@marcyg921 , balance is achieved by utilising three senses :-

1. the balance mechanism in our ears; and 
2. visual feedback ; and
3. Sensual feed back from the lower limbs.

Now, MS can affect one or more of these senses and a lack of balance results.

More details here :- https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/balance

@marcyg921 I have huge issues with balance!!

There are a number of reasons for balance problems.  In my case, it's a mixture of vertigo and numbness in my feet/legs causing issues with proprioception.  It might be a good idea to ask your neurologist for a physio referral to get an idea of what's going on. xx

I have had balance issues for years,  I don't dare try walking stairs without holding the hand rail.  If the stairs are to steep I don't even try.  I love shopping at stores with grocery carts that I can hang on to, the cart make shopping a lot easier.   Potter

Massive issues for the reasons above. Being in a black floored room with a glitter ball was rather challenging last night!!

Balance issues comming on for about 2 years. I walk around touching rails and walls. I cannot walk around and look around, to walk balanced I have to look forward in the direction im waliking. I cant balance in the dark I need at least low level light so a lot of my balance must be visual. Going down stairs is a problem, going up not such an issue, probably because I can see the steps but going down needs a decent hand rail for ant kind of safety. For supermarket shopping the trolly is a must. For other shopping I have a 4 wheeled walker, definate aid to balance also slows down the fatigue rate and has a seat. Most useful thing I have bought recently.

 balence and hands being useless are my worst symptom's @naomih whats it like shopping for you? i use to go but gave up about a month ago I too hold on to the trolley but the corners take it out of my knee's then theres trying to carry shopping from the car to the house I have my mind focused on where I am aiming to go but my body has other ideas @kevanf at the moment I have my daughters pushchair to cling too for other things but I find that I cant push it in a straight line and if I go off balence  and lean to the left the buggy comes with me and the right wheels start to lift how do you get on with your walker?

Hi @brainz I get on OK with my walker, if I dont pay enough attention I too can get the 2 wheels to lift but its dealable with.  For me it makes shopping possible. My wife is disabled, we stopped shopping because she could walk further and faster than me. Because it helps stabalise my balance my body is not working so hard to keep me upright so I dont fatigue out quite so quickly and when I do it has a seat I can rest in. I know what you men about carrying in the shopping, the weight is split between bags so as not to unbalance me with freezer and fridge food comming in first. Often the other shopping is left in the car until I am more able to deal with it. The walker itself only weighs 5kg.

I forget what it's like to run up and down stairs. ?

Balance is one of the big problems and leads to more trips and falls.  I don't walk up or down stairs w.o. holding a rail. Use lift where you can and use escalators just hold the rail.
Maybe see physio and they may say you could use a stick.

kevenf - look into internet food shopping.  For the extra cost, and even Iceland do it so not always costly, its worth it for the carrying wallking and all that it cuts down on!

I don't know about other countries but in the U.S. grocery stores are doing the grocery shopping for you then you drive by and they load them in your car.  One chain store has started a delivery service,  I am going to try the drive up service when it is icy out.  The delivery service isn't in my area yet.  Sometime I leave my groceries in my car until I can deal with them or my husband can bring them in.  Potter

In the UK many supermarkets do a 'Click and collect' service so the groceries are all bagged up waiting for you at the store.  And many places can get groceries delivered.  I find it really helps as the amount of energy expended in a full grocery shop is high for me.  

My balance has been declining gradually over the last 7 years.  I've given up riding my bike as I had a nasty fall a few months ago.  I'm lucky I can still do other things.

@marcyg921 ooh balance or lack thereof is one of my big problems! I hate escalators now and will not use them because for me they are too dangerous. Dim lights are always a challenge so I ask for an escort to navigate through it. The mobile carts are indespensible .
One of my biggest problems though, was my pride! In asking for help or using walking aides . Because now they are mandatory for me, my pride is used for other things like successes for me or my family! Good luck to you?

Hi all,
Does anyone seem to have problems with balance? A few months ago I started limping very badly which has cleared up but I've noticed now that whenever I need to go down the stairs, I need support otherwise I feel like I'll fall down them (especially when it comes to escalators which I refuse to use now), so has anyone else had this happen and does anyone know of any ways to improve on this?
Thanks