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    I fell today

    There are three steps coming from the parking lot to my office. I was carrying a large drink and a sack and walking in from lunch. I wasn't in a rush or anything. I don't even know what happened. It's like my leg wouldn't hop up to the other step-- my foot just wouldn't lift but the rest of my body kept going. Ugh. I managed to catch myself with my hands and forearms, which now have some nice roadburn. Soda spilled. I immediately got up and rushed inside. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed that I let it happen. I realize how silly that sounds, but it's true. Once again, this disease is a lesson in control for me.

    Last week, I just flat out ran into a cabinet in a wide, wide hallway. I have no clue why. Got a nasty bruise on my upper arm from that.

    This sucks. I want to cry. I want to stop stuff like this from happening.
    DX 3/2018; started Ocrevus 3/30/18 (EDSS 2.5)

    "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
    - 2 Corinthians 4:16

    #2
    I Fell Again, too

    I was thinking of posting on this very same topic so you are definitely not alone. Btw, I agree with you that this falling thing sucks and really must stop. I DID cry.

    On July 4th while my husband was on the back deck grilling he asked me to bring him a tray for the meat. I did that. I was half way back inside the house when he said I was supposed to take the meat with me. I turned to come back outside and suddenly I was on the ground. I immediately felt pain in my right foot. Thought I had broken something. It wasn't until later that I noticed the scraped elbow, leg bruises and the bump on my head.

    Even though it was just the two of us out there I was embarrassed just as you said you were. All I could think was, Oh no. Not again. Another thought was, why does this have to be so hard. Ah well. I guess it could have been worse.

    While I laid there sprawled on the ground my husband finished the meal prep. I couldn't move so why not, right? Life must go on. The tri-tip was great.

    IRENE

    Comment


      #3
      Hi smalltowngirl

      Sorry to learn about your fall - but glad that you had only minor injuries though. I really do understand what you're going through.

      I know from many prior experiences that falling from MS is very unnerving and frustrating, because it seems to occur without warning, or without any clear understanding of just exactly how it happened.

      It could be that your foot didn't lift up enough to clear the step due to impaired nerve signals.

      Back when I used to walk without aid, I fell too many times to count, even with the AFO I wore for footdrop. It caused me to be hypervigilant and very focused when I walked, and I'm still that way with my rollator.

      Originally posted by smalltowngirl View Post
      This sucks. I want to cry. I want to stop stuff like this from happening.
      Completely understand.

      Take Care
      PPMS for 26 years (dx 1998)
      ~ Worrying will not take away tomorrow's troubles ~ But it will take away today's peace. ~

      Comment


        #4
        Hi smalltowngirl.

        It is important that you take as many precautions as possible to avoid falling such as holding on to rails when going up and down stairs, taking elevators when possible, consciously paying attention to feet placement when walking or stepping up/down. Mobility aids can also be helpful.

        The majority of falls (accidents) happen so fast it's not uncommon that you are unaware of what happened. There is no reason to feel embarrassed and ashamed...accidents happen to everyone but when you add in a disease like MS they can happen even more.

        I have had symptoms of MS since I was a kid. I have been having accidents since I was a kid and never out grew falling. Through the years I developed a warped sense of humor on this topic. Let me tell you my story (just a few as there are many stories) and if you laugh that's just fine, I have been laughing for years.

        I met my husband when I was 18 years old (I was diagnosed at 24). On our second date I was dressed up (dress, hose, and heels), we walked out, I stepped up on a speed bump (I knew it was there) and down I went. Let's just say my husband saw things he hadn't yet seen and to make it even better there 2 men parked in a truck right next to where I fell (talk about embarrassing )

        I always seem to fall when cute guys were around

        Then there was the time we went shopping and when we were leaving I stepped down off the curb and down I went. I did not trip or step on anything to throw my balance off my leg simply went out. When I was diagnosed this incident made more sense.

        We have 3 steps to lead from the house to the garage. I needed to clean the cats litter box and walked out to the garage holding the litter box with both hands. I lost my balance and fell. Litter came out as well as the other contents right on my hair I sat up and tried to stand and could not, so I crawled up those stairs and opened the door to 2 dogs that thought I was playing I was able to crawl in to the main part of the house and could reach a phone to call for help. I broke my ankle and needed surgery.

        In February this year I was putting away dishes, bumped a glass I was holding, it broke and the ultimate outcome? I cut the slip tendon and there was still glass in the finger. I had to have surgery. I am coming to the end of Occupational Therapy on that finger but I still need to use the splint at bedtime or when I leave the house.
        Diagnosed 1984
        “Lightworkers aren’t here to avoid the darkness…they are here to transform the darkness through the illuminating power of love.” Muses from a mystic

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by SNOOPY View Post
          Hi smalltowngirl.

          It is important that you take as many precautions as possible to avoid falling such as holding on to rails when going up and down stairs, taking elevators when possible, consciously paying attention to feet placement when walking or stepping up/down. Mobility aids can also be helpful.

          The majority of falls (accidents) happen so fast it's not uncommon that you are unaware of what happened. There is no reason to feel embarrassed and ashamed...accidents happen to everyone but when you add in a disease like MS they can happen even more.

          I have had symptoms of MS since I was a kid. I have been having accidents since I was a kid and never out grew falling. Through the years I developed a warped sense of humor on this topic. Let me tell you my story (just a few as there are many stories) and if you laugh that's just fine, I have been laughing for years.

          I met my husband when I was 18 years old (I was diagnosed at 24). On our second date I was dressed up (dress, hose, and heels), we walked out, I stepped up on a speed bump (I knew it was there) and down I went. Let's just say my husband saw things he hadn't yet seen and to make it even better there 2 men parked in a truck right next to where I fell (talk about embarrassing )

          I always seem to fall when cute guys were around

          Then there was the time we went shopping and when we were leaving I stepped down off the curb and down I went. I did not trip or step on anything to throw my balance off my leg simply went out. When I was diagnosed this incident made more sense.

          We have 3 steps to lead from the house to the garage. I needed to clean the cats litter box and walked out to the garage holding the litter box with both hands. I lost my balance and fell. Litter came out as well as the other contents right on my hair I sat up and tried to stand and could not, so I crawled up those stairs and opened the door to 2 dogs that thought I was playing I was able to crawl in to the main part of the house and could reach a phone to call for help. I broke my ankle and needed surgery.

          In February this year I was putting away dishes, bumped a glass I was holding, it broke and the ultimate outcome? I cut the slip tendon and there was still glass in the finger. I had to have surgery. I am coming to the end of Occupational Therapy on that finger but I still need to use the splint at bedtime or when I leave the house.
          I was both laughing and cringing when I read this because I'm sure most of us have similar stories, well ok maybe not the flashing of your future husband and a couple of innocent bystanders, lol.

          I have had more mishaps than would be expected of someone my age. So far knock wood my pride has been more hurt than anything. MS is a humbling disease for sure.
          He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
          Anonymous

          Comment


            #6
            This forum is an awesome place to come to unload, get support, and get tons of friendly, practical advice. You're in the right place!!!! And you're not alone!!!!

            I have fallen down several times, but so far never while going up that I can remember. Thankfully so far I've only sprained an ankle ... that was about 7 months ago and I'm still paying for it. My feet get confused so easily when going down [stairs or slopes] or on uneven surfaces. I go super slow, take shorter strides, and use a cane or my friend who's super string. I also know my distance limits ... for the most part.

            When I'm fatigued, my legs just plum give out from underneath me I've learned to mostly avoid that my not pushing myself.

            I guess what I'm trying to say is, for me, there seems to be a few different reasons to what causes me to fall, and it took time to realize this, as well as time to learn how to deal with it. But, I also know that new reasons could show up some day. We are always learning how to adjust.

            I have definitely run in to more than my fair share of walls 😁 It makes me laugh, so I don't mind. There's just something so funny to me about wanting to go one way but your body insists on going another. I pray my humor at it all doesn't offend anyone that's really struggling.

            Try not to be embarrassed ❤ Even "normal" people fall some times. It can be scary, but try to stay calm. Also, my issues are magnified a bagillion times if I'm tired. It took me a a while to really understand that I just could not continue my life at the pace I was going ... trying to maintain a certain level of activity was actually making everything much worse, so I had to learn [with the help of my lived ones] how to live a new life. It's definitely a process. Be patient with yourself.

            Not officially diagnosed due to non-MS-specific spots on MRIs, but the neurologists all agree it's MS.
            Frustrated. January 2019: finally saw an MS specialist worth seeing. Maybe we'll get to the bottom of this.
            EDSS of 5.5, sometimes 6.0

            Comment


              #7
              No one calls me a klutz anymore

              I have been called klutz all my life. Since my diagnosis, I have had several falls, some of them resulting in broken bones (humerus, ankle, wrist). It sucks, frankly. When I walk, all I do is think "left right left right" and try to remain focused. Pay attention to your body, if you are feeling tired, for heaven's sake sit down for a bit!
              You guys are my people, that's for sure.
              Carole
              diagnosed 10/25/11

              Comment


                #8
                Falling is not fun! Wait until you have school cameras recording your fall (true story!). My co-workers run those cameras and wanted to know if I wanted to watch myself miss the last two stairs of a stairway. I didn't watch...

                Anyway, I have been going to physical therapy to help with my balance. It has been a good thing. I would suggest any who can afford it, to get a baseline visit in, and just have a talk with the PT. Lots of future falls can be avoided if we are just mindful of our triggers. Mine happen when I try to carry something, and not paying great attention to every step. I'm just grateful I haven't ever broken anything other than my pride!
                Brenda
                Adversity gives you two choices in life: either let it make you bitter, or let it make you better! I choose the latter.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Hey snoopy sounds like the Flashing might be what caught the man.

                  If Marylin Monroe can do it why cant we?

                  The worst is when you trip over nothing at all- flat floor.
                  Caroline

                  Comment


                    #10
                    First time I fell I was carying a set of gas logs into a customers house. Retail on the logs was 1200 dollars and I missed the step, almost exactly like you describe my foot just didn't go but the rest of me did. He was outside to meet me and you should have seen my fall trying to not slam down 1200 dollar logs while also trying to avoid breaking anything. I looked like the worlds most spastic gymnast!

                    Most recent fall was standing up from in front of a fireplace. My body and right leg went up just fine my left stayed where it was and I came crashing down on top of my left foot. I thought I had broken a toe it was painful to walk, it swelled up nicely and turned several shades of purple. Thank goodness it cleared up in a couple days so no break. The customer was in the kitchen and her mom was upstairs my fall shook the whole house and mom comes running down to check on her daughter and daughter comes running in to check on me. I laughed it off but they were super sweet and super concerned for me.

                    My boss kind of freaked out cause it was on the job and was terrified of a workers comp. claim (they don't know I have MS) but I told him I was fine. They had me talk to the insurance company anyway and I told them I was fine.

                    So far I have been lucky and never gotten a serious injury falling but it does suck that a lot of the time I am carrying things and always using railings etc. is not really an option. I could tell my employer and they would have to make accommodations but after losing two jobs because of MS I am disinclined to reveal it to a third job.
                    Rise up this mornin, Smiled with the risin sun, Three little birds Pitch by my doorstep Singin sweet songs Of melodies pure and true, Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou

                    Comment


                      #11
                      So sorry you fell, but you are definitely not alone!

                      When I was in my mid twenties....before I was diagnosed with ms I fell coming down the steps from the house to the garage. My knees took the brunt of the fall. Got bruised up pretty bad. Then I fell at work in a very busy hospital parking lot coming from lunch. I basically just tripped over my own feet. Again, my knees took the brunt of the fall and was bruised and skinned up pretty bad.

                      Falling at work was the most embarrassing though because everyone was just staring at me! These two guys come rushing over to me to help me up and ask if I was ok. Well I jump up instantly and insist I’m fine! I hate being made a fuss over and drawing so much attention to myself. The only thing that wasn’t ok that day was my pride. I probably should have seen a doctor (since I was already at a hospital and all lol) but again, I don’t like being made a fuss over so I just brushed myself off and back to work I went like nothing had happened. My knees were never the same since and for the first few days after that fall I had this excruciating burning pain in my knees that would keep me up at night.

                      Then at 29 I was diagnosed with ms. Several years after that when I was home recovering from my abdominal surgery I saw this spider. And I’m deathly afraid of spiders! Well the damn thing comes running towards me!! So I do the only sensible thing....I leap up to get the hell out of dodge! Only problem with this was my foot was asleep so as I start to run my foot twists and my ankle rolls and before I know it I’m on the floor.

                      I did decide to go to the er that time because my ankle hurt so bad and was very swollen and because I had work the next day. Well I at least gave the er staff a good laugh when they asked what happened. They gave me crutches, but I couldn’t walk with those dang things so I just hobbled and hopped around at work the next day.

                      It’s frustrating for sure, but something tells me I haven’t seen my last fall. I’m definitely more careful now though. Not only because I want to spare myself the humiliation, but mostly because I don’t know how much more my body...especially my poor knees can take.



                      “Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.”
                      ― Helen Keller

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Gosh, you guys... I so appreciate the stories and tidbits of advice. I think this is just "part of it." Doesn't mean it doesn't really suck.

                        Thanks for always listening. This community has been invaluable to me.
                        DX 3/2018; started Ocrevus 3/30/18 (EDSS 2.5)

                        "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."
                        - 2 Corinthians 4:16

                        Comment


                          #13
                          I have fallen so many times in my MS journey of almost 30 years that I stopped counting. Some were serious, but no broken bones (knock on wood), but some were laughable. the most embarrassing one is when I taught a middle school class in the library where I worked. Fell right in front of all of them and did a face plant. Really, I just started laughing

                          Most of us can relate, smalltowngirl. There is a book written by David Lander, who played Squiggy on the Laverne and Shirley show (maybe before your time?), called Fall Down Laughing. Told in a lighthearted way, he laughs at times about his life with MS, but also shares his deepest fears and struggles. Very honest memoir.

                          You might want to check it out. It got good reviews.
                          1st sx '89 Dx '99 w/RRMS - SP since 2010
                          Administrator Message Boards/Moderator

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