Tottering Granny?

[Skye]

Have I suddenly become a tottering granny? I thought at 66 it was a bit early for this but I've recently fell twice while out walking on the pavement. I didn't trip nor I felt dizzy, all of the sudden while I was marching along I've landed on my knees, luckily only grazed my right knee on both occasions. But now I'm a bit concerned, could it be the type of shoes I wear, they are thick rubber mid wedges which I always thought were quite safe apart from occasionally "breaking" or is my foot rolling to the side? Should I get a walking stick and would this save me from falling?

[Oma]

Sound like your knees are giving way Skye or as you say your foot rolling to one side . I think if it happens again you should visit your Dr

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I think get it checked out too Skye. There can be a number of reasons for this including mineral deficiency which can cause "stumbling". The doctor will probably want to do some blood tests to see if that is the case. I think potassium and sodium are two of the culprits which cause all sorts of odd things including loss of balance and having "little tumblings" as my Dad used to call them.

[Shemadee]

My knee occasionally gives out but it is quite painful just while it happens. I changed all my shoes to flatties when I had a painful foot then read somewhere that a slight heel is better and so it has proved! Might be trial and error with shoes but think a doctor's appointment might be a good idea just to rule out any other causes.

[Libra Gran]

I agree with the others Skye off to the Doctors with you,get it checked out.Possibly nothing to worry about,but better to be on the safe side.

[Nanto2girls]

I say the same as all the others, a visit to your GP.

[Nana]

Hello Skye. Missed you on here. Did the stumbles just happen out of the blue? Strange isn't it? Did you feel a weakness in your muscles, joints or bones? I'm glad that you didn't hurt yourself too badly. I agree with the others. A visit to the docs won't go amiss.

[Gemini]

Skye I had a phase of doing this a few years ago (still in my 50s then) People began almost expecting me to trip. No idea why, and like you no real damage apart from hurting my knees, and the embarrassment!

[Skye]

Thanks for your replies ladies. To be honest I don't want to see the doctor as yet, will try different shoes and see if it still happens, and Gem glad you too experienced the same thing. I've been googling "Safe shoes for the elderly"...

[Daisy]

Ske - it's worth trying different shoes, but you may just have tripped over an uneven paving stone or something similar.

If you think it would help you could try your local leisure centre - they probably run classes that help with balance and strengthen your 'inner core' - whatever that may be! My OH went along to one for a while last year to keep a friend company and he said it all looked too easy, until he woke up the next morning aching! But he did think it was very beneficial, even though he didn't have any specific balance problems.

[Plantaholic]

My SIL says I need to improve my core strength to help me. My doctor says it is caused by the nerves in the knees getting weak.

[Skye]

Thanks Plant helpful suggestions as I've had slight problems with my right leg which I put down to "strain". But don't you get paranoid about falling over?

[Plantaholic]

Yes very much so, some of my falls are because I fail to take care when I am doing a job I forget what hazard is behind me. I cannot walk in the dark, even with a stick I can't see where to put my feet, steps without hand rails are a nono. You are quite a bit younger than me Skye, I think 70 was my bench mark, it all went downhill then.

[Shemadee]

I know what you mean about the paranoia! I fell down the steps that lead down to our house and it has made me ultra cautious! I am always wary on stairs now.

[Enfys]

Plant, you are so right! I feel the same about 70 being the age that I started to notice little things happening. I too have to watch where I out my feet when going up or down stairs etc and I find I can't do so much without having a sit down! Skye, take heart I'm sure it's nothing drastic but worth getting checked out.