I have fallen several times in the last year and each time I fall I end up bruised and banged up somewhere. Today I fell, actually I think my ankles were weak and curled as I walked across the wood floor and I just caved into the door-way hitting my liver side of my torso. It has taken a few hours, but a bruise is starting to show and I'm hoping that's all it is. I had liver surgery one year ago tomorrow and I'm afraid I may have damaged something. I try to be careful how I step and where I step, but, it is so unexpected when it happens.

Does anyone else have this problem? I often wonder if it is the meds or am I just clumsy or both.

Don't want to be so clumsy!!!!

Kathryn

Yes, I am a veteran to Lupus for about 20 years or so... on lots of meds.

[This message has been edited by Kathryn (edited 03-07-2001).]

Kathryn,
thank you for writing this- I haven't said anything to anyone 'cause I thought I was just imagining it. A co-worker even looked at me strangely and laughed sorta half-heartedly the other night when I too a few steps and promptly bumped into the corner or the doorcase. It's like I am always "just a little off" as in just a little to far to the right or left, or just a little too close or too far away or just a little off balance or just a little clumsy.
I refuse to get too worried about it, but I am going to mention my concerns about this to my theumi in April- cuae I think it's related to our brain and I don't know ANYTHING about the effect of Lupus on the brain.
We'll just hang in together.
I am sorry about your fall- when we get hurt and then have deeper concerns beyond the immediate pain- we are more deeply wounded than it appears. Hoping that you only bruised the outside.
Gentle hugs your way
Jeri

Kathryn,

I haven't had any of that, but I'm new to this and haven't started all the meds yet. It's not the plaquenil distorting your vision?

Anyway, I can kind of feel the pain and it's not just physical is it? Take care, Ann

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one. This is a terrible experience. My husband is so worried to leave me along sometimes. He makes me promise to sit and not move till he comes back. Of course I have to make that promise because I, too, know it is inevitable that I will take a tumble. I have the bruises to prove it. I'm very lucky that they haven't been worse.

Thanks so much for sharing along with me. I see my Rheumy in April as well and I will be quite specific.... it will probably lead to sending me back to my neurologist. Frankly, I don't think there is much that can be done. But, I keep on.

We'll hang in there together!

Kathryn

ps... never took plaquenil

[This message has been edited by Kathryn (edited 03-08-2001).]

Kathryn,

I am still waiting for a dx so I am not even sure that I have lupus. I relate so much to this though that I thought I'd share. I am always bumping into things or tripping. I also bruise easily so this is not a pretty combination-LOL!! It's not really funny but I have no choice but to laugh at myself or I'd get really depressed I think. My latest was falling down the stairs last month. Thank goodness I wasn't holding my baby (or my daughter for that matter) It's so cute my daugher is always telling me to be careful now when I go down them. I think I mentioned before also feeling weak in the legs particularly and feeling like I will fall. That hasn't happened in a few months but that can be really scary as well.

This sweet little two and a half year old already has that mothering instinct. Off topic of this but back to the memory problems some of us were discussing before-she also has way too good of a concept of what being lost means. As I AM ALWAYS forgetting where I am going and missing my exits and therefore getting lost. If we are driving for any length of time she will ask "mommy are we lost again?" Its another one of those things that really scare me but I have to laugh at to stay sane!!!

Anyway hang in there. Its nice to have a bond with other women experiecing some of the same pain (either physical or emotional) as you are. We will be thinking of you and praying for you!

Jeannie M

Thanks Jeannie, I know how scary the stairs are. I went through that as well, but I didn't fall all the way down. My husband installed handrails for me and now I don't walk down unless I'm holding them. It's just something I have resigned myself that I have to do cause you know, this is getting serious. And, yes, I too forget where I'm going and while driving I have to ask myself "where am I going?" cause I forgot. Sometimes it will take me 2 to 3 minutes to remember. That in my opinion is kind of long.. not just a split moment of distraction .. but, 2 or 3 minutes of staring into space feeling like an idiot. is starting to scare me. I make lots of lists lately. That helps me a lot. I'm toooooo young to be going through this stuff... Heeeeeeeeeelllp!!!

LOL, Kathryn