How is your balance?

[iris lilies]

I watch occasional DUI arrest videos on YouTube now and then.

When I try their sobriety test, the one where the suspect has to walk 12 steps in a straight line with her arms down, I can’t begin to do that. I can do it with my arms out to my side, but not with my arms down.

I mean I am really bad at it! I used to think my balance was decent but man oh man, it is not decent at all. I say this because I asked DH to do that same exercise and he could do it, no problem.

so you people who are around my age, can you walk 12 steps in a straight line with your arms down to your side?

[littlebittybobby]

okay---sounds like an inner ear issue, or too much wine. But yeah---stay off the roads. Thankk mee.

[iris lilies]

okay---sounds like an inner ear issue, or too much wine. But yeah---stay off the roads. Thankk mee.

Can you do that balance test successfully?

[frugal-one]

Yes. Sounds like you need to practice various balance exercises. Take an exercise class or look up on youtube. It is concerning that your balance is declining.

[rosarugosa]

I can do it just barely, but it is far more difficult than I would have imagined. I always thought my balance was pretty decent otherwise; I don't tend to fall or get dizzy, and I can do OK with yoga balance poses.

[happystuff]

Never thought I had good balance, but did this with no problems.

[pinkytoe]

I tried it - no wobbles. The one I have issues with is getting off the floor without using your hands.

[littlebittybobby]

Can you do that balance test successfully?

I went out there and tried it. I can only go about 6 steps. So yeah---I better go downta the PD and turn myself in. Yup.

[SiouzQ.]

For about five years now I absolutely cannot walk heel-to-toe. I can't even do one step - it's like I simply cannot balance myself when transferring my weight from one foot to the other in tight little steps. My arms and trunk flail wildly and I fall out of line right away. I think it is called proprioception. Of course I have mentioned it to every doctor for the past five years and none seem to think it is a problem. I even showed the neurologist last May and she just filed it away on my chart somewhere. This past year I had every blood test under the sun done and I do not have any sort of autoimmune disease, which is a relief to hear.

I just hope I don't ever get pulled over and asked to do the "drunk walk" because I would fail miserably.

Edited To Add: However, I can stand on one leg at a time for at least a minute, no problem...

[littlebittybobby]

okay---I was just sitting here, researching & thinking(like Eisenschtein, the worlds GREATESS mind), that medications taken on a regular basis to keep you alive, might also have side-effects that affect balance. Yup. Among them are statins & blood pressure meds. But yeah---cops are supposedly trained to ask you if you are on meds that might affect your balance. Or they should. Hope that helps you kids some. Thankk mee.