@TheRoss 

Last reply

TheRoss

Wits end...

I'm struggling at the moment. I broke my ankle in a fall in April 2019, and it's never fully healed up. After the ligament damage was missed and I was wrongly discharged initially, I was referred back for surgery in February 2020, only to watch the country go into lockdown and all surgeries postponed. After a couple of false starts I finally went under the knife in October, but have been left to my own devices since then. After more than 2 years off my feet, I can still only weight-bear on the broken ankle for a couple of minutes before it starts to swell up and get inflamed, and I'm dragging my other leg (weakened by MS before the fracture, and worsening ever since) behind me as I can't lift it off the ground. The upshot is that I can't leave the house nor walk any kind of distance (I struggle to get to the bottom of the drive). I can't stand for any length of time to cook or clean, it's getting harder and harder to climb in the shower or stand up and shave, and it just feels like no-one can/will do anything to help me try to reverse this. The Orthopaedic consultant has told me I will just have to live with it, he's referred me to orthopaedic physios (who are still refusing to see patients in person so can't see how bad it's got, I've only had a couple of phone calls with them since leaving hospital in October) and orthotics (on a waiting list, no timeline given), but he hasn't fully discharged me. My GP referred me back to neuro-physio, who have passed me to another NHS trust to come out and see me (another waiting list...). When I spoke to the MS Nurses last year they told me they couldn't intervene while I was still under the care of Orthopaedics, which technically I still am. Social services have told me that they have no support available for working age adults other than with mental disabilities, their only suggestion was to hire a PA to help with the cooking and cleaning, but as I am still working they would not offer any assistance with organising this. I'm getting weaker by the week, and I'm just at a complete loss as to where to go next - it just feels like everybody I've asked for help is washing their hands of me and passing me to someone else. I haven't had anything resembling a life since April 2019 (work and family are pretty much the only things keeping me going), I've had to give up my independence and move back home, and I'm reaching the point where I'm wondering why I should bother fighting any more when the system just seems to be set against me. Any advice gratefully received.
@acceptance

Ah mate @TheRoss it sounds like you are having and have had a total mare. But you have reached out, which is the first step on the road to mental and physical recovery. Sad fact is you have to adapt, change what you can and try and accept what you can’t change ...(and change or try and change what you can ;with gritted tenacious teeth if needs be). ....and get your head round dealing with accepting, and adapting to what you can’t. ...With as much solid stoicism, dignity and pride as you can muster....Oh and a smile ...It actually pisses some people off; which is strangely satisfying lol Relying on others, the doctors, social services or the government leads to disappointment frankly. Have low expectations and the disappointment won’t sting so bad and ensure you always have a plan B. So independence, low expectations, future planning, counting your blessings, mindfulness, celebrating the wins,and as much happy moment contemplation as you can muster; is also advised. Ultimately you are in charge of you and know best what’s best for you and what you need. Yes, it’s easier to sink than swim, and every day is a challenge; but celebrating the little wins always with wild euphoria is where it’s at mate! So telling that this post, whist about physical limitations; is really about the mental and emotional health ramifications of a broken body and system. It gets no response; whereas questions about drugs are quickly responded to by a plethora of people downplaying their very life compromising effects and extrolling their virtues...yeah, good luck with that... Anyway, the only way is up and you can’t beat someone who won’t give up eh? Love, luck, light and angelic delight ⭐️❤️☘️🐡😇🐡⭐️

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@Murray

Hi @TheRoss, I am wondering what you do to make the swelling and inflamation better? I had a leg fracture last year and after the operation I had physio, initially online but then a few face to face sessions but it was the swelling that was the hardest thing to handle. After 20 minutes it felt unbearable and I had to elevate my leg, with ice. The physio told me that I needed to put the foot to the ground (starting with a few minutes and building up) each day in order to get my system/circulation used to it. It took several months but I can now use it normally (can't run). I remember it being a really hard time and sometimes felt I would never recover. From your post I can see you are putting up with it for a long period which is awful. I wish you all the best with your recovery - it will come.