Physical Balance

Yesterday, I attended a balance workshop at a local physical therapy center. The workshop discussed four main causes of balance/dizziness issues. Later, I took the 30 second balance test, and flunked it majorly. Healthy balance is a score greater than or equal to 71.0% for this test, and I scored 31.9%, which is profoundly reduced.

I knew I was having problems with losing my balance. I get light-headed when I bend over, like when I’m putting my dog’s harness on before we go for a walk. Sometimes for no apparent reason, I’m walking sideways as if the ground suddenly shifted. I have osteoporosis in my lumbar spine and left hip, so I’m finding myself becoming more fearful of falling. The fact that I was the youngest person at the workshop, and scored the worst of those the therapist had tested from that morning, was really discouraging.

The physical therapist says that therapy sessions should help. So we’ll see if my doctor will write a prescription, and if it really will help. Finding out that I have a new health issue is very discouraging for me. Questions swirl around my head: Is the balance problem from my fibro? My meds? Or is something else malfunctioning?

Life Balance

On top of that I’m struggling to balance my life. My 21 year old son’s junker car won’t run, so some days he borrows mine, and some days I drive him to school. Add in the 18 year old’s work and school schedule, and I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. So putting physical therapy into the mix feels like way too much. I’m so TIRED.

This momma is running on no energy and no money to help my son get his car fixed. I had decided to not do my volunteer work this afternoon so I could rest, but two of our volunteers are out with the flu. We pack food bags for local kids who don’t have anything to eat over the weekends when school isn’t in session. If I don’t go, I’ll feel guilty for not helping, and if I do go my body will not be cooperative.

I’ve been wearing a mask when I go out to keep me from getting the flu. I hate masks, but I hate getting sick, because my asthma goes bonkers.

Some days I just want to crawl under the covers and stay there. It would be nice to actually get some sleep instead of lying awake for 1-2.5 hours each night even when I’m exhausted. I’m going to ask my doc about melatonin when I see him next week. Any medication that would cause more unsteadiness is not an option in my opinion.

Conclusions

I’ve often told my kids that life is like floating down a river in a raft. Sometimes the water is rough, and requires all our attention and action to keep us upright and in the raft. Other parts of the river are calm, so we can sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. I think I’m currently in swift water. I need to just go with the flow. Easier said than done.

I would love to be serene and move with ease in life, like Jesus did when he walked this earth. He was mobbed by needy crowds, hated by religious leaders, misunderstood by his disciples, and he never freaked out and started yelling, swearing, or sobbing like a fool. He just kept on steadily doing what He needed to do. May we be more like Him in our daily chaos.

Finally, if you’re having balance and or dizziness issues get checked. Not only are falls painful, they can be very detrimental to our health, and our independence. Since I am now a high-fall risk, I need to re-read my post on falls, and refresh my memory on fall prevention tips. You can read it here.

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Till next time, Kathy