike, I know just how you feel. After my knee replacements my balance was bad, but I managed and took my dads staff walking stick when I was out with the dogs. NOW, after my fall back at the start of the year my balance is so much worse, it scares me sometimes. I'm really dreading this coming winter the thought of falling on ice again fills me with terror, I don't understand why my balance has gone like this, only time I walk ok is in the pool and I can fire up n down the lengths no bother.
well, Veronica had one, but the form filling and that were horrendous, she was much more disabled than myself - in fact, on a good day I really don't feel that I could claim to be eligible - but if things get worse....
August 31, 2023, 07:54:15 PMQuote from: Raven on August 31, 2023, 07:52:03 PMOh Mike, I know just how you feel. After my knee replacements my balance was bad, but I managed and took my dads staff walking stick when I was out with the dogs. NOW, after my fall back at the start of the year my balance is so much worse, it scares me sometimes. I'm really dreading this coming winter the thought of falling on ice again fills me with terror, I don't understand why my balance has gone like this, only time I walk ok is in the pool and I can fire up n down the lengths no bother.
I don't understand it - six months or so I was fine.
You should apply for mobility, if you can get the highest rate you will have no problem getting a blue badge. Phone Welfare Rights and they will help you get it.
Sometimes I think it's the luck of the draw.(Health) I can't walk the length and breadth of cities as I did up to 3 years ago, yet my friend who is exactly the same age as me is in a bloody ramblers club !
Have you thought about one of those mini exercisers, to use while you're sitting ? supposed to help improve mobility.
https://orbitrek-mx.thanedirect.co.uk/?
Quote from: Alex on August 31, 2023, 07:56:22 PMSometimes I think it's the luck of the draw.(Health) I can't walk the length and breadth of cities as I did up to 3 years ago, yet my friend who is exactly the same age as me is in a bloody ramblers club !
Have you thought about one of those mini exercisers, to use while you're sitting ? supposed to help improve mobility.
https://orbitrek-mx.thanedirect.co.uk/?
Good Idea, I got the Cubii one a couple of years ago. It's great, helped with my recovery as well.
Quote from: Raven on August 31, 2023, 07:55:43 PMYou should apply for mobility, if you can get the highest rate you will have no problem getting a blue badge. Phone Welfare Rights and they will help you get it.
You can't apply for PIP (Adult Disability Payment in Scotland) after you reach state pension age, only Attendance Allowance, and there isn't a mobility element as such in it. You have to be a recipient before that cut off. Quite discriminatory against older people IMO, as two people of the same age, say 70, can have the same condition, but won't qualify for the same benefits, as one claimed just before they got to state pension age, and one didn't.
https://www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment/applicants
Mike would most probably qualify for AA, and for a blue badge. Age UK has a really helpful guide to completing these forms.
Michael.. If you struggle with your walking then you need to apply for a badge....
It isn't as if you are pretending.. Just do it man.. and use it when you feel that you need it.. I think you will find it a great help..
Anyway... you are entitled to it..
Listen to what GrannyMac is saying..
Quote from: Alex on August 31, 2023, 07:56:22 PMSometimes I think it's the luck of the draw.(Health) I can't walk the length and breadth of cities as I did up to 3 years ago, yet my friend who is exactly the same age as me is in a bloody ramblers club !
Have you thought about one of those mini exercisers, to use while you're sitting ? supposed to help improve mobility.
https://orbitrek-mx.thanedirect.co.uk/?
An older friend of mine, I think she's just turned 80, still does the local park run most weeks. I'm lucky if I can get to the park on foot some days. 😢
I do exercises just about every day - 10 minutes on the treadmill, 20-30 minutes of exercises including squats, a variety of arm and back exercises and 15 laps of the house, which equates to around 600 yards - this is why these sudden wobbles are so confusing
I hope I'm not tempting fate, but I suppose I must consider myself fortunate as I can still do everything I've always been able to do, including ladders & heavy lifting.
It's been put to the test in the past few days when I've helped my young female friend to clear out her old home & will be put to the test in the next few days when I help her to move into her new home.
I have had the "you shouldn't really be doing that" lectures from her. Lol :grin:
fingers crossed, Phil. This is what is so frustrating. My balance is very poor - I dread having to change a light bulb, for example as I am very unsteady if I have to reach above my head, that sort of thing I struggle to lift the watering can- five litres - if I have filled it fully. And to think one the things they had us do in RAF basic training was to jog with someone of your own weight slung over your shoulder!
Quote from: Michael Rolls on September 01, 2023, 07:31:35 AMfingers crossed, Phil. This is what is so frustrating. My balance is very poor - I dread having to change a light bulb, for example as I am very unsteady if I have to reach above my head, that sort of thing I struggle to lift the watering can- five litres - if I have filled it fully. And to think one the things they had us do in RAF basic training was to jog with someone of your own weight slung over your shoulder!
My balance is fine & I'm still ok lifting things up to 35kg, which I'll be doing during the next few days.
I'm also ok carrying heavy shopping from Morrisons to our house but it's only around 800 metres.
When I went to church, as a youngster, the vicar used to say something about this 'transitory life' in one of the prayers & it's only now that I realise the significance of it.
We all remember what we (could) do.. And it comes as a shock when we are not able to do it all.. I have noticed a difference in the past twelve months .. Lifting.. Walking up hills.. Climbing up ladders.. Some have good days and bad days..
BUT we must accept the FACT that we are ageing.. Diasi is fortunate that he is still able to do many things.. Old people run marathons and climb mountains.. But not ALL old people are able to do this..
Life becomes much easier if we help ourselves to manage it.. A stick.. A badge..
and I used to be able to support a hundredweight bag of cement or similar above my head with one hand - that's eight stone. Needed two hands to lift it off the ground, though - and at 16 I did a 440 in 60 seconds - ah, the memories :cry: :cry: :cry:
Perhaps you could ask your neighbour to go up ladders to change bulbs ect, I really don't think you should attempt it yourself. Safety before pride.. :worried:
don't worry, I will. Pride is no longer my middle name! Must say, my balance has got noticeably worse in the last three months or so.
Maybe a chat with your GP? I know there is a Clinic at PRI for balance they give you all sorts of tests to find the cause and help recovery, but you need to be refered. It's up at the top of Taymount Terr off Rose Cres, parking is not a problem up there and it's only a few yards to the door and the Clinic is at the right of the door.
Balance declines as we age but perhaps there is some 'fixable' reason for your balance problem ? ears, thyroid ? As Raven suggests a visit to your GP may help :upvote:
Many years ago, I had labyrinthitis and I was unable to stand upright without falling over for a week or two. I had to take time off work. A really horrible feeling which also brought on nausea.
I ordered some Whiskas cat food in bulk & it came today in 12 boxes of 12 pouches in a polythene wrapping with strapping tapes.
The delivery driver carried them up the drive using both hands & when he saw me he said it was quite heavy & would I be ok so I thanked him for asking, took the package from him & tucked it under my right arm.
His face was a picture. Lol
Then a few minutes ago a Microwave combi oven was delivered & the same thing, when the driver saw me, about it's weight & was I ok with it.
He knew I was when I picked it up one-handed with one of the finger holes.
My late brother had a real problem with falls and was referred to a falls clinic, which he found absolutely no helpat all. Oddly enough, today my legs and balance have been better than for some time, so I may just cross my fingers for a while
Given the huge waits in the NHS I'd advise making a start on getting it looked at right now.
I think that I will try and get a GP appointment next week
Quote from: Alex on August 31, 2023, 07:56:22 PMSometimes I think it's the luck of the draw.(Health) I can't walk the length and breadth of cities as I did up to 3 years ago, yet my friend who is exactly the same age as me is in a bloody ramblers club !
Have you thought about one of those mini exercisers, to use while you're sitting ? supposed to help improve mobility.
https://orbitrek-mx.thanedirect.co.uk/?
I bought one of these and it hasn't helped.
I did a pulmonary rehabilitation course at the hospital and one of the exercises was to sit in a steady chair or on the edge of a bed, cross my hands across my chest and stand up and sit down. I think this is one of the best exercises for strengthening legs. They did say that, if you have dodgy lungs, your legs can become weaker. I have bursitis in my hip at the moment and that is limiting what I can do so I can feel my legs becoming weaker.
Quote from: Sheila on September 02, 2023, 08:38:54 AMI bought one of these and it hasn't helped.
I did a pulmonary rehabilitation course at the hospital and one of the exercises was to sit in a steady chair or on the edge of a bed, cross my hands across my chest and stand up and sit down. I think this is one of the best exercises for strengthening legs. They did say that, if you have dodgy lungs, your legs can become weaker. I have bursitis in my hip at the moment and that is limiting what I can do so I can feel my legs becoming weaker.
Sheila.. I have just done that exercise sitting on my kitchen chair.. I passed.. :clap:
September 02, 2023, 11:57:10 AMQuote from: Michael Rolls on September 02, 2023, 03:14:13 AMI think that I will try and get a GP appointment next week
Don't 'think about it'... bloody do it..
You know it makes sense..
ain't that easy - trying for an appointment is like searching for the Holy Grail
Take a look at the Livi app. If your GP supports it you can get a video appointment on phone or tablet pretty quickly.
I've used it several times and you can get referrals to the next level beyond the GP although the GP surgery does seem to police that to a degree. I used it the other day as I have a Dupuytren's related problem with one of my fingers and thought I was getting an appointment with a physician but have just had a letter which says I'll be contracted by a hospital orthopedic traige service.
thanks