Since I have been dropping everything I touch (or so it seems), I asked my
physiotherapist last week if there is anything I can do about it.
Not only is it wasteful and messy to be always breaking things and dropping
food and drinks, it's also stressful and extremely frustrating. I get so angry
at myself - it's like my hands just stop working, and there goes the makeup bag
or the glass of water or the lovely china plate, as happened last night while I
was doing dishes, which made me cry. (The broken bits slid down the drain
before I could stop them, so I can’t even glue it back together again.) At this
point I am considering buying some plastic dishes – I’m worried that if I
don’t, I’ll end up smashing something on the floor and stepping on the pieces.
According to my physiotherapist, and to Melissa, who commented after my last post, this
is pretty common among arthritis patients. She had two common-sense
suggestions:
First, she said, I need to slow down. This is much harder than it
sounds, but I am working on it. I'm used to buzzing around the kitchen in a
flap trying to prepare breakfast or pack a lunch. A friend advised me to think
of slowing down as something I’m doing for myself, for my life in general, and
not something I have to do because my
arthritis is worse. I like that idea.
Second, my physiotherapist says I should use two hands for everything
(even if I don't think I need to). Again, this takes some work, because most
of us are used to picking things up with one hand. Hopefully, though, if I
learn to use both hands, I’ll be less likely to fumble and drop things.
Maybe the trick is not to be overconfident. Even if something looks like
it's going to be easy to grip or lift, I should probably assume it won't be and
be extra careful.
Any other ideas, anyone?
I really hope all of this helps. I’m so tired of feeling like I can’t trust
myself.
5 comments:
Both slowing down and using two hands to hold things are both sensible suggestions. I empathize, Helen. I drop things a lot, too. It's like my fingers just don't always close completely or something. And it IS frustrating.
Recently I ordered recycled plastic plates and bowls--not because I was dropping things, but because regular plates and bowls are too heavy for my sore hands these days. It hurts to pick them up at all. These plastic plates are tough as nails but light as a feather. Take a look, if you like. They're also inexpensive:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZCZDRQ/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01
Wishing you the best, as always, and sending you patience and joy.
Wren, thanks for the good wishes, and for the recycled plates idea! I wasn't all that keen on buying plastic dishes but I love the idea of recycled ones. :) I'm definitely going to look into that!
I drop everything as well. It is extremely frustrating, especially as I work as a nurse. It doesn't inspire much confidence in my patients when I drop all my supplies on the floor! It also doesn't help that I was clumsy before the RA hit. I have found that using 2 hands all the time and slowing down help. Instead of thinking of it as the RA; I think of it as slowing down to save my body for more in the future. Taking the extra time helps save my sanity as well as my joints; preserving more for the future.
Plastic dishes are a great idea, especially the recycled ones. I have to admit to using paper plates a good portion of the time. The real plates are too heavy, plus I don't often have the energy to both cook and clean the kitchen after eating. Usually by the time I'm done eating, I'm ready for a nap.
Wishing you the best! Thank you for your encouraging blog and refreshing honesty.
Rebecca
Just stumbled across your blog and really enjoying it! I was just moaning about dropping stuff this morning, our kitchen has a stone floor and its carnage with arthritis. Like Wren, I'm a big fan of plastic plates - you can get some quite nice looking ones too.
It is amazingly frustrating but its nice to hear other people sob into the washing-up too;) Hope things improve for you.
I found your blog today and have really been enjoying reading your posts, particularly about dating and disclosing your RA to other persons. I have also had RA since childhood and am now in my late 20s, so I relate to much of what you have written!
I'm sorry to hear you've been dropping things lately. My hands are very weak so I also tend to drop things on a regular basis! I find it necessary to concentrate on what I'm doing and take my time. It is frustrating, but I hope your grip gets better. Wishing you all the best!
-Lily
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