brooklyn-camera I Loc: Brooklyn, NY

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.

pumakat

Kudos to you for persevering and trying to work around the issue. Good luck.

srt101fan

No suggestions, but empathy and best wishes. Your determination is inspiring....

Bill1967 Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado now Wilmington NC

Hi, just read your post. I am 77 and have the same condition. The balance problem is not quite as bad as you describe, I do have problems walking from time to time. I just started going to a physical therapist who specializes in this disorder. Perhaps their is someone in your area.

It has not effected my photography much, but I Shoot landscapes and grandchildren. Wish I good be more helpful.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here's a website that might offer assistance.
http://photographerswithdisabilities.org/index.html

Also -
https://visualwilderness.com/fieldwork/pursue-outdoor-photography-disability
https://mymodernmet.com/achmad-zulkarnain-photographer-disability/

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

I have similar symptoms but it not from neurotomy. It is caused by calcium crystals in the vestibular of the inner ear. These crystals interfere with the flow of liquid in the three positioning sensors in each ear.
This might be part of your problem, search for Epley Manuver to get more info and a simple routine to correct the problem. Hope it helps.

hogesinwa Loc: Dalyellup Western Australia

I'm "only" 67 and have the beginning of balance issues. I recognised them from my stepmother's balance problems. She tackled it with Pilates and it worked wonders. I've just begun a similar program 3 weeks ago and can feel some improvement already. Just gentle Pilates, not a workout !!

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Thank you for posting this. Add another one to the list. I am 73 and my neuropathy and balance are not as bad. I sympathize with all of you. Do you think using a tripod would help and be practical?

I had back surgery (3 laminectomies) two years ago and started a warm water, cardiac therapy class for seniors. I also take gabapentin (Neurontin) and do a lot of biking and walking. Since the surgery, the neuropathy has stayed the same but the balance and driving improved considerably. Unfortunately, I do not know which of these actions may have helped and the results are merely coincidental.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

hi, brooklyn-camera I
My progressive sensory/motor peripheral neuropathy (CMT) has been a fact of life since my early 40s when I finally had to give up adult league hockey. I am now 79 and for the past 4 years have required bilateral, high calf foot-@nkle orthotics and two forearm crutches to walk. That considerably limits my choice of photogear. The two items that keep me in the image capturing game are:

1. a PVC pipe end cap strapped firmly to the lower shaft of my left crutch. It supports the foot of my monopod to which my camera/lens combo is attached. An industrial Velcro strap holds the monopod securely to the upper leg of the crutch until time to shoot. Depending on the terrain, and the camera-lens combo, the camera may be carried by neck strap until attached to monopod.

2. the other is a tall, folding three-legged camp stool carried with a sling strap (over one shoulder, under the opposite arm.

My balance problem is totally peripheral neuro muscular, not central. When using my camera on the monopod I must rely on a leaning or sitting support. A hip-high guard rail, a tree, wall, or fence or a vehicle often suffice. Absent those, the three-legged folding stool has to be used.

Hoping that you find some of this helpful.

Best regards, and persevere!

Dave

cascoly Loc: seattle

does your monopod have a ball mount? i use one and can take ceiling shots with the LCD screen rotated out, while i stay vertical. it's an altura and costs about $20 -- also i put the monopod in the camera bag so it's not extended much

Horseart Loc: Alabama

You people with this condition be extremely careful. My husband has the same and is in a physical rehab facility in terrible pain right now because of it. He went to feed the horses Sunday morning (so I wouldn't have to) and fell out of the feed room (one step down...backwards). He broke his back. He's in a hard brace and is miserable. I know that telling you this doesn't help a thing for you but it might be a good idea to add some heel pads inside your shoes to keep you going forward. If it had been 10 degrees in the barn, he probably would have frozen before I found him.
Best wishes to you and all the "hoggers" who have this.

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

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.

cdayton

I have severe balance issues from neuropathy and have tried gabapentin as well as Alpha Lipoic acid without much benefit. Gabapentin is also prescribed as a sleep aid so it definitely cannot be taken during the day. I bought a Sony a6000 thinking it would be easier to handle but with anything but the pancake lens, it is no better than my light-weight Nikon D5200. Basically, I shoot while seated or leaning against a wall, etc. I also use a Nikon P900 for its incredible reach. A monopod is not much help since I still need a cane so it’s another piece of equipment to deal with.

kdogg Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV

I too have the same problem, mine was caused by back problems. Had lumbar fusion and rods put in 5 years ago, along with two new hips. My feet are still in bad shape and there is nothing to be done. I was on Gabapentin for a while but it kept me zonked. Switched to Lyrica which helped during the day but quickly became to expensive. Have been on Amitriptyline now for three years which I take once a day and it has worked well for me. I still have to watch my step because I can't feel my feet as well as I used to. It limits me when going afield as I can't sense slight differences in the ground so I try to stay away from hills unless there is a smooth hiking trail. Also I found cruise control very helpful while driving. Am trying to relearn to ride my mountain bike but it is frustrating at times but I will conquer it eventually. Good luck with your recovery and hang in there!

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

There are many good suggestions above just DON'T QUIT doing what you love!