Have been flat on my back. Yesterday, I was getting out of the shower and I slipped. I came down very hard on my left hand and foot. The only thing that stopped me from falling was the hamper. I've been so stiff and sore these past few days and getting into the shower helps to loosen the joints. Had a hard time getting in and then after nearly falling getting out, I was hurting more. Took a pain pill and hobbled around for a few mins. Couldn't stand too long as my knees were hurting and the right one was giving out. My roomie had to go get my dinner as I couldn't stand up without hanging on to something to keep from falling. I found myself falling asleep in my chair with the TV on. Finally, I told myself to go to bed. That was easier said than done. When I started to get up from the chair, I thought that I was going to die. My knees won't work the right way and my feet had decided to join in. I didn't think I was going to be able to stand up. I just grabbed hold of the armrest and pulled myself up. The tears ran down my face and if the loveseat wasn't so close to my chair, I would have been on the floor. I was sooooo stiff and swollen. My joints didn't want to bend! This is the first time that my hands are hurting too. They aren't swollen but they are singing a song. I finally made it to my bed and my roomie was keeping a close eye on me. Once I found a comfortable position, I slept. I'm now propping my legs up on a pillow in order to sleep.
Today, my right knee and ankle are hurting. I'm walking better but still stiff. I'm just glad that I'm not working. I'm also thinking about getting a cane to use when I'm like this. Tomorrow, I take my mtx and when I go to my rhummy next week, I'm hoping that he will change my meds.
Hope that everybody has a nice weekend and good weather. Plus to all the newbies, welcome!!
Marisa
Marisa, sorry you hurt yourself. This, of course, is not allowed and something I think all of us fear happening. You might want to get some xrays done not only of the parts that you just hurt but because your knees may be unstable. I can't remember if you've said that you had problems with them before.
But if you can get the xrays done before your doctor's appointment that is very helpful and saves everyone a lot of time and grief. It's worth a call.
I think you need to get the shower bar installed. Don't scare us like that. I'm glad you have someone to look after you.
Thanks, Deanna. I try to get a shower bar installed but it was a lost cause seeing that my roomie had pulled off the towel bar from the wall!!! Had to patch up the wall and install a new towel bar. This place is so old that you have to bolt things into the studs to hold them on the wall. Was going to get the kind of shower bar that hooks on to the tub railling but that too was a no go!! The shower door frame is so old that it moves when you place your weight on it and it leaks too. Landlord has this policy that if it still works to some degree, he won't replace it.Marisa, I'm so sorry you hurt yourself! I would really get a cane for times you are feeling like this. I know it's sometimes hard to admit you need one but it's so much better than falling.
I've used a cane for about 5 yrs., because I have taken several pretty bad falls. I now have a rolling walker, too. It helps distribute my weight when I stand or walk and eases the pain in my back & legs. Because of OA in addition to RA and some severe spinal problems and neuropathy, I also now require a scooter when I go out for any length of time or any distance. But at least I can still get out, that's how I try to look at it.
I sure hope your RD can change your meds or add something to them to make you feel better. That really sounds like an awful experience. I'm so glad you have a roomie who will help and watch out for you.
Please let us know how you are feeling. I agree with Deanna about the shower bar. My hubby put one in for me and got me a shower chair and hand-held shower head and they really help when I'm having a bad time.
Hope you feel better. Gentle hugs, Nini
Oh yes, I remember. You have the landlord from hell. Can you move? This place sounds awful.
I think you should try what you did with the air unit and state that you will take it out of next month's rent for the repairs. check the laws in your state as our's legally lets you do that. But they don't cover adaptations. You have to pay for that yourself. But if the building structure isn't even sound enough for you to do that, I think it falls on the landlord first and you second.
Ouch! Marisa, it sounds bad. I hope you heal with no complications, but it sounds like time to change your meds? Just to be on the safe side, you should call your doctor for advice (and if he/she is like a lot of doctors, you might hear back in a month or two). Take care of yourself.
Gee Marisa, what a terrible thing to have happen. Thank heaven you didn't break something. I am terrified of falling. I hold on to railings or whatever. I find that I'm not all that stable anymore and I have had a few nasty falls. I just feel like if I fall my bones will shatter. It is scary.
My husband has had 3 major back surgeries & it is very hard for him to walk. He uses 2 canes. Awhile back I got him a shower chair. It is just great. Also the hand held shower head work wonderful. If I'm not close when he showers, he takes his canes in with him to help him out.
You have a wonderful weekend & stay "safe".
Trisha
I would think that you could talk to your doctor and find out what kind of accomodations could be made by your landlord, or at least what the landlord would have to let you do yourself. Sounds dangerous. The shower flowers would be a start at least. Crunchy, my landlord is a doctor!!!! I talked to him about it and all he does is nod and walks away. He won't do it as it means tearing up the tile in the shower. I've sort of solved the problem. I moved the hamper closer to the shower and I use that as something to hang on to when getting out. Getting in, I hang on to the window opening handle. Yes, I have a window inside my shower!!!! So every once in a while, you will be walking down the driveway and if you're close to the building wall, you may feel drops of water from somebody's shower. It's such a delightful feeling!!!That's too bad Marisa, the whole situation. Please be careful.
I have heard of using a lawn chair in the shower for people recoverying from knee surgery. I think I'd want something more stable than that.
I don't do baths any more because I can't up out of the bath tub. I don't want to get stuck in there and have my son find me someday. I think he would be traumatized for the rest of his life.