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Nigel, you have my sympathy -- falling is a problem for me as well (diagnosed 1994, now 63). I have it in both directions, that is, falling to the front and falling to the rear. It is mostly controlled by my meds (sinemet, mirapex, comtan), but not totally, as one of my hardest falls happened yesterday while I was out for a walk. There are some practical things you can do, especially since you have some indication that a fall is about to happen. Sitting down is a good idea. Becoming conscious of foot placement is essential -- when I fall to the front both feet are lined up on the same plane; try to keep one foot in front. Grabbing the arm of a companion can reestablish balance. If you feel yourself going backwards, you can thrust a leg to the rear to act as a brake. Small things, but if you can avoid a fall, more power to you. Incidentally, I did Aikido for ten years in the distant past, and some falls have ended in my executing a front roll, I wouldn't recommend trying it if you were just learning, but the look of amazement on the faces of spectators is a hoot. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nigel Harland" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:52 AM Subject: Loss of Balance,/ Falling > Hi, I have had PD since 1989, am now aged 53 and in recent months have > been experiencing loss of balance resulting in me falling flat on my face > causing damage not only to my knees and hands, but also to any household > items which are in my way when I fall. This usually happens between doses > of medication, and seems to have got worse since I started on Rotigotine > patches. The frustrating thing about this is that I can tell when I am > about to fall, but I can't stop myself, it is almost as if there is a > little voice in my head saying " Fall, fall" and however hard I try to > stop it, down I go. > Does anyone else have a similar experience, and perhaps any advice on how > to stop it from happening. > > Regards > Nigel Harland > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: > mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.21.7/1328 - Release Date: 3/13/2008 > 11:31 AM > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn