Falling over, can’t get up.

Sarcopenia loss of muscle mass was my reason for not being able to get up off the floor. Since Ive been working on the strength in my legs its a lot easier now. Also Im 96 kgs so hauling that up with weak upper body strength which most women have is not easy either and Ive been working on that too. Sarcopenia starts in ones 30s and gets progressively worse as one ages. I also recall running a bath in a hotel one time then realising I couldnt sit down in it and certainly would not have been able to get back out. They dont account for this in hotels. Im concentrating no my physical strength at the moment. I have no problems with mobility. Im 70.

Aveline

I had a horrible dizzy few weeks but it was a virus and did clear up completely. Thank goodness. You have my sympathies if it's still affecting you.

I had a dizzy head about four weeks ago, tested for Covid (twice) but it was negative so I assumed it was a virus or due to a sore neck.
Of course, the sore neck could have been another symptom of a virus.

I’m prone to falls and don’t want to tempt fate but have followed the advice of a very practical family member who said to buy shoes or trainers that turn up at the front. That has definitely helped because my problem is due to not lifting my feet properly. Another thing is to look where you are treading and slow right down if the surface is uneven. For me too, I know that if I loose a bit of weight I will be able get myself up. Others have different problems, but for me it is the greatest challenge!

I had a horrible dizzy few weeks but it was a virus and did clear up completely. Thank goodness. You have my sympathies if it's still affecting you.

pascal30

Primrose53

I had BPPV a few years ago and had my head/neck manoeuvred by the GP twice which did help. I always get slightly dizzy if I bend forwards or backwards.

A few days ago it came back but 10 times worse. It now feels like the whole room is whirling round fast. I can see the carpet and my feet spinning around and have to hold on to something or I would fall over. Likewise when I tip my head back to clean my teeth or reach up to a cupboard then the swirling starts again. I am seeing the GP on Tuesday but being careful in the meantime that I don’t fall over.

This seems to be one of the symptoms of a virus that is circulatingat the moment.. several of my friends have had it and it does clear up after a few days..

Have been to GP and she thinks it is a virus. Not so sure myself with my previous history.

Thanks for tips, everyone. I ‘ve decided I must carry a stick when I’m walking my dog over rough grass. It’s a nuisance but should enable me to get up if I fall over again.

The only other thing I would add is that it is worth having a police or guiders whistle. If you have it on a lanyard even better for walking outise in the country. Yes do have the phone etc, but a whistle sound does carry well and you can blow SOS on it too. The pitch of a whistle can carry further and louder than your voice and again when you are at home , it would both signal to a neighbour or anyone passing and hopefully would give you a level of confidence in being helped quickly. If you did that it would be a good idea to tell the neighbours about it. Previously when I lived in a semdetached and before than in a terrace house we exchanged house keys. They were obviously not to be used to just come in for no reason , but were very useful to have as an emergency, and also a couple of times when my son could have arrived to visit before I got home , I told the neighbour and she was able to let him in with her key. If you could not reach a phone the old way of banging on the wall would signal your need for help too.

Daddima I don't have an Alexa and don't want one. But thank you for suggesting one.

I go to sit fit classes it's not an easy option by any means . But the exercises we do help strengthen our muscles and help with stability.

On of the exercises got me off the loo. I was at the hospital and someone was in the disabled toilet and someone in a wheelchair waiting. I got on the loo ok. But couldn't get up.
But one of the exercises we do is called sit to stand . Now don't laugh but I had to do this with a bare bum. It's easier in trousers. You have to make sure your knees and hips are level cross your arms across your chest bum shuffle forward lean back and push forward into you heels and up you go. It's easier to practice on a chair. But it got me off the loo. I had visions of having to phone the hospital to get some help.

We do exercises sitting down and holding onto the back of a chair. We always do warm up and cool down exercises.

We don't do this every week but we put the chairs in a circle and those of us who can walk round the chairs on our toes both ways. Those that can't just hold on to a chair and go up and down on their toes.

If you get swollen ankles sit on a chair sitting right back put your leg out as high as you can circle your foot 6 times one way then 6 times the other both legs. Then leg out and point your toes down and then up 6 times each foot. It helps move the fluid from your ankles can be done few times a day. But if it hurts stop.

We where doing double time marching including arms sitting down to a Queen song it wasn't until it ended our instructor said I didn't realise it was that long . It was 12 mins. I am the youngest in my class at 65 our oldest is 91. I do it in local church cafe but our instructor does on in the library as well.

If you want to try sit fit if you Google it there will be classes.near you or my council does active ageing class which is 12 weeks and it's free. Other councils might as well. But my class is £5 and lasts 60-70 mins.

watermeadow

I tripped and fell over today, in the middle of an empty field. It took a while but eventually I got up.
I’ve searched for helpful advice. The NHS says crawl over to a chair, thanks for that.
It’s the same problem as getting out of the bath, my legs are too feeble. Has anyone got useful tips, apart from carrying a chair everywhere?

My legs were too feeble to get me up as well Watermeadow. At 64 I had 2 replacement hips and then started yoga. 4 years on and I have built up enough muscle now that I can get up and down from/to the floor now, although it ain't easy! I try to avoid fields now unless they are at summer agricultural shows or parks where the grass is short and flat. I highly recommend yoga to increase core strength. It's hard work but worth it (to me anyway).

Our Alexas are set on whisper mode which means they don’t need a very loud sound to activate. Haven't tried from a different room though and thinking about it would need to ensure the microphones are on, we then them off unless we want to use one.

Let us know how it goes,

silverlining48

I don’t have an Alexa so not sure how it works, but wouldn’t you need one in every room ?

I have one in the kitchen and one upstairs in the bedroom.I don’t know if shouting loudly would work!
( I must try it when I get home)

I don’t have an Alexa so not sure how it works, but wouldn’t you need one in every room ?

I have a light small cross body bag.I wear it all the time with my phone it.
my daughter has put a short cut to her number on front page of my phone.If I did fall hopefully I could press her number easily

Whiff

My screen froze. My cupboard doors have strong handles in case I wobble when opening them. Handles outside my front and back door. Artificial lawn with a 1" pad under it with drainage holes water and rot proof. Had my gardens flatten . I don't go anywhere even in my bungalow without having my mobile phone on me.

Sorry this is a ramble but you need to make sure you are safe in your home. As well as out .

Whiff my son set up my Alexas so that I can ask her (them?) to phone him, that would save you carrying your phone.

The spinning sounds like labrynthitis. It’s horrible I know.

There has been quite a bit of this on GN with lots of advice.

I find it helps not to close my eyes and focus on one spot on the wall in front of me.
It can take as while to resolve but there are meds which help. If things are really bad an injection by gp stops the spinning almost instantly,
You have my sympathy.

My husband is a farmer, 84 years old with 2 artificial knees and he still kneels to help with sheep when they're lambing. His surgeon said there was no good reason not to kneel once your new joint had 'bedded in'.
I'm also a faller - I fell over my own walking stick in B&Q last week - and I think if I fell in the middle of a field I'd have to crawl to a gate or wall in order to get up.

pascal30

Primrose53

I had BPPV a few years ago and had my head/neck manoeuvred by the GP twice which did help. I always get slightly dizzy if I bend forwards or backwards.

A few days ago it came back but 10 times worse. It now feels like the whole room is whirling round fast. I can see the carpet and my feet spinning around and have to hold on to something or I would fall over. Likewise when I tip my head back to clean my teeth or reach up to a cupboard then the swirling starts again. I am seeing the GP on Tuesday but being careful in the meantime that I don’t fall over.

This seems to be one of the symptoms of a virus that is circulatingat the moment.. several of my friends have had it and it does clear up after a few days..

Really? Not heard of that thanks. Will see what GP says on Tues.

Suction handles (grab handles) are very useful on the wall next to the bath. Amazon do them £10-£20

I’ve had 2 hip replacements and can’t get up. I was fine before that but always need a chair or something now. It’s quite scary as I’ve been in some precarious situations! Embarrassing too! I’ll try the exercises anything to get some mobility back.

A grassed field, an empty unploughed one? Goodness, should you be walking on either especially if not in view of any public who could possibly come to help if you are unable to get up by yourself. There are collapsible walking sticks but if ground is soft probably not much use. Having a phone would be handy. Well done in getting going though.

My physio’ has shown me how to roll onto my front ( if not already there) and walk myself up with straight arms and straightening legs. It’s the only way that I can do it.

Primrose53

I had BPPV a few years ago and had my head/neck manoeuvred by the GP twice which did help. I always get slightly dizzy if I bend forwards or backwards.

A few days ago it came back but 10 times worse. It now feels like the whole room is whirling round fast. I can see the carpet and my feet spinning around and have to hold on to something or I would fall over. Likewise when I tip my head back to clean my teeth or reach up to a cupboard then the swirling starts again. I am seeing the GP on Tuesday but being careful in the meantime that I don’t fall over.

This seems to be one of the symptoms of a virus that is circulatingat the moment.. several of my friends have had it and it does clear up after a few days..

A stout walking stick. One you can use as a lever to get up. I use a four wheel Walker now. I use it every day to walk my dogs round the park. It keeps me stable and upright!

I had BPPV a few years ago and had my head/neck manoeuvred by the GP twice which did help. I always get slightly dizzy if I bend forwards or backwards.

A few days ago it came back but 10 times worse. It now feels like the whole room is whirling round fast. I can see the carpet and my feet spinning around and have to hold on to something or I would fall over. Likewise when I tip my head back to clean my teeth or reach up to a cupboard then the swirling starts again. I am seeing the GP on Tuesday but being careful in the meantime that I don’t fall over.