NeuroTalk Support Groups - Well, I finally fell

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Susanne C. (Post 1040741)

Well, I was hoping not to have to update this, but I actually looked at my back in the mirror last night. It is bruised from the top of my buttocks to the middle of my back. I woke up this morning practically unable to move with my left leg completely numb to the hip. I cannot move my left ankle or flex it even as little as I used to be able to. Classic sciatica with drop foot. I will be going to the doctor as soon as he will see me to give the five day steroid pack a try, I have had good luck with it in the past, but I have also had back surgery from these very symptoms. Only pain free when lying flat. Getting to the bathroom was very difficult.

Does anyone have an idea why this would develop after three days? I know I didn't rest enough because of my daughter and grandson being here, I cooked and generally did too much, but this seems a heavy penalty. Going through with the party since the food is all prepared and they are used to me being more or less disabled. Been here before, more puzzled and annoyed than scared at this point.

Hi Susanne,

Sorry to hear this. Was this the first time you looked at your back? That's what I'm getting from your post. What you saw was probably there pretty much all along from when it happened and then got worse.

I didn't realize that you had had back surgery before. I hope you get in soon to see the doctor and hopefully things will get better. Take care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElaineD (Post 1040737)

Oh Susanne,

I am so sorry about your fall. Maybe you need a long line to let the dog go out on?

We have an electric fence, which is for our 'Granddog' when he comes to visit.

He can just run around outside on his own, which is wonderful.

I wish I could walk around outside, but that is more and more out of the question.

I have found that a cane or pole really won't do the job for me, since I can just suddenly veer off to the side.

Once it is necessary, I will use a walker, of course. A fancy one with a seat!

The worst thing for me is that my husband is always remodeling (right now he's tearing up the kitchen floor tile) and has all sorts of equipment, rugs, plastic runners, hoses and stuff strewn about the floor.

Thing I don't see under my feet, and even things I do see but my feet don't follow orders to avoid, are the most scary for me.

So far I haven't been badly hurt in falls. But at 71 I'm rapidly heading into the more fragile years, and one bad fall with take out an arm, cause a concussion, or break a tooth, or worse.

My therapist pointed out that my disability forces me to be more 'intentional' more 'aware' of every moment. HA! I would be if I spent more time trying to move around.

Keep us posted, Susanne.

Hugs, elaine

Hi Elaine,

Are you talking about a rollator which has a seat? If so, they are not as comfortable at least for me to sit in. It might be for you. I know you see all kinds of people sitting in them but the bar thing across the back gets me in no time. Otherwise, if you are talking about a rollator, they are handy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kitt (Post 1040745)

I know it is ridiculous but yes, I never actually looked at it or had my husband look. It just didn't seem that bad, I was shocked at how big the bruise was.
Surgery was for ruptured disc bone chips sitting on sciatic nerve, laminectomy, in 2000. Very successful, but I do have a diagnosis of spinal arthritis and several ruptured discs. It only flares up once a year or so and is much less of an issue than the CMT so I rarely mention it. This feels a lot like the original sciatica in 2000 that led to the surgery, although there was no trauma associated with that other than sitting in chairs which placed the hips below the knees. I always blamed those chairs and threw them away.

Elaine, I probably would have been fine if I had resisted the compelling urge to play fetch.

We must resist all compelling urges that involve moving around.

That's my motto.

Susanne, things often don't start turning black and blue until quite a while AFTER the trauma. And I thought you were pretty devil may care about what sounded pretty traumatic to me. But I was hopeful things would be ok.

Rollator? Well, I just see these handy walkers with seats, but clearly when the time comes, I will have to do some serious comparison shopping (MY FAVORITE THING) on line of course. Don't want any BARS across my back. I have to be comfortable.

Maybe just stay where I am and ask the world to come to me? I'm half way there now.

Hugs, Elaine

Elaine, Just a suggestion. You really need to go and physically try a rollator out. It's just about impossible to shop on line for one. Any good store (medical) will help you get the right fit. As I said, the back thing is not for me so I do not sit on one. However, that may not be the case for you. You just have to go and try them out. I also did not get one with the bigger wheels as you see people with. That wouldn't help with my balance problems at all. Mine also has great cushioning in the handles which is really nice. My cane also has a cushioned handle. If you use a cane you need to be fitted for that as well.

I use my rollator going thru the living room where there are no walls or furniture to touch. I do not use it outside or at the store. I use a shopping cart at the store. I never bought the rollator with the idea of sitting in it. As I said, I just use it to get thru the living room safely.

When I hurt my foot severely Susanne it immediately turned black with a little blue and swelled up so much it did not look like a foot. No kidding. It took way over six weeks for it to get better and I used a walker among other things to help keep the weight off of my foot. This was a lift and go kind - no wheels on it whatsoever. Thank goodness for upper body strength. This happened seven years ago and it's never really been the same. How it happened is another story. Take care.