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Do you remember, at support group, those classes or educational sessions where an occupational therapist has gone over the basics of standing, sitting, getting in and out of beds, cars, etc? Didn't it seem just too simple? I am beginning to have some balance issues, and I'm definitely going to pay more attention to the minutiae of how I actually move. How can I improve my sense of balance? One fortunate part of my history is that at about the same time I was diagnosed with PD (2001) I was a student of aikido, a martial art that emphasizes, would you believe, learning how to fall correctly, as well as lots of steps, spins, throws, etc. All of these take a high level of awareness of one's "center of gravity". I guess I've been operating on the leftovers from my dojo days, but I think I could probably adapt some of that learning to today. There are a number of step by step movements that I could refine into balance exercises. Anyone could look for the same type of info. Tai Chi is one good way to gently increase your sense of balance, and Yoga is another. Martial arts is the study of combat, which may be undesirable to a great many PWP, but the concepts are there if you dig. My point is to keep digging, keep walking, keep aware of your center, and keep challenging yourselves to not let this damn thing beat you. Rick McGirr -----Original Message----- From: Parkinson's Information Exchange Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Susan and Iven Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 9:26 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: falling down My husband, Iven, has the same problem and has almost fallen over or has to sit down. He is now very careful on how he gets to standing positions. Also we added a salt tablet once a day to his meds, since I have high bp and prefer a low salt diet. Lately he has been doing quite well even while doing some bending tasks to set up our RV and gardening. His BP is variable and sometimes goes high. They also want him to wear compression (strangulation) stockings to push the blood up his legs. We tried the very firms ones they gave him and they are almost impossible to get on, plus they are awful to keep on. I bought him some lower compression ones that he can get on and will actually wear sometimes so that helps too. good luck with the bp. Susan cg for Iven 68/58/58 Lafayette OR On 3/13/2012 8:37 AM, Scott Burnett wrote: > Ray and the group, > > I also have had several (3 ) episodes of extreme dizziness, almost a fainting sensation. This rapidly goes from bad to worse as I begin shuffling my feet and my torso leans forward. My chest gets now beating my feet in a race to the ground! Thank goodness all 3 events have ended well, with me being caught by my wife or an innocent bystander. > > Here's the interesting part. My Neurologist, Dr. Jacqueline Chan, who by the way, is awesome (she works in the Stockton, Modesto, Tracy California area-Phone number (209)957-7050) told me there were two possible reasons for my falls. On the one hand it could be the Requip I'd been taking for the last 14 years. It says right on the bottle, "Don't drive on this medication until you've tested it's effect on you. May cause passing out." > > On the other hand maybe it's something simpler, something that won't involve increasing my PD meds. Lo and behold, there was another possible reason. She had me lay down on the table and checked my blood pressure and heart rate... a ok. Then she had me sit up... virtually the same in both areas. Then she tested me going from a.sitting > to a standing position and whoa! Major change... my BP dropped almost 35 points! No wonder I'm getting dizzy. I've always had normal to slightly low BP and we've added medicines that tend to lower your BP anyway. Add to that the fact my heart didn't speed up enough to push that blood and oxygen up to my brain. It was just pooling in my lower extremities. > > So, what's the plan? Well. i'm probably the only 54 year old american male whose Dr. tells him he needs to eat more salt! I'm talking salt tablets and drinking V-8 juice in an effort to raise my BP! Pretty funny, huh? > I'll keep you posted on how I progress. > > > > Scott Burnett > [log in to unmask] > 209-478-9328 > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] > In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn > -- Susan Lafayette, OR ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn