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I have been walking with no assistance but walking has become more difficult for me and my balance is off. Recently I had a fall. I was in a store at the time and was by myself. I was reaching down to get something off the shelf and lost my balance and fell onto the floor. I got up by myself and didn’t seek medical attention. I don’t think anyone saw me fall. Does this indicate a need for assistance with walking and if so, what are the options available for pALS? Thanks so much.
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I started with a cane and then moved to a rollator, which is a wheeled walker, as my balance deteriorated. I also wear an ankle brace due to foot drop. It is important that when someone is assisting you while you walk that they know the proper techniques for spotting you. Your occupational therapist can train you and your assistant.
I found this list in my reference notes:
Progressions of mobility
– May or may not need assistive devices at some point
+ Canes, walking sticks, wheeled walkers, legged walkers, lightweight transfer chair
+ Upright walkers may not be covered by insurance
+ Braces for ankle weakness/drop footWheelchairs
– Having a wheelchair doesn’t automatically mean you have to use it continuously (you can use it to help conserve those “energy dollars”)
– Insurance will only pay for one wheelchair
– A tilt feature is important so you can take pressure off of your bottom
– Team Gleason will pay for a lift accessory that will raise the seat so you can talk to people face-to-face. They will also pay for attendant’s controls that are mounted on the back of the chair.
– Recommend getting wheelchair before you absolutely need it (gives you time to get used to operating it
– Most loan closets have power wheelchairs that you can borrow to try out or use short term if you are traveling.
– I use a lightweight transfer chair when traveling. -
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Kathy, my ALS started to affect my balance before anything else. My PT suggested trying a walking stick/trekking pole instead of a cane to start. It helped tremendously with my balance and I liked that it wasn’t a “cane”! I just ordered a set from Amazon. Also, be sure your neurologist has evaluated you for foot drop, that is usually what causes the loss of balance. a light weight AFO may be in order. I resisted getting one, but when I finally gave in it made a big difference in my balance and energy consumption when walking/standing.
I was able to use a walking stick with my AFO for 18 months before I just recently moved on to a collator (wheeled walker). Again, I resisted moving to the collator longer than I should have and now I am glad I did!
I also have a power wheelchair on loan from the ALS Association’s Loan Closet. I have used that since I was first diagnosed for any trip when I know I will have a lot of walking. As Dustin stated, it helps with conserving those “energy dollars” and actually gives you more freedom than you realize!
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In early stages of losing balance i used a pretty carved walking stick from Amazon. In the yard i used my ski poles so i could dig in the grass. That lasted maybe 2 months, and i needed rollator i ordered from walmart. Drive/nitro brand. Ive been using that for about 8 month only around house. I have a push wheelchair for going out. I got my power wheelchair from my chapter. So far I haven’t used it.
i have foot drop in both feet. Never used AFOs.
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Yes, what is an AFO? I don’t think you should use these abbreviations. It scares people away like they don’t know anything about ALS and they are stupid.
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Gunnar,
AFO stands for “ankle-foot-orthosis” which is a brace for the ankle/foot area to provide support. They come in many styles, depending on what the patient needs. Here is a quick look at them: AFO imagesMaybe this blog post I wrote about mine will be of help to you: How I Learned to Like My AFOs
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Also, trying to print this train of good suggestions. The print comes out almost unreadable. What might I be doing wrong?
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AFO = Ankle foot orthosis These take on several forms – plastic, carbon fibre, dictums which is fabric and uses your shoe laces to hold up your drop foot, to name a few.
In my case my leg has weakend up through my hip and I can’t lift my knee high enough to stop my toes hitting the floor when I step, the AFO helps tremendously.
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Hi, Kathy,
I’m sorry you had a fall, and hope you’re feeling OK. Foot drop certainly can cause you to trip and fall, but I have fallen many times in the last few years simply by leaning inadvertently to only a minuscule degree, so unexpectedly. A neurologist friend said it indicates that the nerves in my feet aren’t correctly signaling the brain. I mention this only to urge you to be aware of this possible risk.
<div>I use a <b>Nitro Euro Style 4 wheel rollator,</b> which I got through Amazon, around the house. (I splurged and paid out of pocket.) I use the seat as a tray, e.g., my laptop, for moving things from room to room. It also has a great built-in bag at the front for transporting things. Its very sturdy and helps prevent falls. Its only limitation is that it is too heavy for me to lift myself into the car. Others can lift it, but its not light for them either. For that reason, I splurged (again) and also bought an <b>ultra light, carbon based rollator called ByAcre</b>, from Sweden. I returned the “organizer bag that hooks in the front because, while stylish, it kept slipping off. I can easily whisk it Into the car. The only limitation is that it is not as sturdy as the Nitro. I’m very light – 5’7, 120 – and feel like that’s a good weight for it, though it looks on their website like bigger people use it, too.</div>
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<div>I want to mention another product that could be great if you maintain strength in your legs and have the space to store it and access to an outdoor environment to use it in. It’s called the <b>Alinker</b>, from Canada. It is a three-wheeled walking bike that has been promoted by actress Selma Blair, who has severe MS. I have not bought one because my living arrangement would make it challenging to use, but for people with slower progressing ALS it could be so liberating for getting outside on paved or dirt paths. I know ALS patients in the UK, at least, have done fundraisers via Alinker to purchase them. https://www.thealinker.com</div>
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<div>Good luck to you!</div>
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<div>Jennifer</div> -
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