The Mysterious Malady

A Medical term you have probably never heard:

Readers have all heard of heart attacks and the havoc, from extreme conditions to death and other happenings which have inflicted great numbers of the human family. Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States. Cancer is the second leading cause but according to the Center for Disease Control the gap is closing between heart disease and cancer.

There are other terms we all are familiar with and hear frequently from the time we are young. All these terms do not relate to causes of death. It is hoped readers will read and consider the topic about to be introduced. It is possibly one you did not hear when you were young and possibly not even into the age you might be at this time. Still, it is a serious affliction and attention needs to be directed to this disorder which can cause great physical, mental and emotional problems in apparently healthy people.

Now, I ask “Have you ever heard of ‘Drop-Attacks’?” Well, here this old man is 82-years old and until last week it was a completely unheard and unknown expression to me. Yet, I along with many others, possibly some reading these words are afflicted with the malady well known in the medical community as “DropAttacks.”

Before attending to details concerning Drop-Attacks let me discuss how from a good friend I came to hear the term and investigate its meaning.

Tommy Hall and Big John’s Treat Shoppe:

Don’t be fooled and leave the train of thought about unknown medical terms. These words are possibly pertinent to many readers: I was at Big John’s Treat Shoppe on the corner of Dew’s Pond Road and Lover’s Lane after experiencing the sensation a few days before. That sensation had been experienced a few years before and demanded a trip in the ambulance to Gordon Hospital.

Since Tom Hall first came to Calhoun several years ago and opened his “Big John’s Treat Shoppe” down on the Fairmount Road (East Belmont Drive) we have been good friends. Along with many other Calhounians and Gordon Countians we enjoyed Tom (I call him Big John) and his friendly staff and became regular clients – sometimes three times in the same day.

Tom listened to my experience and gave me one bit of short advice: He said, “Coach, go home and get on your computer and Google “Drop Attacks.” After suspecting it was a wild goose chase I followed my friend’s advice. I could not imagine so much had been written by medical experts on the subject. Late into the night I read and I could still be reading. I called Tom and thanked him for sending me down that road. While I did not find a remedy, I was no longer “flying blind”, or if I were, I at least knew what was causing the blindness. The Description of a “Drop Attack”: There are no symptoms or any warning signs that the attack is about to happen.

One medical report stated, “Drop attacks are sudden spontaneous falls while standing or walking, with complete recovery in seconds or minutes. There is usually no recognized loss of consciousness and the event is remembered. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and it can have diverse causes.”

Let it be personally noted that there is no dizziness, no stumbling, no tripping; it simply happens and it is the most helpless feeling in the world. There is no need to grab for any support because you are going to fall (drop) straight to the floor or ground. The statement of the last paragraph says “…with complete recovery in seconds or minutes.” That expression needs to be clarified. The sensation that put you on the floor or the feeling of complete helplessness might be gone but you are still on the floor. Two hours after the episode of two Sundays ago Diane and the EMS men got me off the floor. The explanation to people is I am not sick and I felt no pain after the event. Still, 12 days later my elbows show the signs of wounds.

How does having “Drop Attacks” affect the future:

Many diagnoses of this malady attribute the cause to Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s is a French word and describes the situation as being unsteady in walking and balance. Anyone who has seen me in the past couple of years can testify to the fact that the old coach isn’t as steady afoot as he has been.

I close by saying it affects one physically ( even though it is not a constant event), it effects one mentally because it is not an event one can anticipate, and it effects one emotionally because events of regular life are affected.

I am on the waiting for a cancelation list of two neurologists. Whichever one calls first wins the prize. The general reports are there is no known correction for this disorder. But after all, how long does one 82 years old have to worry about such.