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Original poster

Was this a 'normal' reaction? Shock maybe?

28 replies

TheThinWhiteDutchess · 15/01/2022 07:55

Hi.

Yesterday morning I had a bit of a fall on an icy pavement. I slipped and pretty much fell fully onto my front, hitting the ground with my chin. I managed to get myself up and back into the house (with a bleeding chin) and just felt so shaky and faint that I had to lie down for a bit.
And for the next six hours or so I felt quite weepy about it all and generally a bit fragile. I'm wondering if it was a combination of the impact and shock? Has anyone else had a reaction like this to an accident?

(I'm ok BTW, trip to minor injuries and some glue sorted my cut out and just achy and swollen now. I consider myself lucky that it wasn't a broken bone!)

OP posts:
MargaretThursday · 15/01/2022 07:57

Yes, that would be my typical reaction.
Hope you feel better soon.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 15/01/2022 07:58

Sorry to say it sounds like it's a sign of getting older. I guess the difference between falling over and 'having a fall'. We recover less quickly and it hurts more!

PangolinPie · 15/01/2022 08:00

I think it's a very normal reaction, very much shock, and it's made you feel vulnerable. I hope you're feeling better today. How old are you? (Asking for a reason)

primarium · 15/01/2022 08:12

Would be very normal reaction for me, too. I think that is adrenalin release. I am over 40 now, but used to react like that when I was younger, too. When I was about 16, family's car was involved in minor accident and, while everyone was absolutely fine, I've burst into tears and couldn't stop crying for hours afterwards. It happens now and again after shock.
Good to hear you are fine now.

Original poster
TheThinWhiteDutchess · 15/01/2022 08:12

Thank you 🙂
I am feeling ok today.

I'm 38 (nearly 39)

Yes I think it made me feel very vulnerable :(

OP posts:
Leaveitonthefloordrobe · 15/01/2022 08:44

Yes I think shock, adrenalin and a feeling of vulnerability. I fell down the stairs when I was home alone a couple of years ago and was mostly fine but really hurt my knee. I cried on and off all afternoon. I'm early 40s.

AwkwardSquad · 15/01/2022 08:48

I agree with previous posters - combination of shock, pain, feelings of vulnerability and the ‘what-if’ factor. I had a tendency to fall over due to weak ankles (stronger now because of physio and yoga) and felt the same after bad falls.

AwkwardSquad · 15/01/2022 08:50

Although after my worst fall, I was mostly concentrating on not puking or fainting because of the pain. Thought I’d fractured my ankle but it turned out to be a very bad sprain. That was indoors 😕

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 15/01/2022 08:52

Very, very normal.

My dad is almost seventy and took a nasty fall last week. He lost consciousness briefly and now can't drive or run for a fortnight until he's had the all clear.

So yes, he's pretty badly battered and bruised but the worst thing for him is how fragile and helpless he feels now. It's scary taking a fall and injuring yourself like that, especially as it only happened (like you) when he tripped on a dropped curb.

Tandoorimixedgrill · 15/01/2022 08:53

I think normal reaction. I got a piece of food stuck in my throat and was choking in the house in my own with my 6 year old. I managed to dislodge it (by throwing myself backwards against a wall) but was seriously shaken up by the whole thing and weepy for the whole day.

LublinToDublin · 15/01/2022 08:56

I think falling and hitting your face on the ground would cause a shock response in many people regardless of age.
Perfectly normal reaction OP but hopefully shortlived Flowers

Original poster
TheThinWhiteDutchess · 15/01/2022 09:33

Thank you all. You are wonderful.

Yes I feel 'normal' today just a bit battered! I've never had a fall like that so it shook me up a bit.

OP posts:
JayniSummers · 15/01/2022 11:25

I once badly hurt myself in the gym ( my fault) resulting in stiches to my lip. Once I was patched up and home I cried all day , my nursey friend said its perfectly normal , but it threw me too . Hope you feel better soon xxxxx

LizBennet · 15/01/2022 11:27

Yeah it's shock, hope you're feeling better.

Sunnysidegold · 15/01/2022 12:15

I fell down some outdoor steps at work once. I was taking my little class of children to the pe hall. I skinned my palms and knees but got up and felt shakey and a few tears escaped. Ifelt kind of...sorry for myself? Lik I just wanted to curl up and have a little cry? My class were very sweet and concerned.

ItsAllAboutTheLighting · 15/01/2022 12:22

That's horrible, and an understandable reaction.

Changemaname1 · 15/01/2022 12:25

Ah bless you op you poor thing glad that you are feeling mainly ok today

As a lifelong clumsy person iv had many occasions where iv hurt myself I’d say yes a normal reaction to what happened

Hope You can rest today

cultkid · 15/01/2022 12:28

I fell down the stairs a few years ago aged I don't know say 22, it was before I had my first child and I twisted my ankle
I went all cold and sweaty I was vomiting and I was crying it was so strange. Yes it hurt but it was like a sick cold and covered in sweat reaction. I was so faint and dizzy
It sounds like shock I reckon? Not getting old particularly.
How are you feeling today? Xx

betwixtlives · 15/01/2022 12:29

Yes stress/ adrenaline. I once cried straight after getting a tooth out and I have no dental fears or anything, not sure what happened there

StarsAreWishes · 15/01/2022 12:31

Mountain rescue volunteer here. Absolutely normal reaction. It’s also a common reaction in people who have helped someone who was injured.

Bonbon21 · 15/01/2022 12:35

You also might find you have lost a little confidence for a day or two when you are out and about. All very normal.. part of our self-preservation instinct.
Hope you are feeling better soon. Quite a shock to the system.

MMMarmite · 15/01/2022 12:42

Depending on how you hit your chin, it might have been concussion. Glad you're feeling okay now.

ChimbarasiKotapaxi · 15/01/2022 12:59

Yes - it's shock I have been the same

Original poster
TheThinWhiteDutchess · 15/01/2022 18:25

Thanks everyone SmileFlowers. I had a feeling that it was a shock reaction and it's nice to know that it's normal.

I'm feeling much better and actually surprised at how you can have such a fall and be ok! I ache a lot but not too badly.

OP posts:
lemmein · 15/01/2022 18:29

I used to have fainting spells and every time would wake up and cry - no idea whyConfused