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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Broken ankle?

422 replies

kaytee87 · 25/11/2017 23:25

I think I've broken my ankle, at first I thought it might be sprained but the pain is getting worse and is unbearable even whilst lying still. I know I need to go to hospital but how the hell am i going to get there? I wouldn't be able to manage into a taxi, what do I do??

OP posts:
SeaToSki · 28/11/2017 23:49

Oh you poor thing. Sending hugs

AllRoadsLeadBackToRadley · 29/11/2017 06:02

Good morning Kaytee. Did you get much sleep?

kaytee87 · 29/11/2017 08:41

Got not bad sleep but did end up with two lots of oramorph overnight. I'm a bit worried that I won't be able to control the pain without it. Am I being a wimp? I didn't think I was a wimp Confused

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 29/11/2017 08:46

No, I doubt you’re being a wimp. In fact I suspect you’ve a strong pain threshold based on how long it took you to get to hospital. 💐

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 29/11/2017 08:51

Get a claim for PIP fast tracked! You are entitled to the Enhanced Mobility & Care rate whilst in that state! No assessment needed and doesn't matter if you're working or what income you have. (My friend had a snapped fib & tip and a rod down her bone. Had PIP for several months. Really helped!)

It seriously doesn't work like that!

GinandGingerBeer · 29/11/2017 10:36

Have they fed you? Can’t anyone bring you some nice food in ?

QuestionableMouse · 29/11/2017 10:47

Order yourself a pizza if you're still hungry. You need calories to heal.

kaytee87 · 29/11/2017 10:55

I will be going home soon. Had some more horrible hospital food, looking forward to being fed at home.
Can't really get the pain under control without oramorph but they won't give it home, it's been suggested that I call my gp who might prescribe it for me so I think I will do that when I get home.

OP posts:
PigletWasPoohsFriend · 29/11/2017 11:04

it's been suggested that I call my gp who might prescribe it for me so I think I will do that when I get home.

GPs are very reluctant to prescribe it but they may can give you good alternatives.

Good luck Flowers

Iooselipssinkships · 29/11/2017 11:32

Hospitals are just shit when it comes to pain relief. My experiences have always been very, very poor. I know it's different for others though. I often wonder if there's something on my notes because all medical professionals seem to take an instant dislike. I digress anyway!
I hope you feel better soon OP, I second the electric wheelchair. I had a standard one when I was 19, my boyfriend at the time wheeled me to the pub (priorities)... it was over a mile and he really struggled, I fell out twice :') and he couldn't understand why I was so heavy. Turned out I hadn't taken the sodding brake off!!

iveburntthetoast · 29/11/2017 11:37

Get a claim for PIP fast tracked! You are entitled to the Enhanced Mobility & Care rate whilst in that state! No assessment needed and doesn't matter if you're working or what income you have. (My friend had a snapped fib & tip and a rod down her bone. Had PIP for several months. Really helped!)

So many incorrect posts on PIP; this crap leads people to think that PIP is handed out for any old problem, when it's actually bloody hard to qualify. PIP is only awarded for a long-term disability. It has to have been affecting you for at least the last 3 months, and expected to continue to affect you for at least 9 months.

The OP may qualify later down the road, but definitely not right now. And there's no way you can 'fast track' a claim. Hmm And most people do have an assessment.

iveburntthetoast · 29/11/2017 11:38

Sorry OP, in amongst that rant, I forgot to wish you a speedy recovery. My GP has prescribed my Oramorph in the past--it's worth a go.

kaytee87 · 29/11/2017 15:15

I'm home, I can't even say I'm glad to be here because I can just see how difficult everything is going to be. I've got no clothes that will even fit over my cast or anything. I know this is causing major inconvenience to everyone (dh, dm & mil) but if they could try and be at least a bit sympathetic towards me I might feel a bit better. So far I feel like I'm causing everyone major hassle and they've forgotten that I'm scared, in pain and a bit depressed at the moment.

OP posts:
UrsulaPandress · 29/11/2017 15:19

That's pants if folk aren't being sympathetic. I sent DH out to buy some (hideously unattractive) knee length sweat pant things (quite baggy of leg) so that they could go over my cast.

Can you take to your bed and look suitably distressed - whilst you are in pain. Then when you feel a bit better set about organising what you need and telling them.

Is the district nurse coming out to you? And do you have to self inject the stuff to stop clotting?

KatnissMellark · 29/11/2017 15:19

So glad you're home! Really sounds like hospital was a nightmare. Hopefully you can relax a little bit now, and once people are in the swing of whatever new routine you end up with things will feel less stressful Flowers

kaytee87 · 29/11/2017 15:24

I don't even want to ask anyone for anything in case it induces more huffing tbh. There wasn't even a space cleared for me to get through the house properly for getting home or a seat set up so I had to hang onto my crutches and wait in the freezing cold at the back door. Maybe everyone will get used to it? I think I'm so used to getting on with everything that I'm just going to find this really hard.

They didn't say I would see any nurse. I said I don't think I could jag myself and was worried about needles hanging around with the wee one so they've given me aspirin instead.

OP posts:
UrsulaPandress · 29/11/2017 15:29

You poor love. Where are you? Are there any local MNetters who could pile in and help?

kaytee87 · 29/11/2017 15:31

My wee lamb is cuddled into me now, all is right with the world. What a tonic he is, think he's missed me.

OP posts:
UrsulaPandress · 29/11/2017 15:37

Who is going to look after your son whilst you are indisposed?

kaytee87 · 29/11/2017 15:43

Mixture of dm, mil and nursery. We might hire someone to help out at home with both of us too.

OP posts:
purpleprincess24 · 29/11/2017 16:52

Oh you poor thing .... lots of sympathy from here WineCakeGinGinGinGin

I had a horrific accident several years ago and spent 3 years in a wheelchair whenever we left the house, had over 12 surgeries and 75 weeks in a plaster cast, so I have a ‘little’ experience of managing at home.

It will hurt like hell for the first few days BUT that will very soon ease off, then you just have to play the waiting game and be patient, if you try to do too much, too soon, you will pay for it and it will take more time to mend. Patience is your friend.

Get yourself a Zimmer frame (or two as I did) for at home, much safer and you can do a lot more with them than on crutches. I used to lay my clothes over the top, then taken them to the bed so I could get dressed. After some practice, I could use the zimmer and sort of hop round the kitchen, so I could prepare some food, so long as it wasn’t heavy and didn’t need carrying far, for example I could prep the food for a casserole but I wouldn’t be able to carry the actual casserole dish. You can make sandwiches, pop them in a food bag, then take a bottle of cold drink from the fridge, put them all in a plastic bag and you can sort of carry them whilst using your frame (you’ll work it out very quickly, you’ll develop your own knack for getting things done) And the biggest advantage is that you can’t drop the zimmer on the floor and not be able to pick it up!! Seriously, if you only take one bit of my advice, make it this, you MUST get one.

Track suit bottoms are your friend, along with nice pyjamas that you don’t mind being seen in during the day. Check out Next as they do next day delivery. You might be able to get some harem style trousers on but it depends how tight the cuff is. On the odd occasion I wanted to wear a dress, I’d cut the foot off some black opaque tights. Nothing that could trip you up. You will possibly be able to get something like these on, as it’s horrid when you’re toes are cold

www.next.co.uk/g775170s6#166916

There was no way on earth that I could have used crutches to go up and down stairs, so I went both ways on my bottom. Good exercise for the arms as well. I would leave my zimmer at the foot of the stairs and leave my second one (I used the same one upstairs that I also used in the shower) at the top of the stairs. I tried to organise things so I didn’t have to keep going up and down, so had a cross body bag for my every day bits, such as phone, iPad, purse (you’ll need that for the internet shopping you’ll be doing) I’d leave a fleece etc downstairs

One of these waterproof cast covers is essential, they really work, the same one saw me through all my casts and never let a drop of water in. It makes a world of difference if you can shower and wash your hair. I also bought a different type of zimmer, but one without wheels, which was suitable for in the shower

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LimbO-Adult-Waterproof-Dressing-Protector/dp/B0056PQPKS/ref=sr111ssit?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1511971320&sr=1-1&keywords=limbo+waterproof+protector

They also do an outdoor version

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Limbo-F510-Outcast-Outdoor-Protector/dp/B01AO1OP96/ref=sr1113ssit?s=drugstore&ie=UTF8&qid=1511971630&sr=1-13&keywords=cast+protector

Once a week DH would take me out for dinner, we would go early so that we could either sit in a booth, or have a spare chair for me to rest my leg on. It did me the world of good, just having something to look forward too each week.

Your going to be pretty immobile for quite some time, so try to get organised. I had a small chest of draws moved next to our sofa, i filled it with every day stuff that I would need such as; painkillers, hair brush, makeup (sometimes gives you something to do!), magazines, wet wipes, tissues, biscuits, crisps oh and a bottle of gin ..

I cannot stress enough and I know how impossible it sounds, but rest with your ankle elevated, ideally about your heart as much as you possibly can, even sleep with it raised on at least one, ideally two pillows.

Take any and all physio you are offered, definitely ask about hydro therapy pools, I had weekly sessions and it did the world of good in terms of getting movement back

My case was extreme, hence all of the above became part of my daily life over the 3 years, but hopefully some of it might help. I also had the advantage of being able to plan all my surgeries, to give me time to get organised. We even went on holiday, although pushing a wheelchair around Thailand is somewhat challenging!

purpleprincess24 · 29/11/2017 17:00

Just seen you have a bungalow, that will definitely make life a little easier

SeaToSki · 30/11/2017 00:53

Steal your DH tracksuit bottoms. Mens trousers have much wider legs and hopefully they will have a pullcord waist. Blankets and throws are also v useful, you can bunch them up and shove them under a leg or arm or neck to get more comfy. Write a list of what you need set up every morning, might be useful to have housework on a separate list (to reduce annoyance levels in v busy DH). Then he can just run down the list to get you set up rather than having to keep asking you, or you keep nagging him.

Good luck and I’m hoping everyone pulls it together for you soon.

popcorneatingmonster · 30/11/2017 04:23

I had a bimalleolar fracture of my ankle last year. The OT in hospital discussed my home situation, and arranged loan of a perch stool so that I could wash & a commode so that I did not have to rush to the loo in the night & someone to come out to raise up the sofas so that I could get up without help. They also would have fitted a second stair rail if we had asked, and the hospital supplied a zimmer frame and crutches for me (but not wheel chair). I was amazed that such help was available, and so grateful that we could be loaned these things that made my life so much easier.
It might be worth asking whether there is a similar service in your area, if you need any adaptations that would help you get around & do things while you are non weight-bearing.
I second the advice to rest as much as possible with your leg as elevated as possible - it really does make a difference!

kaytee87 · 30/11/2017 05:29

Thanks for all the advice purple!

sea dh only has one pair of joggers and they have a cuff at the bottom. I've asked him to buy me some and some hoodies because I will be cold sitting about.

popcorn I didn't even see an OT, just a physio who showed me how to use my crutches.

I've just woken up freezing and in agony Sad no painkillers til 7 and obviously cold from lying still all night.
Dh sleeping in a spare room thinking of waking him to help me but also know I need to try and get on with things myself. I'm bursting for a pee and need dressing gown and warm sock on my good foot.

OP posts:
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