Re: Clumsy?

[Guest guest]

It is very difficult to control your hands when the thumb joints are affected.

I break loads of things because the thumbs give out.....Be kind to yourself. It

is not clumsy.

Randall <krandall@...> wrote:

>

i've also gotten so clumsy it seems. my hands definitely don't work

as well, i fumble with everything and seems am constantly dropping

everything i pick up. we have to keep going somehow and encouraging

each other here helps!

>

YEs, what's with that? I keep spilling my tea out of my mug when I

carry it across the kitchen... That never happened before, and now

it happens any time I don't have my FULL concentration on my hands.

I seem to stumble and sort of " catch " my feet on the ground

frequently too. The other day, I was coming down the ladder out of

the loft in the barn, and completely missed the bottom rung. I went

flying across the aisle and smashed agains one of the stall doors.

That kept me from falling down completely, but I really wrenched my

knee and hip.

I didn't used to be a clumsy person. I fell so stupid when this

stuff happens, but a little part of me thinks it must have something

to do with the RA... I just don't get WHY it happens.

Raniolo

[Guest guest]

I know, it's awful! I feel like a total klutz. I live alone with my 2 dogs and

I think they think I'm drunk or something. LOL. It's no fun but I try and laugh

at myself.

[ ] Clumsy?

>

i've also gotten so clumsy it seems. my hands definitely don't work

as well, i fumble with everything and seems am constantly dropping

everything i pick up. we have to keep going somehow and encouraging

each other here helps!

>

YEs, what's with that? I keep spilling my tea out of my mug when I

carry it across the kitchen... That never happened before, and now

it happens any time I don't have my FULL concentration on my hands.

I seem to stumble and sort of " catch " my feet on the ground

frequently too. The other day, I was coming down the ladder out of

the loft in the barn, and completely missed the bottom rung. I went

flying across the aisle and smashed agains one of the stall doors.

That kept me from falling down completely, but I really wrenched my

knee and hip.

I didn't used to be a clumsy person. I fell so stupid when this

stuff happens, but a little part of me thinks it must have something

to do with the RA... I just don't get WHY it happens.

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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[Guest guest]

My husband and I have learned to laugh about my " clumsiness " . When

we walk in the woods, he doesn't even stop any more when he hears me

slip down...he's so used to it! We've both learned that I can't use

my hands the way I used to and try to adjust. It's not clumsy, just

another symptom. Take care.

> >

> i've also gotten so clumsy it seems. my hands definitely don't work

> as well, i fumble with everything and seems am constantly dropping

> everything i pick up. we have to keep going somehow and encouraging

> each other here helps!

> >

>

> YEs, what's with that? I keep spilling my tea out of my mug when I

> carry it across the kitchen... That never happened before, and now

> it happens any time I don't have my FULL concentration on my hands.

> I seem to stumble and sort of " catch " my feet on the ground

> frequently too. The other day, I was coming down the ladder out of

> the loft in the barn, and completely missed the bottom rung. I went

> flying across the aisle and smashed agains one of the stall doors.

> That kept me from falling down completely, but I really wrenched my

> knee and hip.

>

> I didn't used to be a clumsy person. I fell so stupid when this

> stuff happens, but a little part of me thinks it must have

something

> to do with the RA... I just don't get WHY it happens.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Raniolo

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- In , " Randall " <krandall@...>

wrote:

a little part of me thinks it must have something

> to do with the RA... I just don't get WHY it happens.

>

I have the same problem, and here's my theory... RA makes our joints

swollen and stiff, but not to the same degree every day or even every

minute. Our muscles are also affected -- weaker some days than

others. A movement like picking up a cup of coffee that would be

automatic for most people (their muscles and joints would just work

together to perform the action without thinking about it) becomes a

task we need to concentrate on because of the constantly varying

intensity of swelling, stiffness, and weakness. We have to move more

slowly and deliberately because as we start to perform the action, we

don't know if we're going to overshoot the cup and knock it over or

grasp it too loosely and drop it. It's a matter of constant testing

and feedback.

Add to that the meds we take that can make us a little loopy, and in

my case, a hole in the macula of my right eye that makes me often see

double, and it's a wonder any of us can get anything done properly.

LOL

Best way to handle it is to keep a sense of humor!

Take care,

[Guest guest]

Thank God I am not the only one!

I have been the same way for months!

And I always thought it was just something else wrong with me and not having

to do with the RA.

I know this sounds weird, but it's good to know that there is some more of me

out there...lol

MBL <applescruff818@...> wrote:

I know, it's awful! I feel like a total klutz. I live alone with my 2

dogs and I think they think I'm drunk or something. LOL. It's no fun but I try

and laugh at myself.

[ ] Clumsy?

>

i've also gotten so clumsy it seems. my hands definitely don't work

as well, i fumble with everything and seems am constantly dropping

everything i pick up. we have to keep going somehow and encouraging

each other here helps!

>

YEs, what's with that? I keep spilling my tea out of my mug when I

carry it across the kitchen... That never happened before, and now

it happens any time I don't have my FULL concentration on my hands.

I seem to stumble and sort of " catch " my feet on the ground

frequently too. The other day, I was coming down the ladder out of

the loft in the barn, and completely missed the bottom rung. I went

flying across the aisle and smashed agains one of the stall doors.

That kept me from falling down completely, but I really wrenched my

knee and hip.

I didn't used to be a clumsy person. I fell so stupid when this

stuff happens, but a little part of me thinks it must have something

to do with the RA... I just don't get WHY it happens.

__________________________________________________________

Want to start your own business?

Learn how on Small Business.

http://smallbusiness./r-index

[Guest guest]

That's a pretty good theory. But boy, it's frustrating when you are

used to being a physically active person. I move at normal speed

and I hurt myself, or I totter around like an old lady. What a great

choice!<g> I guess you're right, humor is the only option left!<g>

--- In , " susan100250 " <res0bh3k@...>

wrote:

> I have the same problem, and here's my theory... RA makes our

joints

> swollen and stiff, but not to the same degree every day or even

every

> minute. Our muscles are also affected -- weaker some days than

> others. A movement like picking up a cup of coffee that would be

> automatic for most people (their muscles and joints would just

work

> together to perform the action without thinking about it) becomes

a

> task we need to concentrate on because of the constantly varying

> intensity of swelling, stiffness, and weakness. We have to move

more

> slowly and deliberately because as we start to perform the action,

we

> don't know if we're going to overshoot the cup and knock it over

or

> grasp it too loosely and drop it. It's a matter of constant

testing

> and feedback.

>

> Add to that the meds we take that can make us a little loopy, and

in

> my case, a hole in the macula of my right eye that makes me often

see

> double, and it's a wonder any of us can get anything done

properly.

> LOL

>

> Best way to handle it is to keep a sense of humor!

> Take care,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I drop things all the time. Sometimes, when I get off balance, my brain

isn't quick enough to communicate which muscles to use and I end up falling,

usually in slow motion. Is it the RA or the strong meds we are on?

> A movement ... that would be automatic for most people (their muscles

> and joints would just work

> together to perform the action without thinking about it) becomes a

> task we need to concentrate on because of the constantly varying

> intensity of swelling, stiffness, and weakness.

[Guest guest]

Sometimes, when I get off balance, my brain

> isn't quick enough to communicate which muscles to use and I end up

falling,

> usually in slow motion. Is it the RA or the strong meds we are on?

I think it's the RA. I have the same problem. I can step on a pebble

and then not realize that I'm off balance until it's too late for my

muscles to correct for it. Some days are worse than others.

Do you have RA in your ankles, knees, or feet?

[Guest guest]

I have RA in my ankles, knees, feet and hips (that's just for the lower part

of the body !) But I also had a stroke years back and have some residual

muscle problems on my right side that could be contributing to my wobbling.

I try to be extra careful in the shower as I would NEVER EVER want anyone to

have to rescue me naked in a tub!!!

It's good to know that it's not just me. I also have a terrible sense of

direction. Turn me around in a circle and I'll get lost!

Joanne

----- Original Message -----

>

> Sometimes, when I get off balance, my brain

>> isn't quick enough to communicate which muscles to use and I end up

> falling, usually in slow motion. Is it the RA or the strong meds we are

> on?

>

From: " susan100250 " <res0bh3k@...>

> I think it's the RA. I have the same problem. I can step on a pebble

> and then not realize that I'm off balance until it's too late for my

> muscles to correct for it. Some days are worse than others.

> Do you have RA in your ankles, knees, or feet?

>

[Guest guest]

I think it's the disease that does it...I've been known to fall over

while just standing there. It's happened so often I've made

distinguishing definitions for it...if I'm walking around and it

happens it's 'falling down'. If I'm just standing there and keel

over, it's 'tipping over'. Kind of like cow tipping without the

tipper. But it's ok, I've found plenty of things to do while I'm on

the floor...never has the space under my bed been so dust bunny-free!

And there's always a cat or dog to snuggle with down there. I can

tell my family when it's time to replace their shoelaces. Sometimes I

fall out in the yard. Guess I'm just trying to bloom where I'm

planted!

>

> I drop things all the time. Sometimes, when I get off balance, my

brain

> isn't quick enough to communicate which muscles to use and I end up

falling,

> usually in slow motion. Is it the RA or the strong meds we are on?

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

I wish I could blame it totally on the RA. I danced (ballet & such) for 10

years before I developed RA. My dad used to call me a gazelle (looks graceful in

the air & then crashes into a tree) because I could dance onstage but I would

walk into walls in my house. My husband I joke that inanimate objects attack me.

Take care,

Steph in VA

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[Guest guest]

Elsie, that is funny. I was walking across the grocery store parking lot today

feeling 'wobbly' and swear people were looking at me strange. It is a very

strange feeling.

[ ] Re: Clumsy?

I think it's the disease that does it...I've been known to fall over

while just standing there. It's happened so often I've made

distinguishing definitions for it...if I'm walking around and it

happens it's 'falling down'. If I'm just standing there and keel

over, it's 'tipping over'. Kind of like cow tipping without the

tipper. But it's ok, I've found plenty of things to do while I'm on

the floor...never has the space under my bed been so dust bunny-free!

And there's always a cat or dog to snuggle with down there. I can

tell my family when it's time to replace their shoelaces. Sometimes I

fall out in the yard. Guess I'm just trying to bloom where I'm

planted!

>

> I drop things all the time. Sometimes, when I get off balance, my

brain

> isn't quick enough to communicate which muscles to use and I end up

falling,

> usually in slow motion. Is it the RA or the strong meds we are on?

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I haven't read anything about the regular RA meds (DMARDS, NSAIDS,

prednisone) causing balance/coordination problems. I try not to take

pain meds during the day, so I don't think that's the problem either.

It seems to me that it is just part of the RA.

Today, when I was riding my horse, I was fine. (well, not fine, I

hurt, but my balance was fine) Then when I went to get off, I almost

fell, even though I was getting off onto a high mounting platform.

Thank goodness my horse is a very good guy who puts up with me!<g> I

didn't feel the least bit dizzy... it really feels like something

physical... my body just doesn't seem to " catch " itself the way it

used to.

I've been mounting/dismounting from a block since this started... I

can't bend my knee or hip enough to get my foot anywhere near the

stirrup from the ground, and I can't dismount directly to the ground

without killing my feet.<g>

>

> I drop things all the time. Sometimes, when I get off balance, my

brain

> isn't quick enough to communicate which muscles to use and I end up

falling,

> usually in slow motion. Is it the RA or the strong meds we are on?

>

> > A movement ... that would be automatic for most people (their

muscles

> > and joints would just work

> > together to perform the action without thinking about it) becomes a

> > task we need to concentrate on because of the constantly varying

> > intensity of swelling, stiffness, and weakness.

>

[Guest guest]

My husband and dd say I wobble when I walk. It's like well if your ankles were

swollen and your

feet hurt 24/7 you might wobble too. But at least we are still walking!

Joy

MBL <applescruff818@...> wrote:

Elsie, that is funny. I was walking across the grocery store parking

lot today feeling 'wobbly' and swear people were looking at me strange. It is a

very strange feeling.

[ ] Re: Clumsy?

I think it's the disease that does it...I've been known to fall over

while just standing there. It's happened so often I've made

distinguishing definitions for it...if I'm walking around and it

happens it's 'falling down'. If I'm just standing there and keel

over, it's 'tipping over'. Kind of like cow tipping without the

tipper. But it's ok, I've found plenty of things to do while I'm on

the floor...never has the space under my bed been so dust bunny-free!

And there's always a cat or dog to snuggle with down there. I can

tell my family when it's time to replace their shoelaces. Sometimes I

fall out in the yard. Guess I'm just trying to bloom where I'm

planted!

>

> I drop things all the time. Sometimes, when I get off balance, my

brain

> isn't quick enough to communicate which muscles to use and I end up

falling,

> usually in slow motion. Is it the RA or the strong meds we are on?

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I know what you mean. There are times when I am amazed I haven't yet

been arrested for drunk in public. I haven't had a drink in 27 years

but you sure couldn't tell it by watching me walk!

>

> Elsie, that is funny. I was walking across the grocery store

parking lot today feeling 'wobbly' and swear people were looking at me

strange. It is a very strange feeling.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I have these problems with my fibro too. I haven't suddenly

tipped over AND

> hit the ground since I quit my job five years ago, but I start to

tip over

> and have to move my feet to stop me, lots of times. I also have

problems

> holding on to things, I think they're firmly in my grasp and bam,

they're on

> the floor. Or I'll have a glass going to my mouth, my wrist

suddenly tips,

> and I've got water down my front. I'll go to reach for something,

say a

> light switch, and I'll try to hit it 4-5 times before my hand

actually

> connects.

> Darcy

>

Yes, my hands do things without me, too. Several years ago I made a

HUGE bowl of popcorn for my kids. d it into the living room,

had a kind of muscle jerk in one hand, and broadcast sprayed the

entire bowl over my living and dining rooms. I couldn't believe the

distance I achieved on that one, normally couldn't throw that far to

save my own neck. At least the dog was really happy. The most

embarrasing one so far was getting the hand jumps and throwing a

fork across the table at someone in a restaurant. Fortunately the

fork was very dull or I could have been arrested for doing surgery

without a license!

Recently I developed severe numbness in my left hand, which is

frustrating the bejeepers outa me. I crochet a lot and because I

can't feel the yarn or yarn tension any more, I've been working for

a week now on a project that should have taken me one

evening...grrrr...and Christmas is getting closer every minute! May

have to give up and just buy a gift instead of making one.

I know what you mean too, about the spilling...now I just buy

multicolored blouses to start out with. The stains fit right in.

Hang in there!

[Guest guest]

Me, too. That's why no drink in 27 years. And I've lived in the same

town my whole life, so everyone here knows who I am. I've had a

couple of people express concern in the last year that I may have

fallen off the wagon because of my walk. Ironically, they are

relieved to know it's just a different disease...oy vey!

>

> I'm a recovering alcoholic, Elsie, and now I can see how I must have

looked in public stumbling around with the R.A. Wobblies! LOL.

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " elsiebea1 " <elsiebea1@...>

> Yes, my hands do things without me, too. Several years ago I made a

> HUGE bowl of popcorn for my kids. d it into the living room,

> had a kind of muscle jerk in one hand, and broadcast sprayed the

> entire bowl over my living and dining rooms.

Too bad it wasn't an Olympic sport! Yours sounds much more impressive than

mine. Mine seem to mostly go down rather than out. I did manage to

clumsily knock over part of an orange soda this morning. Fortunately, it

didn't get on anything important. Sorry to hear about your crocheting

problems. I know how hard it is to lose a hobby you love due to health

problems.

Darcy

[Guest guest]

> Joy,

> I think that would be mortifying. I have fallen 4 times in less than 4

> months.>>>

>

How much does everyone exercise every day?

It is a MUST.

Pris

[Guest guest]

No you are not the only one - I've also been having problems with

clumsyness. My balance has been off recently - I've been walking into walls

even!! Most embarrassing but I thought it was me rather than the RA.

----Original Message Follows----

From: Lisette Banda <lisreg@...>

Reply-

Subject: Re: [ ] Clumsy?

Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2006 20:06:55 -0800 (PST)

Thank God I am not the only one!

I have been the same way for months!

And I always thought it was just something else wrong with me and not

having to do with the RA.

I know this sounds weird, but it's good to know that there is some more

of me out there...lol

MBL <applescruff818@...> wrote:

I know, it's awful! I feel like a total klutz. I live alone with

my 2 dogs and I think they think I'm drunk or something. LOL. It's no fun

but I try and laugh at myself.

[ ] Clumsy?

>

i've also gotten so clumsy it seems. my hands definitely don't work

as well, i fumble with everything and seems am constantly dropping

everything i pick up. we have to keep going somehow and encouraging

each other here helps!

>

YEs, what's with that? I keep spilling my tea out of my mug when I

carry it across the kitchen... That never happened before, and now

it happens any time I don't have my FULL concentration on my hands.

I seem to stumble and sort of " catch " my feet on the ground

frequently too. The other day, I was coming down the ladder out of

the loft in the barn, and completely missed the bottom rung. I went

flying across the aisle and smashed agains one of the stall doors.

That kept me from falling down completely, but I really wrenched my

knee and hip.

I didn't used to be a clumsy person. I fell so stupid when this

stuff happens, but a little part of me thinks it must have something

to do with the RA... I just don't get WHY it happens.

__________________________________________________________

Want to start your own business?

Learn how on Small Business.

http://smallbusiness./r-index

[Guest guest]

I had asked about falls relating to any of this. Maybe most of your are just

" clumsy " and I guess I too am to some extent. But falls have made big trouble

for me and I want to know if it is related to any of the autoimmune syndromes.

I have not been officially diagnosed, and this is no surprise to me since most

people say it takes a few years for a diagnosis. I think with me it will be

lupus or sclero.

Clumsy??? How can a person standing in a driveway just fall down and land on the

head? Yep, I did that. Maybe I go beyond being just clumsy.

Betty

No you are not the only one - I've also been having problems with

clumsyness. My balance has been off recently - I've been walking into walls

even!! Most embarrassing but I thought it was me rather than the RA.

[Guest guest]

I fell on the dance floor at my nephews wedding. And then slid across the dance

floor

on my butt...lol I was mortified but so relieved I didn't break anything. I

wonder if

being so stiff throws us off balance or something?

Joy

Betty <bvanOmega@...> wrote:

I had asked about falls relating to any of this. Maybe most of your

are just " clumsy " and I guess I too am to some extent. But falls have made big

trouble for me and I want to know if it is related to any of the autoimmune

syndromes. I have not been officially diagnosed, and this is no surprise to me

since most people say it takes a few years for a diagnosis. I think with me it

will be lupus or sclero.

Clumsy??? How can a person standing in a driveway just fall down and land on the

head? Yep, I did that. Maybe I go beyond being just clumsy.

Betty

No you are not the only one - I've also been having problems with

clumsyness. My balance has been off recently - I've been walking into walls

even!! Most embarrassing but I thought it was me rather than the RA.

[Guest guest]

Joy,

I think that would be mortifying. I have fallen 4 times in less than 4 months.

Two sent me to ER and one of the others should have. One I wasn't really hurt.

My husband watches out for me and when he hears a crash band he jumps up so

quickly that he hurts himself. I told him he had better slow down or he won't

be able to help.

I'm not really " stiff " when I am up and around and my movements look normal.

Walking wouldn't give anyone a hint that I am having problems. I can walk at a

normal pace and in a normal manner. The fall that really got the worst of my

fractured my sacrum and for a while after that I didn't walk normal and had to

have help with just about getting up and down. I had to use a cane to walk at

all. Afterwards when I was better I tried to hang onto the cane to see if it

would give me added stability but I end up leaving it somewhere and don't have

it. I don't know how to handle this as I am afraid I will fracture my hip. I

got so angry and upset with him that I feel like I don't want to go to a doctor

for anything. I do have an appointment Tuesday with him so I guess I will. He

is the one that writes my prescriptions and I need some new ones otherwise I'm

not sure I would even go. I like that doctor and he has been my GP for 15 years

or so. The event that made me so mad at him was not really his fault but his

office. But he should be the boss there and anything that goes wrong he is

responsible for. My daughter is a boat captain and whatever happens is her

responsibility even if she wasn't on the boat at the time. So, he is the Capt..

of his office and therefore I blame him. Grrrr

I don't see my rheumi I until about 3 months from now.

Betty

[Guest guest]

Yes mine is related, I used to be graceful, competition skater. I was

a nurse, handled scalpels and other sharp objects. In my case the

autoimmune disease has caused vestibular irregularities. It is common

for people with AI and/or CNS diseases. No I am not just clumsy.

>

> I had asked about falls relating to any of this. Maybe most of your

are just " clumsy " and I guess I too am to some extent. But falls have

made big trouble for me and I want to know if it is related to any of

the autoimmune syndromes.

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " Betty " <bvanOmega@...>

> Clumsy??? How can a person standing in a driveway just fall down and land

> on the head? Yep, I did that. >Maybe I go beyond being just clumsy.

I've just been walking or standing fine and just start to fall over. Before

I quit work (so my body was even more stressed because I was trying to force

it beyond it's limits), I did fall over and hit the ground. So far, I've

managed to catch myself before going all the way over since than. The other

" neat " trick is, if I stand with my legs together and shut my eyes, I fall

backwards over every single time. I've done that long before I started the

just falling sideways or forward. I don't know what it's due to, but you're

not the only one doing these kinds of things.

Darcy