Guest guest Posted August 2, 2003 Report Share Posted August 2, 2003 Hi , No, you aren't a clutz. I had to chuckle when I read your email -- I was a dancer for close to 8 years (I was teaching dance the year I was diagnosed). My dad had always called me a "gazelle" (a deer-like animal that looks graceful in the air and then crashes into a tree) to explain why I would walk into things off the dance floor. For me, my arthritis hinders with my equilibrium. This was especially true when the symptoms 1st appeared. After I had seen several doctors about my pain to no avail, this was why I decided to go to the ER in October 1999 -- A friend & I had dinner at the food court in the mall. I stood up to throw my trash out and fell in the middle of the food court! I was so angry and embarassed that I agreed to go to the ER. For the next 4 weeks and 6 doctors before I was diagnosed, I repeatedly fell or dropped. It still happens but not as often -- usually when I in periods of "high stress". It happens most when I'm trying to get out of a chair (usually a couch or similar low chair) and I fall back onto the couch. That probably doesn't help you much but at least you know you aren't alone! Take care, in VA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have a weird question for you all... I've always joked that I'm >kind of a clutz (I was a gymnast for 15 years... we're a mess outside >of the gym) but since all this RA stuff started, I've been dropping >stuff right and left and I've fallen down 2 flights of stairs >(could've been scary) and just random falls. Has anyone else >experienced this? Thanks! STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2003 Report Share Posted August 2, 2003 I, too, laughed at this. You are not alone. When I first had RA I was clutzy too. I never fell, thank God because if I did, I would break. But I lost my balance several times. I attribute it to joint swelling and unable to bend like I used too. Even now, when I get out of the car after an hour's drive, I have to be very careful because I am unsteady and afraid to fall. But in time, I did get better. Hope that helps, a little. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2003 Report Share Posted August 2, 2003 I think all of us have experienced something like that although I haven't fallen down stairs yet. My grip is simply not what it used to be and I sometimes forget to use two hands when I should. My balance is bad so I always make sure I am holding onto a hand rail when using stairs. I find it harder to go down stairs than to go up stairs, probably because of balance issues. I make sure to slow down and not overdo and that helps me retain my balance. Good luck and God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: Matthies Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2003 12:44 PM Subject: Am I just a clutz? I have a weird question for you all... I've always joked that I'm kind of a clutz (I was a gymnast for 15 years... we're a mess outside of the gym) but since all this RA stuff started, I've been dropping stuff right and left and I've fallen down 2 flights of stairs (could've been scary) and just random falls. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2003 Report Share Posted August 2, 2003 Hi , I can't help but smile when I read this! I have inherited the nickname of Grace in recent years, due to my propensity to fall downstairs and break bones - three times in the 10 yrs since I've been diagnosed. (Not to mention other falls that didn't result in injury.) I also frequently drop things from my grip and knock things over. I've never really related it to the RA .........but it well could be as I don't have the same dexterity or grip that I used to have. (At least that is my story, and I will NOW stick to it!!!!!!! ) Bless you and be careful!!!! Sandy From: " Matthies" Reply-Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Am I just a clutz? Date: Sat, 02 Aug 2003 19:44:54 -0000 I have a weird question for you all... I've always joked that I'm kind of a clutz (I was a gymnast for 15 years... we're a mess outside of the gym) but since all this RA stuff started, I've been dropping stuff right and left and I've fallen down 2 flights of stairs (could've been scary) and just random falls. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2003 Report Share Posted August 4, 2003 > i am a clutz also so dont feel bad have broken my ankle twice, dislocated my elbow, fell down a few steps. even fell over my poor rottie. she stayed withme the rest of the day after that! i use a cane now when i walk. i do drop things, hubby used to laugh until we found out i got ra.so smile and have faith in the good lord. he gets us though everything in our life. sessymama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2003 Report Share Posted August 5, 2003 , I have a real bad right knee. A few weeks ago it went out from under me and down I went right in the dining room!! It has happened twice now so I am being extra careful. Yesterday afternoon I was in the ER due to this knee. They drained 70ML of fluid off of it. Todya I can't seem to notice much difference, it still hurts like hades. Also the next to last digit on my left foot is getting deformed and it hurts. Good luck, Jay > I have a weird question for you all... I've always joked that I'm > kind of a clutz (I was a gymnast for 15 years... we're a mess outside > of the gym) but since all this RA stuff started, I've been dropping > stuff right and left and I've fallen down 2 flights of stairs > (could've been scary) and just random falls. Has anyone else > experienced this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2003 Report Share Posted August 5, 2003 I I had my first big flare with RA this last spring and let me tell you, i thought that i had lost my mind or something, i have become so clutzy, dropping things, walking , going up and down stairs. I have had to slow down alot and take my time. I have even started using a cane when i have a bad day. It helps me to steady myself, not to mention adds support to the knees when they hurts so bad. Anyway, you are not alone! Just learn to take it a little more carefully to avoid those nasty falls. Good luck and God bless Matthies <smatthies10@...> wrote: I have a weird question for you all... I've always joked that I'm kind of a clutz (I was a gymnast for 15 years... we're a mess outside of the gym) but since all this RA stuff started, I've been dropping stuff right and left and I've fallen down 2 flights of stairs (could've been scary) and just random falls. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 2003 Report Share Posted August 14, 2003 , When I first started to experience similar things, I thought it was me...something neurological. I'm always dropping things & it's like I don't have the coordination like I used to. I was going to mention it to my Rheumatologist but I figured he would send me for a battery of tests & wouldn't find anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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