Have any of you had any embarassing (printable!) PMR moments?
I've had 2.
When visiting friends I had to go to the toilet and I couldn't lift myself off the thing!! Nothing to hold on to! Had to call for help. That was ages ago, thank goodness! Practised like made at home after that.
The second one was: I collapsed in a large supermarket and had to be stretchered out.
I seem to remember being terrified of pulling the washbasin away from the wall in trying to get up from the toilet when I was at my worst. And in the same bathroom I couldn't open the door which only had a round knob handle - which led to an immediate replacement with lever handles. We had only recently moved and it had never occurred to me how awful those round handles are. It was also the most ridiculous lock - replaced with a hook at the same time since OH has this "thing" about locking doors which seemed a bit pointless on this particular bathroom door which had a glass panel in it! I know - but it provided the only natural light onto the stairs.
I'm still afraid to lock doors
Constance.I did a Sainsburys.Same thing.THats when I got my Pacemaker..
Hi Constance, in reply to the above, printable right? Well I've never really had any really embarrassing moments but like you and the toilet, before I was diagnosed I was in so much pain and so stiff that I actually dreaded going to the toilet because I would cry attempting to sit down and cry when getting up as the pain was so bad. Worst still the en suite toilet is a low level one and so that was even worse.
Another problem I had was getting in and out of the shower. You only have to lift your leg about 10 inches to get in it but again before I was diagnosed I couldn't even lift either leg up that high. I used to struggle to lift my right leg in and then simply drag my left foot in behind. In the end I had such a sore on my left arch from where it was dragged over the shower lip. Then of course once in the shower i couldn't clean my feet so my husband ordered me one of those foot cleaner bristled shoey thing, but couldn't use that as it tickled my feet! I also couldn't wash under my arms so I had to bend over sort of until my arms flopped forward then I sort of cleaned my arms that way.Then there was getting dressed or should I say being dressed, it took forever. I remember I used to sit and cry and think to myself how weak I was, I had lost my dear mum to cancer just a year earlier and despite all her pain and uncertainty she never cried once.I'm actually going through the movements as I'm writing, oh Constance, the bad old days. Thank god I'm now diagnosed and such events are now in the past.
Well a few weeks ago I thought it would be lovely to have a bath. I had a little trouble getting myself lowered down into the bathtub. Always use to have bath prior Pmr. This was my first attempt as I felt rather agile that day. Oh I was so wrong. The bath was lovely and relaxing. Just never thought it was sooo much trouble getting out of the tub lol it took me a while. Was very close to call out to my husband for help but I am a stubborn so an so. Managed it eventually .
These are scary PMR moments indeed! They can happen. I was on a lounging chaise enjoying the sun, and could not get up. I had to ask my granddaughter for help to pull me up. She is only 9 years old!! PMR effected my thighs. One never knows......
I am getting stronger, but yesterday I sat in a soft plump chair that looked high enough but wasn't. I sank down too far and panicked a bit. I then accepted some help getting up again.
Last year I fell in the garage and couldn't get up. I have bad knees and couldn't kneel on them. At the time my shoulders were also bad and weak. One shoulder had recently been replaced. However I wasn't hurt at all. I normally live alone and a bit out in the country since my husband passesd, and I realized that I could be there a week and no one might find me. So I finally pushed myself on my back over to the car, opened the door, and used the bottom of the door and the seat belt to help me up. The next day I got a cell phone on a lanyard!!
I often thank the martial arts I took when I was younger. I was taught aikido by an Olympic judo coach and learned how to fall without getting hurt. I just couldn't manage the getting up again at the time. So I am working on strenghthening my arms as well as my legs.
I once had the unfortunate situation of being in an old rotary toilet that is still at a busy junction on the main London to Brighton road. On entry you had to stand on two foot prints that were drawn on the floor of the cubicle. Once positioned you pressed a button on the sidewall and the loo door would rotate and close to door. On finishing I tried to stand up whilst pulling up my trousers but slipped and one foot lifted and caused the door to open onto the watching traffic with me bent double with trousers at half mast, not a pretty site but once the foot was replaced the door soon closed a few seconds later..
I think it was Pauline that had a discussion earlier in the week regarding “Buttock Clenching” and a “Tennis Ball”, heaven knows what might come from that debate.
Thanks for cheering us all up, it makes a change from the pain.
I went for the first blood test when it was suspected I had PMR. I sat patiently in the waiting room til my name was called. The only way I could get up was to fall on to the floor. crawl hands and knees to the door and climb up it. I then mustered as much dignity as I could and walked into the cubicle where I refused to sit whilst they took the blood.
These tough moments can happen, and one does want them to happen again.
I collapsed in Waitrose recently, a good place to choose by the way! Bottled Water, a banana, a wheelchair and a first aider appeared along with a manager and assistant from upstairs. Today I went for a blood test at my lical surgery and was walking back to reception and thought my arm felt wet only to discover I had been dripping blood down the corridor. I looked as if I had been in a fight. Luckily there were no other patients around to frighten.
Dont know if this applies but I have become somewhat incontinent and have no more than a few minutes to head for relief.Have had to suffer the indignity of THE PADS.Bloody embarrassing I can tell you.Think Im starting a hernia in groin.area.I can't imagine what else can possibly go wrong,but it seerms we have all suffered from various extra indignities,This thread keeps me sane.
I too hate locked doors. D the same as your husband. A hook is a good idea. Thanks!
I had the same bathtub experience. It was all fine, until I wanted to get out.....I managed, but it took me a while. Dreadful! I vowed NOT to attempt this again and take showers from now on.
.....meaning....NOT want them to happen again. Sorry, for the mistake.
What's a bath? Last had one about 10 years ago...
Yes same here erika . Never thought about that I not have the power in legs and arms to get out lol i must have looked hilarious hehe
You wouldn't be the first person paramedics have had to help out of the bath - preferable to the fire brigade since the ambulance service are used to naked bodies...
Oh I hope it will not take that long ... but yes showers for now. Will not make that mistake again in a hurry
Sorry it said error 500 lol now it posted it 4 times