I fell again yesterday. This time I landed on the inside of my left knee and managed to damage not only that knee but the ankle, hip, left hand and elbow. I thought I didn't hurt too much this morning, but became light-headed at work and was sent home by the nurse. I see my doctor in about a half an hour to see if I did more than just bruise and to figure out what to do about the pain.
Wow, I hurt! I braced my ankle to try to stabilize my knee and hip (since my latest new knee brace slips after less than an hour of wear). I am limping a bit straighter, at least. If I sit too long my back hurts. If I stand my leg, especially the knee, hurts. Lying down causes all of the joints wrenched in the fall to throb. Any suggestions?
I have also started writing about EDS (as well as other topics). I had this need to spread the word, and was accepted as a writer for an online magazine called Suite101. You can read my EDS articles (yes! I'm a published author!) here:
and here:
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
I'm Still Around
Winter is an interesting time. I find that days and weeks literally disappear. I realized today that it is March, and am not really sure where January and February went! Much of it is due to keeping busy with children and the seemingly endless array of winter storms, but I know now that pain is a major factor.
When you hurt and, like me, become very good at ignoring it your days become a blur. You do what you have to do and occasionally realize that the world is continuing around you. From time to time I realize it is happening, but feel helpless to do anything about it. Even resting can be a challenge when lying down becomes uncomfortable after about 8 hours.
With EDS if you fall or even just slip then you are risking soft tissue damage. One doctor described it to me as microscopic tears in the muscles and ligaments. Once this small damage occurs the pain can set in, and without lots of sleep and rest your tissue is going to take longer to heal. What a catch 22 that to heal you must rest but resting is so uncomfortable you must get up and move, thus leading to potentially more damage! Let alone the fact that your collagen is genetically damaged and it takes longer for your body to heal (even with rest).
Laughing at the irony is sometimes my only defense.
When you hurt and, like me, become very good at ignoring it your days become a blur. You do what you have to do and occasionally realize that the world is continuing around you. From time to time I realize it is happening, but feel helpless to do anything about it. Even resting can be a challenge when lying down becomes uncomfortable after about 8 hours.
With EDS if you fall or even just slip then you are risking soft tissue damage. One doctor described it to me as microscopic tears in the muscles and ligaments. Once this small damage occurs the pain can set in, and without lots of sleep and rest your tissue is going to take longer to heal. What a catch 22 that to heal you must rest but resting is so uncomfortable you must get up and move, thus leading to potentially more damage! Let alone the fact that your collagen is genetically damaged and it takes longer for your body to heal (even with rest).
Laughing at the irony is sometimes my only defense.
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