Falling over

[LesleyB]

Hi Tony. When I had my first serious fall, last September, my legs just gave way getting up the two steps into our house.My hubby did get me into the house (pulling and me bum shuffle) he got me onto the couch. However my physio told me about a blow up cushion contraption, that would have done the job.Needless to say I never stepped into the house again ! It’s a round trip through the kitchen into the conservatory, onto decking , through the garage. In my wheelchair of course.My lovely physio gave us the advice , don’t feel as if your giving in but it saves serious injury. Plus when I went out I worried about getting up those two steps all the time.I certainly would not want to be lifting my husband off the floor.

[Olivia H]

Tony glad you are ok but the combination of the helplessness and the fact our NHS is increasingly stretched to breaking point is not good. Falling with mnd is just a nightmare.

denise you are right, at times its a very lonely place as a carer, I used to be with my late dad who had falls (not mnd), and at least there was a bit more support available then when you called for help/ambulance!

[Piglet]

Tony sorry to hear about your fall. We went through a period of falls with my husband, our. Occupational therapist was visiting us and witnessed my husband falling from his chair. It took the both of us 3 attempts to get him up and we were both out of breath(she has asthma) which made it worse. She then organised a “raizer” which is placed underneath, pieced together then a battery lifts it up.
Not needed to use it since thankfully but that’s another option you could ask you O T. Take care in the future. Xx

[Ellie]

Tony Oh my days T, what a dreadful experience for you both, so glad that you weren't hurt. xx

[Tony]

Soft landings everyone 😊

[JamesW]

JamesW funny enough my wife mentioned this as they had one at Marie Curie where she worked. No harm in asking I suppose. Just a shame we can’t rely on the ambulance service. I’m not blaming the para-medics I’m sure they’re just as frustrated. It’s just the way it is.

I think the ambulance service has always been under pressure in someway or another. The thing is even with a good ambulance service you will still be on the floor for a considerable period of time…which is not good. At least if you can get hold of a camel then you can be back up again in minutes.

I found this particular stage really tough as I wanted to stay on my feet as much as possible and knew that I was running a risk with trips and slips. I remember on one occasion I was cutting the grass (I know, I know 😂😂😂) and I bent down to pick up the grass collection box, wobbled and ended up on my back. I had to wait about 15 minutes from my daughter to rescue me with the camel but it was a nice sunny day and the lawn was quite dry and soft 😅😅😅😅

[Tony]

JamesW funny enough my wife mentioned this as they had one at Marie Curie where she worked. No harm in asking I suppose. Just a shame we can’t rely on the ambulance service. I’m not blaming the para-medics I’m sure they’re just as frustrated. It’s just the way it is.

[PeterPan]

What a dreadful experience for you Tony

[JamesW]

Sorry to hear about your fall mate 🥺

Have you asked your OT to see if you can get a ‘camel’ lift? I had one supplied through Medequip when I was going through my wobbly stages and it came in incredibly handy for getting me back up off the floor.

[Tony]

Getting up safely is certainly a concern which is why we were prepared to wait for the ambulance. I’ll remember the breathing issue if it happens again

[MMG]

We had 3 falls in a couple of days, once down the stairs, one just getting out of his riser recliner chair and one getting up a small step into the house.

I then realised that I just can't get him up on my own, I managed to break the fall outside and helped him fall slowly rather than hurt himself and resorted to asking neighbours or calling our son to cone round and help. He is 5ft 11 and I am 5ft 2.

He then decided enough was enough and accepted that he couldn't do things on his own as his legs were unpredictable. It was a sad day. We were advised that no one should attempt to get him up and that you should phone an ambulance and state that breathing is compromised in MND patients if they are lieing on the floor. Fortunately haven't had to try that tactic.

[GillB]

Tony

That sounds awful to be left for so long. Hope you manage to rest today. It seems like we are just left to deal with things and are not at all a priority when an ambulance is called.

[Karen62]

Tony I am so sorry to hear about your fall. I am forever grateful that when I fell down the stairs I only had to wait for a short while for an ambulance to arrive. Sending you a big hug 🤗.

[TinyLady]

denise - I'm so sad to read your post. I know this feeling of people totally on your own only too well. For me it is the worst bit. I can deal with so much, but I hate the fear that comes with feeling uncared for and unsupported.

I think you are doing an incredible job to muddle through the way you are xx

[TinyLady]

Tony - sounds like how I fall. Just wobble and go backwards. Total loss of balance. But thankfully we have always managed to get me off the floor. I can't imagine having to lie there for so many hours waiting for help. You must be exhausted and uncomfortable. I hope you get somecrest today.

Apparently there is an inflatable cushion that is available to help lift people - might be something to ask your OT about? xx