falling down and getting up: Normally when I fall... - Ataxia UK

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falling down and getting up

Amynah profile image
22 Replies

Normally when I fall down and I crawl to a nearby chair/sofa/bed and try to stand up.

a few days ago, I fell down and then crawled up to the sofa, to stand up and I couldn't stand up. I was on floor for 10-15 minutes before I could stand up. My legs don't seem to hold me.

Plus I am not fat - I am 5 feet five and 78 kg - I think its not weight issue.

Have others felt like me.

How do you stand up after a fall?

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Amynah profile image
Amynah
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22 Replies
margaretm profile image
margaretm

So sorry to hear of this, Amynah. A similar thing has happened to me and I am a similar build to you, so I agree that it is not a weight issue. I have tried lying on the floor, in my home, for a few minutes, before attempting to crawl/get up and I have found that his helps me to calm down. I also try to remember that we have bad days, based on all sorts of things, such as whether the weather is damp and affecting our knees. The next time you stumble, you may well find that getting up is less of an issue. Take care.

Jenny789 profile image
Jenny789

My method is certainly not very dignified but it works for me! When I fall, I shuffle on my bottom to a solid chair. I then back up to it, push myself up to sitting and then when I am ready, I stand!

Divz_363 profile image
Divz_363

I would take support from any nearby objects like sofa or chair or the wall sometimes the floor as well

frazzled1 profile image
frazzled1

hi there! xx Can I suggest, whether you have to crawl or not, that staying on your knees in front of a solid chair/bed and resting a short while, should help? From your knees, holding firmly to the chair etc you may find it much easier to get up in stages. I do and I could not go straight from a sitting position to the chair/bed and up.

Hope I'm making sense.

love and light

jneilw51 profile image
jneilw51

A while ago, I tripped and found that it was much harder than I thought that it would be to get back up onto a chair. That frightened me, so I practiced many ways of getting onto a chair from sitting on the floor. I can't say that I found an easy way to get up onto a chair, but I think that, should I fall again, I would be less afraid of not being able to get back into a chair. Sometimes, the more self-confidence that we can give ourselves, the easier that we might find it to do things that we might think of as being difficult to accomplish.

neta profile image
neta

BTW, A, my PT says put your hands on the nearest chair, press on them and then try to shift your weight 2 your feet one by one. But there is good advice here so whatever works!!!

Amynah profile image
Amynah

Thanks everyone - at least I don't feel alone. I will try Practising to increase my self-confidence!

sylviagreenhalgh profile image
sylviagreenhalgh

I can no longer get up on my own after a fall so I have to use my panic button to call for someone. I have an acoustic neuroma, cerebellar ataxia and normal pressure hydrocephalus which all affect balance. Can only walk supported by others or by using zimmer frame . When I have to get somewhere within a limited time I have to use a wheelchair with someone pushing me. I have been allocated a powered wheelchair by the NHS but I find it very heavy. Hope you get some answers- the physio or OT should be able to advise u on how to manage falls better. all the best Sylvia

wibblywobbly profile image
wibblywobbly

ok I have a method here that doesn't need a chair or anything.

I'll do my best to describe it!

firstly take your time there's no rush

roll over so you are on all fours

the keeping you palms on the floor to steady you go onto your feet one at a time. You should now be in a very undignified position with your bum in the air.

then walk your hands towards your feet very slowly (no longer palms on the floor)

as you do this action you should be able to come up steadily and take hold of your usual aide - I use a walking stick

et voila - you're up again 😊

If you try this method and have any problems then let me know and I'll try to work out what you're doing differently.

I've shown my method to my pt and he says it's fine for me

goods luck 🍀

Alison xx

chelpet profile image
chelpet in reply to wibblywobbly

My exercise class teacher went through a procedure about getting up after a fall, and it was pretty much the same as you've described. I also do Pilates class, and the way of getting up off the mat, is also v. similar to yours after a fall. So, very good to read what you've written.

Thanks

Amynah profile image
Amynah

Thanks for your reply.

I can do until == the keeping you palms on the floor to steady you go onto your feet one at a time.

I can lift one knee a bit. but can't lift the other knee.

Any suggestions

wibblywobbly profile image
wibblywobbly in reply to Amynah

ok I've just been doing it to try to understand.

when you lift one leg up, lift your palms off the floor and go onto your fingers and their joints (where they join the hands) otherwise we could hurt our wrists from the weight on them. You could move your hands slightly towards the leg that is already up to give extra strength, but not too much cos of our balance.

let me know if any good

bon chance :)

Alison xx

Amynah profile image
Amynah in reply to wibblywobbly

Thanks for the reply

I have been practicing. ....

on all fours

left foot up - right knee on floor

use my fingers to lift the right knee AND DRAG THE FOOT TO LEFT FOOT

am getting up with feet 2 foot apart.

In guess I have to practice.

wibblywobbly profile image
wibblywobbly in reply to Amynah

keep trying - don't give up😊 xx

auntiesally profile image
auntiesally

Roll over, use anything to hold onto, get onto your knees, can you use the strength in your arms? If yes, push yourself up. Does that help?

Amynah profile image
Amynah

Thanks.

the main thing I can't do is use my hands to lift the knees.

I am practicing.

Lets see!!!

Ant1 profile image
Ant1

Hello Amy et al,

The answer is exercise, you must have leg etc muscles to handle what you may need to do, irrespective of your weight. Practise getting up from the floor - you know what your local problems are. At least you can have some foam cushions with which to practise!

Regards Ant

Amynah profile image
Amynah

Yes you are right ... exercise... I was able to stand once ! - So I( guess I have to do more practice.

berejena profile image
berejena

Look after yourself. Amnagh.I sliipped on a tiled surface .Ouch! didn't go to docs for a fortnight, when I did turned out to be my pelvis was fractured. Anyway I usually do what all reeplies say and shuffle to a chair or anything solid.

Take care

Berejena

VivienMeeson1 profile image
VivienMeeson1

Try getting to the stairs and go up on your bum one by one by the 4th or 5th one you should be able to stand up with help of the banister

stedman profile image
stedman

Hello Amynah.

When this happened to me, I turn and balance myself on all fours then doggy walk to bed, sofa, or recliner chair. Lay/hoist/flop your top body weight onto this haven, using arms and legs push and pull yourself onto the haven and take a few moments of rest and deep breaths. The relief and satisfaction is rewarding, albeit, inellegant :-)

I have chair and sofa throw blankets, bed covers, I wear a beany and usually a small ball of cotton wool in each ear, it's important to keep the head warm. After sitting for too long I stand up slowly, work my leg muscles and straighten my back by standing tall, reach for a stick/walker and set off.

IMPORTANT: do not allow yourself to become anxious and don't allow others to make you anxious. Be positive, avoid negative persons!

I hope this is helpful as it conveys my own experience. I have no medical training. I wish for you heaps of perseverance and the best of luck!!

Regards, Stedman 2/12/19

chelpet profile image
chelpet

Pilates, and Balance + Strength classes are SO helpful. And really help my confidence too. Try Stayactive4life website. I did, 3 years ago, and they’ve helped so much and still do!!!

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