I am so clumsy!

[Ihateslugs]

I have always been clumsy and knock things over or drop things but I’m getting worse as I get older - having severe arthritis in knees and hands do not help of course!

So on Thursday night I had a fight with a coat hanger and my duvet and ended up in a heap on the bedroom floor with a chair on top of me! I know it sounds funny but it wasn’t at the time, I had no idea how I was to get up again! I’m old, dodgy knees and overweight, can no longer spring up like a gazelle and live alone so no one to help! Once I caught my breath I managed to lift the chair of me and push it against the bed to lever myself up. I didn’t feel too bad and was able to get an ice pack from the freezer to put on the bruises on my shin, arm and thigh that were appearing, I take anticoagulants after having a TIA last year so bleed very easily, bruises look awful if left.

I went to bed but by golly, did I wake up in pain! My right knee is so painful and I cannot put any weight on it so even using a walking stick it was a slow, painful hobble to the toilet! Luckily I remembered I had a wheeled walker in the garage which someone gave me for my mum and I phoned my darling sister to come round to get it for me. Using the walker I can just about cope on my own and get from room to room in my bungalow, but can barely put any weight on my right leg. I also pulled my right shoulder and ripped the skin between two fingers on my left hand, as well as acquired very colourful bruises on my left thigh, right shin and both elbows.

The hardest thing is going to the toilet, it seems so low and I end up launching myself just hoping that I make the seat! I’ve peed on the floor several times when I positioned myself badly which I then struggle to bend down to wipe up! I’m thinking of ordering some pet pee pads to put down if my knee does not improve soon.

I already take paracetamol and tramadol for my arthritis so cannot increase the dosage of painkillers, just wait for things to heal I guess. I can’t leave the house due to steps and I don’t feel safe to drive so I’m just lazing around the house cursing myself for being so bloody clumsy!

Is anyone else accident prone?

Yes! I am always covered in bruises from banging into things. I don't have the excuse of a health condition - I am just hopelessly unco-ordinated.

Sorry about your accident, that sounds horrible.You really should try to see your GP to check out your knee and your shoulder. Could someone give you a lift there if walking is difficult, maybe your sister could go with you and help you with the steps?

Just as a start, you can get a frame that goes over your loo that is much higher to sit on, with arms. Maybe talk to your GP about getting some occupational help at home? I'm not sure how to go about it, my relations got those things after being in hospital.

I am planning to get a frame for the toilet when I have my knee surgery so I guess I could buy one now. I don’t think anything is broken as I do have some movement, it is definitely muscular and is slightly improving now as long as I don’t try to do too much. I’m going to have a go at a low step tomorrow to see if I can get in my shower!

It’s really hard to get an appointment at my doctor and I don’t think my injuries need to take an urgent slot, but if I don’t see a steady improvement in the next couple of days then il give the surgery a ring.