Listening to your body and learning to slow down 😩

Last month I was having a bad fibro day but had to go in to town. Anyway I tripped up the kerb and put my hand on the railings nearby to steady myself. But I fell forward onto the ground anyway with my fingers stuck behind me in the railings. My elbow and humerus snapped 4 times and I damaged the ulnar nerve. I had a big op the next morning to insert screws and plates. More metal than bone in there now! Too soon to know the long term damage. I’m home and it’s a long, slow road. I’m really angry with myself and wish I had listened to my needs more. I have gone from someone who pushed themselves doing everything for my disabled sons to being just about able to pull my pants up. I feel terrified of going out alone now. I have nightmares and panic attacks about lying on the road screaming and passing out , unable to move whilst waiting for an ambulance for almost 3 hours. Strangers and police waited with me and got my young traumatised son home to my eldest, who then contacted my mother to come and look after them. My fibro seems to be trying to be worse than my arm now, vying for attention. I have to learn that I am not indestructible. Has anyone else learned the hard way?

[Oshgosh]

Give yourself a gentle hug x

[LoneEra]

Oh my goodness...this sounds excruciating. I would honestly speak to your GP to try to get some counselling for the (understandable) panic/nightmares because the longer it’s allowed to fester, the harder it will be to get past it.

You should also be eligible for some assistance at home. Could the GP give you the details of an occupational therapist for example?

I’ve not done anything quite as dramatic as that but I did push myself to take the dog for a walk way too soon after having a knee operation. And then the dog decided to run into my legs at 100mph. That was not a fun few months after that!!

Wishing you a speedy recovery x

[cardboardcutout]

Sending you love and strength!. This is a very hard lesson and you don't deserve it but do exactly that...listen to your body and make yourself the priority. Accept all the help you can and take time out for you. With our condition it seems to come from the body crying stop I need attention so as difficult as it is , and believe me I know it is far from easy, you must respond and your body will respond in a positive way.Try to distract your mind with reading, meditation or just listening to music you like ...simple things can help. I didn't accept that for a long time but it does help.

All the best

[saluhouse]

Hi Mrslebon. What a dreadful accident - you poor thing. But that’s what it was - a dreadful accident. It’s a waste of energy to blame yourself for what happened.

Now you have got to concentrate on getting better. Accept all the help offered and make yourself the number one priority.

I broke my hip on the ice three years ago - and it took 18 months to get over it. But I did it - and so will you. The body has amazing powers of recovery. You just need to nurse it along.

Stay positive - xxx

[Makie-Uppie]

I think most people on here have learnt that lesson, I have some teeth that are not my own, not because of sweeties but because I like chewing on door frames. Good for your fibre intake bad for your smile.

[Xanthi]

I empathise completely! I tripped up the kerb Christmas shopping a couple of years ago. I was doing my mother in law’s shopping for the family as well as my own, due to her dementia looking after her too. I had heavy bags in each hand & so didn’t manage to bring my arms up to protect my face properly. Was really fatigued (hashimoto’s) at the time and pushing myself. People came running to see if I was OK. I was at a busy bus station. I jumped into a taxi and didn’t realise the damage I’d done at the time. My right eye socket/brow (& nose) is visibly different now. Still angry at myself. I get people vouchers now

[geminilady]

Oh my goodness, you poor thing. I feel so sorry for you. Fibro is awful to live with at the best of times. I am also someone who pushes myself every day, because i cant face living the alternative and letting this horrid condition win. But you must listen to your body and give in when you absolutely need to. Take care of yourself and learn to pace yourself too. Hugs to you - gentle ones of course. x

[Helensumber]

Bless you, I hope you make a good recovery, don't be angry with yourself, we all do it, I've had my 4th operation recently because I fell over a piece of 4x4 wood 🙄It is a learning curve and you will get there, I had a brilliant auntie who was one of these successful at everything she did types 😁 she always said you have to look after yourself more than you do anyone else, she said it isn't selfish, it just makes you able to help others more x

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone. One good thing to come out of it is the reminder that some strangers are fab people. Some sat with me for 3 hours. One lay down next to me. Police put coats over me. Someone raced home to get a hot water bottle. And best of all, before the police came to close the road and with a blanket and their coats, the cafe owner nearby put a tablecloth over me. Legend! 😘

[Deeb1764]

Big hugs but you need to also talk out your worries as they will just create more anxiety too. And anxiety and Fibro feed each other. It is amazing what strangers will do for you when at your worst. x

[saluhouse]

Hi Mrslebon. It’s a comfort to know there are kind people out there who are happy to help. We all care about you - wish you well and hope you will soon feel better.

Keep in touch and let us know how you are progressing. Xxx

[MariLiz]

So glad that there were kind people who helped you. Really sorry to hear about your injuries though, the stress of it all would be enough to make your fibromyalgia worse. Wishing you well and hoping you’ll soon be feeling better.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Sending gentle hugs and lots of healing energies. As well as the physical injuries, you also had a very stressful time on top of it... And stress as we know is a major trigger for increased symptoms. I know for me I react more to stress than I do physical stuff. Sometimes our bodies make us slow down. (((hugs)))

[Arymretep]

Oh dear me, that sounds horrific, I broke my wrist and shoulder bone last year and that was bad enough, it will take time to heal literally , when we fall it knocks your confidence, I couldn’t go out on my own for a while as I was afraid I’d fall again, but your confidence will come back , take it slowly , take care of yourself