#91: Preventing Falls with Parkinson's: Can You Do It?

No one plans on falling but when you are living with Parkinson's, there is a high likelihood that falling may occur due to the disease, or just a normal trip on the curb. Either way, there are things you can learn about and things you can practice today to be prepared if and when a fall occurs.

[@xjet]

The frequency with which I fall has gradually increased over the past three years -- mostly it seems to because I'm not lifting my feet as high on bad days. Fortunately I'm still able to bruise/bounce rather than break. I'm focused on maintaining a healthy muscle-mass and strength for good reason!

[@tomrio9914]

The words of the 59th Street Bridge song come to mind. Slow down, you move too fast. Take it from a been there done that veteran. Good tips!

[@lisaksv1750]

Easy on Brian! It looks like he has classic PD masked expression.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

Haha, I know! I say that to him so he starts showing expressions. Its just like exercise and looking in the mirror. If you are working out and not looking in the mirror, chances are you might not notice that your arm isn't straightening out or you aren't lifting your foot up as high. Same for facial expressions, so I like to tell him so he can exercise his face ;)

[@bradkeough8073]

You will find as your PD progresses you will hunch over to balance yourself out plus your eyes won't move fully up or down and your will have to physically move your head down to see the ground. My worst fear is when I fall backwards so I throw myself left or right because sitting just doesn't happen easily.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

Melissa tells us all the time to practice pulling your shoulders back because all PD wants to do is force us to hunch over and make us smaller. Easier said then done though, right?

[@moiogando]

Brian didn't blink ... symptom of PD ... and Melissa get nervous ... 😅

[@melissacarlson1963]

Ha ha! Brian is so intimidating.......😂

[@AS-jb2zi]

I have PD and many times fall backwards but at the same time i'm losing my balance. I try to grab something like the furniture or anything to break the fall. I also have something calling festination gait. It's uncontrollable running forward. I cannot control my legs at all when that happens. I once ran into the window of a restaurant with my walker. It sounded like a car crashed into the window. The owner of the restaurant ran outside in fear. There is no information on festination gait on the internet. I asked my doctor why and he said it's because there is absolutely no medication to help it. I should do exercises like that chi. I run into walls and furniture and everything. I broke a closet door knob when I grabbed it once to break my from the powerful running. Can you do a podcast on it?

[@user-zh6lw5zy1w]

I like your podcast and have liked all episodes. I am 73 years old and have had Parkinson’s for 19 years. I just cannot agree with the lady(Melissa) is name. I’ve had my glasses for 42 years and hearing aids for 18 years. Hearing & seeing did not cause my falling 11time in the last year.

[@moiogando]

Noooo … He’s not !!! Even When Jess and you are you both lovely he’s such a nice guy …

[@melissacarlson1963]

We just like to give him a hard time. Brian is the best!

[@Zerobar78.]

My MDS told me that DBS has no bearing on balance/falling over.

[@thesecretlifeofparkinsons]

Correct, I don't think it does. I think DBS helps mainly with tremor and dystonia