How many of us fall/ and falls in general

[Trish]

I fell on a tram last week, I got on at my usual stop
and the tram was full of school children, so I headed
toward the rear, carrying a shopping bag that was not
too heavy, plus a shoulder bag, suddenly the tram hit
a bend and lurched to the right, I was in the aisle and
not holding on as there were no handholds nearby, I
landed in a heap, but uninjured, thank goodness.

So when ever in public transport hold at all times!

Mike.

Good that you are okay @Mike. Buses are pretty lethal too! They rarely wait for people to sit down!

 

[Ruthanne]

I fell on a tram last week, I got on at my usual stop
and the tram was full of school children, so I headed
toward the rear, carrying a shopping bag that was not
too heavy, plus a shoulder bag, suddenly the tram hit
a bend and lurched to the right, I was in the aisle and
not holding on as there were no handholds nearby, I
landed in a heap, but uninjured, thank goodness.

So when ever in public transport hold at all times!

Mike.

I used to ride the bus here . I know what you mean about being thrown about on the bus. I think I have used these handles before. I didn't fall on the bus but close to it.
I been using my health insurance to get a Lyft to medical appointments.

 

[Ruthanne]

I think that some sort of scan would be good to have! I don't know what kind. I hope that your Dr will order one, to give you more info.

I think they do a regular X-ray first and then decide to do some kind of scan if they want. I think they try to do what's cheapest....lol...but I should not giggle about it. MRIs are very expensive. I have a good insurance but they may have restrictions on what they will do for you. I hope you are doing alright today and always!

 

[Ruthanne]

I practice balance poses (Tree and Dancer's) as part of my stretching after toning each day to help with the vertigo I am susceptible to and to ward off potential falls. Still, I am careful when going down stairs, etc.

I'm sorry you've fallen, @Ruthanne. I know this can happen sometimes, no matter how careful we are.

Thanks. I'm going to look for some stretches on YouTube. I've got to get some help with my balance issue. Sounds like you're doing pretty good with the poses, it's something more older people deal with than young deal with.

 

[jujube]

After three falls in two weeks last year (luckily nothing injured but my dignity), I never set off on a walk without my trekking pole.

It gives me 3 points of contact. I switch it from hand to hand every couple of blocks to keep things even.

I have developed a way to fall over the years to minimize the chance of a broken wrist (most common break in elder ladies) where I twist in the air and land on the back of my shoulder. It seems to work.

I hope you're feeling better, @Ruthanne!

 

[Ruthanne]

Since November I've skied 52 days and fallen 4 or 5 times, no bad wrecks this year, with just a couple ski days remaining. Once in the driveway (an ice sheet for months), that I made a bad fall.

Exiting the wife's new suv which came equipped w very wide running boards which made it difficult to get one's leg vertically underneath the butt to push up off the car seat. The running boards have since been removed, the appearance is much cleaner too.

I have deliberately prepared for falls through consistently challenging myself during workouts, and the rest of my activities knowing the possible life long consequences resulting from a serious fall.

Sorry you had a fall on that ice, it's treacherous! I've fallen on it lots a times due to landlords not putting salt down! I hope to get the PT soon and wish it were sooner. Tx for your message and ideas!

 

[Ruthanne]

After three falls in two weeks last year (luckily nothing injured but my dignity), I never set off on a walk without my trekking pole.

It gives me 3 points of contact. I switch it from hand to hand every couple of blocks to keep things even.

I have developed a way to fall over the years to minimize the chance of a broken wrist (most common break in elder ladies) where I twist in the air and land on the back of my shoulder. It seems to work.

I hope you're feeling better, @Ruthanne!

Thank you for your support and ideas. I felt pretty stupid when I fell Sunday. I hoped no one would see me. I have always used the railings but I had to carry my dinner upstairs which was very awkward. They didn't even put it in a bag. I had to use both hands to carry it. That's why I fell . Thank God the food didn't spill.lol

 

[Ruthanne]

As we were walking today watched a woman fall out of her wheelchair along side a busy street. I think I was more shocked than she was. She actually rolled when she did it. Well done. She said she was used to it and it kept her from breaking things.

I don't really understand how someone can fall numerous times and not hurt anything. Maybe she's a stunt woman! Lol

 

[Ruthanne]

Deron is good and personable. His exercises are easy.

That sounds like a good book to have! Thank you

 

[jujube]

Thank you for your support and ideas. I felt pretty stupid when I fell Sunday. I hoped no one would see me. I have always used the railings but I had to carry my dinner upstairs which was very awkward. They didn't even put it in a bag. I had to use both hands to carry it. That's why I fell . Thank God the food didn't spill.lol

Well, at least you saved the food...LOL.

 

[MarkD]

I've been anxious to get the physical therapy for my pinched nerve. Then I fell again last night. I shouldn't have gone down the steps because the pain and unsteadiness of my legs.

But the delivery person left my dinner down in the lobby So , I got my food and attempted to go up the stairs . I didn't make it to the stairs and my balance was very bad from having a pinched nerve. I missed the step and was dizzy and fell backwards right on my rear end .

I'm starting to feel how I was effected from falling and hitting my Tailbone that I already had a pinched nerve in that area at the same time.

Well, we'll see what's next....my spirits are good now though and I am trying to still enjoy life I'm going to watch a movie on Prime.

Anyone else care to talk about what happened to them?

Sorry you had that fall but at least you seem to be rolling with the punch. I've had one fall but nothing compared to my DW who has taken two spills on concrete, one stepping off of a curb and the other tripping over little rough finish in the cement floor of her studio. Both times she got black eyes and problems with her teeth and lips. I've tried to encourage her to be more careful if only for the dirty looks I get when she is in that state.

My spill happened in my late sixties when I still felt very nimble and capable. I was walking back from the library with a book and walking too quickly looking into bright sunlight. As I stepped up onto the sidewalk after crossing a side street my foot didn't quite clear the curb and I pitched forward onto the concrete. I mostly caught my fall with my hands. If I hadn't been stepping up on to the sidewalk I'm sure I would have tumbled and rolled out of it. But no real damage.

But looking back at that I realize I've put too much emphasis one speed and too little on safety. I had been leaning forward to walk faster and really there was no need. So I am very consciously trying to break myself of that habit. When we were taking senior workout classes at the Y they emphasized landing on the heel and then pushing off the ball of the same foot on the next step. So I concentrate on being balanced over my feet and generating my forward momentum by that pushing off on each step. Habits are hard to change but possible. No other falls.

 

[Kaila]

I think they do a regular X-ray first and then decide to do some kind of scan if they want. I think they try to do what's cheapest....lol...but I should not giggle about it. MRIs are very expensive. I have a good insurance but they may have restrictions on what they will do for you. I hope you are doing alright today and always!

X-rays can show a lot; fractures, bone positions, etc.
It's a good place to start, I think.

Also, you and other posters mentioned that you mentioned feeling dizzy, before you fell.
The regular pcp dr could check on if there's any medication of yours, causing dizziness, which if so, should change in some way.
Or any other cause of dizziness, that they could determine.
Because that's so important, in trying to prevent future falls.

I hope the physical therapist will have cancellations and see you sooner, because they too, can determine other possible causes of dizziness, and intervention strategies for that, too.

I know that you know all of this..... but it's a thread about falls. So, I'm rattling on.

 

[Ruthanne]

X-rays can show a lot; fractures, bone positions, etc.
It's a good place to start, I think.

Also, you and other posters mentioned that you mentioned feeling dizzy, before you fell.
The regular pcp dr could check on if there's any medication of yours, causing dizziness, which if so, should change in some way.
Or any other cause of dizziness, that they could determine.
Because that's so important, in trying to prevent future falls.

I hope the physical therapist will have cancellations and see you sooner, because they too, can determine other possible causes of dizziness, and intervention strategies for that, too.

I know that you know all of this..... but it's a thread about falls. So, I'm rattling on.

I had looked all the medicines I take and many of mine cause balance issues. I take them because I have tried many medications that didn't work for me. I'll have to talk to my doctor about it.

I am feeling the effects of my fall on Sunday night. The pain has been unbearable and I can't walk when it's that way. So I did manage to get to the bathroom and get a glass of water from the sink and not the toilet

I am thinking of going to the hospital because the pills for inflammation and for nerve pain aren't really working or. I think I really need something stronger, maybe tramadol or something that can take this awful pain away

Thank you Kaila for being here. You are a blessing....and I value all the messages that people made.

 

[Kaila]

Those pains pile up and build on each other.
And you've had too much for too long, and then, the recent fall, added more.

If you do go to the hospital, I have no idea what they'll do or not do; I hope they'll do something helpful.

I wonder if they'd check things out and try to figure out what is causing the pains, including what is wrong in your spine, and what else happened when you fell.

 

[Ruthanne]

Those pains pile up and build on each other.
And you've had too much for too long, and then, the recent fall, added more.

If you do go to the hospital, I have no idea what they'll do or not do; I hope they'll do something helpful.

I wonder if they'd check things out and try to figure out what is causing the pains, including what is wrong in your spine, and what else happened when you fell.

Thank you .


Kaila

 

[Jules]

Falls are very serious for seniors. This was part of what precipitated our RadishRose’s poor health. A few months ago she fell when carrying too many groceries while coming in her condo. She then was in a temporary care home and then finally ended up moving to assisted living. I’m not sure I have the details totally right, just know her fall set off many health issues.