Silly me!

[Pangolin43]

Hello everyone.

I wrote a little while ago about a possible flare I was having. After blood test showed raised inflammation I increased my dose of Pred to 7mg from 4.5mg on the advice of members on this site and my GP. GP said to stay at 7 for at least a month and stabilise. Thank yo. This has worked (3 weeks in). Unfortunately I slipped and fell when getting out of the bath two days ago and woke this morning with increased PMR symptoms. I’ve hurt my ribs quite badly and it’s very painful. I have a lot of deep bruising and feel very cross with myself ☹️. Can an accident trigger a further flare?

Ps... next time I will use a non-slip bath mat.

Thank you in advance. 😀

[jinasc]

After my Cousin got stuck in the bath, I changed to a wet room..........I worried about the potential cost but was pleasantly surprised by my plumber. Now I am so pleased I did it.

I have a safe chair in it as well.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There is a case report in the literature saying that a fall can trigger a flare. I toppled off a very slowly moving/almost stationary bike some years ago - nothing major, just scraped my knee and bruises but it started a good going flare! It didn't last that long though. You also have the problem at this dose of needing a bit of adrenal input to help you recover - that will leave you feeling a bit shaky too,

I wish I could justify replacing the bath here with a big shower like jinasc's - but I'm still OK with the ensuite shower though there isn't room for a chair in it

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

“Can an accident trigger a further flare?”..most definitely- but if you catch it quickly you may only need to increase by a small amount - 1 or 2mg, and only for a week..

..just an aside, not sure you needed to stay on increased dose previously for a month as GP suggested ((usual is 7-10 days) then you can easily return to just above previous dose..

But in light of recent events perhaps just as well…hope you soon feel better. Try painkillers for pain, and arnica cream/gel for bruises.

With you there on feeling cross, I poked myself in my eye the other day - nicely bloodshot and quite a shiner…fortunately bad eye so no more damage, just looks horrible 🤦🏻‍♀️

I said considerably more than “silly me”!

[Grammy80 in reply to DorsetLady]

Good going~! You must have really jabbed your eye to get a shiner!! Be well and be careful~~😵‍💫💕

[Nextoneplease]

Yes, I think a fall could trigger a flare - although hopefully, as PMRpro says, it shouldn’t last too long if it’s not due to an underlying exacerbation of the inflammation. So fingers crossed 🤞

I think bathrooms can be really tricky. I’ve got mine sorted with an over bath bench seat to help me get in (though I use it as a shower, as I couldn’t get out of a bath). I also have sturdy rails to hold on to, and always use a non-slip mat.

Still don’t feel 100% safe though. If I thought I’d be in this house for many more years I think I’d change to a wet room.

Hope you feel better soon - it’s a shock you’ve had.

Take care xx

[Pangolin43 in reply to Nextoneplease]

Thank you 😀

[Grammy80]

Ouch!! I'm a big believer in a chair in the tub...learned from a fall. Get well, you've received great advice. Take care💕

[ChinaWuntoo]

I fell out of bed (no I wasn't kicked out) a couple of weeks ago. My shoulder took the fall badly. This was after pushing a wheelchair up too steep a hill a couple of weeks previous and I was still suffering from that. I don't think I have a flare and haven't increased pred from 6.5mg as I'd already done that a short while ago. But I think the PMR was affected - inflammation?

As many others have said, extra exercise can cause an increase in symptoms: even a morning shopping did it for me as I had to use a bus and walked around the shops instead of the usual mobility scooter.