I fell again, darn it!

It only took a moment of inattention.  I was walking into the parking lot, thinking about where I was going next, not paying attention to the slightly thicker asphalt, and boom!  Over I went as my foot drag caught me up.  I use a cane but it's not enough any more to deal with imbalance, clearly.

Since I grazed my temple there was a lot of blood, and my wrist also had a laceration.  No unconsciousness and no headache, but blood, and there I was on the ground.  No way I'm going to get up and drive home.

A kind person called 911 and the ambulance came quickly.  They dealt with the bleeding and loaded me up for my first (and I hope last) ambulance ride.  The lovely EMT took a picture of my medication list (always with me) and we chatted all the way to the ER.  Kudos to Essex Ambulance!

In the ER they moved me onto a gurney and asked me the same questions that the EMT asked - name, birthday, am I taking any blood thinners, address, oh, and am I taking any blood-thinners?  They made a copy of my medication list (which includes all my doctors); very handy to have this as I couldn't think of any of them.  Eventually, they called my husband who, of course, thought that it's a telemarketer, and didn't answer, so I left a voice mail.  After a bit longer, I got my cell phone and called him direct.  They took an x-ray of my wrist - hairline fracture, so I now have a splint.  Instead of a suture, they used glue to close the laceration on my temple.  After 3 hours, mostly waiting while they cared for others with more serious injuries, I got to go home.  Kudos, ER!

Now, overdue, we are looking at rollators (4 wheels, brakes, and a seat).  I already have a used one I got for almost free, but it's heavy, and won't even fit in the trunk of my car.  Also, and this is more important, its brakes are not great, so that even when the brakes are locked, when I sit on it, the rollator moves - not good.  But it feels way better than the cane, much more stable.  My husband is worried I will fall again.  Me, too.  Usually the cane is in my left hand, but that has a splint on it.  Mostly, I have been holding my husband's arm when we're not home.

Five days later I have a shiner that is dimming, a splint, and an appointment with an orthopedist.  I've been to Rock Steady Boxing, where I was extra careful of my balance, and punched one-handed.  "You should see the other guy," we joked.

I want to get back to driving, but one-handed is just plain foolish, so I will wait. 

Images Pixabay.

Strategies when balance becomes worse

I had to start taking my cane to Rock Steady and I hate doing it.  No choice, really.  My balance, when I walk, is getting worse.  I do a lot of exercise so that my core is strong, so that I can catch myself - which I do.  All.  The.  Time. 

In the house there are walls and doorways, but outside...   First I just used my cane when it was crowded - mostly to signal to others to give me a wide berth - or when I was on uneven ground.  Now, I find that a cane isn't enough, and recently when we visited a farmer's market on a grassy field, I needed to hold onto my husband's arm.  Now, I'm using the cane outside all the time, and inside if I'm visiting school.  In stores, I can generally get a shopping cart to lean on, which is easier than the cane.

Then there's walking when we're camping. Walking while camping involves being on uneven ground, even the roads.  The trekking poles are great for this.  I can't carry anything when I'm using the poles, though. 

I no longer use a purse, because even a cross-body purse can throw me off-balance.  I've found a great substitute in the travel vests from Scott.  https://www.scottevest.com/
Of course, in real life it doesn't look as neat as the images Scott uses, but it's convenient and means that I don't need to carry small items in my hands - keys, wallet, phone, papers, sunglasses, water bottle.  The pen keeps falling out of its special holder, but otherwise the vest has worked well.

But back to Rock Steady.  Boxing, hitting the long bag, I'm fine.  But walking across the open spaces has been more and more of a challenge.  The coaches have been great, letting me guide them with what I want, rather than making choices for me.  But I feel much more secure with the cane.  Darn it.  Wish I didn't need it.

Bulletproof coffee adventures - does ketogenic diet help PD?

There are members of the PD community who are convinced that following a ketogenic diet will slow progression.  I had my doubts, but figured, "I can try it and see what happens, right?"  After all, so much of dealing with PD is experimenting to find out what works.

I decided to start small, with Bulletproof Coffee, basically hot coffee/tea/water with lots of fat in it.  The first time I tried it, there wasn't enough fat (probably 2 tablespoons).  I got a wicked headache and sudden low blood sugar.

• A week later, I tried it with 2 tablespoons Kerrygold Butter + 2 tablespoons coconut oil.  I added stevia for sweetener.  No headache, and I could exercise without having my blood sugar crash.  Maybe possibilities?

The good:

• Mr. Dystonia didn't come to call at 4 AM for 4 nights.  Lovely.  

The bad and the ugly:

• 3+ days of diarrhea - my gut does not like all that fat
• Loss of appetite.  Sorry, trying to maintain weight, which has become a little too easy to lose now.  Nothing appeals so I have to force myself to eat veggies and fruits.  I eat a few bites and I feel full.  This lasts 4 days.
• The worst part - my balance feels worse (balance is my main problem, not tremor).  Slowly it seems to be improving - fingers double crossed.  My head just feels wrong, heavy.  I fell spontaneously in front of a classroom of students.  Not good.  I'm using my cane indoors when I've been able to do without it for months indoors unless the halls are full of kids who could tip me over without thinking.

I know the diarrhea and appetite loss are the result of diet. My balance is also likely from this, too, since the problems started the day after the Bulletproof, and they seem to be receding (please, please, please).

I really liked being without dystonia, because it wakes me, but the balance is a non-negotiable.  Falling was what made me face my PD; it got me to stop making excuses and see my doctor.  Through diligent effort - Rock Steady, physical therapy, special balance exercises, long sessions on the treadmill working on my gait - I've improved my balance.   Slowly I've gotten it back.

We're all different, pwp, so what didn't work for me might be fine for somebody else. But this is one experiment I'm not trying again.

Image from Pixabay.