The day before yesterday I fell over. I think my BP dropped. I have a steel hand rail at my back door that is set in a concrete ramp. When I've gone down I have head butted the steel hand rail. I still have a big lump on my head just above my temple. I have skin off my hands and knee. The mussel on my arm is very sore. I think I must have landed on it. The Dr just said that if I start throwing up to get to the hospital straight away.That's it. He didn't look in my eyes to see if I was concussed. I am still very sore and feeling shaky. What I want to know is does this falling get worse as I get older. I have Ataxia plus CIDP. Last year they told me I have a mild heart failure. Thank you for listening to my whinge. I am feeling down today so I hope I feel better 2morro.
Hi Bron, you whinge all you like we are all here to listen! I havent been diagnosed with anything as it was my dad who had ataxia though I am under his neuro for testing. I have fallen a couple of times and it really hurts the older you get. My dad started with balance problems and fell a few times, the last time he fell he broke his hip then never walked again. I hope you are feeling better soon and please take care especially when you are out and about. Love and best wishes to you.x
Thank you Gail, your poor Dad. I haven't broken anything yet (touch wood).Compared to your Dad I'm lucky.I feel like a sook now. I hope you haven't got Ataxia. Thank you for your best wishes' I needed to be reminded that there is always some one worse off than me.
Hi Bron!
I bet you gave yourself a right old fright! Apart from the grazes and bump,
which obviously will take their own time to settle, I hope no symptoms
of concussion set in. We all know how long it takes for torn muscles
to sort themselves out.
I don't think it would be unreasonable to make an appt with your GP
for a checkup shortly, just to put your mind at rest.
I've had a few nasty falls, somehow or other I managed not to break
anything! Some people fall more than others, no matter what type
of SCA they have, or how old they are.
Hope you feel more yourself today! xB
Dont feel like a sook you have enough to cope with! Just take care of yourself and stay as mobile as possible.x
Bron,
I had to google sook. I live about 50 miles from the border with Scotland, and I was
surprised to see it had Scottish origins, never heard it before!
Anyway, I obviously agree with Gail! xB
bron said:
Thank you Gail, your poor Dad. I haven't broken anything yet (touch wood).Compared to your Dad I'm lucky.I feel like a sook now. I hope you haven't got Ataxia. Thank you for your best wishes' I needed to be reminded that there is always some one worse off than me.
Thank you Gail and Beryl for your kind words. I didn't know that "sook" came from Scotland. Goes to show we learn a new thing every day. take care.
Bron
Ataxians can not afford to fall
The well meaning cannot understand that
Head injuries are likely and dangerous
Use all devices to prevent falls
Regards
Barney
As far as I know the disease of Ataxia (not the symptom) is a progressive disease. I was diagnosed in 1988 shortly after needed to walk with a cane... I was told my disease would progress so that I would walk with a Canadian crutch then two then a wheelchair. I asked my therapist how I would know when to make the transitions, she told me when you fall with the cane use the crutch when you repeatedly fall with one crutch use two and when you continuasly fall with 2 crutches use the chair. I am now in a wheelchair and can't tell you how many times I have fallen.It only makes sense that a disease that attacks the balance center of the brain *the cerebellum) and is progressive would cause more falls as time goes on. I have learned to laugh at my falls to make others more comfortable and to stop taking myself so seriously My nickname is Tumbles, I'm sorry if this response is not as happy as you might have liked but I have found that I would rather know the truth than flowery lies and the truth is I LIVE with this disease rather than die from it. I make necessary adjustments and enjoy my life. Falling is not the end of the world, it just gives me the opportunity to get back up.
Tumbles
Hi Bron.. the best thing you can do is come on here. I find when I have a fall that it knocks my confidence and can take weeks to mentally recover. I have had breaks and cut lip but I take more care these days.I recently bought a 4-wheeled rolator from ebay [£44] and it really is wonderful. Not only am I safer, but I can carry things in the seat or tray on the seat. I feel like a maid with a trolley LOL.
I intended to use it outside but I use it all the time indoors now.. it swivels round on itself and doesnt take up much room.
You take care and know that there is always someone on here to listen. xx
Oh Bron, you must have been so shaken. Yesterday my BP dropped and I fainted on the bathroom floor. Very scary. I hope you make sure you go to the doctor if any symptoms arise from your fall. Are you feeling better today? The thing about our falls is that not only can we be seriously injured, but mentally it takes its toll.
Thank you Patsy and Tumbles . Patsy you are so right for saying about this site .I too have a rolator for around the house. I laughed at you feeling like a maid. That is what I do too. They are very helpful in that way aren't they?. LOL my cat loves it when I take the tray off. He gets on and I walk around the house. He also loves my scooter. He hop's on and I drive up and down the carport I do feel a bit better after reading all the posts that have been sent to me .Tumbles, Thank you for telling your story. I have a wheelie walker (rolator) I don't think I am far from getting a wheel chair. If I keep falling over I will ask my OT about getting one. Here in Australia, when you are on a pension, you don't have to pay. It is like a permanent loan. When I die it goes back. 2morro I hope, will be a better day Thank you all and God bless.
Whinge? No such thing on here bron! This forum is not just to show the goody good side of life with ataxia. Sharing our bad experiences as well as good can be helpful for ourselves and others.
I loose my balance / coordination and fall often. Luckily for me I just 'bounce' and, usually, just get back up (often needing help to do so) and laugh at myself! The other day though I banged my head in a fall - it hurt for a couple of days but cleared and I only had a slight bruise.
I really understand your concerns about falling but I cannot say if your falling will get worse with age. However, I suspect that if your general condition worsens then maybe (I'm no expert) you could start falling more. Please do not see this as any form of medical advice though.
I agree with tumbles83; 'Falling is not the end of the world, it just gives me the opportunity to get back up.'. However, I know I do not often feel like this in the aftermath of a fall - particularly a bad fall.
I know it is not always easy to do so but do try to stay positive and not let your health condition rule.
Thanks for sharing and I sincerely hope you are feeling better soon.
Best regards,
Michael.
Thank you Puppy teeth, yes I was shaken and still are a bit. I don't feel very confident at the moment but I have been told that I will feel better soon Thank you for your post .I appreciate it .
Thank you all who replied to my post. You have helped me more than you know .God bless.
Thank you Barney, It could have been worse so I am lucky. take care.
BERNARD PURCE said:
Bron
Ataxians can not afford to fall
The well meaning cannot understand that
Head injuries are likely and dangerous
Use all devices to prevent falls
Regards
Barney
Dear Bron, Vent (whinge) all you'd like, as this site is full of people that understand and are supportive! I'd never heard the word "whinge", as I live in the States, therefore I used ''vent", so please forgive me...,ha! Anyway, I was diagnosed with ataxia 10 years ago. I use to fall gracefully and bounce better...,not so much anymore! I started using a cane (about 3 years ago) when I leave my home, but am able to walk (if you can call it that), very, very carefully in my home. As I've gotten older (59), if I fall, I hurt myself. So far, I've only fallen one time while using my cane. I've fallen a few times without it. I should probably (duh) get a rollator, as I love stores that have shopping carts where I can hold on with two hands, rather then one with my cane. Anyway, I hope you're OK, if you'd feel better, have your doctor check you out. My best to you and please be careful! ;o)
Thank you Rose, nobody has said that falling over gets worse as we get older. I think, yes. Hence I think I will be in a wheel chair before long. I have had this since birth so I had a good run. My first Neuro said I will be in a wheel chair by the time I was 30. I am now 65 .So that's not bad. Stay safe and take care.
Yes, Bron, as we age we naturally lose muscle mass (especially not good for us ataxians). Also balance issues get a bit worse (definitely not good for us ataxians). Therefore, I exercise (carefully) for strength and balance, because if you don't use it, you lose it...,ha! ;o)