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Neuropathy and balance....
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Feb 9, 2019 09:05:32   #
brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY
 
I use the VA too in Brooklyn, NY. They tried Gabapentin on me and it didn't work. Now I've been on Lyrica for a few years it helps to relieve the burning feet at night when trying to go to sleep. This condition really sucks for sure.
Bigmike1 wrote:
While I am not actively engaged in photographing sports events requiring me to balance and shoot I do have a problem with neuropathy. My doctor at the VA prescribed Gabapentin, which I take at night. I found that I can't take it during the day. At 78 I am still driving a paratransit bus and found myself literally fighting to stay awake. I learned that German doctors have been prescribing Alpha Lipoic Acid for more than 25 years now to treat neuropathy. I have been taking it for at least a couple of years now but don't think it is working much for me. They say it shows signs of regenerating nerves and I am still waiting. I continue to take it hoping that it just takes time to work. You can get 600 mg capsules on Amazon at pretty good prices. Good luck with your photo work. I had a good friend, a professional photographer, who had neuropathy so bad that it finally killed him. Neuropathy sure ain't fun.
While I am not actively engaged in photographing s... (show quote)

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Feb 9, 2019 09:17:57   #
Oldan Strange Loc: Georgia, USA
 
I began having these same issues 5 years ago, at age 72. I was advised to find a Tai Chi instructor who teaches a form of Tai Chi specifically directed at fall prevention, developed by Dr. Paul Lam. I now do my routine EVERY day (about 20 min). I find that my ability to balance and "change directions" has improved. I have not fallen in 5 years (much to the chagrin of my wife who insisted i get one of the SOS devices to wear). Most significantly, I can stand upright and put on my trousers w/o assistance! Keep moving!!

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Feb 9, 2019 09:23:57   #
brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY
 
Lyrica is what I am on 300mg daily. I am lucky that I get it through the Brooklyn VA. I checked the price and it is very, very expensive.

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Feb 9, 2019 10:07:31   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
I don't have that problem I'm about to turn 87 and have a bad left eye. Do go up long flights of stairs slower than usual but live in a two story old house and think having to go up and down the steps allay keeps me in shape. Don't let old age be an excuse, just keep going.

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Feb 9, 2019 10:13:51   #
Outdoorsafe Loc: Colorado Springs
 
A couple of other thoughts from one who has similar balance issues - Carry your camera using a shoulder strap so that you have both hands free. Then add one or two ( I use two) hikers walking sticks when you are moving around, These sticks have loops to put your hands through so that you can release the sticks when you want to shoot and then easily regain them when you want to move on.. This systemworks well for me.

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Feb 9, 2019 10:34:10   #
donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida
 
I am 84 and share in some of your problems. I use a Monopod as both a Camera support and a Walking stick. For the most part this seems to help. Glad to see that you are persistent in your photography.
Don

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Feb 9, 2019 11:18:12   #
Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area
 
brooklyn-camera I wrote:
I'm 73 and loving shooting for football and hockey teams. My neuropathy is getting worse as time goes by and sometimes lose my balance when shooting these games. For football I stand on the side lines and have access to the entire field, hockey I use the bench (players area). I use a monopod for football and for hockey I lean on a support while standing in the bench area.
At football games I could go to the announcer booth by have a large flight of stairs to climb. Going up not bad, going down I need to take one step at a time and hold onto to both sides of the railings.
Just wondering to see what other photo guys do with this condition. I shoot with both eyes open so I have a reference to how I'm standing. If trying to aim and shoot with the camera up at the sky, forget it. I'd fall over like a ton of bricks.
Any new ideas or what you use to fight this condition. Thanking all and any who reply to this posting in advance.

Brooklyn-Camera 2014 on FaceBook.
I'm 73 and loving shooting for football and hockey... (show quote)


I’m 73 and have the same condition. What has helped me is doing balance exercises I got from a physical therapist (the Mayo Clinic also has one) and walking every day. Build up to walking 10,000 steps every day (about 2.5 miles for me) on regular pavement as opposed to on a treadmill. The reason is regular pavement on the street is somewhat uneven and works different muscles in your legs, which is what you need to strengthen to improve your balance. The stronger your legs become the better. My iPhone has an app. that counts the steps when I walk.

I realize walking outside in the winter in Brooklyn (if you still live there) may not be advisable (I grew up in Queens.) In that case if you can use a gym with a treadmill that’s the next best thing.

Also, I’m guessing you already probably do this, but when I shoot I take a slightly wider stance, which helps me with my balance.

Good luck!

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Feb 9, 2019 11:26:00   #
brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY
 
A few years ago I was doing almost 5 miles 6 times a week along the the Belt Parkway. I walked from Rockaway Parkway to Crossbay Blvd and back. Weather never bother me, dressed for it.
Now I get my walking up and down and around the football field. Maybe I should try again, seems that after a block or two my feet flop around as if I had flippers on. So I'll keep on trucking as long as I can.
Fredrick wrote:
I’m 73 and have the same condition. What has helped me is doing balance exercises I got from a physical therapist (the Mayo Clinic also has one) and walking every day. Build up to walking 10,000 steps every day (about 2.5 miles for me) on regular pavement as opposed to on a treadmill. The reason is regular pavement on the street is somewhat uneven and works different muscles in your legs, which is what you need to strengthen to improve your balance. The stronger your legs become the better. My iPhone has an app. that counts the steps when I walk.

I realize walking outside in the winter in Brooklyn (if you still live there) may not be advisable (I grew up in Queens.) In that case if you can use a gym with a treadmill that’s the next best thing.

Also, I’m guessing you already probably do this, but when I shoot I take a slightly wider stance, which helps me with my balance.

Good luck!
I’m 73 and have the same condition. What has helpe... (show quote)



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Feb 9, 2019 11:50:32   #
aellman Loc: Boston MA
 
brooklyn-camera I wrote:
I'm 73 and loving shooting for football and hockey teams. My neuropathy is getting worse as time goes by and sometimes lose my balance when shooting these games. For football I stand on the side lines and have access to the entire field, hockey I use the bench (players area). I use a monopod for football and for hockey I lean on a support while standing in the bench area.
At football games I could go to the announcer booth by have a large flight of stairs to climb. Going up not bad, going down I need to take one step at a time and hold onto to both sides of the railings.
Just wondering to see what other photo guys do with this condition. I shoot with both eyes open so I have a reference to how I'm standing. If trying to aim and shoot with the camera up at the sky, forget it. I'd fall over like a ton of bricks.
Any new ideas or what you use to fight this condition. Thanking all and any who reply to this posting in advance.

Brooklyn-Camera 2014 on FaceBook.
I'm 73 and loving shooting for football and hockey... (show quote)


I am your age, and I have a similar problem with nephropathy in
both feet. My balance is very tenuous, and I share your problem
with going down stairs vs. going up. I realize it's not always possible,
but my solution for photography is to find something to lean against.
It not only steadies me; it steadies the camera. I used this
technique long ago when I was shooting weddings and I wanted to get
a wide shot of the whole church interior. I found that by bracing myself
against a wall or a column and holding the camera firmly against my face,
I could get a sharp image at 1/4 second wide open. I never failed to
impress myself, and that remains the case today.

Keep moving, and best of luck! > Alan

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Feb 9, 2019 11:53:37   #
cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA
 
I have also done as some have suggested. I sought some Physical Therapy and am astounded at the difference that made. Best of luck.

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Feb 9, 2019 12:51:11   #
jerrylh Loc: Texas
 
I've had peripheral neuropathy for many years, I am 85 now. I have to be careful of movement where I look up and at night outside I have to use a cane. What has helped me the most is some physical therapy and to continue the exercises in the house once a day. I practice my balance at a counter with my eyes shut. I can grab something if I start to fall. I feel for anyone that has balance problems for any reason. Falling and hitting your head can result in dementia over time.

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Feb 9, 2019 13:00:58   #
marsdad Loc: NE Florida
 
Know what you are going thru, I'm 82, back surgery, both hips replaced, impulse generator in my left butt, neuropathy. Couple of years ago went thru a period of loss of balance and falling. My DR at Mayo prescribed some physical therapy and they put me trough exercises specifically for balance and it has significantly improved. I use a cane for getting around but when I travel use a walking stick with a top that unscrews and it becomes a monopod. Gone to a lighter all purpose camera the Nikon A900. It is really amazing, great reach and very versatile. Like some of the other responders, I usually try to find a wall or a niche that I can wedge myself into or up against for balance and steadying the camera. I refuse to quit so my advice is to adapt and keep on clicking!

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Feb 9, 2019 14:24:17   #
sailwiz Loc: Santee, CA
 
I too have a few problems at 74. Walking far, bad back, sometime balance issue. I've found the a major help for me was going to the Lumix fz1000 bridge camera. I would like the fz2500 for better the stabilizer system but too much money for me. Basically no more lens and the fz1000 is always at the ready.

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Feb 9, 2019 15:50:39   #
Halftrack
 
brooklyn-camera I wrote:
I'm 73 and loving shooting for football and hockey teams. My neuropathy is getting worse as time goes by and sometimes lose my balance when shooting these games. For football I stand on the side lines and have access to the entire field, hockey I use the bench (players area). I use a monopod for football and for hockey I lean on a support while standing in the bench area.
At football games I could go to the announcer booth by have a large flight of stairs to climb. Going up not bad, going down I need to take one step at a time and hold onto to both sides of the railings.
Just wondering to see what other photo guys do with this condition. I shoot with both eyes open so I have a reference to how I'm standing. If trying to aim and shoot with the camera up at the sky, forget it. I'd fall over like a ton of bricks.
Any new ideas or what you use to fight this condition. Thanking all and any who reply to this posting in advance.

Brooklyn-Camera 2014 on FaceBook.
I'm 73 and loving shooting for football and hockey... (show quote)


At 8o years old, with type 2 diabetes, I take the best multivitamin Altrum Ultra Multi with iron(Not junk like Centrum silver) plus 5000 mcg of vitamin B12 (as Methyl cobalamin, not Cyanocobalamin [very important]) and 50mcg of Vitamin D3. My neuropathy has virtually disappeared and my balance is fine.

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Feb 9, 2019 16:13:06   #
Charley Grimes
 
I also have been diagnosed with Prepherial Nueropathy
(Basically, it is a nerve de-lamination issue)
Been to a lot of specialists, including a week of testing at Mayo Clinic- - no answers or suggestions.
I now use a wheeled walker to get around and for safety.

Sold all my Canon stuff, which I loved and went with a Fuji X-T2 camera and image stabilized lenses.

The lighter camera and lighter image lenses allow me still get around with high quality equipment and hand hold my camera while sitting on my wheeled walker.

I do miss using a tripod, but I do get the advantage of shooting from a lower perspective while sitting on the seat built into my wheeled walker.
It is important for stability and safety to use a wheeled walker that has 8 inch wheels!

I can still drive so I can also lean against my car while taking pictures.

With advanced planning and accepting compromises in my photography, I can still enjoy great photo outings and still make very satisfying images.

Charley

ps: I am very impressed with the Fuji X-T2 camera and stabilized lenses.

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