Losing my balance - Kickas.org

Kickas.org

Thirty years ago I fell down some stairs, and I learned a few months later, after excruciating pain, that I had fractured my coccyx. It was amazing that I did not have a bruise to indicated the severity of that injury.

Last weekend, I was home alone, walking around my pool, when I paused, leaned down to test the water, when I lost my balance. One foot went into the pool, and then in trying to regain my balance I went backwards, and slammed into the concrete edging on the side of the pool. The pain was excruciating and I could barely walk, let alone sit. Yet I made it to the doctor's surgery. He does not think that I cracked the coccyx this time. The muscle spsams lasted for a few days but by Monday morning I had a big bruise in a strategic spot and I am telling you it was worth a photograph

It hurts to sit down.

Well to make matters worse, today, I slipped on the stairs and I think it is going to be a long while before things settle down again.

So how did I manage to apply ice to that sore spot?

Platypus - Horrible. Soooooo painful. Been there an done it, twice. Fist time was on ice, feet disappeared from under me and wah-whallop. Paiiinfulll... Second time came flying over the head of a horse! My boyfriend was charging around like a lunatic (showing off?) but his mare was in season (!) an my wee gelding was 'inlurrrve'. So went charging off after him. Fell three times into a rabbit hole but the third time was the cropper for me - luckily my mount did not break his leg, very lucky. I somersaulted and sat heavily on a rocky outcrop, then slammed back on my head - helmeted, otherwise I'd have been killed outright. Helmet was a right-off! Had to ride back to the stables as well. Horrrrible. They thought I'd broken my pelvis, spent the Sunday night in hospital. GRrrrrr.

Well it's taken a few decades (like just over 30yrs) for that coccyx to stop protesting. Had to bring coccyx pillows with me everywhere, most inconvenient. Needless to say, that was the end of that friendship

Ho-Hum

Commiserations. Find a coccyx pillow. The only thing that helps and ensure good footholds and eschew flip-flops and any shoes or slippers that are not fully supportive of the foot. Also, do be careful not to fall on an outstretched hand or arm - can lead to nasty shoulder traumas...

Take care gal. Hope the pain eases off real soon.

Molly

Quote:

Platypus - Horrible. Soooooo painful. Been there an done it, twice. Fist time was on ice, feet disappeared from under me and wah-whallop. Paiiinfulll... Second time came flying over the head of a horse! My boyfriend was charging around like a lunatic (showing off?) but his mare was in season (!) an my wee gelding was 'inlurrrve'. So went charging off after him. Fell three times into a rabbit hole but the third time was the cropper for me - luckily my mount did not break his leg, very lucky. I somersaulted and sat heavily on a rocky outcrop, then slammed back on my head - helmeted, otherwise I'd have been killed outright. Helmet was a right-off! Had to ride back to the stables as well. Horrrrible. They thought I'd broken my pelvis, spent the Sunday night in hospital. GRrrrrr.

Well it's taken a few decades (like just over 30yrs) for that coccyx to stop protesting. Had to bring coccyx pillows with me everywhere, most inconvenient. Needless to say, that was the end of that friendship Ho-Hum

Commiserations. Find a coccyx pillow. The only thing that helps and ensure good footholds and eschew flip-flops and any shoes or slippers that are not fully supportive of the foot. Also, do be careful not to fall on an outstretched hand or arm - can lead to nasty shoulder traumas...

Take care gal. Hope the pain eases off real soon.

Molly

Molly,

my coccyx has not stopped protesting over the 30 years since the first accident!! This has added insult to injury

I have a very large bruise on my left side but it was not the spot where I hit against the concrete. I made a direct hit on my coccyx. However, I now have a second smaller bruise at the same site, and this time it is where I felt the impact. The last time that I came down the stairs in such a spectacular fashion I could not put any pressure on my left side because of the bruise. That one was also a whopper. What is really strange is that the first time I injured my coccyx and I put a fracture in it, I did not have any bruising.

I have been using cushions for years to try and help with the pain that seems to come from the coccyx region. This time around I could not find a cheap cushion and so I have gone for the neck pillows. I have two of them strategically placed on my chair near the computer, as well as another two in the car. I have a wheat neck cushion that I can either put in the microwave or in the freezer. It is a little harder and it gives better support. At church I am using three cushions instead of the usual one cushion, for you should know that the definition of a pew is:

"A medieval torture device still to be found in Catholic churches"

It is excruciating to walk up the stairs at home. Ouch, big time is all I can say. On my doctor's advice I have put on my ankle guard supports (on both feet). My right foot is feeling very sore. It is not quite the ankle, but beside the ankle that hurts so much. Without the ankle guard the pain is severe. With the ankle guard, I can move about with a lot less pain.

This morning, as well as noticing the new bruise on my butt, I noticed that I have a bruise not far from my wrist. There is light swelling in the region but it does not hurt too much.

I know all about hurting my shoulder in a fall too. Last year, when I returned to Sydney from Melbourne after attending my sister's funeral, I tripped in the airport car park. They have reflectors that kind of stand out from the ground, and my foot caught onto one of them, and over I went. I had a very sore left wrist and an extremely sore right shoulder as a result of that fall.

I have been falling and tripping and losing my balance a lot lately. I assume it is because my ankles are weak, but it must also be from the upper leg muscles as well. When I had the fall on the previous Saturday and I lost my balance, it was not due to weakness in my ankles that caused the fall. I overbalanced when I was bending down over the edge of my swimming pool. However, yesterday it was the mixture of the stockinged feet and the carpet that caused the fall. I slipped, which is exactly what I did 30 years ago when I fractured and dislocated my coccyx.

I, too, have been there, done that. I know what kind of pain you're in, and I'm sorry.

The first time I fell on my tail bone was as a kid, rollerskating. The second time, like Molly, was on ice. That time, I also had to take care of my husband who had a broken leg and was in a cast up to his waist. It was very painful, and I couldn't get any sleep or bend over to help lift him as I needed to do. The DR. gave me some pain pills and that helped me sleep and deal with the pain in the daytime. I also used those donut pillows and that helped.

As far as putting ice on it, I'd say your hot/cold pack is probably the best bet.

As for the loosing your balance, this has been discussed here before. Several of us seem to have balance problems, may just be one more effect of this AS condition. I can be standing perfectly still on a flat floor, and loose my balance. One of the guys at work teases me by saying "oh, the earth tilted again, huh?"

I hope you start feeling better soon.

Plaatypus - phew. You did a right number an no mistake. Icing and more icing, which is what you are doing. I do feel for you - an yes, those 'particular' pew benches are...??!! Mind you, being a 'Prommer' at the alber Hall, sitting on the floor is about as comparable, perhaps a tad worse (yes

)

Can you get yourself a sorbot cushion, or a blow up cushion. We used to have a great blow up rubber ring with a hole in the middle, comfy. But it perished, never could ge an exact replacement. Wonder if a swimming ring would do the trick? Might be worth investigating. Gotta be the right size for one's butt though...

Ankle supports. Yes, I get the same problems with my ankles, but yours sound a deal worse than mine. Hell when they give way, just like that. A cane might help, but do make sure it has a proper ferrel on it otherwise you could be in dire trouble. One of those walking poles are terrif. As for the stairs - darlin gal, a stair lift... Honestly, you and Dragonslayer, what a pair

You jes take care, no more doppy incidents, OK? Ice a towel in the freezer and take Arnica. Pills an Arnica cream to rub into the bruise. Really good stuff - swear by Arnica.

Molly

Hi Molly,

the blow up cushions do not last.I had one and it just failed to meet my needs.The neck cushions are a very good substitute because they can be manipulated. A countour ring chsuion is around $4O. It is too expensive and uncomfortable. I have just been to my local Clark Rubber Store looking for a solution because the coccydynia has been around for a long time. I bought some foam cut into two cushions - one for the car and taking with me, and one for my computer chair. I can only try and see what happens.

My ankle brace supports are just great. I was surprised that I responded so well when I began to wear them again. I have two different brands. It is hard to wear the brace when I am also wearing orthotics, but I did get unbelievable results by wearing the ankle brace, with a 90 per cent decrease in my plantar fasciitis. Oh how I wish I had tried this remedy a few months ago.

Quote:

I, too, have been there, done that. I know what kind of pain you're in, and I'm sorry.

The first time I fell on my tail bone was as a kid, rollerskating. The second time, like Molly, was on ice. That time, I also had to take care of my husband who had a broken leg and was in a cast up to his waist. It was very painful, and I couldn't get any sleep or bend over to help lift him as I needed to do. The DR. gave me some pain pills and that helped me sleep and deal with the pain in the daytime. I also used those donut pillows and that helped.

As far as putting ice on it, I'd say your hot/cold pack is probably the best bet.

As for the loosing your balance, this has been discussed here before. Several of us seem to have balance problems, may just be one more effect of this AS condition. I can be standing perfectly still on a flat floor, and loose my balance. One of the guys at work teases me by saying "oh, the earth tilted again, huh?"

I hope you start feeling better soon.

Hi Janet,

the one and only time I went roller skating I ended up with a fracture in my right elbow and I was not a child

Well I am still feeling very sore since the fall on Sunday. My arms are really hurting. It seems like I upset the ligaments in my shoulders when I fell on the stairs, and tried to steady myself. Even my neck felt very sore whilst I was in the pool today. I did what I could in the way of exercises, but I could not swim for any distance. All I wanted to do was just float in the water.

Anyway, the purpose of this update happens to be that I went cushion hunting. The only donut style cushion that I discovered in a pharmacy was totally unsuitable. So, after much searching, I ended up at the Clark Rubber Store and it was there that I found that I could purchase the waffle weave cushion (cut to my specs). The foam is quite thick and it is comfortable to sit upon this material. I tried it in the car, but it was not so successful, but it is great for placing on the wooden seats in Church, and I can carry it in a bag so that I can take it with me to the shopping centre as I sit and have a cup of coffee.

However, today, I found the cushion that I really wanted!! Last year I purchased a mesh back support from this same supplier - alas they are out of stock. Well, I gave the cushion a good test before making the final decision to buy (it is worth $35). This cushion is really comfortable and it has been designed for those of us who suffer from coccydynia. It supports under the thights and has a small hole at the back of the cushion. The foam is quite comfortable.

In the meantime my arms are still hurting.My foot had revived yesterday but was sore this morning, and I could not even do my step exercise. I could do the toe raises which was compensation. I am having trouble bending down, and it was so embarrassing when I dropped my cushion in front of my doctor and could not pick it up again.

My physio suggested it might be time to use the walking stick more often for support

It was back into the pool this morning and more very gentle exercise, with lots of advice on what I can do to improve my balance.

Today, for the first time I noticed some new bruises on my right upper arm. I had already noted the two bruises near my right wrist (one underneath the wrist, and the other at the top of the wrist). My left shoulder continues to hurt, but my neck feels a lot better today.

I am still very sore around the area of the coccyx.

On the other hand, I am now able to bend down to the ground again, which was something I could not achieve on Tuesday. Also, I managed a few laps doing freestyle whilst in the pool.

I am doing quite a bit of hanging my body in the pool, it is a form of traction, and just lying on my back, letting my arms move backwards and forwards.

One thing that has been disturbing is that after I have been walking for a short distance I am sore at the top of my left leg. This could be associated with a problem in my hip or in my SI joint.

When speaking to my physio today I mentioned that when I first injured my coccyx thirty years ago I had a hot spot and I showed her where the spot had been, noting that this time I did not have a similar spot. That hot spot was my SI joint. Perhaps, this explains why I never really recovered from the initial coccyx injury. It sounds like it was the triggering incident that led to the sclerosis of my SI joint.

Hey Platypus,

A nice service dog will give you balance to walk. I know he or she would love to swim with you too.

When I started to lose my balance is when I got a cane. I didn't really like the idea so i stickered it up and made it my own. Im actually in the third month of finally not losing it because I've gotten my balance back. That cane is always there though and sometimes I do use it if I'm flaring or am walking far.

Good luck and you are in my prayers.

Marnie

I agree with the use of a walking stick to aid with balance. This is a subject under discussion with my doctor ;-)

Quote:

Hey Platypus,

A nice service dog will give you balance to walk. I know he or she would love to swim with you too.

Hey Canonlab,

my dog was not a lot of use when I almost tumbled into the swimming pool. She hates the water.

I am not that bad that I need to be walking around with a dog. There are reasons for the loss of balance and I need to do the right things to correct the problem as much as possible. If necessary, I do use a walking stick, but I use it sparingly.

I had another review with my doctor yesterday. I am still very sore around the region of the coccyx and yes I am feeling the bruising on the toush as well. I did a lot of walking yesterday and I am happy that I was able to walk about so much.

Anyway, I have agreed with my doctor that we will not go ahead with an x-ray. It can only confirm what is suspected - that there is a minor fracture on the coccyx. We have decided to treat the injury as though there is a fracture and then see what happens. My present treatment will not change. I will stay on the Celebrex, and can go as high as 400mgs but for no longer than 1 week. My doctor knows that I am very much aware of the risks of taking that medication at a slightly higher dose. I have the di-gesic on hand, but continue to limit my use of that medication. I am allowed to take up to 6 tablets in a day. I will stick to 75 mg of the Lyrica to make sure that I do not run out of my supply. I am only using the Lyrica when I know that I have the nerve pain.

I have discussed the fact that I have noticed the pain whilst walking, and I will have to do better with my notetaking - mental notes are really not much use.

We discussed the balance issue again. He was concerned about the fact that since he has been looking after me that I have had a lot of falls. I guess he did not review my records to note that I had some severe ones before he became my GP

. Anyway, I had already discussed the issue with my physiotherapist and I am supposed to be adding some more balance exercises to my routine. We specifically discussed the possible causes of the falls - like not lifting my feet high enough, tripping on shoelaces, tripping over the slightest edge, and of course the issue with the laxity of my ankle ligaments. He tends to think that I am hypermobile and that this is the probable cause of the loss of balance. He noted that I had indicated that when I used the ankle brace that I felt better supported, which is true. The ligaments of my left ankle responded very well to the wearing of the ankle brace and I am now 90% better with regards to my feet, and that means less pain from the calcaneal heel spurs.

MaggieinOz

After feeling marginally better since my fall, and especially now that the bruises have disappeared, I have started on the downward slope. The humidity in Sydney has sent me into a flare and it is so painful that even my feet have gone for a setback.

I can feel the pain around the region of my SI joints. It is a slightly different pain from the pain around the coccyx. It hurts so much more than the other pain, and my walking is a lot more restricted. Yesterday I found myself feeling as though I was going to lose balance again and so I got out the walking stick. This morning I had that feeling in the lower back and decided to use the stick again. I do feel as though I have a better balance when I am using the stick. I can manage to get up and down the few altar steps when I am using the stick, and it helps me a lot to be able to lean on the stick when it is my turn to read at Mass. Hopefully, I will begin to feel better again very soon.

So, what happened last night? I was at a gathering and someone took my seat, so I tried to sit on the large square thing but it tipped me flat on my butt on the floor, and I had a cup of tea in my hand.... I did not spill a drop

MaggieinOz

One thing can be said for AS'ers, we sure know how to fall in style

Really you should use that walking stick more it does help. I had family, friends, and docs tell me for 2 years to use a cane. I finally swallowed my pride and started using one. It has cut down the amount falls, but, I can't "entertain" people with my graceful falls anymore

On a real note, I'm so sorry to hear things have gone down hill for you pain wise. Can your docs chance your meds to help bring some of your pain down?
I keep forgetting it's summer there. We are in winter, cold, damp, yuk.
I hope you are feeling some better and Happy Holidays

Cindy

The last time I tried to save my coccyx I broke my wrist.....

Well then there was the time I tripped on something on my way to bed and fell into the curtains knocked them clear off the window rods, fell on top of me...then Bill sat straight up in bed and said "Mom" are you ok? then before I could speak Tori and Ethan woke up from a sound sleep and ran in wanting to know if I was ok.....lol

I am sorry you fell and I hope you get to feelng better soon.

Take Care,

Lisa

Quote:

One thing can be said for AS'ers, we sure know how to fall in style Really you should use that walking stick more it does help. I had family, friends, and docs tell me for 2 years to use a cane. I finally swallowed my pride and started using one. It has cut down the amount falls, but, I can't "entertain" people with my graceful falls anymore
On a real note, I'm so sorry to hear things have gone down hill for you pain wise. Can your docs chance your meds to help bring some of your pain down?
I keep forgetting it's summer there. We are in winter, cold, damp, yuk.
I hope you are feeling some better and Happy Holidays

Cindy

Hi Cindy,

we are in humid summer yuk !! This is a part of the reason that I do get in so much pain. It happens every year.

I have been using the walking stick on and off over the past few weeks. There are days when I am feeling quite weak, as though I am going to lose my balance. I had to use it on Christmas Eve at church, but was ok the next day, despite doing so much standing. I have been paying for the fact that I have exacerbated the pain in my feet again.

When I had the fall I took myself to the medical centre to see my doctor (who is on duty on the Saturday afternoon and evening). It was back to Digesic to deal with the pain in the butt.

Now here is the good and encouraging news: doing the hydrotherapy has helped me to keep the pain under control to a greater extent than in the past. I have been doing a lot of butt squeezes, even though these also hurt at times. I am managing the stairs without wanting to say ouch all of the time (only sometimes

). I am sitting for longer periods at a time and the length of time has increased over the last few days

I have been dealing with the situation by getting up and walking around the pool. As a result I have been increasing my daily step count and have been hitting 10,000 plus steps more than 2-3 times per week. I reached almost 16000 steps on one particular day and have been hovering between 11,000 and 14,000 on several occasions as well. I have a waffle weave foam cushion and this really helps to take the pressure off my bottom. I have been doing a lot more knitting and crochet, and that is why I get up and do several rounds around the swimming pool.

I am having difficulty with sitting on wooden seats, and my allergy to wooden seats is really bad at the present time. I am now officially doing the BYOC (bring your own cushion) thing at church. I have a foam waffle weave cushion, plus a round cushion put together in a bag. This helps but when things are playing up I need another cushion for my back. I have a bigger allergy to those horrible plastic bucket seats. I am lucky if I can sit more than 10 minutes in those horrible chairs. It is for that reason that I have a tendency to get up and help out at the church door in welcoming people as they come for Mass. I did this over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I could not sit for any length of time, but could stand with short rest breaks. I am now handling the steps onto the altar. If I approach them the right way I am less likely to want to go "ouch".

Since the accident I have found it necessary to stay with a daily dose of the Celebrex. I have always had a tendency to not have my medication when I am feeling better, but at the moment... no way. During the worst of the pain I increased the Celebrex to 400 mg with my doctor's permission, and have decreased that dose again.

When I am in the hydrotherapy pool I have been doing all of the stretches and exercises that make me feel better. I am doing one that is a rocking motion, and I extend my legs back as far as possible. It is really helpful. I must say that I do like the idea of just following what my body tells me. When I went there on the Tuesday after the first accident, I was very stiff, and could barely walk up the ramp out of the water. I could not do freestyle and walking was extremely painful. I have improved a lot since then

and I am now getting in several laps of freestyle. I use the chair for several of my exercises, and the surface was extremely hard, but even that was a lot better on Thursday.

I can feel the difference when I am bying down in bed as well. I am now able to lie on my back for a longer period of time

without the pain. I am still sleeping on my side and have a bolster pillow tucked underneath my bottom. It is amazing how that has really helped to take off the strain on my muscles and ligaments.

Today I had a slightly better day in the butt department, but not so good with the feet. However, things really can only get better again.

MaggieinOz

Quote:

The last time I tried to save my coccyx I broke my wrist.....

Well then there was the time I tripped on something on my way to bed and fell into the curtains knocked them clear off the window rods, fell on top of me...then Bill sat straight up in bed and said "Mom" are you ok? then before I could speak Tori and Ethan woke up from a sound sleep and ran in wanting to know if I was ok.....lol

I am sorry you fell and I hope you get to feelng better soon.

Take Care,

Lisa

Since I lost count of the times that I have fallen down the stairs, and all of the other falls, I guess I really have been lucky that my score is only a fractured coccyx twice, plus a fracture in one elbow.

I know all about those spectacular falls. There was this time when I was supposed to check what I was doing before getting out of the lift, because the lift was not stopping at the floor correctly. Well, I fell out, and into the path of the postal worker who was bringing in the mail. I had a very sore foot, and sore knee as a result of that fall. Then there was this other fall on the stairs at home where I scored a huge bruise on my butt, and fortunately no fracture that time.

I have been lucky that I have only sprained my wrists when I have fallen. Then there was the time when I sprained my wrist after falling off my gym ball and I was heading to Melbourne the next day. I decided to use my wrist support and forgot about the metal inside the support until the metal detector went off. At least I did not have to take off my shoes!! Then there was the time when I sprained my ankle in the middle of the road when I was on the way for a dental appointment - my dentist offered to not do the tooth that needed attention, but I declined his generous offer. After he had finished with my tooth, I then found a medical centre and received attention for my ankle. That is when I met another really excellent physiotherapist. (You ought to hear the whole of that story

).

However, my most spectacular falls of late always happen when I am..... HOME ALONE.....

MaggieinOz

I'm so happy to hear of your improvement

I too have gone back to the water. After our move 2 weeks ago, I found a little pool in town that was quiet, and warm. I had my hubby buy me a membership for Christmas and it's the best gift anyone could ever give me. I've slowly started my deepwater walking and exercises and then do some 4 ft. to teach myself how to walk again. Just being back in the pool after all these years has been absolutly wonderful. Yes, I still have to take my pain meds, but, physically I feel a bit stronger and emotionally, a bit more able to accept and adapt. Keep up the good work in the pool, it really is the best thing for anyone with AS.
Tote that cushion, many of us have to do that. Hard chairs definately are not our friend

Good luck fellow "fish" and keep me posted

Cindy

Quote:

I'm so happy to hear of your improvement
I too have gone back to the water. After our move 2 weeks ago, I found a little pool in town that was quiet, and warm. I had my hubby buy me a membership for Christmas and it's the best gift anyone could ever give me. I've slowly started my deepwater walking and exercises and then do some 4 ft. to teach myself how to walk again. Just being back in the pool after all these years has been absolutly wonderful. Yes, I still have to take my pain meds, but, physically I feel a bit stronger and emotionally, a bit more able to accept and adapt. Keep up the good work in the pool, it really is the best thing for anyone with AS.
Tote that cushion, many of us have to do that. Hard chairs definately are not our friend
Good luck fellow "fish" and keep me posted

Cindy

Cindy,

it is wonderful to hear that you have hit the water again.

. You will not regret the move and you will begin to become stronger

I went to the pool today. I was a little sore by the time that I had finished, but that is really ok. I have been working on the butt squeezes as much as possible.

I have dropped back a little bit with the walking because I was getting into too much pain. However, I am doing my walking in fits and starts and it is amazing how much I can achieve when I keep going. The cat and dog just sit and watch this mad woman walking around the pool

When we warm up in the pool we do the walking back and forth forwards, backwards, and sideways. I had trouble with the sideways after I hurt my coccyx but things are getting better. I find that I really like to stretch my legs out behind me, and I use a rocking motion, moving up to the wall, and then moving backwards.

Anyway, I am beginning to see the difference in my legs, because my thighs are becoming firmer, but I have a long, long way to go. I am still hoping to work my way around a few problems with my legs and knees. I have been in a flare that affected my low back, but am doing fine at the present time (despite the humidity, yuk)

Maggie

Have you tried deep water walking? Absolutely the best. I designed the first deep water class in PA 16 years ago. It's one of the most popular classes out there now. The thing is you can adjust it so that anyone from our poor disabled bodies to the elite athlete can benefit.
Happy walking
Cindy

Quote:

Have you tried deep water walking? Absolutely the best. I designed the first deep water class in PA 16 years ago. It's one of the most popular classes out there now. The thing is you can adjust it so that anyone from our poor disabled bodies to the elite athlete can benefit.
Happy walking
Cindy

Hi Cindy,

we walk in a level up to our shoulders

. The warm up always consists of the walking, but I like my other exercises the most.