Upset, scared, and mad - Had a big fall, concussion, numbness...

Posted by Barb @amberpep, May 20, 2018

Hi all .... I have not been here for awhile but I really need some input. . I won't go into the details or it would take forever, but I live in an apartment – 1st floor. Our sidewalks are poorly maintained …. between the concrete and grass is a gap, that you can easily see through, about 6". Alongside is a metal plate that I assume is part of the way they set the concrete is set – it protrudes 2". I was walking my new puppy (8 lbs.) and got the heel of my sneaker caught in the metal and flew, landed on the concrete pad holding the elec. unit, landing on my left side, head hit and bounced up and hit on other side where there was a vertical metal flange of some sort. Went to doctor …. had concussion, and lots of hurting and bruising ….. all within soft tissue – nothing on surface to show. Next day from scapula to shoulder to elbow to first two digits on that hand were painful and very numb and tingling and burning. Saw 2 doctors ….. didn't seem to think a thing about the numbness in my fingers ……. I read on Mayo last night that it's probably a pinched nerve from the fall. It hurts like crazy from scapula on down to hand. Been told by others nothing could be done that it just had to heal itself. I think I need a neurologist, but don't know. My daughter has my puppy because I can't pick her up without major pain – 8 pounder. I just moved down to this area from MD
about 2 years ago and don't know where else to go besides the Internist, and they have the system of you get whoever is available …. you have no doctor of your own. I'm so upset I don't know what to do. I'm 73, live alone, and I just could cry. I'm scared, want a doctor who can give me definite info. I'm inclined to go back to MD to see the doctor I had up there. j The two doctors I saw did not pick up on the numbness in my fingers .... to me that says "nerve problem" …… advice?abby.

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@amberpep

Hi Jewel .... I've had a good relationship since I've been here, and in going through this, I've been very careful in filtering my wording of things. My last e-mail to them I mentioned that it had been 2-1/2 weeks since my fall and had so far heard nothing from them. I explained the danger, not just to me, but to the other older folks in this building, and that I felt one more week was adequate to fix it, or at least start the process. I told her about my 3 trips to the doctor, the x-rays, all the exams, and the horrible pain and not being able to do much of anything because of the concussion. I was trying to get them to "feel" like I did and do if this had happened to them. I thanked them for helping with this.
Well .... they started this week ... HOORAY! But, if it isn't done right, and that metal plate not cut off, I'll be back to them. But I figure I'd get more cooperation with honey than vinegar. I always try to be very nice, even when coating something unpleasant with chocolate!
I really don't expect any problems .... I never said the word "sue" but they got my drift.
abby

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JEWEL .... one more thing I forgot which is sort of funny. Yes I have the necklace from GreatCall, but one thing ..... if I go somewhere with someone and don't particularly want it to be seen, I tuck it inside my shirt and turn it around ..... there's a little flashing light and I thought that would be really funny to have a flashing light in the middle of my boobs.
abby

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Abby, all you would need would be some tassels to go with the flashing light! jk, but you painted a pretty funny picture.

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I your so funny. When I used to assist my grwat aunt with her house chores i seemed to set the call button every time. I was getting clumsy and the base was just to dirty not to clean. I am taking antibiotic treatment for non active tb. The medicine has me off my regular medicine so I feel sore all over. Living at the beach and no fun, yuck.

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@amberpep

Hi Jewel .... I've had a good relationship since I've been here, and in going through this, I've been very careful in filtering my wording of things. My last e-mail to them I mentioned that it had been 2-1/2 weeks since my fall and had so far heard nothing from them. I explained the danger, not just to me, but to the other older folks in this building, and that I felt one more week was adequate to fix it, or at least start the process. I told her about my 3 trips to the doctor, the x-rays, all the exams, and the horrible pain and not being able to do much of anything because of the concussion. I was trying to get them to "feel" like I did and do if this had happened to them. I thanked them for helping with this.
Well .... they started this week ... HOORAY! But, if it isn't done right, and that metal plate not cut off, I'll be back to them. But I figure I'd get more cooperation with honey than vinegar. I always try to be very nice, even when coating something unpleasant with chocolate!
I really don't expect any problems .... I never said the word "sue" but they got my drift.
abby

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@amberpep Abby or "Speak up Suzie," Good work!

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In 1990 I was driving my 64 Plymouth Valiant convertible on a narrow winding,2 lane rd.in Westchester co.NY.my speed was approximately 10-2 mph. & slow as that sounds,it wasn't slow enough for the approaching,notorious curve and the pouring rain and crimped brake line on my car.
I put slight pressure on the brake pedal and my tires hydroplaned across wet surface. Being too short to go through the windshield,my face went into the Big hard poly steering wheel,breaking the chrome horn device which was inside the steering wheel.the broken chrome knocked my top front 5 teeth out & flattened my bottom ones. Post concussive syndrome was diagnosed & I was fortunate to not have broken any bones.it was almost a year before I looked normal,not like a hideous monster ,in fact walking in the hospital hallway one day, I said hello to the neurologist who had examined me April 1,1990. He stopped
And asking"do I know you?" I responded" car accident,april 1, 1990" . The look on his face was bewilderment.He had not seen me ever prior to accident & could believe I was actually a cute blonde girl. I'm sure he figured out who I was after going through my medical records .
Once you have a concussion you are more vulnerable to having another.Not sure exactly why
but it has to do with equilibrium.
My next concussion was 5 years ago on my "SPECIALIZED" Bicycle,my son saw the entire thing. I rode over HUGE POT HOLE,where the road was washed out next to a small bridge in a wealth community,River Hills,in Milwaukee county.
The day prior,there was white & orange Road Blocks with flashing orange lights. They were removed so I assumed road was repaired.
Hitting the rough washed out grit,i flew over my handle bars ,put my hands out to protect my body
Then my head hit,cracked my helmet and knocked me unconscious briefly. That was a worse head injury than my auto incident. 2 days later I split my head open on metal edge of cranking Window while gardening,BLOOD EVERYWHERE!
I used to say"I've been rewired" but now I am so disorganized and STRUGGLE Everyday to keep a schedule,get my life simplified.I need a Dentist,Teeth, a place of my own with a bed & closet / place to store clothes.without a car or Family members to lean on,its a Big Challenge,
But I know,IT COULD BE WORSE, so I constantly remind myself of this fact. PERSERVANCE is key.
They should teach it in elementary school.

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Hi thomasesmom, ….You say after y0ur description of your accidents, 'It could be worse" and yes I assume it could be. But horrors the thought! And how are you now? I attended a seminar on concussions presented by the Rothman Institute in Philly and one thing they said was some people never get a concussion regardless of how hard hey hit their head. I for sure thought I was one of those, until I had a drop attack (no warning) you are "fine" and the next thing I kinew I was on my back heading head first down a fight of stairs and my head hit their hardwood floor. I did get a concussion from that one even though I've had harder hits than that one. In 8th grade, the class room was in the basement and there was a long fight of stone stairs. My shoe must have had some snow on it as I fell my head hit every step on the way down. Went to the Dr. but never got a concussion or even a headache. And several times I've hit my head on concrete, so I was sure I was one of those that never get a concussion. I love your "positive" attitude. Trust your accident days are now behind you. gailfaith. .

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Hi all .... well, this is entering week 4, and although I'm better, I'm sure not over this thing. After I eluded to the fact about a lawsuit, the next day they came to "fix that area." And, what a wonderful job they did! NOT! They filled the big holes with dirt but did not cut off the metal piece, which is what my heel caught onto with sneakers, not heels. We've had a lot of rain, so now all the dirt they put in has become a big sloppy mess of mud, which of course slops all over shoes, and any dog's feet that are out walking. It is a mess ..... perfect spot for 4 year olds to make mud-pies! Well, I'm not a 4 year old, and to me, this is not "fixing it". Another good rain, which we're to get, and all that mud will wash away. I'm definitely better than I was 3 weeks ago, but I get up every morning with all those muscles and ligaments just aching, from my scapula, over my shoulder, down my upper arm,tennis elbow, and lower forearm, plus the numbness in one or two fingers. I don't think those muscle relax pills did squat. So, I'm going to talk to my kids, and see if they do anything else, and if not, I am going to go to the lawyer. I've had enough of their slip shod work. If my kids would have "fixed" things this way when they were younger and still at home, it would not have passed mustard ...... can't drive without my sling, I wear either a narrow tennis elbow brace with the sling, or a brace which covers not only the elbow but half up the upper arm, and half way down the forearm. Gosh, I hate to sue them, but this is ridiculous and I think I've been far too kind. Now my A/C isn't working, since last Thurs, and it's been horribly hot all weekend ..... I even slept sans nightgown. A maintenance man came early this AM, checked it, left it and said he had to pick up some things, and he JUST came back ..... it's 12:30 without whatever part he needed. He said he won't be able to work on it today because it's to rain ....... well, it's supposed to rain all week. Right now I feel like a rocket ready to blow. And that isn't typical for me. I understand they only have the 1 mantenance man - the other 2 quit. Hmmmmmmm ...... wonder why?????
abby

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Hi all. I'm 73, and ever since I moved to VA, it's been one thing after another ..... yesterday I got a letter from the group my Psychiatrist works with (he just provides the medication .... rarely any therapy) that he is leaving the practice "to pursue other opportunities." I felt sick. I still see my therapist every 2 weeks for therapy, and my Psychiatrist about each month or 2 - he checks to ask how I'm doing, and then makes the appropriate changes, or not. And now this. They sent a list of other doctors in MD to try, but that does me no good because I'm no longer there. That leaves me with, what I consider sub-standard doctors down here. I say that just from my experience with that fall I took 4 weeks ago. I am STILL dealing with some aspects of that. My kids still feel I should sue since it was their negligent maintenance that caused it, but I can't even think about that now. I know this sounds like a pity party, and it probably is, but why ..... in the name of everything good ..... has everything gone wrong since I moved down here to VA. I was so sure it was the right thing at the time; now I realize it was not. Some days life just is not worth getting out of bed.
abby

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Hi, Abby @amberpep - I moved your post over here to where you'd talked about your fall and some doctor visits in VA, as this updates some of the members who were talking with you about some of these events. Hoping they will join in again about this letter you've now received about your psychiatrist moving on from the practice.

I'm truly sorry about losing your psychiatrist in MD and other unfortunate incidents since you've moved. Sounds like you're feeling a lot of loss, cumulatively, since the move.

You may be interested in looking at and perhaps participating in this previous discussion about losing a doctor here: https://mayocl.in/2HhTVbZ.

Sounds like you are not sure about finding a new psychiatrist where you are at now. Have you met anyone in VA who might recommend a psychiatrist who could be a possibility?

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@amberpep I am sorry once again for all the negative stuff. I have not even moved and experiencing the same. I had good doctors and they are leaving thus being replaced by doctors that I cannot even understand. Think they will provide someone to go with me like those from other countries? Maybe I will lower myself to see another shrink for thyroid medication because the doctor's I am seeing have their numbers all wrong. It makes no difference. I am old.

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