falling and balance

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Just a few words on falling and balance. I ended up in the ER

on New Years day due to a fall the day before. I was pulling the

vacuum cleaner plug out of the wall (crouching down) when I fell

backwards. Didn't have far to fall and didn't think I hurt anything

until I woke up at midnight in terrible pain. It was nerve pain in

my right ankle and foot. I've had this before but never constantly

for hours. I wanted to go the ER right then but my husband said it

would better if we waited until the morning since the ER was probably

pretty busy with New Years Eve revelers. We got there around

8:00a.m. and were the only ones there. The doc called my neurologist

and said I was having referred pain and prescribed some narcotic

meds. I go back to the neuro on Friday to see what he says. After

my revision surgery in 2001 my doc said the worst thing I could ever

do was fall.

I do water walking and it seems to help with balance. I go to

the local high school and use their pool. They have water aerobics

classes and the price is pretty reasonable. I also use a cane and

should remember to use it more often. My balance is really out of

whack since I had an acoustic neuroma removed from my cranium in

1999. The doctor had to remove the hearing and balance nerves to get

the tumor out so now I am deaf in the left ear and it took a while

for the right side balance nerve to take on all the balance

functions.

I do so enjoy reading all the comments from people on this

list. You certainly are a group of courageous women. When I think I

have it tough I just read some of your posts and am thankful for what

I have. So far I have had to use minimal pain meds and can get

around pretty well. I do understand everything you are going

through, from arrogant docs to rude office staff. Hope to be a

regular contributor to the group. Barbara

[Guest guest]

Barbara,

My greatest fear is falling...which thankfully I have only done a few times

since my revision in 2000. Every time I have fallen I not only get a flare up

of my ever-present nerve pain but I always manage to knot up into about a 4+

spasm also! I am very careful to avoid ice and am cautious going up and down

(especially down!) stairs since I had to finally give in and get Transition

bi-focal glasses. They took some getting used to because they threw my depth

perception off. You were wise to go to the ER and get checked out if only for

your own peace of mind!

All the best,

Beth

[Guest guest]

Beth,I agree. Those transition glasses can be a trip down the stairs. I am

always off balance and grabbing on to things even without the glasses. I

thought I was doing okay for 6 yrs. after my first A/P surgery, then I tripped

on a step and broke my ankle. Try dragging a cast around and stay balanced. I

used the wheelchair and swivel chair to get around a lot and did too much

pulling forward and broke my L-3 screws and they actually had to be chiseled out

and fused down to L-5. (I cried when I read the OR notes). After that the toe of

my sneaker didn't quite make it over a doorway and I fell on my head and needed

stitches (in front of people at work yet). People are actually afraid to come

too close. I just hope Dr. Farcy can get me some better balance. I got to be

Mother-of-the Bride again in Dec of 2005. That was a stressful day for the last

dtr. a year ago. Some moms go on a diet to fit in a dress but I have a revision

surgery and still pray to get a revised dress to fit ! The seamstress I found

actually took a shoulder pad from one side and added it to the bra cup on the

other and took in one side of the dress. Looked a lot better. JanFrom: [mailto:

bunce1117@...]@...: Fri, 09

Jan 2004 01:09:23 +0000Subject: Re: falling and balanceBarbara,

My greatest fear is falling...which thankfully I have only done a few times

since my revision in 2000. Every time I have fallen I not only get a flare up

of my ever-present nerve pain but I always manage to knot up into about a 4+

spasm also! I am very careful to avoid ice and am cautious going up and down

(especially down!) stairs since I had to finally give in and get Transition

bi-focal glasses. They took some getting used to because they threw my depth

perception off. You were wise to go to the ER and get checked out if only for

your own peace of mind!All the best,BethSupport for scoliosis-surgery veterans

with Harrington Rod Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not

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