[barb02]

Well last night (about 1:30 a.m.) I experienced my first fall since being dx. I got up to go to the bathroom and felt a bit dizzy. Well I made it to the bathroom, but then found myself loosing my balance. I am not sure if I sort of passed out. I tried grabbing the shower rod thinking I could sit down on the side of the tub. Well the rod fell on my head and I landed up in the tub with my legs over the side. My cane also ended up in the tub with me. Now I live alone so there was noone I could call for help. I first tried pushing myself up, but did not have enough arm strength. So then I raised my legs into the tub and tried grabbing the grab bar to pull myself up. I still did not have enough strength. I need to start lifting those weights that are sitting in my spare bedroom.

I thought I was going to end up sleeping in the tub. I then rolled over and pushed myself up on my knees (which hurt like **** -- arthritis) and then managed to get out. I put some neosporin on my scraped arm , went back to bed and immediately feel asleep. I think I need to cut the meds I am taking at night. I currently take zocor, 900 mg of neurontin, ambien, and .25 of clonzaepam.

The damage? My right arm/elbow is scaped and bruised, my right hip is a bit sore, by back and knees hurt more than usual. I am going to take some advil once I eat something.

[AfterMyNap]

Oh, man. It is so scary when that happens! I'm just glad that you're okay.

It's especially hard for those of us who live alone, I keep my cell phone on my person at all times for this very reason.

Barb, maybe it's time to add a rollator to your fleet. It will give you the bilateral support and also a place to sit in situations like this. You might also consider some supplementary grab bars in the bathroom to use as high-strength railings you can use when moving about the room. They say that the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house.

I hope your owies heal swiftly.

[Kitty]

Barb.....I'm sorry to hear this. Neurontin always made me a bit woosy and I was taking less of a dose than you are. So that along with the other meds probably added to your wobbly state. It's scary to fall whatever the reason. I'm alone most of the time, too, and have often wondered what I'd do if I fell and/or hurt myself while home alone. Cindy's got a good idea about keeping the cell phone on you at all times. I usually don't keep it on me but it's never far away. That's not good enough, though, if I can't get to it! I've almost fallen many times and have just been fortunate enough to either catch myself of regain my balance before it happened. But, it'll happen eventually. I hope your boo-boos heal quickly. This is a good excuse to take a weekend off and just rest and recover. Wish I lived nearby.....I'd help!!

[Blessings2You]

Or even (dare I say?) a commode near your bed in case you DO feel woozy when you get up. I know, I know. But it's better than sleeping in the tub for two days. Glad things weren't worse. It's so scary to fall!

[azoyizes]

Barb, I'm so sorry about your fall. I know how frustrating it can be to try to get yourself back up. I'm glad you're okay and just a little sore.

I agree with all of the suggestions above, especially having a cell phone within reach at all times.

Rollators are much steadier than canes, and when the brakes are locked they become pretty sturdy supports.

Lots of hugs,

[SallyC]

Oh No...I'm so sorry.. You did what I'm always afraid I'm going to do, when transfering to the toity.. (fall in the tub). I haven't yet but It's still early..

My DD put a phone extention next to the toity, for that very reason and the fact that the phone always rings whilst I am indisposed..LOL!

I hate falling. I always think, that the next time, I won't be able to pull myself up..

I'm sorry for your BooBoos and I hope you heal fast, both mentally and physically..

[Twinkletoes]

Awwww, I'm so sorry, Barb02! I'm so glad to know that (despite the pain) you were able to get yourself out of the tub.

My grandmother once spent a day and night in the tub waiting for someone to help.

Exactly a year ago I was on crutches b/c of a broken ankle. I was very afraid to shower alone while balancing on one leg. I did what Cindy mentioned and kept that cell phone close by, just in case.

Please be careful! Falling sure takes a toll on your self-confidence. I don't know how old you are, but grandkid kisses sure help heal booboos!

[barb02]

Cell phone was sitting on the sink. No pockets in my pj's. I am going to cut down on some of my bedtime meds.

[Aarcyn]

Hi Barb. I have had the same experiences of falling on the short night journey from bed to the bathroom. I agree that cutting medication is a good start.

I did the same.

But I have now added the rollator at night. I just place it next to the bed when I go to sleep. It is so nice to have it when I am making my way to the bathroom in the dark.

I really did not want to do it but now that it is there, it is so much safer.

Sure beats sleeping in the tub.

[SandyC]

Barb. I agree to getting grab bars for support. There is also a bar you can buy that fits down on the side of your tub for added support getting in and out that may help. The bars today are not your institutional ones anymore and come in a variety of styles to choose from.

The rollator is also a great idea and one Jim refused. It cost him many falls and compound fractures due to him being too stubborn to use it. I am telling you the truth. If we had not lived with him there is no telling how he would have helped himself when he was too injured to get back up. Worse, sometimes he fell in the shower and we'd have to help him up naked and all.

If you find you need it, use it and don't be ashamed or get down on yourself. Ask yourself this question. Is it worse to use a rollator at night or to call someone to pick you up because you injured yourself and can't get up?

Don't take my advice to heart, I am a carepartner and can't help myself. lol