# Kind of scary fall/medical incident yesterday **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 18, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221 "2025-08-18T15:39:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/1 "2025-08-18T15:39:21Z")
Yesterday was my grandson’s fourth birthday party; he’s very much into dinosaurs and on the spur of the moment,- I volunteered to take part in the entertainment - his other grandad was feeling too tired and hot after performing in some dancing games, dressed in a self-inflating T-Rex suit, so I leapt at the chance to stand in. It turns out that dancing and running around inside a tiny, poorly ventilated dinosaur-shaped tent is hot and exhausting work, but I enjoyed it and everything seemed OK. I didn’t get the chance to drink very much until we were on the way home (a 2 hour drive in the afternoon after driving out there in the morning), but I drank a bottle of some fruity fizz drink on the way home and had some water when I got back. In the late afternoon, we took the dog out for a walk and I was still feeling hot and tired, but otherwise OK. I stepped half-on, half-off the raised edge of a paved path and felt my ankle turn under me as my full weight came down on the joint - there was a bright flash of light in my vision as well as the intense pain. As I fell, my left shin came down across the same edge of the pavement and grazed the skin, severely from top to bottom. I righted myself, but remained seated on the edge of the path, catching my breath and waiting for the pain to subside and I felt my hands and toes tingling, and a wave of nausea and faintness washing over me. The next thing I remember is three people waking me from a very lovely sleep that was filled with random pleasant thoughts; apparently I had slumped forward in my seated position and stopped breathing (probably due to the position I contrived to slump into). Two of our friends had happened along just at that moment and wrestled me over onto my side, but apparently I didn’t resume breathing until the point where I woke hearing the three of them (including my wife) calling my name and moving me. This happened on a rough, rural country lane; one of the friends called for an ambulance the moment I had fallen unconscious and it arrived only a couple of minutes later; the ambulance crew checked me over, got me inside the van and checked blood pressure (OK), checked blood glucose (OK) and hooked me up to ECG (not OK - there were abnormalities of some sort in the trace) - by this time I was also sweating uncontrollably and vomiting (which also gave the paramedics concerns about potential heart issues) Everyone was naturally concerned whether I had hit my head (I hadn’t), or if the fall might have been preceded by the nausea/dizziness (it wasn’t) They rushed me off to A&E where I was seen and triaged quite quickly, but they were busy, so the whole process took all night - they took bloods (tricky because I was dehydrated and they couldn’t find a vein at first) and checked for cardiac problems, put me on saline, x-rayed my twisted ankle and cleaned and dressed my massive shin graze. Gradually I started feeling better. No broken bones, no cardiac issues - in the end the conclusion was exhaustion (from the full-on day plus dinosaur dancing) plus dehydration, plus the sudden pain of the injury had put me into shock. I was there most of the night. I’m much better today now I am properly hydrated and somewhat rested, but my left leg looks like a no-cheese pizza. I’m kind of surprised at myself for not realising I was so dehydrated, but my main takeaways from this whole incident are: Firstly, the NHS is frickin awesome. Although they were busy and clearly stretched very thin, I received excellent care and everyone involved was just brilliant. But also, note to future self: if I find myself in a similar situation again, don’t sit with knees up and head cradled between them - better to just lie straight down in the recovery position, or at least sit so as to collapse onto my side. If I’d been walking alone and had collapsed in that slumped forward position, I might not have been here to write this. ---
**Author:** ![Nyvaak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nyvaak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nyvaak)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/2 "2025-08-18T15:52:32Z")
Wow, Mangetout, that IS scary. I’m glad you ended up alright. Were you given any advice about following up on those irregularities in your EKG ? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/3 "2025-08-18T15:54:13Z")
They tested all the cardiac stuff while I was in the hospital overnight - including lots more (and more detailed) traces, plus blood tests for cardiac enzymes etc. They found no abnormalities - it looks like it was all symptoms of the dehydration+exhaustion+shock ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/4 "2025-08-18T16:02:20Z")
Note to self: no dinosaur dancing. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/5 "2025-08-18T16:10:36Z")
So happy you got through the ordeal. Dehydration scares me. I live in fear of the exact thing. I’m to be slightly dehydrated all the time because it’s required for dialysis. Water/liquids are restricted. Lemme tell you, August is a hard month! The dizzy headed, slightly nauseated feeling are constant companions. Keep an eye on your blood glucose. Happy birthday to your grandson, btw. 🎉 🦕 🦖 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/6 "2025-08-18T16:34:43Z")
To be fair, I did kind of throw myself into the performance a bit. I am not one for really enjoying dancing, but the anonymity of being an absurd inflatable T Rex was perhaps a little too liberating! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/7 "2025-08-18T16:53:56Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > but my left leg looks like a no-cheese pizza. I see an April 1 cooking challenge video in the future. Other than the freak position that stopped your breathing (shrieking face) it seems it would have been just a bad dehydration episode. Drink more, young man. (admonishing finger) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/8 "2025-08-18T17:02:14Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > In the late afternoon, we took the dog out for a walk and I was still feeling hot and tired, but otherwise OK. I stepped half-on, half-off the raised edge of a paved path and felt my ankle turn under me as my full weight came down on the joint - there was a bright flash of light in my vision as well as the intense pain. As I fell, my left shin came down across the same edge of the pavement and grazed the skin, severely from top to bottom. Woah. This made me nauseous just reading it! > [@Mangetout](#): > > one of the friends called for an ambulance the moment I had fallen unconscious and it arrived only a couple of minutes later; Heck yeah, rural ambulance service! WTG!! Glad everything worked out. The right people there at the right time. At least you didn’t faceplant in front of the kiddies, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/9 "2025-08-18T17:09:34Z")
So glad you are ok! And I’ll second @running_coach: Drink more! It’s a good habit to get into as we age, no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/10 "2025-08-18T17:49:12Z")
What @Aspenglow said. Vey glad you’re okay! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/11 "2025-08-18T18:00:24Z")
Best wishes for your continued recovery, and glad you didn’t wind up in this A&E. > **[That Mitchell and Webb Look: Homeopathic A&E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMGIbOGu8q0%E2%80%9D%5C%5C)** > > Hilarious sketch from the fourth episode of series three of 'That Mitchell and Webb Look.'TM&WL at amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/That-Mitchell-Webb-L... ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/12 "2025-08-18T18:01:10Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > OK. I stepped half-on, half-off the raised edge of a paved path and felt my ankle turn under me as my full weight came down on the joint - there was a bright flash of light in my vision as well as the intense pain. _Ouch._ Yes, I have tripped stepping down from a curb myself. I now take extra care or walk a few feet to a ramp or driveway. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/13 "2025-08-18T18:15:42Z")
Heck, I broke my leg falling off a curb once(I was four). You’re very lucky that ankle wasn’t broken. Or, as often happens, broken a wrist trying catch yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/14 "2025-08-18T18:20:03Z")
@Mangetout That sounds like a brutal experience. Thank heavens for good neighbors/friends! Glad it turned out well for you. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/15 "2025-08-18T18:21:36Z")
Yep! Dehydration is so sneaky! Both my mom & my husband, when they were in their 80s with dementia, started showing stroke symptoms (confusion, dizziness) & ended up in the ER. Each time it was dehydration. After a couple of these scares I learned to get them to sit down in the recliner & drink a bottle of water until they felt better. I can’t wait for the video footage!😬 You were so fortunate that your friends were close by. There was a terrible tragedy a couple of years ago in which a whole family, including their baby and dog died of dehydration on a casual day hike. > **[California family found dead on hike tried to send text, calls for help](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/can-help-us-desperate-text-calls-didnt-go-california-family-was-found-rcna16805)** > > The family attempted to make five phone calls and send a text message but the area did not have cellular service, authorities said. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/16 "2025-08-18T18:29:04Z")
Very glad you’re okay! ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/17 "2025-08-18T19:27:28Z")
That’s scary, and I’m glad to hear you are ok. Dehydration can cause so much damage. Be well! ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/18 "2025-08-18T19:45:55Z")
Mangetout, I’m glad you made it as that is frightening. I get hot like that and empty a five gallon tank/day. Here is hoping other people do too. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/19 "2025-08-18T19:57:13Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I righted myself, but remained seated on the edge of the path, catching my breath and waiting for the pain to subside and I felt my hands and toes tingling, and a wave of nausea and faintness washing over me. So, this makes me think vasovagal syncope - look that up. Similar thing happened to me - bend down to pet my dog and something popped in my lower back - sudden awful pain, wave of heat and lightheadedness, so I decided to go lay down on the couch, but as I was walking across the room I blacked out, only hearing the sound of my skull bouncing on the hardwood floor (sounded like a bowling ball being dropped). Luckily, I did not slam my face on anything on the way down, and only had some bruises and scratches, like I had been in a bar room fight, and later got checked-out medically with no lasting issues. The good thing is you were already on the ground, which is what I hope to be able to do should this ever happen again - the doctors told me vasovagal syncope itself is a defense mechanism and not harmful, but falling is what usually hurts people, so get down if that wave of heat and faintness comes around. Glad you are okay now and help was nearby! ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221/20 "2025-08-19T10:03:13Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > I can’t wait for the video footage!😬 I probably won’t mention it in a video, just because I already get a fair bit of weird parasocial concern about how I really should investigate supposed displayed signs of health issues of every concievable variety (most common being ‘wow, you got a bit out of breath in that 10 minute video about climbing a mountain’ - from people who apparenty don’t know that video editing is a thing and the actual climb comprised several hours of walking steadily up steep hills) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kind-of-scary-fall-medical-incident-yesterday/1022221.md?page=2)