Seniors
Related: About this forumAnyone have balance issues,
addressed or thinking of addressing with cataract surgery?
Thx
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)But having had multiple ruptured eardrums in childhood, earaches, and other related symptoms.
I just had staples removed from a brain intervention of 5/20, a procedure that followed a fall from dizziness, an ambulance trip to ER and then a LifeFlight to a major medical center, released 5/24, glad to be alive.
Balance is one of the indicators, I think, of any number of conditions including, but not limited to, poor circulation and, possibly, aneurisms about to occur, as was my case.
Never take for granted what seems so natural, some folks pass in their thirties from what scared me in my fifties.
elleng
(136,880 posts)Also have 'some' hydrocephalus, diagnosed 2 years ago, and trying to avoid 'brain' surgery. (NOT mandatory, but walking is my only exercise, I rent a country cottage where my lawn is not even, walking path is unpaved, and want/need to be able to walk regularly.) Appears likely I have a cataract, so would prefer to try to address balance issues first that way.
Haven't had any serious conditions like you describe (fortunately.) Be well!
Dad lived to 98, grandbaby near my cottage about to be born, so must maximize mobility and health.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)You might know from my FB posts that I've been more active, careful about diet, using a fitbit and tracking 5-7 miles walking per day, but I became complacent and with a change in insurance coverage from $1,350/month COBRA to $544 ACA, I was negligent in picking up where I left off with meds and regular checkups with my PCP. As it turns out, the hypertension is no joke, and it doesn't go away as easily as high cholesterol numbers. Add to that loss of both parents last year, change in jobs, and other stress factors, and you have a recipe for a brain attack.
Glad you're walking, I am catching up to my old routine, and glad, too, for your beautiful cottage one the water, not unlike my new place overlooking the ocean.
We worked hard for what we have and what we try to give back, but can never be too careful about looking after ourselves.
Take those walks, breath deeply, take pictures, smile often.
elleng
(136,880 posts)Missed sunset at the river tonight as am in DC suburb til tomorrow, but will get back to walking Sunday. You've probably seen it!
No hypertension, but also don't do anywhere near 5 miles/day. We've both suffered some personal pains, but we have our sunsets!
And will smile at daughter's baby shower tomorrow! (after I bring the guacamole!) Hope to have some pics.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Now I'm craving guacamole!
There's always tomorrow.
Thanks for being there for me and for so many others, you're really quite a role model, at least to me.
elleng
(136,880 posts)LiberalLoner
(10,223 posts)And I hope your balance problems get better, too.
elleng
(136,880 posts)I'm putting it off for the time being, lots of research to do by me and my doc, and with daughter expecting in July, I'm not jumping into anything immediately.
No Vested Interest
(5,211 posts)and other issues.
Am scheduling cataract surgery for the fall, more for vision reasons than balance, and for the convenience of having the surgery done before holidays and winter.
Thank goodness, I have not fallen, as I would have a problem getting up- knee replacement surgery 10 yrs ago makes use of knees in that regard problematic, if not impossible.
My answer to any balance issues I have - not serious- is to use a cane when on uneven or wet surfaces. I don't use a cane indoors, and most times out-of-doors, but when going to unknown situations I take one along and then determine if it's necessary. I have a standard cane and a folding one, the latter is kept in the car along with an umbrella.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)I had both eyes done in March in two separate operations. It was a piece of cake. No pain whatsoever. I did have a bit of a balance problem, but I learned to stay off ladders and stepladders.
No Vested Interest
(5,211 posts)procedures, (I will have two separate, as well), the thought of having to put in drops every 4 hrs for 2 months is a little daunting.
However, if everyone else gets through that, I guess I can, too.
Crewleader
(17,005 posts)Hi No Vest Interest and elleng...
I had cataract surgery two weeks apart April 21 and May 8....tons of eye drops indeed. In my case I had two cataracts in my right eye , a very aggressive one that took my vision completely and with my left eye, a regular cataract with blurry vision and straining to see.
I was fighting infections just to have the surgery so I was pretty blind for very long time.
I suffer dry eye too so that's a lifetime of eye drops which keeps my time limited on the computer. But it's truly a miracle to see now, I had Toric Lens put in ridding me of my Astigmatism which is like a cataract in itself and my doctor agrees. Those Toric Lens freed me of my eye glasses to enjoy the vision of my youth.
And I must say I sure am enjoying seeing again and appreciating the view.
Best to both of you on your surgeries....you two will certainly enjoy the vision of your youth.
elleng
(136,880 posts)Sounds like quite an 'adventure' you embarked on.
No Vested Interest
(5,211 posts)I've heard from some friends that they have 20/20 vision after their cataract surgery.
Isn't it wonderful that such is available to us in this day and age?
I wouldn't even mind using eyeglasses still, just to have clearer vision.
My father had cataract surgery rather young, in his late 40's.
That was in about 1950.
The poor man had to lie still on his back for at least 2 weeks, not turning his head - with sand bags on either side of his head.
Even then, after that, he had to have thick "coke-bottle-like" lens in his eyeglasses.
I guess they hadn't perfected the artificial lens at that time.
We are so lucky in that regard.
Stay well.
elleng
(136,880 posts)anything surgery-wise I schedule won't be until at the earliest the autumn.
I haven't fallen either, luckily have no knee etc problems, and when I walk along my uneven yard and unpaved path, I use a 3-pronged walking stick, which I keep in the car.
ImaPolitico
(150 posts)Having Fibromyalgia for approx six years, am starting to have little balance problems. Not bad by any means, but there has been a slight problem.
Really noticed last year when signed up for Tai Chi class. OMG. I could not believe doing the mildest moves there I was the only one in the class having slight balance problem. There were seniors in the class that did better than I did!