Whatever next ?

[Lizzie]

Last Tuesday I had an appointment at Seacroft hospital in Leeds to see a neurologist. Unfortunately I never made the appointment as I fell just outside the hospital entrance, and ended up in an ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary A and E dept. I was a mess. Covered in blood and very sore. In A and E it was 6 hours before I saw a doctor, yes 6 hours. The paramedics had bandaged my head so I couldn’t see what the damage was. When the doctor arrived she was very apologetic, and she did various tests, glued a cut on my forehead and showed me a real shiner of a black eye.
It’s been a traumatic few days. Although I remember being on the ground covered in blankets and with numerous helpful staff around me, I have no recollection of falling or what caused me to fall.
The unfortunate upshot of all this is that since the fallI I have noticed a real deterioration in my condition. Although I have bulbar onset, all my limbs are now refusing to work properly, and I feel constantly exhausted. As my mother would have said “ it’s taken it out of me”.
the moral of this tale is, don’t fall!. If you do, don’t expect quick treatment at A and E and I hope you don’t make a step change down hill like me.🧑🦽🥲🤞😘

[Hakuna]

I found the same thing after the PEG operation. I could walk normally before but became very poorly afterwards and my limbs are now very weak. I thought it might be the anaesthetic but perhaps it’s more about a sudden change. I’m so sorry to hear about your fall and the awful treatment in A&E. Do you have access to an MND clinic? I wonder if you need medication to help with the exhaustion. My MND clinic and the hospice sorted me out and I don’t feel too bad now, although the limbs are continuing to fail.

[Deb]

Hi Lizzie . Im so sorry you had such a traumatic fall and a bad experience in A and E.

Falls really have an impact on us both physically and emotionally. I dont walk at all now but my legs used to just give way when I was using my rollator and it took me weeks to recover from a fall. Im not suggesting youre at this stage but I felt stronger, more confident and independent using a powerchair. ( I resisted for ages !)

You must live near to me as I go to the MND clinic at Seacroft. I really hope you feel better soon.
Love Debbie x

[Maria C]

My experience has been that falls are almost a precursor to another downward slide. The fall itself definitely has an impact, but for me it’s a warning that a new loss or weakness is on the horizon.

Lizzie please take your own advice and don’t fall. 🙃 I hope you recover from the bumps and bruises quickly.

[Ellie]

Oh Lizzie, that's awful. Sorry you had such a traumatic Tuesday.

The unfortunate upshot of all this is that since the fallI I have noticed a real deterioration in my condition. Although I have bulbar onset, all my limbs are now refusing to work properly, and I feel constantly exhausted. As my mother would have said “ it’s taken it out of me”.

And your mother would have been right!!

If you think about it Lizzie, a fall, cuts and bruises, glue, lying on a floor waiting for an ambulance, sat unattended to in an A&E waiting room would be a tough ordeal for an able-bodied person's body to go through, let alone us...

Give your body time to rest; take painkillers anytime you feel pain; sleep, eat and hydrate well and your body might surprise you by recovering back to where you were, or as good as. 🤞🤞

Bruised muscles take time to heal and can be stiff and have restricted movement until the bruising disappears. 🤗🤗😘

[LindaB]

Lizzie having a fall is bad enough but you really went through a lot. Hopefully after a few days rest and recovery you'll feel a bit better🙏xx

[denise]

This is what I've been thinking a fall really has an impact on Stephen. The quicker I get him up the better. The first time he fell, not that he hurt himself, it was the 5 hours on the floor waiting for the ambulance. Within a few days I put the chair lift in and he was very anxious not to walk. I am also keen that he doesn't go to A&E, basically because of the wait, but get back to normal as quickly as possible. When asked about the reason why he fell he just doesn't have an explanation. It makes me nervous, and I try hard not to show it when we do walk, he wont use anything for support and I dread the day he falls outside or on the road. Last night in the strong winds and rain he wanted to go outside he doesn't understand the risk.
😐

[matthew55]

Oh Lizzie I feel your pain. I wish I could hold you in my arms and make everything better. 🤗🤔💪😍xx

[EvelynMW]

Horrific experience , I have had a few falls but still have no problems with walking. I remain ever grateful