[joirish]

:hello:
Hi,

Starting to get a bit worried now, let me explain:

1: On 1st of Jan fell down steps while out walking the dog(dog not to blame) and broke my nose.Cant remember anything except trying to save myself.

2: A week later while waiting for my operation to fix my nose walked into a pole on the footpath. Was walking along and next thing hit the pole- nose sore again.

3: On Sunday last thought i had a carrot in my hand while using a V slicer but didnt- took the top of my finger.

4:On Wed i fell down the steps again but didnt break anything TG

5:That night was reaching for a cup up high thought i had it but it smashed and i jerked my shoulder.

My GP trying to get my Lupus Clinic moved forward from May to sooner but sec told me clinic choc-a-block.

Was a bit gitter last week and didnt drive(bought 06 jeep this week and cant wait to drive it) so starting to get bothered now.

Any Advice/Help would be great,

 

[LolaLola]

Dear Jo, I wish I could solve this for you. The only thoughts I have are that you are probably doing too much anyway! Also if you are clumsy, and Oh Boy, I am, are there any things you could do to cut down the accidents? Little things like keeping stairways clear, getting someone else to chop veg. (I do not have a sharp knife in the house as I am so lethal), Using a Helping Hand reaching device to reach things and save overbalancing. They are very cheap. The original make Helping Hand is the best , I have tried others and although a little cheaper they are not good with sore hands. If you are wearing sloppy slippers that could cause falls either bin them or at least be careful. Think of scalds when cooking too. I am sure others will have better ideas but I just think you don't deserve all these accidents and should do what it takes to minimise the risks.
x Lola

 

[onetay]

Josephine,
I wish I had an easy answer but like most of the time there is nothing easy about lupus. It would seem by slowing down and focusing on what you are doing at the moment would help. I get like this sometimes and find that if I do one thing at a time and totally focus on it and it alone it helps. Yes this takes a little time but in the long run it also keeps me out of the er and injury free which is really a time saver if you know what I mean. My daughter laughes at me because i look like a 90 yr. old lady going up and down stairs these days. I don't mind because pain is not my friend. I also turn the cell phone off when i am doing something that take lots of concentration for me to do ( 10 yrs ago would of been a breeze to do). Let me know if any of this helped if not sorry but you know what works for one might not work for my neighbor.
Tammy

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Josephine,

Hopefully your appointment gets moved up sooner. You might also ask your doctor about getting a referral to see a neurologist. Falling with no memory of how you got there is not normal.

I also suggest you look into getting any handy kitchen aids you can. I have managed to find things to cut and core saving me from using sharp knives as much as possible. My favorite gadget is a handle with prongs to hold the object I am cutting. It keeps my fingers out of harms way.

Concentrating on only what you are trying to do is essential. No multi-tasking. If my mind isn't on just one thing it is a disaster in the making.

Take care,
Lazylegs

 

[peonyprincess]

Josphine,

While I understand the perdictament that you find yourself in is rather serious, you have to know that I almost fell off the bed laughing, only because I think I have found my soul sister. I have had so many knuckle-head moments just like the ones you shared. And to be quite honest if we could not laugh, we would cry.

Now, I do hope that you get in sooner than originally planned and I hope your nose heals well after surgery. Mostly I hope your finger is healing because that HAS to hurt.


Nancy

 

[mary520]

Hi Josephine,
Hope things are going smoother for you. I am a bit accident prone now myself and I have a huge bruise on my arm to prove it. I went to pick up my little grandson and lost my balance. Thankfully he was O.K. but I nearly broke my arm. I find that I'm an accident waiting to happen when I'm fatigued. Take things slowly for now and maybe you'll ride this spell out without anymore bumps.

I know how you feel about getting the new car. I got one last year and I was panicked about banging it up...Guess what? I put a big dent in the bumper before I paid my first payment and I got a speeding ticket the same day! I too am afraid to drive when I'm going thru a ruff spell.

Take it easy hun, and be extra careful.

Mary

 

[Pink Pearl]

Hi Josephine,
My thought for the mobility issues is to get either a walker or cane to help you go down and up stairs with less injury and more stability. I got a walker at the ripe old age of 43, and got the best looking one I could afford. I also got a quad cane about that same time. It helped me to slow down and focus on walking, going up and down steps, and the like. It was also handy around the house as I could put dishes on the seat and not risk spilling and burning myself. I relied on it for a couple years, and gradually I found that I was getting more stable, bit by bit.

You might do well to talk to a sports trainer on learning "how" to fall. I have been lucky with my falling as I taught skiing for 15 years and falling there was second nature. It has saved me from many possible injuries. There is a knack to it, and letting your body go "with" the fall, rather than fighting it. Your risk will decrease then.

Keep a first aid kit supplied with all the tapes, ointments, bandages, and steri-strips. By doing this, you will be able to help yourself thru any injuries you may incur.

I find that the worse the neuropathy in my legs gets, the more I have balance troubles. If your rheumy has found that you have this, you may need the "fall" lessons sooner than later. As we live longer, we encounter more "isms" of this disease and its "hangers-on". Twenty years ago, I was told this was no way connected to sle, and it was all in my head. Yeah, there plus my legs, feet, and hands. Now, it is accepted to be a part that is not totally understood, but a recognized companion with sle.

Keep us posted on your rheumy visit.......hope it is sooner than later.
Sally