----- Original Message -----
From: "Nancy S. deGrazia" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 3:21 AM
Subject: Re: My first fall


> I just experienced my first falll and it was horrific.  Somehow, in the
> middle of the night, I managed to falll sufficiently hard, landing on my
> face and ending up with bruises all up and down one side of the face,one
> black eye, and two big goosebumps on my forehead.  I looked like I had
> been beaten soundly by some sadist.
>
> The weird part about it was that I have no memory of how or where it
> happened.  Probably the bathroom.   But I seem to have gotten back into
> bed (without waking my husband) and then, in the morning, took the dog
> out for a walk without noticing anything about myself.  Never looked in
> the mirror.
>
> My husband saw me when I returned and turned pale.
>
> I have since been to my internist (for x rays to make sure nothing was
> broken.  There is a newly deviated septum, but nothing broken and no
> blood--on the outside.  The face turned purple immediately..  Then to
> the neurologist who was very concerned and ordered an EEG, MRI,  Sleep
> study and neuropsychological study.  All except the sleep study showed
> nothing.  The sleep study results have not been discussed with me yet,
> but the neuro has said that there are signs of apnea.
>
> I will see the sleep specialist next week.  Apnea as a reason for
> sleepwalking and not remembering such a fall makes no sense to me.  I
> think they are reaching for an answer, but what do I know.  I have been
> known to sleep walk occassionally, with no damage,and sleep very soundly
> indeed.  My husband is worried sickk and seems to spend all night
> listening for my movements and checking up on me.
>
> Have any of you had an experience like this? No change in my meds,
> except a switch from Sinemet and Pemarin to Stalevo--but that was 6
> mnonths ago.
>
> I 'd appreciate hearing anything any of you can tell me.
> Nancy S. deGrazia

Nancy:

My first fall was 4/6 at 2 am when I fell out of bed.  My only injuries were
a black eye and a bump on the forehead. At the time of the fall I was having
a vivid dream with lots of thrashing about.  I dreamed I was floating around
out of control, and next thing I knew I was on the floor.i

I too have a sleep apnea problem and am supposed to use a CPAP every night.
But at the time of the fall, I had the CPAP off, as I tend to do.

Last week, I had a similar incident, dreaming about fighting all kinds of
opponents and doing a lot of thrashing.  This time I was wearing the CPAP
and did not fall.  But the two incidents are a bit alarming.  Your incident
reinforces the idea that sleep apnea goes along with PD.  I'd urge you to
follow through with the sleep specialist and to use a CPAP if that's his/her
recommendation.

Incidentally, I've sometimes turned off the CPAP so it doesn't disturb ny
wife's sleep - but she says she likes the "white noise" it makes which helps
her sleep better.

Merv Swing
>
> Tom McCreary wrote:
>
> >My first fall was not preceded by any warning signs. the phone rang and i
> >sprung from
> >my chair as usual and everything above my waist turned like i had
> >anticipated it would. but my foot became "glued" to the floor. what a
> >tumble! Fortunately, my problem is known as "start hesitation".
Typically,
> >it is he first indicator that i am "off". it only occurs until i take the
> >good sized step then im on my way as normal until....if i stop or slow
down
> >the effort to take the first step begins again. the real curious
dimension
> >to this is the unipaired ability of walking backwards. this direction
> >doesn't seem to be effected by the
> >hesitation nor am
> > i confined to the short shuffle steps. I don't try this in
> >public places due to me backward balance is so compromised.
> >no freeing in mid-stride yet but i have read once falling begins  more
than
> >likely it can be added to the package.
> >tom
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Maggie Tittle" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 11:01 AM
> >Subject: My first fall
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >>I know that last week I reported that Stanford said i wasn't
progressing,
> >>but tipped over to today. I've " Weebled" before, but I've always been
> >>quicker than gravity. Not today.  I went to step around something, and
> >>
> >>
> >lost
> >
> >
> >>my balance. My hand wasn't fast enough to grab anything, and over I
went.
> >>
> >>
> >I
> >
> >
> >>landed on our freestanding fireplace, so I didn't go all the way to the
> >>floor. The extent of my injury was a  bruised ego. I shall wait and see
if
> >>this trend continues.
> >>
> >>                                                                Chris
> >>
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