Is anyone else totally accident-prone?

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gb2115
gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
edited June 2019 in Life After Breast Cancer

I didn't know which forum to put this in, but I just wanted to hear stories about anyone who might be just like me. I hurt my knee by banging it into something really hard last fall. Took forever to start getting better, and it's still problematic after months of PT. Anyway, I keep accidentally hitting both knees. I bump them against furniture, no matter how careful I try to be. It's like I'm a magnet for disaster. People also run into me a lot for some reason. I need to be bubble-wrapped. What doesn't help is the tamoxifen has made my muscles and tendons kind of weird, so it's like they are more easily injured.

And just now I DID IT AGAIN--bonked on one of the kitchen chairs at work. I'm like, seriously, what gives. Sigh.

Anyone else frustratingly accident prone? I'll feel bad for anyone who responds, but it would be nice to know I'm not alone in the universe with this...


Comments

  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited June 2019

    I do not suffer from this (although I get mysterious bruises) however I think my hubby has difficulties at times, especially with areas injured previously. He has foot problems which cause him to stumble and/or trip on things.

    You are not old enough to be in the category of elderly but a few of the items to consider which I learned about in falls prevention committees when I was still working in nursing homes and retirement communities: have good lighting, remove throw rugs, get vision checked, wear non-skid shoes or socks, wipe up spills right away, don't over reach, use a proper stepladder instead of standing on a chair to access stuff above your head, etc.

    It's true that medications can affect balance and lead to accidents. I think menopause also accentuates some of these issues. Water exercise is helpful, along with having a personal trainer or physical therapist to analyze your gait and prescribe a strengthening routine. Did your PT discuss global concerns or just focus on the bum knee?

  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited June 2019

    PT was only focused on the knee and I wasn't impressed with the care.

    I don't have balance issues and I am definitely not elderly. I try to be careful and I go out of my way to be aware of my surroundings. I can be trying to get out of someone's way and they will still walk right into me or somehow trip me up. It's a joke at work that if something bad will happen it will be to me.

    So frustrating!!


  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited June 2019

    I have constant injuries on my arms and hands and legs because I have a big but young and goofy dog that I'm training for agility etc; she's fast and my reflexes are now awful. Plus even small scrapes seem to take longer to heal and leave bigger scars as my skin has really changed.

    Loss of estrogen can cause a variety of small, barely noticeable problems in the body, including little small bouts of dizziness so that might be it. Estrogen also plays a huge role in joint health. It's possible that your reflexes are affected simply because your joints are literally not as responsive and have a smaller range of motion due to a decrease in estrogen.

    Have you had your eyes checked? If you already wear glasses, it's possible your prescription has changed, if you don't, you might need to start.

    I see physio & a RMT and find it helpful. If your physio was focused only on the knee, you might need a different physio or just go back and say you want to focus on overall strength and imbalance. I got a whole set of stretch and strengthen exercises prescribed (she sends them to an app on my phone where I can also log how many I do and if they cause me pain etc). In some offices, they have a kinesiologist who does more of the prescribed active rehab therapy exercise programs so that's another person you could seek out.

  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited June 2019

    Maybe my MO will send me to a better PT. I was seen by an orthopedic group because I had an injury... that's why she was focused on my knee, because the order was to treat the knee. But it didn't work, I wouldn't want to go back there.

  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited June 2019

    Hi gb,

    Are you getting enough exercise? I personally do crunches on the exercise ball every weekday morning. This strengthens my core and improves balance. One of the challenges is not falling off, but no problem if you do as you are already next to the ground. I was surprised when I took up jogging a few years ago that I felt more confident, and I didn't think that I had a particular problem as was already hiking, skiing and cycling.

    Exercise outdoors on uneven ground also helps the cause. By this, I mean a walk or slow run.

    I will admit to falling over tree roots, stubbing my toe while making my bed, and assorted other mishaps. Being near 40, you might also want to get your vision checked as that is the time that vision changes start.

    I do use hiking poles now. While I don't have as good balance as other cyclists, I cycle long distances. Yesterday, I did 60 miles. But even much shorter rides on flat trails help the cause. It's always interesting how I don't have great confidence when cycling season starts up. But of course, I am just fine 5 minutes into the ride. (My excuse is that I don't have good binocular vision as was born with a lazy eye and had corrective surgery when I was young.)

    Part of having good balance is having strong muscles to support your knees, back, shoulders, etc. Flexibility is also key. I get this from my weights and crunches, but other women do things such as yoga.

    When I was younger, I went through a period when I didn't get enough exercise, though I did a fair amount of walking. It affected me in a number of ways. Then, I got a nasty spring cold and didn't get over it right away. A bicycle changed my life..... - Claire


  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited June 2019

    I had my vision checked in April (was fine...I wear glasses for nearsightedness so I go to the eye doctor every year).

    I definitely don't get enough exercise. My knees still hurt (particularly the one that was injured). If you know me from tamoxifen posts, you know the doctors say my chronic tendon and muscle problems are from the tamoxifen and there is nothing they can do. The tendons and muscles around my knees get inflamed for no reason. To put it in perspective, turning a door knob sometimes sets me up for arm tendon pain that lasts for days which makes it hard to manage at work. Wrists and knees are trash. Have to be careful with ankles too. They overstretch really easily. Like really easily.

    I am trying to slowly build up, but honestly if I can walk slowly around work without a ton of pain, it's a victory. I used to teach aerobics and be super active before cancer.

    I see the MO this summer and plan to discuss. But I am not willing to come off of meds.

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