1. < Aging Well

How do you feel about falling?

Posted by Steph-Words That Fly @stephcarney, Jan 7 9:05pm

In the last two winters I've had two falls. The first was a series of three falls on an icy trail within 15 minutes resulting in a badly sprained wrist that took a looong time to recover from. Now I'm terrified of the ice or even slippery new snow, so I have four different sets of micro spikes.

Early last spring I fell down the steps (indoors) carrying my ailing dog to let her out in the middle of the night. She was fine. I was badly bruised in multiple places. Now, no socks on steps, carry only one thing and hold the rail. I manage steps very carefully.

I am paranoid about falling. Maybe I should practice falling correctly! What are your thoughts about falling? What do you do to prevent falls?

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Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 25 4:39pm
In reply to @barscr2 "I experienced dizziness and fell last August broke my leg. I had a heart rate in..." + (show)
@barscr2

I experienced dizziness and fell last August broke my leg. I had a heart rate in the 40’s and a blood pressure in the 70’s. Because of blood not circulating well my kidneys were damaged. I’ve not recovered I went on to have a heart attack in November. I’m only 65, I’m not getting better, Im very discouraged. I’m normally a very active independent person. But a fall can lead to disasters.I keep waking up thinking I’ll be back to my old self, not happening.

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@barscr2 I am so sorry, @barscr2, that life has dealt you such a hard hand. As you say, at 65, you are too young to give up and became complacent about your situation. My question is what kind of help are you getting? I know it's hard to ask for help and then to make arrangements and then get yourself somewhere. Are you pursuing PT, exercise, a life coach or talk therapy? Do you have friends or family that you regularly spend time with? I worry that you may be feeling isolated and finding it difficult to know where to start! Thinking of you!

REPLY
John | @johnnoregon | Jan 25 8:40pm

I'm predisposed to do so. I've had many falls. I had a stroke in 2020, falling just fine before and after. 68M. Most of my breaks are mostly from horse/farm mishaps. I have left-side weakness from the stroke. I've fallen and broken my humerus recently, and ribs more than a few times. Ribs hurt a bunch and there's nothing to do but work through it. Humerus is recent and the same, losing half the ability to use my left hand. I just keep plowing through these, horses and livestock have to be fed. I had an arthroplasty 2 Fridays ago. Fed everyone and worked the barn that night. This is stuff if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. It's what I do, my wife and animals count on me. I get up and keep going.

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3 replies
bunnybear | @bunnybear | Jan 26 8:52am
In reply to @barscr2 "I experienced dizziness and fell last August broke my leg. I had a heart rate in..." + (show)
@barscr2

I experienced dizziness and fell last August broke my leg. I had a heart rate in the 40’s and a blood pressure in the 70’s. Because of blood not circulating well my kidneys were damaged. I’ve not recovered I went on to have a heart attack in November. I’m only 65, I’m not getting better, Im very discouraged. I’m normally a very active independent person. But a fall can lead to disasters.I keep waking up thinking I’ll be back to my old self, not happening.

Jump to this post

@barscr2 I am thinking of you and hope your doctor is a good one and guiding you on what to do to get the best recovery. I’ve heard of exercise classes for people recovering from heart attacks. Find one you can get to and do it so you don’t spiral downward. It would be normal to have a situational depression after all this. If so, get your doctor’s help. A temporary anti depressant can help you take control again. My very best to you.

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Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 26 9:11am
In reply to @johnnoregon "I'm predisposed to do so. I've had many falls. I had a stroke in 2020, falling..." + (show)
@johnnoregon

I'm predisposed to do so. I've had many falls. I had a stroke in 2020, falling just fine before and after. 68M. Most of my breaks are mostly from horse/farm mishaps. I have left-side weakness from the stroke. I've fallen and broken my humerus recently, and ribs more than a few times. Ribs hurt a bunch and there's nothing to do but work through it. Humerus is recent and the same, losing half the ability to use my left hand. I just keep plowing through these, horses and livestock have to be fed. I had an arthroplasty 2 Fridays ago. Fed everyone and worked the barn that night. This is stuff if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. It's what I do, my wife and animals count on me. I get up and keep going.

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@johnnoregon What an extraordinary story with an equally extraordinary conclusion, "It's what I do, my wife and animals count on me. I get up and keep going." Wow, perhaps strength through adversity leads to more strength? Besides the dependence of your family and your animals which, no doubt, includes their love for you and yours of them as well, to what do you attribute such energetic attendance as well as endurance through discomfort?

And, a question for others on this site, in light of obstacles and difficulties and fears, what prompts YOU to get up and get going?

REPLY
2 replies
John | @johnnoregon | Jan 26 12:39pm
In reply to @stephcarney "@johnnoregon What an extraordinary story with an equally extraordinary conclusion, "It's what I do, my wife..." + (show)
@stephcarney

@johnnoregon What an extraordinary story with an equally extraordinary conclusion, "It's what I do, my wife and animals count on me. I get up and keep going." Wow, perhaps strength through adversity leads to more strength? Besides the dependence of your family and your animals which, no doubt, includes their love for you and yours of them as well, to what do you attribute such energetic attendance as well as endurance through discomfort?

And, a question for others on this site, in light of obstacles and difficulties and fears, what prompts YOU to get up and get going?

Jump to this post

Hi Steph,
I learned that meeting medical issues with as much mental force as I can when it happens results in a much shorter path to feeling a LOT better. Laying around and fussing about it makes me miserable, and makes feeling better mentally a hard road to hoe. That's my tactic: meet it head-on, dedicate my time to rehabbing whatever it is, and get it over as soon as I can.
John

REPLY
Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 26 1:56pm

@johnnoregon Impressive and inspiring- way to go John!

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Sirref | @sirref | Jan 27 12:35pm
In reply to @johnnoregon "I'm predisposed to do so. I've had many falls. I had a stroke in 2020, falling..." + (show)
@johnnoregon

I'm predisposed to do so. I've had many falls. I had a stroke in 2020, falling just fine before and after. 68M. Most of my breaks are mostly from horse/farm mishaps. I have left-side weakness from the stroke. I've fallen and broken my humerus recently, and ribs more than a few times. Ribs hurt a bunch and there's nothing to do but work through it. Humerus is recent and the same, losing half the ability to use my left hand. I just keep plowing through these, horses and livestock have to be fed. I had an arthroplasty 2 Fridays ago. Fed everyone and worked the barn that night. This is stuff if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. It's what I do, my wife and animals count on me. I get up and keep going.

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John, that is a fantastic testament:
" I get up and keep going." is a call for the many who age and keep moving forward.
The lifespan and healthspan concept.

REPLY
mtnmarge | @mtnmarge | Jan 27 4:58pm
In reply to @johnnoregon "I'm predisposed to do so. I've had many falls. I had a stroke in 2020, falling..." + (show)
@johnnoregon

I'm predisposed to do so. I've had many falls. I had a stroke in 2020, falling just fine before and after. 68M. Most of my breaks are mostly from horse/farm mishaps. I have left-side weakness from the stroke. I've fallen and broken my humerus recently, and ribs more than a few times. Ribs hurt a bunch and there's nothing to do but work through it. Humerus is recent and the same, losing half the ability to use my left hand. I just keep plowing through these, horses and livestock have to be fed. I had an arthroplasty 2 Fridays ago. Fed everyone and worked the barn that night. This is stuff if I don't do it, it doesn't get done. It's what I do, my wife and animals count on me. I get up and keep going.

Jump to this post

If uyou lived near me I'd be at your farm every day to give you a hand. I'm 82 and still getting along...have a few aches and pains but if I keep busy I feel better. I applaud you for your stamina and your drive to keep it up. When I was teaching I spent every summer working on a dairy farm. On the weekends I'd help my 'horse' friend cleaning them, keeping the pastures green and safe, exercising them and on the really good days going for a trail ride.

'

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deesantucci | @deesantucci | Jan 28 2:20pm

I’ve taken some falls while attempting to do things that were not carefully thought through.
But July 8th 2022 I was just walking to my car while conversing & my right leg went out from under me. I fell hard on my right shoulder and cracked the top of my humerus. It was horribly painful and it wasn’t until October 4th 2022 that I was able to finally get a reverse shoulder replacement as that fracture was never going to heal.
I had a spine fusion in 16’ and while that fall didn’t disrupt the fusion, I began to experience sciatica pain down my buttocks into my legs. Im in Rehab again and use creams and patches on the source of the pain but I almost always wear supportive footwear and pay closer attention to the where I'm walking. I was a gymnast in my youth and very strong so accepting the fact that my body is not able to function or respond like it used to is a fact I’m learning to deal with. It’s not easy. I’m 76. My goal is to NOT break any more bones!
REPLY
1 reply
Steph-Words That Fly | @stephcarney | Jan 28 3:03pm
In reply to @deesantucci "I’ve taken some falls while attempting to do things that were not carefully thought through. But..." + (show)
@deesantucci

I’ve taken some falls while attempting to do things that were not carefully thought through.
But July 8th 2022 I was just walking to my car while conversing & my right leg went out from under me. I fell hard on my right shoulder and cracked the top of my humerus. It was horribly painful and it wasn’t until October 4th 2022 that I was able to finally get a reverse shoulder replacement as that fracture was never going to heal.
I had a spine fusion in 16’ and while that fall didn’t disrupt the fusion, I began to experience sciatica pain down my buttocks into my legs. Im in Rehab again and use creams and patches on the source of the pain but I almost always wear supportive footwear and pay closer attention to the where I'm walking. I was a gymnast in my youth and very strong so accepting the fact that my body is not able to function or respond like it used to is a fact I’m learning to deal with. It’s not easy. I’m 76. My goal is to NOT break any more bones!

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@deesantucci Oh my goodness, what a story @deesantucci ! I have wandered back and forth between osteopenia and osteoporosis but feel lucky that though I've fallen, I've yet to have broken a bone. I took medication a long time ago after my first deja scan, but didn't respond well to the meds and have been reluctant to go on them again. I've researched these medications which get mixed reviews. Do you have osteoporosis? Do you take meds to increase bone density?

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