OT - Took a Nasty Fall

Freaky thing, but about three weeks ago, I was coming out of my bathroom and next thing I knew, I was on the floor, having banged my head and twisted my right leg, foot and ankle back behind me. Had to use my life alert and Paramedics had to come in and get me up. While concerned the ankle was broken, it is a very nasty sprain with pulled muscles all over the place in that leg. Pulled muscles are nasty, but they are extra nasty with a Muscular Dystrophy. They don't heal very well or very quickly.

If I thought sleeping/turning over was a challenge before - Oy. I am having a very rough time, although it IS getting a bit better slowly.

I'm not on the forum much (even just reading) because my leg hanging down in my wheelchair (the only way I am at my computer) causes excessive swelling (then pain) beyond what is still there on a daily basis.

This has really upset us because the fall came with no warning and I am still not sure exactly what happened. I either slipped (on carpet??) or my left leg muscles just gave out as I was stepping forward with it and down I went. I do not walk much now (I can, but the ankle is very sore & tender) and any walking I do now is with a walker or rollator. My husband is being very attentive and we're being extra cautious with adding walking activities to my daily routine. I tend to overdo when I feel a little better so it's good that I have him to ground me and stop me from being overly stupid.

Anyway -- if anyone needs me, please send a PM because I won't necessarily see posts. I was alerted to the most recent Trilogy User by PM. I wouldn't have seen it otherwise.

Oh boy... I am so,so sorry to read this! I hope things improve quickly! Will PM you.

Wow, that came out of nowhere, madalot... I know a little about sudden mishaps too. About four or five months ago I was opening the patio door and turned around in the process, suddenly catching my right big toenail with the heel of my left foot (there's some calluses, so it's sort of hardened). Somehow it managed to pull up my big toenail to about a 45 degrees angle, plus there was a lot of blood. After hopping around swearing for awhile I gently pushed the toenail back down and put some tape around it to protect it. I wished and hoped for a few weeks the nail would heal without any issues, but sure enough, week after week, the nail darkened and after about 2.5 months got loose enough to pull out with a pair of pliers. Ouch. Underneath was the start of a fresh new nail and now it's almost fully grown out and only requires minor trimming along the sides to keep from ingrowing... but the best part is that all the pain is behind me. Who would have ever thought that you could rip off a big toenail using the heel of the other foot. Moral to the story: Keep you toenails trimmed well back Also it wouldn't hurt to put some skin/hand cream on the calluses

Madalot........I had a similar experience (but without the MD). A few months ago I got up in the middle of the night and fainted...hitting my head on the floor. The next day I had a headache. The headache persisted and my doctor suggested a CT scan which showed no problem. The headache went away after about 10 days. Over the next several weeks I noticed a weakining in my legs and I started stumbling on our stairs and dragging my foot. I went to a neurologist who suggested an MRI. I went for the test and after it was over a tech escorted me to the ER. The radiologist had diagnosed bilateral subdural hematoma....a clot on both sided of my brain. I was put in the ICU where a nurosurgeon met with me and explained that the next AM he was going to drill 4 holes in my head to relieve pressure and drain the clots. Thankfully everything went well and 3 days later I was back home...with a lot of stitches in my bald head. WARNING...don't ignore obvious symptoms.

Maddie, sorry to read about your fall and the complications that you deal with. Take care and keep us posted when you can.

Madalot,

I'm so sorry that you fell. I hope that your recovery is without difficulties beyond the strains and pains.

I hope, like the others, that you will have a good medical once over including an MRI. Mother began falling for no good reason. A pacemaker made the difference for many years.

Look after yourself. You are important here.

I second that. Take care of yourself.

Sorry to hear that. Tacopuppy and me send our hugs your way.

Maddie,

Take good care of yourself. Recovery can be tricky when other medical issues, like your MD are involved. I'll add you to my prayers.

Jen

Madalot,

As I told you in a note, I've had the sudden, unexpected fall... it's nasty.

IF your doctor thinks it suitable, you might try compression stockings for the swelling.

It was getting hard for me to sit at the computer due to lymphedema resulting from my cancer surgery. The stockings have made ALL the difference in the world!

(gentle hugs) And hope you feel better soon!

I am into installing grab bars in our shower stall and also in the bath tub area. I have peripheral neuropathy whereby the sole of me feet are numb b/c of destruction of nerves there. So I don't have a full control of my balance while walking. The last think that I care for is a fall. Luckily, I got strong hands and arms which help me to support myself especially around the shower stall.
I have read recently somewhere that falls comprise most of the dangerous crippler of the elderly.

Falls are so scary. It's not just the fall itself, but the ever present uneasiness afterward, the sense of vulnerability and danger. Few years ago was in a spell of repeated falls and it was nerve wracking. Sure hope you and your hubby can implement whatever safety measures that can help you feel and be safer. Good to hear from you - sorry for the circumstances. Hope you heal as quickly as possible.

My thanks to everyone for the good wishes and PMs. I appreciate them more than you know.

One of my biggest issues has been showering. Before the fall, I showered every morning on my own. With this ankle, calf & knee injury, I couldn't stand up or even get into our shower's tiny step without assistance. I didn't want to add more to my already overburdened husband, so I was only showering every 2-3 days. A friend told me about Bathing Wipes that were a decent in between measure.

Going into my 4th week like this, we finally figured out a way that I can shower safely. I took a shower by myself today and it went fine, but I guess I got over excited being able to do my regular routine on my own and WAY WAY WAY overdid it on this leg. The ankle isn't upset but the muscles in my calf have revolted in a major way. Took me by surprise.

My life was a challenge before this. I know that I need to be patient because this is just going to take time to heal. But it's a lot easier said than done, you know?

Sleeping is difficult because of the pain. There's really no good position to put the injured leg where it doesn't hurt. Turning over was a challenge before, but now it's downright HARD to do. But I can't stay in one position more than an hour or two because pain is excruciating and wakes me.

But, this too shall pass. I'll get through it. What choice do I have?

Maddie:

http://www.airdesks.com/?gclid=CMCsodLV ... fgodM48AIA

Just a suggestion that has been a life saver for me for a few years now. I love my computer, but have lymphedema in both legs and chronic back pain and cannot sit with my legs hanging down. With this "Air Desk" you can sit in a recliner and have it come right over your lap. The price is well worth it!

I have no association with this company, other than being a happy customer.

Janice