Log in

View Full Version : Advice for Minor injuries


dontknownuthin
Sep 23, 2014, 08:07 AM
I was in a car accident 7 weeks ago and slipped two discs from the impact, one each in my neck and lower back. I have been recovering well with medical care and physical therapy and rest with that but then, two weeks ago, I fell at home (tripped over something - the place is a disaster because I'm in the middle of rennovations). The condition of my back and neck may have been a factor because I was in quite a bit of pain at the time. I broke my fall with my right arm and have had weakness and pain in it since, but it's clear I did not break anything - I have full range of movement and there was no bruising or swelling, so I've just been using ice and favoring it a bit, and it's been improving. My physical therapist didn't seem to think I needed to do any more about it and didn't think it hurt my back and neck recovery at all. In the time since though, I've had three MORE minor accidents. I twisted my ankle getting off my regular commuter train and damned near feel down the steps - I ride it twice a day, every day and have never mistepped before. Another day, I tripped up a staircase when I misplaced the same foot on which I had previously twisted the ankle. And today, I slipped in my front entry on the tile floor and went flying, sprawling out and breaking my fall with the same injured arm, twisting the same ankle yet again as well. I'm wondering if there are conditions that might make me more accident prone, or if already being injured to some degree makes a person more prone to falling? I'm wondering if I need to go see someone about how accident prone I have been and if I need to be concerned about something more serious going on with all this falling and tripping. Obviously, the car accident was not medically caused, but three trips/falls in a few weeks? I'm so sore all over - ugh. The one time I did trip over a shelf that was on the floor waiting to be installed, but normally I'm very agile and wouldn't have tripped on that. If I do go see someone, what kind of doctor should I go to see, and what kinds of questions should I ask? I'm fifty and am worried that if I keep falling I'm going to feel closer to 80. Thanks, all!

joypulv
Sep 23, 2014, 04:12 PM
What 'medical care?' Painkillers, by any chance?

ma0641
Sep 23, 2014, 05:57 PM
"If I do go see someone, what kind of doctor should I go to see, and what kinds of questions should I ask?" This should have been done 7 weeks ago! A Neurologist or Orthopedic doctor perhaps?

dontknownuthin
Sep 24, 2014, 06:21 AM
I am under orthopedic care and am going to physical therapy three times a week related to the original neck and back injuries. I asked them about the tripping and falling and they didn't think much of it, just thought I need to be more careful. I was on prescription muscle relaxants and pain pills for two weeks after the car accident but am now only using a standard dose of Aleve. I was only using Aleve when all the subsequent trips and falls occurred. I'm worried about whether this is a sign of something like MS. I am too young to be so unstable on my feet. Or should I see a different doctor about my back? Could the back injury impact my stability? The doctor I am seeing is saying "no" and giving me the brush off about it.