At 9.55 a.m. I was coming back upstairs after telling the dogs to pipe-down, took a left turn onto the landing and wallop. Somehow my left leg, its got bad foot drop, decided to do a ballet pirouette and then it collapsed. Naturally, even instinctively, I put a hand down to break the fall, it was my left hand that took the brunt. I landed in a heap and then yelped repeatedly.
The pain was quite unbelievable and unimaginable, the scream brought my wife out to see what I had done and how. She tried to help me to my feet but I could not cooperate. I suggested she got some help so she dialed 999. 90 minutes later a paramedic rolled up and gave me some morphine and suggested a dislocated shoulder, only then was I able to consider the situation. After another 75 minutes an ambulance rolled up.
Somehow they got me down the stairs and into the ambulance. After a 20 minute bone-shaking ride I was at Stoke Mandeville A & E. More morpine, X-ray, left shoulder relocated into socket then another X Ray and finally told I as free to go. Hospital part took 7 hours
I have bad drop foot, because of the morphine my left leg would not co-operate when I got home so a neighbour had to help me into the house. G & T, supper and glass of wine then I bum-shuffled up the stairs. Did a self catheterise, 60 mg amitryptaline and I slept through the night.
Moral - do not try to pirouette on bad leg cos you will only end up hurting your self.
The New Year can only get better after that little episode. Any of you had a similar experience with an ambulance, dislocated shoulder or morphine and drop-foot?
Thats one way of welcoming the new year in. So no broken bones - thats good. Not that you need advice from me - but l find a SAFO the answer to drop foot - [can be worn without shoes] - and dare l say a stair-lift. l have both - but must admit l still fall.
l do some very dramatic stumbles - usually with something precious in my hands - like the dogs dinner bowls. And not a free hand to put out to save myself. This is where my rollators are such a blessing - and thats down to your web-site.
Glad you didn’t break anything, but what a farce with the time it took to get to you & then the hospital time…dreadful.
Both my legs decided to collapse under me when I answered the door once, they both went up on points & down I went, I found myself outside wondering why my legs would not work & OMG the pain…but I still managed to drag myself in & up onto the sofa, Robert was out so I phoned 999, then him…trouble was it was an ambulance crew we know (Robert was still a Paramedic himself then) It was odd seeing people you know when your in a state.
I had really damaged my ankles, I’m glad you didn’t do the same, but you will be sore, so I hope it dosen’t last for long.
Not only do I have drop foot but whole of my left leg from thigh to toe is weak and only workable solution for me is a MUSMate so I don’t think a SAFO would solve my problems.
Its now the 3rd Jan and starting to feel more like the man I ought to be. I think the morphine remained in my system for a long time even though the pain relief side had long since worn off and that is why I felt so groggy and grotty yesterday. I think that is a lesson that I have learnt.
I too am very relieved that no bone was broken - going for a bone density scan. If your mobility is affected by MS then try to wrangle one by sweet talking your GP.
Rollators are great. Once again if you have problems with balance then get one. I talk about them on my website
Hi, what a palaver! And what a long time to wait for an ambulance…good job you werent having a heart attack!
Since we`re talking spectacular falls, mine were quite notable. Worst one was into a glass porch at work. only split my lip, but it felt as if my cheekbone had gone!
I always reckoned I would have had broken bones, with my falls, had I not been so well upholstered!
Hi Patrick I’m glad you are ok, that sounds like a spectacular way to welcome in the new year, think I might just stick to a glass of sherry and a few chocolates myself. But what I really wanted to ask is that you said you bum shuffled up the stairs. Can I ask how you do that please. I’m struggling more and more with the stairs and bum shuffling sounds like it could be an option. Cheryl:-)
Thanks Poll, do you mean that you sit on the bottom stair and then, using your arms push yourself up so you are sitting on the second stair and then lift your legs onto the first stair and then do this all the way up until you reach the top. I’ve done this before when I’ve been hoovering the stairs, might be worth a go. My husband sometimes helps me up the stairs by lifting my leg. What fun! Cheryl:-)