August, 2019: I had a stroke, 10 years ago and counting.
She said (the social worker, that is, surrounded by the physical therapist, the occupational therapist, the caseworker, and the grad student who took classes in becoming a physical therapist, just for support because the social worker knew she had strong opposition from me), “If you take a bad fall, and hit your head, you could die.” She put the emphasis on die. Sort of dramatic but veracious for sure.
Then she waited until I replied a minute later. Dramatic also.
I said, “No way I’m going to use a wheelchair.”Â
Bottom line an hour later: The social worker and her cohorts triumphed. I’m still in the wheelchair for now. But any day….
I say any day because I was walking with a cane, but each time I fell, I went back a few steps. And I fell a lot, too much for two hands to count. Getting the picture?
But I did what I always do–researched the reasons for falling, which I learned are a multitude!Â
Strokes most often cause incapacity on one side of the body which can make survivors lose their balance with sitting up safely or standing or, in my case, walking. Drop foot makes it worse for people can’t lift their toes fast enough to stop them from tripping.Â
Another factor affecting balance is practically or complete loss of feeling in your leg on your affected side, increasing your risk of falling.
Vision problems like double vision, eye movement difficulties, or missing part of your field of vision known as hemianopia are common after a stroke.Â
Stroke survivors may have concentration problems with trouble walking and talking at the same time, and survivors might find the need to stop walking altogether if you want talk or just listen.
Also, functioning in a hectic environment can lead to disassociating and moving to a less busy environment. Â
Arms, legs, and speech can lose coordination, known as ataxia, resulting in people’s shaky limbs, causing arms or legs to miss their goals, leading to poor balance and falls.Â
Vertigo happens because of a damaged cerebellum or brainstem that controls the body’s balance.Â
A variety of medicines prescribed after strokes can cause dizziness resulting in poor balance, like blood pressure medication and withdrawing from antidepressants. Also, migraines, inner ear infections, and urinary tract infections can cause confusion can result in balance issues.
Moving from sitting to standing repeatedly, moving past obstacles, and walking up stairs are only some of the exercises you may do, all to improve your balance.Â
If you have foot drop (trouble lifting your foot off the ground), you may have an ankle-foot orthotic (AFO). This support helps your toes and ankle when you step forward. Transferring, especially, from one place to the other, makes an AFO necessary.
Your pharmacy may offer one for less money, but it’s worth going to a medical supply, where you can ask questions and be fitted for an AFO. It’s worth the extra money because you have it for many years.
Some problems with balance leading to falls are corrected, in addition to strengthening your legs and improving your balance, by:
- Using a different medicine that avoids dizziness and vertigo, for example
- Keeping a lot of random clutter out of the way when walking, and trailing wires or frayed rugs which are a trip hazard
- Maintaining your AFO, being sure that your straps and boot are free of debris
- Having loose rugs and mats NEVER that become a trip hazard
- Utilizing handrails or bannisters and NOT seeing if you can manage without them
- Mopping up any spills right away
- Being SUPER vigilant where furniture and walls are situated
- Thinking of one thing at a time
- Getting up at night and turning the light on
- Keeping your home warm in the winter because cold muscles can throw your balance off
- Walking on slippery floors in socks NEVER
- Asking for assistance with groceries or other items with which you cannot walk safely
The most crucial move for success is physical therapy who can assess you and recommend therapy and exercises to aid in your recovery. You should not only visit physical therapy while in the hospital but also upon discharge.
That’s the juncture that often gets iffy.
- If you don’t do what’s recommended, chances are that you will regress.
- If the physical therapist says to try and do what YOU think is impossible, try and do.
- If the physical therapist has an “attitude” problem, think about whether YOU have an “attitude” problem instead. Their training is for YOUR benefit. Nobody else’s.
- Trust the physical therapist TO NOT LET YOU FALL.
As my physical therapists over the years, each one every time, repeatedly, said, “I want to keep you safe from falling.”
Mission accomplished indeed.Â
