Random Thought Thread

[Blues]

I guess it depends on how and why you fall. On a soapy shower floor or going down a flight of stairs is different from just falling while on level ground.

 

[Jo the Machinist]

Various reasons. (I do work in a machine shop) Yesterday I was walking down the steps with a dog cage. Sprained my ankle pretty good.

 

[abraves]

Last time I fell was this past winter while walking our little dog when it was icy in Durham. Was sore for days but I'm old. Before that was probably 4 years ago fell on a jobsite in the mud however I did hop up and look around to see if anyone saw. LOL

 

[Jo the Machinist]

I have also slipped once in the mud this spring and had the dogs try to take me out while they were playing. Those are just the ones I remember.

 

[abraves]

I have also slipped once in the mud this spring and had the dogs try to take me out while they were playing. Those are just the ones I remember.

Now if I fell multiple times a year I would probably ask someone whats up. Again I'm 58 have a full knee replacement and back surgery so far so my chances of falling that much and not having to go to the doctor are slim.

 

[SharpBits]

Frequent falls are not normal, sorry. Keep an eye on it and seek help if you are concerned or it is getting worse.

 

[dtmbinb]

Jo, the fact that you are falling often and only remember a few of the instances, it leads me to ask if there is alcohol involved. No judgment.

 

[SwarthyGnome]

The Doc may have made a note in your history about falls with relevant details, like working in a machine shop.

If you were old (which you aren’t), and you came to me for an evaluation, and depending on age and reason for visit, I’d ask you about corrective lenses (check), small animals, or children(check), or objects you might trip on, e.g., throw rugs… or stuff in a machine shop(check).

Then I might do some other testing to assess how much of a “falls risk” you may or may not be and then go from there.

 

[Jo the Machinist]

Sometimes there's alcohol involved but it's not necessary for me to fall. I guess I still think I can do things I did when I was 20.

 

[beeinak]

When I go for check ups, the doctors have started asking if I have fallen in the last x amount of time, like a year, usually. Well, yeah, duh. Who doesn't fall at least once a year? Nathan says this is abnormal. Anybody want to share your experience?

I'll go first. Yesterday is the last time I fell and it wasn't the first time this year.

Jo- you are not the typical patient. I always did fall risk assessments on patients who were on certain medications that may cause dizziness or instability (lots of them),or anticoagulants, follow-ups for starting new medications, elderly patients, anyone with recurrent bruising, or injuries. Plus any of a number of conditions that can cause stumbling/tripping/visual disturbances.

Physical domestic abuse is often claimed to be ‘a fall’, so it is always prudent for providers to bring it up, and follow up with further questions as deemed appropriate.

I feel it is a good screening to have with new patients for a baseline, as well as follow ups to look for changes. Osteoporosis is a big deal with fractures from falls. Lots of reasons to ask questions imho.

 

[beeinak]

Jo- I forgot to list diabetes (not that you have it) as a risk. Lots of folks with peripheral neuropathy trip because of decreased sensation in their feet.

People get badly injured frequently from falls, but many times are very embarrassed to admit it. This can prolong finding the root cause of an issue.

 

[Jo the Machinist]

Honestly I have been like this as long as I can remember and my mom is the same way.

 

[Fonedork]

 

[abraves]

Honestly I have been like this as long as I can remember and my mom is the same way.

Maybe just clumsy. There! Everyone was thinking it I'm just the one who said it. LOL I actually have a high vis shirt that says that. And it is true with me. They know I speak my mind and know not to put me on speakerphone without my knowledge.

 

[Blues]

I've slipped on steep ice, tripped on steps and slipped while getting back into the shower on a soapy floor after turning off an exhaust fan making a hellacious racket. (A mistake I'll never make again. The racket can be dealt with when it's safe to do so.)

I've also fallen sprinting after one of my dogs on a loose gravel road.

I don't fall just walking around, so I figure I'm safe to drink and drive.

 

[Jo the Machinist]

I've slipped on steep ice, tripped on steps and slipped while getting back into the shower on a soapy floor after turning off an exhaust fan making a hellacious racket. (A mistake I'll never make again. The racket can be dealt with when it's safe to do so.)

I've also fallen sprinting after one of my dogs on a loose gravel road.

I don't fall just walking around, so I figure I'm safe to drink and drive.

Well yesterday I did have my hands full and the stones at the bottom of the steps are uneven but Nathan was still making fun of me. He doesn't seem to think those stones were a good excuse.

 

[Blues]

Well yesterday I did have my hands full and the stones at the bottom of the steps are uneven but Nathan was still making fun of me. He doesn't seem to think those stones were a good excuse.

Nathan really should reconsider putting himself at this level of risk needlessly.

I thought he looked like he slept with one eye open. Now it might be prudent to leave both open.

 

[SharpBits]

I find some of the modern super comfortable, super cushioned shoes have very poor foot and heal support. I have pair that is now limited to getting the mail, essentially. They are just waiting to give me a rolled ankle or worse.

 

[Blues]

I find some of the modern super comfortable, super cushioned shoes have very poor foot and heal support. I have pair that is now limited to getting the mail, essentially. They are just waiting to give me a rolled ankle or worse.

I think this is very true and I've read of such with Hokas and the like. (Oh, pedant alert..."heel". I know it's the damned auto thingy.)

I've tried on a couple pairs of cushy shoes, but have sent them back in favor of my more "planted" and grounded shoes. I tend to like Oboz but there are others, which of course they stopped making after I bought them.

 

[ferider]

I fell a couple of months ago on ice on concrete, which I thought was just wet.

I find falling once or twice a year normal, Jo the Machinist - I’m always happy that no bike is involved. As long as you know how to fall (no broken wrists, etc), no problem.

Speaking of which … besides the two true bike accidents that I had, from the other bike drops, Lombard street is most memorable: it started raining, and the street bricks got soapy slippery like ice. Drove very slowly downhill, two up, and the Harley just wouldn’t stay up. In the end we were standing but the bike laying on it’s side