ICYMI:
Had a bad fall this past Monday the 16th. Got a concussion, a 2" gash in my left butt cheek, knocked my left knee replacement out of whack. All because I got a bad cramp in my left calf that made me lose balance as I was stepping up onto the landing in front of my house entryway. Blood tests on cramping have since proved inconclusive. I have a nephrologist appointment to see if my kidneys are at fault, since my leg edema is back as well. Appointment is February 6th.
@BlueStateBabe A railing sounds like a good idea, but I don't know if we can afford one. I'll float the suggestion and see what happens. Thanks!
@leejackson I live in a townhouse with a home owners association, and in this months letter they mentioned approving a railing for one of the homes. Home Depot carries some for around $100 total. Some less, some more.
@BlueStateBabe That might even be too much. My "step" is a small one step up onto a landing porch-ette in front of my front door. It's almost more of a half-step than a real step. I don't know, we'll think of something. As long as I'm using my walker, I don't have a problem. It's only when I'm using my cane, like I was on Monday, that I run into support problems.
@leejackson There were also models for one step situations on the page. I tripped again last night over an uneven concrete seam, but luckily caught myself. I have vertigo, and it has now become a daily occurrence rather than occasional. All the docs do is offer expensive balance building therapy instead of addressing ways of stopping the dizziness (which do exist). It is frustrating.
@BlueStateBabe I'm sorry to hear you're suffering from vertigo. You can get Over The Counter Meclizine to help treat it - Amazon, CVS, etc. sell it. I'd start by sticking to Meclizine and avoiding the alternatives that will show up in a search. Only try them if the Meclizine doesn't work.
@leejackson I have tried it with no success. :(
What I need is for a therapist to teach me the maneuver for dislodging the crystal in my inner ear. My doctor recommended videos, but I have a poor sense of body in space, and really need to FEEL the different angles I must position myself in, and need feed back if I am rotating, etc. in the proper way.
@BlueStateBabe Meclizine doesn't work, eh? Have you tried the prescription Scopolamine patches - the ones you wear behind your ear? I wore those on the Jon St. John (Duke Nukem's voice actor) cruise convention a couple of years ago, and they worked wonders. I understand you've got a more basic problem with the inner ear, but I would hope that the Scopolamine would give you some small moments of relief while you seek a longer term solution.
@leejackson Have you had an EKG recently? Sounds odd I know but just to rule out Afib.
Lee I’m so sorry to this happens and I hope you are on the mend quickly.
@VelvetDuchess I've had an echocardiogram and a nuclear chemical stress test done. Those raised some doubt as to whether I might have HFpEF (Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction), but the cardiologist has started doubting this lately. He's pointing the finger at my kidneys, since my kidney numbers are really bad. I don't know what to think anymore.
@leejackson so sorry to hear. Sending you all the best and a lot of support. If there’s anything more I/we can do, please let us know.
@leejackson
Oh no! I hope that you heal quickly and get answers and solutions.
@leejackson I really hope you can get the cause worked out soon and can start effective treatment. In the meantime, I really hope your injuries heal quickly and the knee can be fixed up too. I will hope for the best for you and send positive vibes your way. 🧡
@leejackson Hoping all will turn out well at appointment! Sorry you're going through this
@leejackson Oh, no! I am so sorry to hear this. Maybe you could install a railing? I am considering doing so, as I have fallen outside twice this winter. Each time I was fairly lucky, although the gash on my knee was fairly deep and still hasn't completely healed. Glad you are ruling out medical causes, and hope you are feeling better.