Falls and disability

I just wanted to ask if anyone else has had any problems with on going symptoms or disability as a direct result of falls?

I have mentioned before that I am currently awaiting the results of an MRI on both knees. My knees were fine before I had a number of falls, 2 of which I fell directly onto my knees across a curb stone (ouch). I have also been left with tendinosis in the biceps tendon of my right shoulder after 3 very nasty and awkward falls.

I also fell very awkwardly in the garden and smashed my right thigh on a pile of bricks about 12 months ago and it still hurts when touched but also has an area of numbness around the one side of the area.

Any of this sound familiar, would just like to know if its MS related.

Thanks all
Pat

[PastorDan]

Pat, I'm undx, so anything I say might point in the wrong direction, but since whatever I'm suffering began with dizziness, and has involved dizziness as the most prominent symptom all along, I've had my share of falls.  I made the mistake of observing how fortunate I was, that the first several falls were either very short distances or onto soft surfaces (onto a rug placed over carpet, for example).  As soon as I let that be known, I began falling onto icy concrete while walking Bandit.  My legs are as bruised now as they've been since I was a kid, but back then I didn't so much care!  So far...  No, I'm not going to say how fortunate I am that nothing's been pulled or sprained, only bruised.  Might tempt the devil!

[Lulu54]

Pat,
Touch wood I haven't taken a tumble since August, but like most of us here, we are extremely cautious and always aware that the next crack i nthe sidewalk might be our undoing.  

The dizziness and off balance nature of my MS, along with other symptoms such as foot drop for me makes walking a straight line near impossible. I am always aware that I am one step away from taking a tumble, and am overly cautious with how I move.  

I do experience this sensation of my leg(s) giving way under me, like the bones have snapped, but they really haven't.  This buckling of my legs has almost gotten me a few times.  

I'm so sorry you are nursing all these additional body parts.

feel better,
Lulu

[Eyesnlegs]

The falls I had were pior to my ms dx and when I was less unsteady or dizzy, each time I fall I seem to miss a step, which is how I managed to hit the curbs.

I learnt to swim 2 years ago, I'd always been afraid of water and it was an ambition to get over the fear. One day my instructor asked me to jump into the water, I tried to and fell head long in smashing my right leg on the side of the pool. He asked me then if I had any problems as he had watched in horror as one leg left the floor and the other didn't, this was something I was not aware of at the time.

Since then my walking has got steadily worse as I watch where my feet are all the time and have problems managing steps without something to hold on to and hills or rough terrain are a difficult.

Anyway, whilst my current problem with my knees is being dx I have developed pins and needles in my right foot and a feeling like a very hot patch on the outside of my right calf just above the ankle which comes and goes. It's a large patch but when I touch it it's not hot! So I was curious about others experiences as it is so hard to tell what is MS related and what is knee injury related - hence my question.

BTW - I now watch every step too.

[Lulu54]

my non-medical guess is the pins and needles is MS  - lovely feeling, huh?   this central nervous system disease can sure through some strange symptoms at us.  You'll quickly figured out no two of us are unlike in what we are experiencing.  :-)



Good for you to learn to swim.  I start lessons for my 4 year old granddaughter tomorrow - its a skill everyone should have just in case!!! Swimming is wonderful for MS patients - its keeps your body cool while exercising.  And the water is so therapeutic. I swim about 3 times a week and would do it daily if I could justify the extra time.

my best, Lu

[PastorDan]

One caution.  My wife has been a member of the nearest YMCA for several years, as the only way she can currently exercise without causing more damage and pain is in water.  They have two great indoor pools -- the smaller of which is kept quite warm to be therapeutic for folks like my wife whose weight-bearing joints have already taken more than they can handle.  It's kept warm enough, in fact, that it could pose a problem for many of our peers here who find their symptoms intensified by hot baths.

Their larger pool, though, is fine, if they'd quit reserving it for swim teams so often.

[Eyesnlegs]

Agreed, heat does make things worse for me especially the double vision and the fatigue.

Great advice though - aqua aerobics have been recommended by my GP, I've been doing that and swimming for a while.

I was more curious to try to work out which bits of my leg problems fit with MS and which bits are related to injuries from the falls I've taken in the past 2 years. It seems its not that easy though eh?

Thank you both
Pat
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