Too young to keep falling and getting injured.

I developed a fear of travelling down on an escalator after looking down when I was wearing my varifocals!

After cataract operations I can now see distance very well and just have reading glasses.

Funnily enough Sloegin when I was choosing varifocals to try, the optician spent some time going over the different prices and how much better it would be to choose lenses at the higher end of the price range, as you said, because the gradient between the strengths wouldn’t be so noticeable.

Apart from the usual thought that of course she would recommend the expensive ones, I realised that if I was going to give them a good try it would make sense to get the best quality.
I seem to remember that I was able to have them for at least a couple of months, with the assurance that if I didn’t get on I would have a refund, which ultimately is what happened.

JenniferEccles

I think you have made a good point about varifocals Maw
I tried them for a few weeks last year thinking they would be so much more convenient than separate reading and distance glasses but I couldn’t get on with them for the points you made.

Obviously that’s just me though!
Plenty of people are fine with them.

I discovered, some time ago, that varietals vary a lot depending on quality of the lens. It is a case of you get what you pay for. One optician encouraged me, some time ago, to go for a more expensive lens as apparently the graduation is different. I don't totally understand but I think means you don't have to move head so much if,for example, going down stairs. I tried a cheaper lens but had to revert to more expensive one. I think mine are Essilor Physio. Definitely makes a big difference .

Then an eye and ear test.

Gosh I don't bruise half as much and I take warfarin which is famed for causing bruising at the least thing.
That's a whopper Scentia. Ask your GP to do a blood platelet test to rule out thrombocytopenia.

Please go to the hospital, that bruise is too dark.

MaybeMaw, I agree about varifocals, my mother had several falls caused by wearing varifocals.

OP, i think you should get a check -up at GPs, or minor injuries.

I think you have made a good point about varifocals Maw
I tried them for a few weeks last year thinking they would be so much more convenient than separate reading and distance glasses but I couldn’t get on with them for the points you made.

Obviously that’s just me though!
Plenty of people are fine with them.

I have always felt that varifocals contribute to a lot of falls in older people. Because the reading “strength” is at the bottom, it can be difficult to see or judge steps, kerbs, uneven roads, footpaths and pavements (and if you think the roads around you are full of potholes, that is often nothing compared to pavements) I always feel the need to steady myself with a handrail, especially in public places like Tube stations.
Other than that, it tends with me to be a combination of balance issues, lack of flexibility in feet and ankles, and slower responses.
I also used to find when Paw was really poorly and I was stressed, I was much likelier to take a tumble.
I fell off the wooden walkway at Moseley Bog a few weeks ago and it shook my confidence to the point that I opted out of a Boxing Day walk when I was in Birmingham at Christmas. A
It’s not funny is it ???

At what point does it change though I wonder!
I refuse to 'have a fall' so I 'take a tumble' instead.It only happened once last year!

It sounds awful. I do hope the pain eases a bit soon. As you say you feel far too young to be worrying about falling over (and you are definitely too young to have ‘had a fall’)
At what point does it change though I wonder!

As others have said, could it possibly be balance problems, even if you don’t feel at all dizzy ?

JenniferEccles. I can assure you that it is indeed unbelievably painful to do the splits at my age, I haven’t sat down for four days??

Ouch.. Hope you are OK now
Yes possibly the Falls clinic might help, though I thought that was for a certain age group?
Balance issues... can also be your Ears?
What ever GP needs to check you out that bruising is big and perhaps a blood test too.

Isn’t it unbelievably painful to do the splits as the result of falling over, unless you have been a dancer all your life?
Wouldn’t the pain from that be far worse than the nasty looking bruise?
I don’t know though. Maybe the hyper-mobility mentioned would compensate.

I have no medical knowledge or experience of this Scentia but didn’t want to pass by without a big ouch on your behalf.
Hope you get a diagnosis and feel better soon as I know how busy you are in your town from the good morning thread.

I tore my hamstring recently Scentia again doing the splits twice within 2 weeks of each other! I had similar bruising. Both falls were within the house! I slipped on wrapping paper and did the splits and two weeks later slipped on a wet floor after a leak through the ceiling. Splits again with same leg going forward and more damage done second time. Things were much better after 2-3 weeks. I walked s.owly through our little town as I was recovering. Someone asked if I was on a meditative walk!! Hope your leg recovers soon. I am 64 and think I was just unlucky to incur the same injury twice

I had a succession of falls, one of which resulted in an ambulance and five stitches in my eyebrow. When I went to my GP, he did a thorough examination, couldn't find any cause for my falling, but referred me to the falls clinic at my local hospital. The consultant agreed with my GP, but gave me good advice. I had no idea that there was a falls clinic, but it was a great help in boosting my confidence. So do ask your GP about a falls clinic or service. My sons' advice is probably the best I've had: 'Mum, look where you're putting your feet.'

I have never heard of EDS but do know that osteoarthritis is linked to lack of oestrogen. You might want to investigate that. HRT May help.
I hope you recover soon.

Early onset Osteoarthritis is a symptom of EDS too, Scentia.

Hyper mobility
Early onset arthritis
Easy/excessive bruising
Delicate skin
Poor digestion
Vascular problem such as varicose veins
Miscarriage/early birth

There are different types of EDS and it affects people in different ways but basically any part of your body that relies on collagen is vunerable.

So does it cause varicose veins as well?

sorry ‘isn’t known yet’

The problem with EDS is that there is no identifiable test for it, except in symptoms.

It’s accepted that in most cases it is genetic but where it is in DNA is known yet.

But it “ran in the family” in our case. My mother was the first person in the family to be told it was EDS. She was badly disabled by it. I’ve got off lightly. Mostly trouble with my veins.

JJ, Peasblossom My DDiL. after doing all the research, is fairly sure that this is her problem, but as she has no formal diagnosis, is loath to say that is the problem.

Thanks so much for your help, I think it is a hyper mobility issue, maybe caused by my OA in my knees, it all makes sense as to why I will slip and do the splits as opposed to anything else, maybe my hips are starting with the OA too. Oh joy, I will look at strength exercises and like the sound of Thai Chi actually. Maybe I need to lose this extra couple of stones I am carrying too.