1. < Mental Health

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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Barb | @amberpep | Jun 5, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, Abby @amberpep - I moved your post over here to where you'd talked about your..." + (show)
@lisalucier

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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Hi Lisa .... I'm so sorry I put my posts in the wrong places. I never quite know where to put some of them. Interesting about meeting folks down here that could give me a referral. I live in a low income apartment complex and on my floor, there is a very elderly couple who can't hear, a woman who takes care of a disabled woman all week, and a couple where the wife has the mental capacity of a 12 year old ... she's 36. It's very sad, but very hard to talk with her. I've been to several churches, but not enough to make any real relationships. I'm Western Orthodox and there are none down here. I guess I should just pick the church I like the best and stick with it .... that's where I'll make some connections. But, it takes a long while to trust, especially about things such as this. Down here is a bit "back woods" - not nice to say, I know, but true. I well may get the label of "the crazy lady." We do have one woman below me who says people "come through the walls, use her bathroom and steel her food." That's scary. Yes, I should have never moved, but it's done now, so it's just put one foot in front of the other.
Thanks for helping me with my posts .... that is a difficulty for me.
abby

REPLY
Barb | @amberpep | Jun 5, 2018
In reply to @parus "@amberpep I am sorry once again for all the negative stuff. I have not even moved..." + (show)
@parus

@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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Hi parus .... yes, same here .... you can't have your "own" doctor whom you see when you need to. They're large practices and if you call with an illness, you get whomever is available. I have had 3 different doctors in dealing with this fall. I probably should call today again to go in, but who knows who I'll get. So, I'll just trust things will heal well on their own.
abby

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Jun 5, 2018
In reply to @parus "@amberpep I am sorry once again for all the negative stuff. I have not even moved..." + (show)
@parus

@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.

Jump to this post

@amberpep Take care of yourself. I find it rather scary not being able to see the same PCP. I quit asking for anything. Gave up trying to straighten out my medical records. The better doctors are leaving and I don't blame them.

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Jun 5, 2018
In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, Abby @amberpep - I moved your post over here to where you'd talked about your..." + (show)
@lisalucier

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?

Jump to this post

@amberpep I totally get the picture...I stay in my apartment and gave up on any socializing. It could be worse.

REPLY
Barb | @amberpep | Jun 5, 2018

Hi parus .... yes, I don't understand insurance, from the practitioner's end, but it does seem many of the really good ones are leaving their practices. That makes it really hard for those of us who are a bit older and used to their own doctor. With this fall I took I saw 3 doctors - all doing x-rays (why couldn't they share them??), and each telling me something different and giving me a different medication. They don't seem to communicate at all with one another, nor read each other's notes, which I assume are all in one folder with my name on it. I did find a Geriatric Practitioner down this way, so I'm going to see him in a week or so. We'll see what that's like.
abby

REPLY
Barb | @amberpep | Jun 5, 2018

NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners of the apartment complex I live in due to the fall, poor maintenance which caused the fall, and their failure to do much about it. They filled the holes with dirt which are now a big slop of mud .... no turf, sod, and that metal piece (about 4-5" wide) is still sticking out .... that's what my sneaker heel caught on. It's been 4 weeks ago, and while my shoulder blade, shoulder, side are feeling better, I still have to have my elbow wrapped ..... some is tendonitis in the elbow, but there's also a bump there that is most likely a small bone chip. My upper and lower arm is still sore. I have no way of evaluating the concussion .... I'm not sick, my eyes are normal, the bumps seem better ... only thing is I'm tired constantly. But, I don't know if that's from the concussion or just exhaustion from life.
Both my girls are trained Social Workers and my son is an Intellectual Property Lawyer in D.C., but he will probably be transferred to California.
I'd appreciate any input from you all. I'm ambivalent about this, as I have no idea what to expect. It is true the maintenance around here is terrible. My downstairs neighbor told me that the whole back area is full of fleas. I have all my pets treated monthly, but I did find one on my white cat which I thought odd. Please give me your input, advice, or what this process entails. Many thanks.
abby

REPLY
6 replies
Barb | @amberpep | Jun 5, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners..." + (show)
@amberpep

NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners of the apartment complex I live in due to the fall, poor maintenance which caused the fall, and their failure to do much about it. They filled the holes with dirt which are now a big slop of mud .... no turf, sod, and that metal piece (about 4-5" wide) is still sticking out .... that's what my sneaker heel caught on. It's been 4 weeks ago, and while my shoulder blade, shoulder, side are feeling better, I still have to have my elbow wrapped ..... some is tendonitis in the elbow, but there's also a bump there that is most likely a small bone chip. My upper and lower arm is still sore. I have no way of evaluating the concussion .... I'm not sick, my eyes are normal, the bumps seem better ... only thing is I'm tired constantly. But, I don't know if that's from the concussion or just exhaustion from life.
Both my girls are trained Social Workers and my son is an Intellectual Property Lawyer in D.C., but he will probably be transferred to California.
I'd appreciate any input from you all. I'm ambivalent about this, as I have no idea what to expect. It is true the maintenance around here is terrible. My downstairs neighbor told me that the whole back area is full of fleas. I have all my pets treated monthly, but I did find one on my white cat which I thought odd. Please give me your input, advice, or what this process entails. Many thanks.
abby

Jump to this post

I forgot one other thing, which may or may not be relevant ..... my index finger and middle finger on my left hand (the side I fell on) are still numb .... not totally, but sort of like the spot on my knee after my knee replacement which never got full feeling back.
abby

REPLY
jeancary | @jeancary | Jun 5, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners..." + (show)
@amberpep

NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners of the apartment complex I live in due to the fall, poor maintenance which caused the fall, and their failure to do much about it. They filled the holes with dirt which are now a big slop of mud .... no turf, sod, and that metal piece (about 4-5" wide) is still sticking out .... that's what my sneaker heel caught on. It's been 4 weeks ago, and while my shoulder blade, shoulder, side are feeling better, I still have to have my elbow wrapped ..... some is tendonitis in the elbow, but there's also a bump there that is most likely a small bone chip. My upper and lower arm is still sore. I have no way of evaluating the concussion .... I'm not sick, my eyes are normal, the bumps seem better ... only thing is I'm tired constantly. But, I don't know if that's from the concussion or just exhaustion from life.
Both my girls are trained Social Workers and my son is an Intellectual Property Lawyer in D.C., but he will probably be transferred to California.
I'd appreciate any input from you all. I'm ambivalent about this, as I have no idea what to expect. It is true the maintenance around here is terrible. My downstairs neighbor told me that the whole back area is full of fleas. I have all my pets treated monthly, but I did find one on my white cat which I thought odd. Please give me your input, advice, or what this process entails. Many thanks.
abby

Jump to this post

Contact your children for referrals as well as legal aid or legal services and the ACLU in your state. Your situation needs to be worked on, in my opinion

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 6, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners..." + (show)
@amberpep

NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners of the apartment complex I live in due to the fall, poor maintenance which caused the fall, and their failure to do much about it. They filled the holes with dirt which are now a big slop of mud .... no turf, sod, and that metal piece (about 4-5" wide) is still sticking out .... that's what my sneaker heel caught on. It's been 4 weeks ago, and while my shoulder blade, shoulder, side are feeling better, I still have to have my elbow wrapped ..... some is tendonitis in the elbow, but there's also a bump there that is most likely a small bone chip. My upper and lower arm is still sore. I have no way of evaluating the concussion .... I'm not sick, my eyes are normal, the bumps seem better ... only thing is I'm tired constantly. But, I don't know if that's from the concussion or just exhaustion from life.
Both my girls are trained Social Workers and my son is an Intellectual Property Lawyer in D.C., but he will probably be transferred to California.
I'd appreciate any input from you all. I'm ambivalent about this, as I have no idea what to expect. It is true the maintenance around here is terrible. My downstairs neighbor told me that the whole back area is full of fleas. I have all my pets treated monthly, but I did find one on my white cat which I thought odd. Please give me your input, advice, or what this process entails. Many thanks.
abby

Jump to this post

@amberpep

I am very surprised that the management has not really fixed the problem given the extent of your injuries after your fall. They are not protecting their other tenants by not making the needed repairs.

The decision to sue is one that you must make for yourself. Your children sound like well-trained adults and I do understand why they are encouraging you to do so.

Teresa

REPLY
Parus | @parus | Jun 6, 2018
In reply to @amberpep "NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners..." + (show)
@amberpep

NEED INPUT FROM YOU ALL ....... My kids keep telling me I should sue the owners of the apartment complex I live in due to the fall, poor maintenance which caused the fall, and their failure to do much about it. They filled the holes with dirt which are now a big slop of mud .... no turf, sod, and that metal piece (about 4-5" wide) is still sticking out .... that's what my sneaker heel caught on. It's been 4 weeks ago, and while my shoulder blade, shoulder, side are feeling better, I still have to have my elbow wrapped ..... some is tendonitis in the elbow, but there's also a bump there that is most likely a small bone chip. My upper and lower arm is still sore. I have no way of evaluating the concussion .... I'm not sick, my eyes are normal, the bumps seem better ... only thing is I'm tired constantly. But, I don't know if that's from the concussion or just exhaustion from life.
Both my girls are trained Social Workers and my son is an Intellectual Property Lawyer in D.C., but he will probably be transferred to California.
I'd appreciate any input from you all. I'm ambivalent about this, as I have no idea what to expect. It is true the maintenance around here is terrible. My downstairs neighbor told me that the whole back area is full of fleas. I have all my pets treated monthly, but I did find one on my white cat which I thought odd. Please give me your input, advice, or what this process entails. Many thanks.
abby

Jump to this post

All I know is if this were to have happened to me I would get no where with a lawsuit. Establishment sees folks in low income housing as nothing more than parasites. From what I have experienced they would find a reason to evict you.
Maybe things are better in some places.

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