I am waiting for a diagnosis for MS having suffered from falls, aching limbs, drop foot for over 2 years. I take Baclofen and Duloxetin, does anyone else have regular falls ?
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Improving your core strength can help to keep you upright and I found these exercises really made a difference. Core stability exercises (a pilates type approach) | MS Trust
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Hi there, No I don’t have falls but sometimes I do suffer from balance problems- a sort of vertigo/ slight dizziness. Thinking about it then years ago did once fall into a hedge 
but these days I’m just ultra careful about walking and use a stick for balance
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Hi Sue.
Sorry to hear of your falls. If it’s all related to musculo skeletal issues, as Whammel says, some core exercising may help to keep you a bit more stable 
I haven’t fallen yet but, my Ballance is off - I’m ok physically, it’s just the lesion on my Occipital lobe that’s made me partially sighted so, I can’t find and focus on an anchor point in my vision to properly orient and stabilise myself. It’s a bit like getting home from the pub years ago. Going up and down stairs is a bit more tricky nowadays.
Maybe think about your move before you attempt it - where are you going. What route are you taking. What’s in the way. Where might you land if you do fall. What can you use for stability on the way.
Good luck 
Jon.
Hi @sue.dermot, While ever I agree with whammel, sadly not all balance issues can be fixed with these exercises, mine for instance comes from having a slight nystagmus (eye wobble) so on movement my balance is rubbish, keep wanting to fall over on my right side, been pretty much like this since diagnoses, it doesn’t help that I have right sided weakness, so although in the beginning I could walk with a stick, then a walker, now I’m in a wheelchair.
But I will say this, I think it’s really important to establish with your MS team why you are having falls, whammel’s way might be the best way for you (he’s pretty good at checking things out) but please find out if there is anything else going on, good luck,
Jean x
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Falls are horrid (she says with feeling) and are a real morbidity risk for us, not least because they’re so hard to recover from when there’s so little slack in the system at the best of times. Frequent falls obviously come with a big injury risk - obviously! - and getting full function back post-injury is really difficult - if it’s even possible at all, as I and many of us know all too well.
You need to find out what the problem is with your gait and balance of course and that’s what you’re doing already and that’s weary work I now. In the meantime, might it be worth investing in a physio assessment to see what you might do in terms of exercise to strengthen your defences in the meantime?
In my own case, I do as much strengthening exercise as I can and use whatever walking aids I need to help stay upright. But falling over remains a constant hazard because my legs don’t work so well and balance isn’t great, and this ice scares the wits out of me.
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Hi Sue, has your dropped foot been addressed? I have foot drop on my right side and I used to fall all the time. This has improved since using FES. I still have occasional falls but more due to balance issues. Hope you find something to help!
Sue x
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Thank you for taking the time to post your response which I found very interesting. Do you find the exercises cause fatigue ?
Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.
I ended up in A & E due to swelling in both legs following my falls. The doctor at the hospital said I should speak to the MS Team. I have not yet been given access to an MS team’s expertise until I get an official diagnosis. How have you found the MS team with any advice they could provide me?
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You are not alone feeling anxious about falling over. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Hi Sue, how did you get the opportunity to have FES? Was it through the neurolgical consultant or MS team?
I feel bad that you are experiencing this- it is very stressful when you are waiting to be diagnosed. Although it is possible that MS patients or other people with a neuronal disorder fall regularly because of muscle weakness, spasticity, balance problems, or drop foot despite their medications, such as Baclofen or Duloxetine. Monitoring symptoms and communicating the fall-prevention strategies with your care team may actually help, although such issues as Made By Dentists Promo Codes are likely to appear when studying your everyday care routine, fall management most likely demands medical attention, physiotherapy, and home-based safety measures.
Hi I attend National Neurology Hospital, Holborn. They have a walking clinic and my consultant suggested FES. I have successfully used FES for eight years now.
Sue x
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Not directly, but muscle deconditioning means I am limited on how much can be managed. I guess it depends on the type of fatigue you have and the likely cause.
Why am I so fatigued? - by Gavin Giovannoni - MS-Selfie
Incidentally, your GP can refer you for FES assessment.
Referral options | Odstock Medical
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Thanks for the link to the MS Selfie article Whammel, tbh are really helpful.
I’ve also sent it to my husband. He’s pretty understanding but ‘knowledge is power’ and all that 
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Hi sue.dermot, I would say getting some physio so they can assess how your balance, gait and walking are under their supervision, as they have the equipment to keep you safe and they eye to maybe see what’s going on.
Good luck., waiting to get a diagnoses can be frustrating, as we don’t get any help until we get it, take care,
Jean x
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