Too many close calls for comfort: how to define drop falls

[nsalem656]

I had too many close calls on the drop falls during my trip. The last one happened in front of 2 flight attendants (I don't know the politically correct term currently) and the pilot. If the wheelchair wasn't already there for me, I would have found out I had no choice in the matter. They also didn't let me leave the chair. I can handle short distances,  maybe not but I had no way to use the wheelchair either, in a short time, but I was switching flights.

I was trying to figure out how to explain drop falls after that. I was thinking something like this:

A person puts out there foot in front of you and you trip and fall to the floor. That's a fall. The foot wasn't there and you fall anyways, that's a drop fall.

Any other suggestions?

[nsalem656]

I think your right. Last time I fell on campus we had to send me to the urgent care because the school doctor couldn't put me on crutches with my wrists and even though it was obviously a sprain they had to make sure before I could walk

[selmaS]

  Well I was told by my NS u do loose consciousness but it is such a brief amount of time it is just seconds, like flipping a light switch off and then back on, only u still can not react or respond....I know I was aware I was mid fall, but was not aware of the start of the fall...I heard my DD and had all sorts of thoughts going thru my head, only I could not reply to her...I thought I had she said no....

In one such fall I tore the meniscus in my knee and had a severe sprain ankle...it resulted in 2 surgeries and my chiari dx.

I would venture to say  it is possible u r having a drop attack as I said u can be aware of the fall, bcuz u go out for such a short time....

[nsalem656]

According to my research drop attacks don't make you unconscious. The real problem is it endangers your health. One of my favorite aunts (great aunt actually) fell while I was with her in Palestine. She had bruises that worried me so much I didn't try another house (there were 5 there) again. She didn't lose consciousness. I do drop completely just not as frequently as the close calls. I get the drop falls 3 times a month now.

[nsalem656]

Unfortunately, it's the social and state workers that need to know this. They don't seem to understand these falls though the elderly have it more often than healthy adults do.

[selmaS]

Balance and depth perception is a big issue for all with chiari and that is all u have to say to neone that asks....u have a neurological condition and these issues as well as others r affected.

[nsalem656]

I know it's the balance issue. Dr. Heiss did the stand with your feet together and eyes closed test. I failed 3 times. The first two done by the resident. I actually fall to the left. I always thought my right side was the problem.

[nsalem656]

I don't loose consciousness even for a second, but I do feel disoriented.

[selmaS]

  Sounds more of a balance issue then nething else and the lights and flooring can be a factor....I know dark and light  patterned floors like a checker board can mess with our depth perception.....

And I would bet it is more that as it can have a trip feeling as u can not tell where the floor is....try and take notice to the lighting and the floor....it could be ur depth perception is off.

[nsalem656]

No lights are on. i meant it was one way of explaining them. I have the trip feeling a few times. I usually can't walk without a close call. The other day I went down again on the stairs.

[selmaS]

  Not sure if ur footing is of, but it is not a drop attack....

How does this feel?

A drop attack u actually go out for a few seconds but come too, mid fall and wonder y u r falling, ur body stops working in a flash of a sec and turns back on but not completely....u can hear what is going on, but can not react or respond, that is a drop attack.

It is possible that u r having a issue with ur leg and it i goes out from under u and u fall....

Balance is another problem and places like airports use florescent lights that do have an affect on our balance...could be that too.

[nsalem656]

I don't think it's vertigo but maybe I'm wrong. Sounds like my close calls too.

[linnielou232]

I have never experienced drop falls but was curious if anyone after surgery ever experienced being really off balance after doing activities.  I never had this before surgery, but noticed in the past month that I feel my feet are rounded and I catch myself loosing my balance.  Why would this happen after 2 yrs after having surgery.  Is this considered Vertigo?  Just wondered since you are experiencing something like I am.  Thanks so much.  Hope we both can keep a better balance tomorrow.
Linda :)