Almost Fell!
 

My left leg is my weakest leg. It continues to get worse but I'm still walking. Use my cane all the time now but that may not be enough. I can see a rollator in my near future.

I was in the bathroom this morning getting dressed after my shower and I nearly fell. Now, my bathroom is large.....almost larger than my kitchen! There was nothing nearby to grab hold of. Luckily the shower is a walk in and the tub is separate. This house is built on a slab. Which means the flooring in the bathroom was installed over concrete.

When I went to turn around and walk out my left leg didn't move.....even though the rest of my body did. It was like my foot was stuck to the floor. I nearly fell over but managed to catch myself after a few scary stumbles. Next time I might not be as lucky. :(

It really made me think.....what on earth would I do if I had really hurt myself. I've pulled muscles in my back before trying not to fall and it's pretty much landed me in the bed for a few days. I had not even taken the phone into the bathroom with me. Sometimes I think about it and sometimes I don't.

I've got to get used to moving more slowly. What on earth am I in a hurry for??? :confused: I really don't want to have to get one of those things you wear in order to call for help but I might have to.....if I can't keep my phone on me all the time.

I won't be thinking of this as much tomorrow or even later on today......but it's always in the back of my mind that I'm becoming more and more susecptible to injury. :(

Awww Kitty...:hug::hug:

Can you get your son to install a grab bar right at the entrance to the shower? It might give you some stability and also can serve as a reminder to take it slow...

We often go about our routines without thinking, as we are used to functioning normally. Then our bodies tell us, "Hey, remember? We aren't as healthy as we used to be."

I know this was scary for you...:grouphug:

Yes, I do need a grab bar.....but the shower is small and has built in seats on either side. So if I fall in there I'll land on one of the two seats. But it would be nice to have one on the wall of the shower just as an "in case" type thing. Once I get out of the shower there's nowhere to put a grab bar.....and it's just one big room. I need my cane or a walker right there to grab ahold of once I'm out of the shower.

I'm going to have to make a check list and put it in the bathroom so I'll read it before taking a shower. I tend to forget too many things.....and remembering it once I'm already in the shower is just a little too late. :o

Quad canes stand up by themselves. I used one for several weeks when I had my groin tendon injury-- I used it for getting up from chairs. I even used it outside working in the yard. Something to think about.

I found the quad cane hard to walk any distance with however.

Yikes Kelly, I know the feeling...My left side is my weak side too. So glad that you didn't fall. At least when I fell in the garage, DD was there and I had my cell too.

The bathroom still scares me. I've not fallen in there.....yet:eek:. I make sure that there is always something behind me to catch me, if I falter (scooter, toilet, shower chair). I also have grab bars to help me stand and swivel.

You should have a heavy table or chair, in the middle of the bathroom to hang onto for balance or sit on, to dry and dress after shower.

Also, I have gained some strength and mobility control, through PT exercises. I do them, daily, with both legs so that they grow more accustomed to working together. My left side is still the weaker, but the PT has helped a lot in my control over my legs.

I'm afraid that your bathroom wouldn't pass muster for safety, if PT/OT were to come to your house.:p

Be safe Sweety, OK?:hug::hug:

Sally, that's a great suggestion. I'm going to start looking for a small table and chair to put right in the middle of the bathroom. It would look cute and be helpful at the same time! :)

Make sure it's heavy and sturdy...not tipsy!!:):hug:

Like me?? :D

If you have the room....maybe a sturdy side chair. One with a nice tall padded back. That way you could always hold the back of the chair while you manuver to the front to sit down even.

Maybe you could use a life alert necklace too? Any one of us who has a greater chance of falling may need one of those. I think you can even get one from the state through the dept of aging. I can't rememeber for sure.

Glad you didn't fall!

I agree with the others... something heavy to offer support in case you need it.

it was recommended to me to look into the life alert system. What you went through scares me so much, what happens if you're naked and wet and fall on the floor? Now let's add in all of the rescue firemen who want to come in and see you naked. Scary scary scary. Life alert is a good idea even if you're alone you know help will come.

I have a soft chair that I sit on in my bathroom it helps to sit down to be able to dry yourself off. Just make sure you lay a big soft towel over the chair or it will always be wet.

I'm so glad you're safe. :-)

They have ones with auto alert also- senses a fall - if you can't push the help button yourself it will call for help automatically.

Consider the AutoAlert benefits:

Access to help if you can't push your button
Increased peace of mind and confidence
Wear it in the shower, where falls often occur, as it's waterproof.
Use it to call for help from anywhere in or around your home.

http://philips.lifelinesystems.com/c...-alert-pendant
I'm sure there are other brands available too.

http://www.pioneeremergency.com/auto...fall-detector/

My gosh 40.00 -53.00 a month for these things!!

I worry about my dad w PD & DDD getting in and out of the shower, they have a smaller bathroom so places to grab, but if his legs totally quit on him and he falls, plenty places to hit. :(

Can you have some handrails mounted into the floor?

It might sound weird, but if there's not a wall right next to the shower to drill a grab bar into, what about a floor to ceiling pole? As long as it's bolted into the floor and secured into a beam in the ceiling.

or, temporary solution...one of these (altho, if it were me, I'd want something securely bolted to the floor and into the structure in the ceiling)

http://www.amazon.com/Standers-Secur...=cm_cr_pr_pb_t (read the reviews)

im sorry erin, but I could only think of a stripper pole in her bathroom. too funny. :eek:

Me, too!! :D

I can just hear the conversation now with my sons........:o

Me: "I want to install a pole in my bathroom."

Son: "A WHAT??????"

Me: "A pole....it's to help with my balance. Geeze."

Son: "Look Mom, I know you get bored but there's other things you can do, ya know."

Or something to that effect........:D

Erin, I looked at that pole you linked to and it looks really nice. My only problem is that the ceiling in my bathroom is vaulted. DS said he would install a grab bar in the shower for me, though. That will help. I'll just have to be really careful once I step out. I had some area rugs down in the bathroom but took them up because I kept tripping over them......with my left leg being so weak I tend to not lift that foot up enough.

I had to take up my bathmats too. (currently waiting for my flare that caused drop foot to hopefully go away and give me back my foot) I miss my bathmats, that tile floor is COLD! (cant wear socks when I'm barefoot because socks make my feet slide....even the ones with the non-slippy stuff on the soles)

I knew you all would have your minds in the gutter about the pole. but it's another way to get a grab bar into a space that's not really set up for a traditional grab bar. The pole isnt just a pole, but it's got a grab bar on it that you can hold onto...it's not just a plain "stripper" pole. That grab bar hanging off of it would get in the way if you tried to dance with the pole...you could hurt yourself!

Kitty,

I am sorry about your near-fall. That thing w a foot sticking to the floor while the rest of you goes forward? That has a name- it happens to me and I can't remember the name of it. <shrug>

My Mom (87 and spry) has one of the life alert products. They told her not to take it off in the shower/bath because that is where most falls happen.:eek:

Is it "ataxia"??

I always fall - not too gracefully any more - found yesterday my head is an hard as marble topped wash stand